television Archives : Page 2 of 17 : The Retro Network

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.

The Planet of the Apes TV Series: A Lost Gem of 1970s Sci Fi

Mickey Yarber

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.

The Retro Network Goes Ape With A Full Week of Planet of the Apes Nostalgia

Mickey Yarber

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

Mickey Yarber

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.

Why Saved by the Bell Still Defines the 90s

Mickey Yarber

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.

The Wild History of Piper’s Pit

Mickey Yarber

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

Mickey Yarber

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.

New RoboCop Series Officially in the Works at Prime Video

Walter King

Prime Video is officially bringing RoboCop back to the screen. Amazon MGM Studios and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have confirmed an eight‑episode series based on the classic sci‑fi franchise, with original co‑creators Ed Neumeier and Michael

The Rise and Ruin of Jimmy Swaggart

Mickey Yarber

Jimmy Swaggart rose from Pentecostal revivalist to America’s most-watched televangelist, captivating millions with fiery sermons and music before personal scandal brought his media empire crashing down.

Who Was the Snapple Lady?

Mickey Yarber

The Snapple Lady became one of the most unexpected and endearing stars of 1990s advertising, a real employee who turned into a national personality simply by being herself. At a time when beverage companies were

Cage Without a Key – Was Sidney Sheldon Inspired by It?

Ernest Dempsey

Did they do it all in the ‘70s with nothing left untouched when it came to storylines for cinema and TV? Revisiting little known or long-forgotten gems from the decade supports this impression. Even Sidney

Cheers: The Show That Made America Feel At Home

Mickey Yarber

Cheers turned a simple Boston bar into one of television’s most beloved gathering places, blending sharp humor, unforgettable characters, and a sense of community that still resonates decades later.

A League of Their Own: The Sitcom That Couldn’t Match the Movie Magic

Mickey Yarber

The Rockford Peaches made a quick jump to prime time in 1993, but their sitcom run was so short and shaky that most viewers never even knew it existed.

Nine Forgotten Detective Shows from the ’80s

Mickey Yarber

Crime dramas ruled the 1980s, yet many promising contenders vanished almost as quickly as they arrived. These forgotten shows capture the era’s energy, ambition, and the risks of chasing a hit.

Warner Bros. is Bringing Dark Shadows Back to Life for An Adult Animated Series

Walter King

Dark Shadows is rising once more, returning as an adult animated series that revisits Barnabas Collins and the eerie, gothic world that made the original a cult favorite.

Pop Culture

HBO: The Channel That Changed Television

Mickey Yarber

From uncut movies to blockbuster boxing nights, HBO became the channel that defined cable television and set the standard every other premium network tried to follow.