Mickey Yarber, aka The Retro Rambler

Catholics vs Convicts: The Game That Defined a College Football Era

The 1988 Catholics vs Convicts showdown captured college football’s fiercest rivalry, blending culture, controversy, and unforgettable drama as Notre Dame toppled Miami in a game that defined an era.

From Pretzel to Pop Culture: The Story of Twister

Mickey Yarber

Twister turned living rooms into playgrounds, becoming a 60s sensation after a wild Tonight Show moment and growing into one of America’s most iconic party games.

Retro Reel Review: Rudy (1993)

Mickey Yarber

A heartfelt, inspiring sports classic that still delivers every bit of its emotional punch.

From Snack to Stardom: The Story of the California Raisins

Mickey Yarber

The California Raisins became unlikely 80s icons, jumping from commercials to toys, cereal boxes, music, and TV before their claymation fame finally faded.

Have a Retro Countdown to Christmas With An Advent Calendar

Mickey Yarber

Advent calendars were one of the simplest joys of childhood, and you can bring that magic back this year with fun retro countdowns for you and your kids.

That Smell We All Remember

Mickey Yarber

Every Gen Xer remembers that cool purple page, the sweet chemical smell, and the quiet classroom ritual nobody taught us but we all somehow knew.

Beetlejuice: A Wild Ride Through the Cartoon Afterlife

Mickey Yarber

The Beetlejuice cartoon turned Tim Burton’s strange and unusual world into bright, goofy Saturday morning fun, giving kids a wild trip through the Neitherworld they never forgot.

Retro Reel Review: Halloween (1978)

Mickey Yarber

Halloween still delivers that perfect October chill, blending simple scares, small‑town atmosphere and one unforgettable masked figure into a fall classic that earns its four stars.

Monster in My Pocket: The Tiny Terrors That Took Over the 90s

Mickey Yarber

Monster in My Pocket turned tiny neon creatures into one of the 90s most unforgettable toy crazes, mixing mythology, monsters and pure collectible fun.

Spice Up Your Halloween With This Hot ‘n Devilish CHex Party Mix Recipe From 1988

Mickey Yarber

Chex Hot ’n Devilish brings spicy retro flavor to Halloween night, delivering a fiery 1988 snack mix that pairs perfectly with candy, costumes and classic spooky fun.

Collectors Corner: Starting a Candy Wrapper Collection

Mickey Yarber

Candy wrapper collecting is a fun, accessible hobby for retro fans, turning everyday treats into colorful pieces of pop culture you can preserve, catalog, and display.

Retro Reel Review: Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)

Mickey Yarber

Eddie Murphy’s cool charm and Angela Bassett’s grounded intensity make Vampire in Brooklyn a nostalgic mid‑90s mix of spooky fun, foggy streets, and irresistible charm.

Dark Tower: The Holy Grail of 80s Board Games

Mickey Yarber

Dark Tower mixed fantasy adventure with electronic magic, creating one of the most unforgettable and ambitious board game quests of the 1980s.

TRN Time Machine Podcast: Getting to Know Jason

Mickey Yarber

Our dear friend and co-founder of The Retro Network, Jason Gross, passed away three years ago today. In memory of him, and to mark the occasion as part of Jason Gross Day, we’re re-releasing a

Halloween For Gen X Was Full of Costumes, Candy, & Chaos

Mickey Yarber

Halloween gave us school parades, homemade costumes, wild teen pranks, and now the cozy joy of movies, snacks, and handing out candy to the next generation.

Filmation’s Ghostbusters: The Other Ghostbusting Team We Grew Up With

Mickey Yarber

Filmation’s Ghostbusters delivered wild ghosts, goofy gadgets, and Saturday morning fun, creating a wonderfully weird ghostbusting world that stood proudly apart from the movie version.