Mickey Yarber, aka The Retro Rambler

When Ernest Went to Splash Mountain

Before the rise of influencers and viral ride-throughs, there was Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain, a gloriously goofy, half-hour TV special that aired on July 7, 1989, just days before the grand opening of Splash

TRN Round Table: Vacations and Road Trips

Mickey Yarber

The fine folks from all around the Network have come together to share stories of memorable vacations and road trips throughout the years. We’re combining them all into one long, omnibus-like post for you to

The Fall Guy: A Look Back at TV’s Original Stuntman Hero

Mickey Yarber

The Fall Guy delivered big stunts, Hollywood charm, and Lee Majors at his effortless best. This look back revisits the action, the cast, and the blue‑collar heroics that made the 80s series a fan‑favorite classic.

CHiPs: A Look Back at TV’s Coolest Ride

Mickey Yarber

With sun‑drenched freeways, gleaming motorcycles, and the effortless charm of Jon and Ponch, CHiPs delivered a warm, good‑natured brand of action that defined an era of television.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century: A Look Back at TV’s Flashiest Space Adventure

Mickey Yarber

Buck Rogers brought a disco‑age swagger to sci‑fi TV, blending pulp adventure, shiny futures, and unforgettable characters into one of the most stylish space shows of the early 80s.

Battlestar Galactica: The Space Epic Born From Star Wars Fever

Mickey Yarber

Battlestar Galactica rose from a forgotten pitch to become a million‑dollar‑an‑episode spectacle, blending myth, adventure, and cinematic ambition in a way television had rarely seen.

Mr. T Cartoon: Gymnastics, Grit, and Gold Chains on Saturday Mornings

Mickey Yarber

Looking back at the Saturday morning cartoon of the ’80s based on the iconic Mr. T.

POGs: The Fad That Slammed the ’90s

Mickey Yarber

In the world of ’90s playground obsessions, Tamagotchis, slap bracelets, and Beanie Babies, few fads hit harder (literally) than POGs. These colorful cardboard discs, paired with chunky “slammers,” turned recess into a battlefield of flips,

Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels: The Prehistoric Hero of Saturday Morning

Mickey Yarber

By the late seventies, Saturday morning television had settled into a familiar groove. Kids knew the routine. A bowl of cereal, a spot on the living room floor, and a lineup of shows that mixed

The Legacy of Pole Position and Its Impact on Arcade History

Mickey Yarber

Pole Position brought real speed to the arcade, turning simple controls and a single qualifying lap into a rush of Formula 1 excitement. It set the standard for racing games and became an unforgettable golden‑age favorite.

Lincoln Logs: The Frontier Toy That Never Went Out of Style

Mickey Yarber

Kids love building stuff. A casual visit to your local toy store will prove this, revealing shelves of time-tested construction toys like Legos, Erector sets, and Tinker Toys. One of the classic toys in this category is Lincoln

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

Mickey Yarber

“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

Arcade All-Stars: Asteroids

Mickey Yarber

In the years after Star Wars, anything involving outer space, zippy interstellar craft, and dangerous battles was golden. Into this arena of sci-fi fantasy came Atari’s Asteroids, one of the most enduring hits in video game history.

Sit‑N‑Spin: The Classic Toy That Made Us All Dizzy With Joy

Mickey Yarber

Carnival rides were one of the coolest things about being a kid. Getting strapped into a Tilt-A-Whirl or Tea Cups and then being spun around was the next best thing to an out-of-body experience. Of

The Six Million Dollar Man Action Figure: How a TV Icon Became a Toy‑Aisle Legend

Mickey Yarber

If there was ever a television series that demanded a toy line for its merchandise, it was The Six Million Dollar Man. This classic series chronicling the adventures of a half-man, half-robot government agent named Steve

Lazer Tag: High‑Tech Hits and Pure 80s Power

Mickey Yarber

If you were a kid in 1986, you probably remember the hype. For months before Worlds of Wonder finally released Lazer Tag, the company built up suspense to unbelievable levels with a series of teasing

Etch A Sketch: The Mechanical Marvel Behind a Generational Favorite

Mickey Yarber

It’s a nice feeling to finish an Etch-A-Sketch picture you’re semi-proud of. “It actually looks like a tree this time!” you tell yourself. But then that brainy cousin of yours shows you the portrait he’s Etch-A-Sketched and