RetroFan #46: One of the best issues ever?

I write here about every issue of RetroFan, and it's no surprise that I enjoy any particular issue. That said, issue 46 is a real CORKER!

The lead story is on KISS, a band I admired more as a kid than now, but Mark Voger presents an entertaining overview with just the right amount of Gene Simmons. I was delighted by the idea of a feature on T.J. Hooker, and author Christopher Robinson strikes the right tone, taking the show seriously but not too seriously and fitting a good summary in not too many pages. 

In similar fashion, the article on Banacek provides the flavor of the series, covering production, a list of the character's proverbs, and references in pop culture. Just the fact that RetroFan is venturing out of the A-list and covering the likes of this and Hooker is commendable and proof that there is much to discuss outside the old top-tier classics.

Andy Mangels continues his look at Filmation's Saturday-morning Ark II. Let me say a word in tribute to the late Will Murray, whose piece on the Destroyer novels is a fascinating account of a long book series. The story of the collaboration of the two creators is totally new to me and great reading, and regular contributor Murray will be missed.

There are cool stories on toys, cereal and Slap Shot, but my two favorite pieces are TV-related. Scott Shaw! tells the story of Nat Hiken, focusing on the two brilliant sitcoms he created, Sgt. Bilko and Car 54, Where Are You? Artist Adrian Ropp brings me a big surprise with his tale of working on Pink Panter comics. It's a thoughtful meditation on not just his own career, but the challenges and advantage of working on licensed properties. Ropp provides compelling justifications for his approach and explains how he came to realize the importance of respecting characters and not treating them as brands.

Is this one of the best issues ever? It's a strong statement, but I think this is certainly my favorite issue of the post-Michael Eury era under new editor Ed Catto. The diversity of material in this issue is appealing, and the articles are well executed. There are a few unfortunate typos, but the mag also spotlights some of my favorite stuff and surprises me in places. It's a great installment.

RetroFan #44 and #45

I am running behind on my RetroFan posts and just got another issue this week! I need to step it up.

My favorite magazine, RetroFan from TwoMorrows Publishing, gives us another winner with issue 44. I must say, though, it is relatively light on BOTNS-adjacent material. However, Will Murray's deep dive into The Rifleman is a great read about a show Mike and I enjoyed covering on the podcast a few years ago. Heck, we gave it a Batty for Outstanding Episode!

An interesting article covers It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! The stage musical debuted in 1966 but had an ill-received TV version in 1975.

James Bond and the Monkees aren't exactly BOTNS subjects, but the latter was on in reruns a lot, and, hey, the Bond movies were on TV a lot! The coverage is welcome regardless. There are also pieces on Dr. Dememto and Little Shop of Horrors.

In #45, RetroFan goes all out to cover the Bicentennial. This is a tremendous issue that really summons good feelings and nostalgia for a different time, and I don't mean 1776. The musical 1776 has a feature article in here, but I was even more interested in Mark Voger's general look at the phenomenon of how America celebrated it's 200th anniversary. There is a cool examination of themed comics of the time, too.

The mag has a story on The Match Game, and my only qualm is that it doesn't address Richard Dawson's infamous grumpiness when he left the series. Ark II gets a two-part profile that begins here, and Will Murray contributes an informative account of The Green Hornet.

I always enjoy RetroFan, and issue 44 is no exception, but 45 is one of my favorite editions of the magazine's run! Now I need to dive into 46!

RetroFan is getting a little more out there--and I like it

I am a little bit behind in my RetroFan reviews, but don't let that fool you: It's still my favorite mag, coming right into my home (Well, after a trip to the mailbox) every other month. The only reason I don't read it right away is that I like to reserve time so I can savor it. The only reason I don't then write about the issue right away is because I'm laz--Er, never mind that. Let's look at the recent issue 43.

The lead story on The Brady Bunch is not "out there," and it's a little thin, but I enjoyed it. It repackages material from older interviews with Barry Williams and Maureen McCormick. I'll take another Bunch story, though, if it helps the mag provide some of these other articles.

I was never a huge fan of Don Novello's Father Guido Sarducci character, but L. Wayne Hicks offers an interesting and enlightening overview. It feels just the right length and is a nice center sandwiched between two more mainstream subjects.

The next story is a look at Mary Tyler Moore on TV, and it breaks no new ground but distinguishes itself by going beyond The MTM Show to touch on later flops like Annie Maguire. Next up is an amusing piece on the jobs of TV dads that includes some speculation on those, like Ozzie Nelson, we're not sure about.

