Riding the Retro Metro: Saturday July 14, 1984!

Redartz:  Come one, come all; it's time again for a quick quest back to the Bronze Age, courtesy of the Retro Metro!  On the docket today is that epochal year 1984, a true high point in 80's pop culture. In the news, everyone's talking about the US presidential campaign, specifically Democrat Walter Mondale's choice of Geraldine Ferraro as his Vice-Presidential running mate: the first woman on a major party ticket. And there's the Los Angeles Olympic Games, opening despite the boycott by the Soviets. 

There's big news on the music front, as well. The number one song on the US Billboard Chart:  Prince, "When Doves Cry"

The genius from Minnesota gives us this gem from the soundtrack to his current film "Purple Rain". The whole album is incredible, and this cut is one of the best.

Rounding out the top five: 
2.  Bruce Springsteen, "Dancing in the Dark"
3.  The Pointer Sisters, "Jump (For My Love)"
4.  Billy Idol, "Eyes Without a Face"
5.  Duran Duran, "The Reflex"

This is one of those rare occasions when the top five all score high on my personal favorite list. Springsteen's hit is danceable, and infectiously melodic. Billy Idol's "Eyes" is a moody,masterpiece. And Duran Duran score another very catchy hit. 

Some other current hits of note:  Laura Branagan, "Self Control"; just a great song. Ray Parker Jr., "Ghostbusters"; impossible to get out of your head; the theme (obviously) to the current smash hit summer blockbuster film . Eddy Grant, "Romancing the Stone", another excellent movie song; from the man who took us to "Electric Avenue". Thompson Twins, "Doctor! Doctor!"- perfect pop from a fine new group (containing no twins, incidentally).

Tops in the UK:  Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Two Tribes"

Great song and a cool video; and speaking of video, thanks to MTV and the various video music programs for exposing such acts to those of us in the US starving for the latest sounds from 'across the pond'. And one of these days I might just be seen wearing one of those "Frankie Say" t-shirts.



Ah, before we forget: being Saturday, there may be some benefit to checking out the Saturday morning cartoon highlights:   


Charlie Brown and Snoopy, Bill Melendez brings Charles Shultz' characters to Saturday mornings. It's one of the highlights, well worth a look. 
 



Dungeons and Dragons, based upon the immensely popular role playing game. Our D&D group enjoys catching this show. 

Bugs Bunny, Smurfs, Thundarr the Barbarian, The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man- all veteran shows by now, but still worth watching. Especially Bugs; you can never go wrong with Warner Bros. cartoons!














As far as prime time is concerned, for tonight's televised offerings, let's check out the TV Guide...

US Television Schedule: 

William Shatner

ABC:  T.J. Hooker, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island

 These days I'm usually busy on Saturday nights. I've missed seeing William Shatner as T.J. Hooker , but I still catch Fantasy Island from time to time. Tattoo never gets old...

CBS:  Whiz Kids, Airwolf, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer


NBC:  Diff'rent Strokes, Silver Spoons, Mama's Family, People are Funny, The Rousters

 




 NBC relies pretty obviously on it's comedy schedule on Saturday nights. I do have to give a nod to "Mama's Family": Vicki Lawrence is a hoot. Loved that whole shtick since it originated on the incomparable "Carol Burnett Show". A fine comic cast, as well...



 





BBC1:  The Saturday Film: Rio Bravo, Dynasty, Bird of Prey

BBC2:  Primal, Countdown to the Moon, Mick Burke Award 1984, Saturday Review, Cricket: Third Test, Newsnight International: Iran


You know, Saturdays are a perfect time to hit the comic shop (if you're fortunate enough to have one nearby) or the newsstand . Therefore, let's see what's new on the spinner racks:

There's still plenty of excellent reading in comics today! John Byrne continues his epic run on the Fantastic Four, and his Alpha Flight displays some of his finest writing (the terrific artwork needs no explanation). Walt Simonson's Thor is quickly becoming the subject of much attention. Beta Ray Bill is a new character with loads of potential..

There are a couple big anniversary issues out this month, Hulk 300 and Superman 400 (one of those spectaculars with a veritable "Who's Who" of creators involved; buy it for the pinups if for no other reason). 

