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The Rise and Reign of the Pudding Pie

“Hostess Pudding Pies were the foil‑wrapped treasures of the eighties and nineties, turning everyday snack runs into creamy, chocolate‑filled moments of pure childhood joy.

Polly Pocket: The Mini Marvel of the Toy Aisle

Polly Pocket let kids carry entire worlds in their hands, tiny pastel places where imagination thrived and childhood felt wonderfully portable.

When Spider-Man Married Mary Jane

In 1987, Spider‑Man took his biggest leap of faith as Peter Parker and Mary Jane’s wedding turned a comic milestone into a cultural moment.

Head of the Class: The Smartest Sitcom of the Eighties

Head of the Class reminded us that growing up smart was still growing up, with a classroom full of gifted kids learning life’s real lessons together.

TRN Roundtable: Back to School

These stories remind us that going back to school in the eighties and nineties was more than a yearly routine. It was a season filled with small rituals, bright memories, and the kind of excitement that only childhood could create.

Breaking Stereotypes: The Enduring Power of The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club showed us the truth about being teenagers—five kids, one Saturday, and a story that made an entire generation feel understood.

Return to the Planet of the Apes: The Animated Adventure You Forgot

Return to the Planet of the Apes reimagined the franchise with bold artwork and futuristic flair, creating a colorful animated world that pushed the saga far beyond anything seen in the films.

Planet of the Apes Candy: A Sugary Slice of 1970s Pop Culture

Planet of the Apes candy from Phoenix Candy turned movie fandom into a sweet treat, wrapping simple chocolates and gum in bold, collectible packaging that became a quirky gem of 1970s pop culture.

Planet of the Apes by Mego: The Toy Line That Ruled the Living Room

Mego’s Planet of the Apes figures and playsets brought the franchise home, turning bedrooms into ape cities with eight‑inch heroes, villains, and iconic cardboard fortresses that defined 1970s toy adventure.

When Apes Hit the Spinner Rack: The Comic Book History of Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes comics expanded the films into a larger universe, from Gold Key’s pulpy adventures to Marvel’s gritty black‑and‑white epics that kept the saga thriving in print.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold: A Journey Across History, Mystery, and Sunlight

“Children of the Sun, see your time has just begun,Searching for your way, through adventures every day.Every day and night, with the condor in flight,With all your friends in tow, you search for the Cities

Our Favorite Old School Music Videos

Welcome back to another TRN Round Table. It’s where we get together and share our thoughts on the same subject. Earlier this week, the latest episode of the TRN Podcast featured Jason, Mickey, and Eric

Rumble in the Cabbage Patch: The Cabbage Patch Kid Craze

One of the staple toy lines of the ’80s was Coleco’s Cabbage Patch Kids line. Every girl I knew as a kid had at least one Cabbage Patch Kid. I had a few, including an

5 Nostalgic Movies Ruined By Time

If you’ve read my writing online over the past 15 years or listened to any of my many (some would say too many) podcast projects, you know that I love collecting VHS tapes. I have

The Power Glove: Nintendo’s Most Fascinating Misfire

In the late 1980s, Nintendo was riding a wave of cultural dominance. The NES had revived the home video game market, Mario was a household name, and kids everywhere were dreaming about the future of

The Planet of the Apes TV Series: A Lost Gem of 1970s Sci Fi

The Planet of the Apes TV series tried to bring the franchise’s world to prime time, creating a weekly adventure that expanded the saga even as its short run turned it into a cult favorite.

Planet of the Apes: How a Sci Fi Film Started a Pop Culture Empire

Planet of the Apes evolved from a daring sci fi gamble into a drive in favorite and cable TV staple, shaping generations with its wild ideas and unforgettable imagery.

The Retro Network Goes Ape With A Full Week of Planet of the Apes Nostalgia

The Retro Network Goes Ape all week with a full celebration of Planet of the Apes, revisiting the movies, shows, comics, toys, candy, and animated adventures fans love.

From Telethon to Television Staple: The Story of The 700 Club

The 700 Club grew from a small fundraising broadcast into a long‑running television institution that shaped CBN, launched The Family Channel, and remained a cable fixture for decades.

Why Saved by the Bell Still Defines the 90s

Saved by the Bell captured the bright, carefree spirit of the early 90s, turning Bayside High into a place where friendships, humor, and larger‑than‑life teen adventures made Saturday mornings feel electric.

Top Ten Things in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

The Empire Strikes Back premiered May 21, 1980. I was ten years old and could not wait to see it and though I remember having to wait a couple of weeks to see it in

Sambo’s Restaurant And A Controversial Chapter in American Dining History

In the landscape of mid-century American diners, Sambo’s Restaurant once stood as a prominent chain known for its hearty breakfasts and family-friendly atmosphere. But behind the pancakes and coffee was a name and branding that

Wrestlers From the ’90s You’ve Probably Forgotten

The ’90s were such a fascinating time in pro wrestling. While the second half of the decade saw a record rise in fans and revenue due to the Monday Night Wars and stars such as

VHS Collecting: A Visual Guide To Retro Home Media

Recently on The Retro Network I participated in an awesome TRN Talk: VHS Collecting podcast discussing the art of VHS collecting with Jason (@RD80s) and the always enthusiastic Chad Young from the Horror Movie BBQ

William Atherton Played the Best Movie Jerk of the ’80s

There are certain actors that just have that special ability to play the “jerk” role in movies. In the ’80s, nobody did it better than William Atherton. You might not know him by name, but you should

Lay’s WOW Chips: The Story Behind a 90s Food Phenomenon

WOW chips once felt like a fat‑free miracle, a 90s sensation that sparked real excitement before fading into one of the decade’s strangest and most memorable misfires.

Caught Up in the Crossfire: A 90s Classic Revisited

Crossfire turned living rooms into battlegrounds, delivering fast‑shot chaos, steel‑ball mayhem, and one of the most unforgettable toy commercials of the 90s.

The Wild History of Piper’s Pit

Piper’s Pit transformed wrestling interviews into unpredictable battlegrounds, turning Roddy Piper’s sharp wit and chaos into moments that reshaped storytelling and defined an era of sports entertainment.

Twin Peaks: A Town Too Weird to Forget

A haunting small‑town mystery that blended surreal humor, supernatural dread, and unforgettable characters, Twin Peaks reshaped television by embracing the beauty of being profoundly strange.

The Things All ’90s Living Rooms Had

A warm look back at the unforgettable clutter, comfort, and charm that made every 90s living room feel perfectly familiar and wonderfully chaotic.

Super ’70s

Awesome ’80s

Nostalgic ’90s