Karen Flieger, Author at The Retro Network

A College Halloween With Friends, Pizza, and VH‑1

A college Halloween turned into costumes, candy, pizza, and Rocky Horror in a friend’s basement, creating one of the most unforgettable nights of my freshman year.

Halloween Nostalgia: Costumes and One “Ugly” Sweater

Karen Flieger

Here’s a look at some of my Halloween costumes through the years and a particular “ugly” sweater that I associate with Halloween. Bugs Bunny (1979) This was my costume for my first time trick or

History of The Satanic Panic

Karen Flieger

Before I get into the chronology of what got us from the 1960’s counter culture to the book, toy, and music bans of the 1980’s and 1990’s. I wanted to put into context why I

History of Nickelodeon Part 2: June 1984

Karen Flieger

In June of 1984, Nickelodeon saw its first major transition. Cy Schneider, the network’s original president retired. His successor would change Nickelodeon’s direction from parent approved to “kid” focused. Not “young people”-focused, not “child-focused” KID-focused.

History of Nickelodeon Part 1: Pinwheel 1983

Karen Flieger

Before Nickelodeon became the Nickelodeon 80’s kids know and love, it was called C3 or “The Pinwheel Channel”. It was part of an experiment from Warner Amex called Qube and was first tested in Columbus,

Toy of the Week: Raspberry Tart and Rhubarb Monkey

Karen Flieger

One day when I got off the bus in kindergarten, my mom was waiting for me in the car with my brother strapped into his car seat. It was March of 1983 and we had

Event Spotlight: IBM Christmas Party

Karen Flieger

Sometime in December, my parents would get us dressed up and into the car and my dad would drive us all downtown to a big office building or hotel or banquet hall. I don’t remember

Media Spotlight: Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth (David Bowie & Bing Crosby)

Karen Flieger

1. Why did I choose to cover this recording? It’s now officially Christmastime, for starters. For another, this now classic version of the song is celebrating its forty-fifth anniversary this year. My mom told me

Toy of the Week: Aladdin Toys

Karen Flieger

1. Why did I choose this toy/these toys? This isn’t just one toy, it’s a whole bunch of toys in two formats: Barbie style fashion doll and (mostly) plush animals. Aladdin was my favorite of

Toy of the Week: Search for The White Ranger

Karen Flieger

1. Why did I choose this toy? I chose the White Ranger for two reasons: 1. It’s a story about looking for a popular toy for a child at Christmastime. 2. The recent tragic passing

Toy of the Week: California Ken

Karen Flieger

Over the summer, I wrote an article about the first Ken(s) I received, Roller Skating Ken. I also wrote about how those first Ken dolls

Toy of the Week: Mr. Sketch Scented Markers

Karen Flieger

If the 1980s had to be summed up with one specific sense, it would be scent. From Strawberry Shortcake dolls to Scratch and Sniff stickers and anything from Yankee Candle or Bath and Body Works,

Review of the Horror-Themed 90s Sitcom ‘Stark Raving Mad’

Karen Flieger

Stark Raving Mad was a modern “Odd Couple” sitcom from the end of the 1990s starring Neil Patrick Harris as a book editor named Henry McNeeley. Henry’s boss assigns him to horror novelist Ian Stark,

Toy of The Week: Cody the Coca Cola Plush Critter

Karen Flieger

The selection for this article is inspired by my one of the prizes from my entry in the TRN Summer Camp program earlier this summer: a metal lunch box filled with penny candy. The winners

Summer Reading Program: A season full of books

Karen Flieger

When Eric announced his idea for this series, I was very excited. Books have always been a big part of my life. My mom always read and the library was a frequent errand for us.

Toy of the Week: Roller Skating Ken (Mattel, 1981)

Karen Flieger

Growing up as a girl in the 1980’s, Barbie and her friends were a major portion of my childhood. Barbie was (and still is) present at birthday parties, on Christmas morning, every Saturday morning, after