Home : The Retro Network

Inside the Cosmic Chaos of Galaxy High School

Galaxy High School took the classic high school story and launched it into space, creating one of the most imaginative and unforgettable cartoons of the eighties.

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.

How Monopoly Helped Free POWs in World War II

Park Place, Boardwalk, and a hidden map with a secret escape route? For Allied POWs during World War II, Monopoly games came equipped with real-life “get out of jail free” cards. During World War II,

The Birth of MTV’s Video Music Awards

When MTV launched the Video Music Awards (VMAs) on September 14, 1984, it wasn’t just creating an awards show, it was igniting a cultural revolution, though no one knew it then. Held at Radio City

8 Movies Adapted From Shakespeare’s Plays

Many English teachers or instructors might have a sculpted bust of William Shakespeare, but I’ve always liked the feel of plush toys. I call the fellow seen above “Squishy Bill”. I particularly like his velvety

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

Mall Stores of the ’80s (and ’90s) that You’ll Never Shop at Again

The Shopping Mall was once an essential destination especially for those of us who grew up from the late-70s through the ’90s. The shopping aspect has been more-or-less replaced by online retailers, but the social

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 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.

The Alien Autopsy That Fooled the World

In the mid-1990s, when grainy VHS tapes and tabloid TV ruled the airwaves, one broadcast sent shockwaves through living rooms across America: Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction? Airing on Fox in 1995, the special promised

Fireball Island: Treasure Hunts, Lava Runs, and Legendary Escapes

In the golden age of 1980s board games, few titles captured the imagination quite like Fireball Island. Released by Milton Bradley in 1986, this wasn’t just another game, it was a spectacle. With its three-dimensional

The Rural Purge at CBS

In the early 1970s, Fred Silverman undertook a radical plan to remake CBS. What resulted was the programming bloodbath known as the rural purge.

The Top 10 Simpsons Treehouse of Horror Tales

The Simpsons’ annual Treehouse of Horror Halloween specials are Halloween and cultural institutions. Here are the Top 10 Treehouse of Horror tales of all-time.

Memorable Sharks in Pop Culture History

Throughout the years, people everywhere have been fascinated with sharks. So it’s no wonder that sharks of all kinds have popped up in various forms of pop culture in the decades of mass entertainment. As

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.

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.

Super ’70s

Awesome ’80s

Nostalgic ’90s