Home : The Retro Network

Inside the Wonder Filled World of Muppet Babies

Muppet Babies turned a simple nursery into a universe of imagination, giving 80s kids adventures that stretched far beyond the walls of their Saturday morning playroom.

Tab and the Birth of the Modern Diet Soda

Tab emerged as Coca Cola’s bold first diet soda, a sharp, stylish drink that became a cultural icon long before zero sugar ruled the shelves.

The Colorful Chaos of Domino Rally

Domino Rally turned carpets and playrooms into kinetic playgrounds, giving kids the thrill of building something delicate and watching it collapse in perfect, colorful motion.

When Starter Jackets Ruled the ’90s

Starter jackets turned ’90s fashion into a bold, shiny badge of identity, giving every kid the swagger of a sports star and the confidence of street culture.

Supermarket Sweep: When Grocery Shopping Became a Sport

Supermarket Sweep turned grocery shopping into pure ’90s chaos, where sprinting for turkeys, giant bonuses, and overflowing carts made daytime TV feel absolutely electric.

Use Your Illusion: The Double Album Gamble That Defined Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses unleashed two massive albums at their peak, turning 1991 into a rock supernova and proving their Illusion era was the last great roar of hard‑rock excess.

Lisa Frank: The Rainbow Queen of the School Aisle

“Lisa Frank turned ordinary school days into neon magic, filling backpacks with rainbows, unicorns, and the pure joy of childhood color.

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.

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

Fascinating Facts About Gilligan’s Island

In September of 1964, the S.S. Minnow first set out on its fateful three hour tour, as Gilligan’s Island premiered on American television sets. Not many could have predicted the impact that the sitcom would have on

10 Best Vintage Masters of the Universe Action Figures

Vintage Masters of the Universe figures weren’t just toys. They were bold, colorful heroes that turned bedroom floors into battlefields and gave an entire generation its first taste of epic, imagination‑powered adventure.

When ’90s Sitcoms Went to Disney World

Growing up, I was lucky enough to go to Walt Disney World fairly frequently. My Mom’s parents lived near Lakeland, Florida, and we’d work in a visit to see Grandma and Grandpa for a day

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

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.

Fascinating Facts About Your Favorite ’80s Cartoons

If you thought you knew everything about your favorite 80’s cartoons, think again! From the many great, and some not so great, cartoons that aired in the 80’s there is an abundance of things about

Marvel 2099: The Future That Defined a Comic Book Decade

In the early 1990s, Marvel Comics was riding high on a wave of speculation, foil covers and larger than life storytelling. It was a decade obsessed with the future. Virtual reality was on the rise,

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

10 Best Cartoons of the 80’s

Cartoons were inescapable in the 1980’s. Saturday mornings, weekday afternoons and even on cable TV, colorful animated characters were everywhere we looked. While the majority were shoddy productions conceived as part of carefully constructed marketing

Super ’70s

Awesome ’80s

Nostalgic ’90s