Then Lee Weinstein writes about Way Out, an anthology series hosted by Roald Dahl that falls way out of our BOTNS timeframe but still intrigues. I only wish this one were a bit longer!

Another lesser-known effort makes an appearance in this TV-heavy issue. RetroFan got G. Jack Urso, who has maintained an online resource for the series, to profile NBC's short-lived live-action Saturday morning show Hot Hero Sandwich. This is a real highlight of the issue, offering info you don't see anywhere else in print with the mag's usual eye-catching design and appealing illustrations.

Andy Mangels' column is usually one of my favorite segments of any given issue. Since #43 is another in his ongoing look at comic book ads promoting network Saturday morning lineups, the trend continues! You may recognize or even own many of these, but seeing them all together with context is a delight.

Continuing the TV-heavy theme, Will Murray talks about the Gene Barry 1960s series Burke's Law. I enjoy the history of the series and some of the old comments from Barry. Murray also covers the show's sudden transition to a secret agent series at the height of the spy craze.

The other two stories are not TV-centric but still deliver: Comedy group Firesign Theatre is discussed in a story that focuses on its prime as a recording act. I got a real kick out of an article on children's playing cards. It's not just "regular" cards, but Old Maid sets and other specialized games, plus character-themed cards like Marvel and Huckleberry Hound. It's a quirky subject that's well executed and brings a nice touch to a strong issue.

There's a lot of TV but a great mix of topics in RetroFan 43. The magazine is finding ways to branch out a bit while still revisiting the likes of Brady Bunch and Mary Tyler Moore.

RetroFan #42

It's been a while since I wrote about my favorite magazine, but fortunately, TwoMorrows' great bimonthly is still around, and the latest (Well, until the new issue hits my mailbox next week, I think) is another fine issue. Cover star Adam West gets a nice feature, though I must say there is little mention of his Seventies work like the live-action NBC specials.

Sigmund and the Sea Monsters is the subject of another feature. It's not one of my favorite shows, but I do enjoy the piece. Andy Mangels always delivers.

Rick Goldschmidt's annual Rankin-Bass pieces are a holiday staple of the mag, and this time he talks about The Year Without a Santa Claus. I believe this is one of his better RetroFan articles.

Will Murray contributes two stories, one on The Executioner novels and another on the long history of The Phantom and creator Lee Falk. Both are quality articles on subjects I hadn't read about in depth before.

Now let me talk about what should have been my favorite story in issue 42: "Fantastic Fall Previews," a look at TV Guide Fall preview issues of the late Seventies and Early Eighties. I love the idea, and there are some interesting illustrations. Of course I always enjoy reading about network TV of the era.

However, it seems like a missed opportunity. Robert Jeschonek goes through the issues and summarizes the new shows for a run of seasons. It's a nice story, but most of the illustrations are publicity photos and the like. There should be more scans from the magazines themselves. The story touches on but doesn't go in depth on how the Guide predicted the fates of the shows. 

I want to see more reviews, more of the actual Guide comments, more of the ads the networks used to promote those shows. I mean, I have all the issues, so I can look at the originals, but the article is more a summary of the new shows each TV season than a look at how TV Guide covered them, which to me would be more unique and valuable.

Scott Saavedra offers a look at old TV commercials with "before they were stars" appearances. It's mostly screencaps and brief commentary, but it's a fun topic and a nice change of pace.

It's not TV related, but Scott Shaw!'s profile of Roy Chapman Andrews is a highlight. The author/adventurer/museum director is thought to be an inspiration for Indiana Jones, and he certainly lived an interesting life--maybe not Indy-level interesting, but it's a good feature on someone whose fame has evaporated over the years.

RetroFan Review: issue 40 spotlights a former BOTNS Retro Retro show!

I'm still a bit behind in my RetroFan reviews, but I can't let issue 40 go without comment. After all, the cover boy is Jay North, star of our Retro Retro series from Season 11, Dennis the Menace!

My standard message remains in effect: RetroFan is my favorite mag, and I recommend you check it out at TwoMorrows.com.

Mark Voger's cover story on the 1959 CBS series is a great overview (Listen to our podcast for some more details) of the series itself but also delves into the unfortunate dark side of the show for North. His on-set guardian was an abusive aunt who physically hit him (out of sight of the other adults) when he messed up a line. No wonder North grew to resent the show before reconciling it with later (He died earlier this year).

