by The Retroist
For over a decade, The Retroist Podcast has taken a nostalgic look back at the last 40+ years of retro themed pop culture. The show attempts to connect or reconnect you to things from your past through storytelling and discussion of compelling milestones and forgotten tidbits of pop culture.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
3/24/2009
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April 11, 2025
The Magnavox Odyssey 2 was a contender early on in the video game console world. It had a lot going for it, but it was up against a gaming juggernaut, the Atari 2600, and just couldn’t keep up. Still it is a memorable system and worth spending some time remembering. So, on todays, show I will talk about this often overlooked gaming console. I begin by talking about my childhood encounter with the Odyssey came about because of a case of mistaken identity. It was a magical find and surprising highlight of a few family visits that were to follow. Then I move onto the console itself, discussing its predecessor, creator, development, games, accessories, and much more. I also sprinkle a good amount of retro audio into the show and return to reading a little bit from the paper. Nothing excessive, but it a few highlights from around the time of the console’s release. This included another pop culture TV event that I think was worth mentioning. We have had a lot of consoles that failed. Ones that didn’t last long, but I believe by all measures, the Odyssey 2 was a success. That is why I think it is a shame that not enough people have heard of it or have forgotten it. So please join me while I share the history and some information about Magnavox Geewhizbang console, the Odyssey 2.
March 28, 2025
I have met a couple of adults who are unlucky enough to have never visited a Chuck E. Cheese as a kid. Many of them were not able to fathom why anyone would feel affection to the chain. Some of them would be lucky enough to see it through their kid’s eyes’ eventually, but for many, they will just never understand the magic. So on today’s episode of the Retroist Podcast, I want to talk a little bit about that magic. I started by discussing my first experience at Chuck E. Cheese. It was a mind-blowing time and one that I wish I could relive. Then I move onto the company itself. I talk about its founding, its founder, its growth, its relationship with Showbiz Pizza, its falls, rebirths and much more. I tried not to go too deep on the business of the company, but instead try to give a solid overview that should work for people familiar with the chain and those who aren’t. Chuck E. Cheese was built for kids. It was a message its founder, Nolan Bushnell liked to make sure people working there knew. But this was also a major chain that made history and looked like it was going on to huge things in the early 80s, but having tied themselves to the arcade industry, it was hurt by the crash of 1983. Still, the company managed to dig itself out, refocus and continue. Other companies and food chains have come and gone, but Chuck E. Cheese adapts and survives.
March 14, 2025
Streets of Fire is a rock n roll fantasy film that crossed genres and had music at its center. Unfortunately, even though it was wildly creative, when it hit theaters in 1984, the reception to the film was underwhelming. Fortunately though, when the film made its way to home video and cable TV, it started to develop a following. Nowadays its has a high-level cult status and many critics have looking more kindly on it. While mediocre reviews were certainly one reason it didn’t do very well, one cannot overlooks its competition. This movies was released in the summer of 1984, a pretty hot summer for movies. To stand out it would have to defeat some behemoths and it just wasn’t up for the task. On today’s show, I talk all about this wonderful film. I start by talking about a game we used to play at the video store, where Streets of Fire was my go-to film. Then I move onto the movie itself, discussing the people in front of and behind the camera, its style, music, planned sequels, and much more. This film filled me with optimism for films at the time. It showed that creative people were trying new things and while I couldn’t explain all of the decisions they made in the film, I continue to find them all very intriguing. This is a cult film that is a very easy watch and will have you singing along and ready to watch it again and again.
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