Then there's "Secret Wars"; Marvel's big company wide project from Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck. Some love it, some hate it; I find it fairly entertaining. 

Away from the Big Two, the indies have loads to offer. Bill Messner-Loebs' "Journey" is one of the most unique, most engaging epics in comics. And "Love and Rockets", by Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, is truly wonderful. Graphically beautiful; not really for kids but perfect for a college art student!
So perfect, in fact, I'm off to read an issue. Thus, we say goodbye to 1984, and return to whenever/wherever we find ourselves now. Hope we triggered a few fond memories; if so, be sure to share!

Riding the Retro Metro: Friday Dec. 7, 1979

Redartz:  Hello again everyone, and welcome to another vicarious voyage to the past aboard the Retro Metro! Our itinerary today takes us to the turn of a decade, back to Dec. 7, 1979. As is too often the case, troubling news abounds in the headlines: 11 concertgoers killed at a Who concert in Cincinnati. The Soviet Union has invaded Afghanistan. And of course the US is still roiling over the hostages being held in the US Embassy in Iran. Despite all this, the world is on the verge of the 80's, with the eternal hope that a better world awaits therein. 

As we look for a bit of diversion from world events, we first turn to music. And thus we find the most popular song on the radio this week is:

Tops on the US Billboard Chart:  Styx, "Babe"

Styx finally hits the top with this song, almost five years after first charting with "Lady". I've liked much of their work, but this song admittedly leaves me yawning a bit.

Rounding out the  top five:  
2. Barbara Streisand/Donna Summer, "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
3. Commodores, "Still"
4.  KC and the Sunshine Band, "Please Don't Go"
5.  Rupert Holmes, "Escape ( the Pina Colada Song)"

To be honest, the only song among the top five I much care for is the odd Rupert Holmes song. More interesting are some tunes further down the chart. Among the ones of note:  Blondie, "Dreaming"; a very cool song with some totally dynamite vocals by Debbie Harry. Michael Jackson,  "Rock With You"; Michael is making the most of his comeback album "Off the Wall".  M, "Pop Musik"; an unusual song for the American pop chart, I like that. Supertramp, "Take the Long Way Home"- their album "Breakfast in America" is very solid, and I love this particular cut. The harmonica just chills me.

Blondie: "Dreaming"

Tops in the UK: The Police, "Walking on the Moon"- another example of why the British chart is the place to look for the best new music.

Turning to the tube and it's offerings tonight:  Fridays have often been a good night for viewing. What about this Friday?

US Television Schedule:

ABC:  Fantasy Island, The ABC Friday Night Movie

My girlfriend at college is hooked on Fantasy Island, and I rather enjoy it too. Ricardo Montalban is a suave Mr. Roarke, played with some wit and irony. And you can't dislike Herve  ("The Plane, the Plane") Villachaise . At least now we know what happened to him after he lost his position on the island with Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun".

CBS:  The Incredible Hulk, The Dukes of Hazzard, Dallas

As you might guess, watching the Hulk is regular routine at my apartment. Bill Bixby has long been a favorite actor of mine, and Lou Ferrigno does a decent Greenskin. On the other hand, "Dukes" holds no interest for this viewer, and neither does Dallas (although many, many viewers disagree with my  opinions here).

NBC: Shirley, The Rockford Files, Eischeid

Apparently Shirley Jones stars in Shirley (makes sense), but I've never seen it. Rockford keeps hanging on, and Eischeid? I've no idea. Perhaps my study time has cut into tv watching to the extent that numerous shows are completely off my radar. Perhaps some of you fellow riders have some thoughts on these programs...