Voger manages to convey the gravity of that situation while still celebrating the accomplishments of the sitcom and its comic strip origins. Just be aware the story is as much about North and the perils of child stardom.

Another cover subject is the equally precocious Incredible Hulk! Andy Mangels discusses a show that we might well have covered on the podcast if it weren't mysteriously unavailable on Disney Plus: The 1982 Saturday morning Hulk cartoon on NBC. Mangels is also puzzled by its scarcity, but he delivers my favorite piece in the whole issue.

He gets some interesting quotes from some original animators, like Rick Hoberg, who assets that much of Marvel's animation team turned its attention right to G.I. Joe as soon as that deal went into effect and therefore wasn't too disappointed when NBC ordered no new episodes after the initial 13. Mangels does explore the original plan for a second season: A pairing of Bruce Banner with his cousin Jen Walters, AKA She-Hulk. He also talks about the idea to give a series to Video Man from Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Anyone who is curious about the history of the neglected 1982 Hulktoon must read this one.

Will Murray covers one of the greatest Western TV series, Have Gun Will Travel. He focuses on star Richard Boone's influence on the show and the production changes behind the scenes over the course of its 6 years. It's all fascinating stuff, though as is often the case with these TV overviews, I would have loved more discussion of specific notable episodes.

I enjoyed the story on Big Little Books adapting adventure TV shows. Like all these pieces, it's well illustrated with interesting photos and examples. Coverage of The Prisoner takes an interesting angle, with an interview with a creator of a comic book based on the show and a travel story about visiting the original shooting location in Wales.

This is a very 50s/60s issue, what with a look at Remco's 1966 Lost in Space robot toy, plus an extensive profile of Mickey Dolenz's time starring in Circus Boy. The latter draws heavily on Dolenz's autobiography, and it makes me think I really ought to read that book.

Hogan's Heroes gets a thorough profile courtesy of Bob Crane biographer Carol Ford. While there is an obvious emphasis on Crane, Ford does not neglect other individuals and aspects of the show.

This is a stellar issue of RetroFan, and though the Hulk piece is one of the few with direct relevance to BOTNS-era TV, I think our listeners will find a lot to enjoy. 

RetroFan Review: Issue 39 has a quirky assortment of articles

RetroFan, I love you, and I recommend everyone get issue 39, but I have to call it as I sees it, and I am seeing an unfortunate trend in the magazines (this and sister mag, 70s/8o-scomic-focused Back Issue) Michael Eury edited before his retirement. There is a decline in copy editing in these mags, I believe, and this issue stands out for that unfortunate reason.

There are a few sentences with awkward phrasing, missing/repeated words, and just some things that could be tightened up. However, the article on The Fugitive by Will Murray has some egregious examples. Actor Barry Morse, who plays Girard on the Sixties classic TV series, is dubbed "Barry Morris" several times. It's distracting and a disservice to the fine content of the piece.

(On another note, here's an odd editorial choice, or lack thereof: There's a quote by Morse talking about how he never allows Girard to hold a gun, and he gives a reasonable explanation why. Yet right above this passage is a photo of the character aiming a gun. I feel the text or the caption should address the contradiction given how adamant Morse is in the quote.)

Here's the good news: The subject matter is compelling as ever. Now that we are nearly 40 issues in, a lot oft he big subjects are in the rearview mirror of RetroFan, so we are seeing some interesting forays into the likes of Mr. Peanut. Yes, there is a history of Planters Peanuts that examines the somewhat ambiguous origins of the company and its beloved mascot.

Sixties toy Zeroids get a profile, as does the Sixties Tarzan show headed by Ron Ely. I would have liked maybe another page or two about the latter, but it's a good story. Mark Voger's profile of Ed Wood makes good use of old interviews he did with some collaborators. I enjoyed the analysis of the women of UFO.

My favorite is are the coverage of The Fugitive, a show that I love, though I find it odd that it references the Harrison Ford feature but not the Tim Daly CBS remake. Scott Shaw! delivers an insightful survey of Charles Addams' career and life that includes The Addams Family but goes well beyond to reveal what the man was really like.

My other favorite section in issue 39 is the extensive interview with Suzan Loeb, who wrote advice columns in Marvel romance comics for years. Talk about a fresh subject! Loeb discusses various aspects of that duty and the other things she did at the company. This interview is a great surprise!