BBC1:  Up a Gum Tree, My Wife Next Door, Penmarric, Kojak, Points of View, George Burns and Gracie Allen

BBC2:  Better Badminton, In the Country, Talking Pictures, "I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang", The National Poetry Competition 1979

Wow, BBC is showing Burns and Allen? Going for the golden age of television! Can't go wrong with the classics. And speaking of  (future) classics, what fine reading is out on the stands this week? It's about time to take a trip to the comic store and add a few more to the ol' collection. Some possible choices:

Man, I picked up a bunch of these. Daredevil versus the Hulk by Frank Miller? Got to have that one. X-Men by Claremont and Byrne? Even though Dazzler doesn't exactly dazzle me ( couldn't resist that, sorry). the book is just too good to pass up. Iron Man is another fine title these days, love that Romita Jr./Layton artwork. Then you have the Panther taking on the Klan, another must buy. And the first issue of King Conan; another new title to try. About the only book here I'm  skipping is the Star Trek movie magazine (which again puts  me in a minority; have seen the long-awaited film at least). All things considered, it looks like the 70's are going out strong, comic-wise. What will the new decade bring?

Of course, we can now answer that last question with the benefit of hindsight. The 80's had plenty to offer, many of those will likely be awaiting us in upcoming trips on the "Retro Metro". As for today, we bid goodbye to 79 and the seventies, and return to our present. Until we next venture back to the Bronze age, take care. and share those memories!

Riding the Retro Metro: Destination January 21, 1978

Redartz:    Hello everyone; climb aboard for another excursion back to the Bronze Age! Today our trusty transport is destined for Saturday January 21, 1978. Those of us living in the US midwest don't realize it yet, but a historic blizzard is just a few days away. We would enjoy a snow break of a full week! But for today, the weather is yet clear, and your humble host (still in high school at this time) is a big follower of pop culture. Not the least of which is the Billboard pop music chart, which tells us that the top song today is:

 "Baby Come Back" by Player

Rounding out the top 5:

2.  Bee Gees- "How Deep is Your Love"
3.  Dolly Parton- "Here You Come Again"
4.  Rod Stewart- "You're in My Heart"
5.  Randy Newman- "Short People"

Not a huge fan of "Baby Come Back", but it's ok. I am more impressed by the number two song; the Bee Gees have recently dropped out of the top spot. The brothers Gibb and their record label. RSO, have been red hot lately (I may be the only kid in school who doesn't own "Saturday Night Fever"), and they aren't done yet. And I hear that in the UK, they are listening to Wings doing a song called  "Mull of Kintyre". Stateside, we have never heard of  this one...
 


As this is Saturday, we should certainly check out some of the Saturday morning cartoon offerings today. This ad shows the CBS programming. Meanwhile, ABC gives us "Super Friends" and "Scooby's All-Star Laugh-a-Lympics". NBC has "Archie and Sabrina", "Muhammad Ali", and "Thundarr the Barbarian". I still never miss "Bugs Bunny", and am enjoying "Thundarr" quite a bit. 

While watching a few cartoons and enjoying our bowl of "Lucky Charms", we take a glance at the TV guide to see what's on tonight. We see;

US Television schedule:
 ABC:  "What's Happening!", "Operation Petticoat", "The Love Boat", "Fantasy Island"
CBS:   "Bob Newhart Show", "Tony Randall Show", "The Jeffersons", "Maude", "Kojak"
NBC:  "The Bionic Woman", "NBC Saturday Night at the Movies"

BBC1: "Saturday Night at the Movies: Trapeze", "Les Dawson Show", "Starsky and Hutch"
BBC2:  "The Book Programme", "Film International- The Desert of the Tatars", "M*A*S*H"

I have to admit to watching the 'guilty pleasures' of "Love Boat" and "Fantasy Island". The latter, on the strength of Ricardo Montalban, and of course Herve Villachaize ("da plaaane, da plaaane!). Those two back-to-back are a trivia fiend's pleasure: they give a haven to every character actor, costar and veteran in show business!

Finally, let's take a look at a few of the comics on the stand today. Still 35 cents, but I think DC has the right idea with those big dollar comics...

I make a point to grab Amazing Spider-Man and Avengers (man, that book is good). Also like Showcase with Power Girl. I neglect to pick up that "Batman Family" with it's excellent cover, and soon regret my lapse. 

Alas, the 21st. Century calls. Time to bid farewell to the late 70's in all their funky splendor. I have to go get my wife to sing her version of  the "Love Boat" theme. So tune in again next time for another ride on the Retro!