So it is another winner of an issue for TwoMorrows, but I am disappointed at some of the proofing errors making their way into this magazine. I saw some similar problems in a recent Back Issue. I hope it gets sorted out soon because the material is so great. RetroFan remains a highlight when I receive it

RetroFan Review: Issue 38 features BOTNS-era TV

It's been a while since I looked at my favorite mag, TwoMorrows' RetroFan, here on the site. Well, for a while I didn't get any issues because distribution issues caused by distributor Diamond's bankruptcy led to a bottleneck. So later, I got 3 issues in what seemed like rapid succession! I am now catching up and will share my thoughts over the next week or so. Spoiler: I love the magazine.

Longtime Editor in Chief Michael Eury has retired, and while I have seen some copy editing errors pop up in this mag and in Back Issue (the other publication Eury helmed), the direction of RetroFan is steady as she goes, and I haven't noticed any changes in direction. There are a few new contributors lately, and that's probably unrelated, but I enjoy the new writers being added to the mix.

There are two BOTNS-era TV subjects on the cover of issue 38, which devotes space to a variety of topics rather than spotlighting one. My favorite contributor may be Andy Mangels, and he delivers another epic animation history here, this one a look at Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends. Many articles in the magazine rely on past interviews and previously published material, but Mangels conducted a handful of new interviews with animators like Larry Houston, and he synthesizes that material well with other sources. It's a tremendous look at the series, a piece that I wish were around when Mike and I discussed it on the podcast.

Will Murray's story on The Mod Squad, a series we have not covered on BOTNS, is another winner. This series doesn't get a lot of attention today, so it's nice to see an in-depth treatment of it. Murray doesn't discuss a lot of individual episodes in detail--he mentions some notable ones but doesn't focus much on that--but he covers the entire production history, ratings rising and falling, and reunion/revival attempts. It certainly makes me more curious about exploring a series I haven't seen much. Aspire TV showed reruns a while ago, and it is on DVD, so at least it's out there.

One other cartoon we love around here is The Flintstones, and Scott Shaw! looks at the various animators and writers who worked on the original series. I enjoyed the array of capsule biographies, but it may be more than many need. It's well done, just surprisingly lengthy.

One hidden gem of the Sixties is Julie Newmar's sitcom My Living Doll, and Lee Weinsten tells us about it in this June issue. I was glad to snap up the DVD set that came out in 2012. It was called, with optimism, "Volume 1," but it appears half of the series is still lost. Anything with Newmar is welcome in this or any other magazine!

I laughed out loud reading Scott Saadevra's history of Mr. Potato Head, and Mark Voger's offbeat profile of Jesus Christ Superstar is another compelling piece. Issue 38 is a well-rounded, entertaining effort as usual, but the highlight by far is Spidey.

RetroFan #37

TwoMorrows Publishing seems to have had some issues of late, what with losing Barnes and Noble as an outlet and the bankruptcy of Diamond distributors, but I am glad to be one of the supporters of my favorite magazine, RetroFan. I'm a little late with this peek at issue 37 (cover-dated March 2025), but here it is anyway (The company has experienced publication delays since the Diamond situation, but it seems to be about to release mags again soon).

The editorial switch at RetroFan (Michael Eury retired) has been a smooth transition, and the latest issue is another great effort. Here are a few highlights for BOTNS fans:

The cover story is about TV staple The Jetsons, which I remember as a weekday rerun but was of course originally a Sixties program. Will Murray's article does get into the Eighties revival and movie. For me, it just feels like the show was always on at one time or another, whether weekend mornings or weekday afternoons.

On the heels of Mark Arnold's previous look at real rock bands on Saturday mornings, Andy Mangels covers fictional rock bands. Mangels' work is always a highlight, and here he discusses not only famous bands like The Banana Splits, but lesser-known outfits like The Nutty Squirrels.

It's not directly TV, but Scott Shaw! writes about the life and times of prolific toy producer Marvin Glass. What Saturday morning back in the day was complete without a toy ad or two?

Speaking of commercials, Scott Saavedra delivers a funny story about various retro kitchen gadgets, and of course he talks about this one:

Dan Murphy contributes a somewhat offbeat piece, a history of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling focusing on the 1980s era. It's not my favorite piece of Eighties pro wrestling, but the subject matter fits well with the magazine.

You get all this and more (Speaking of commercials again...) in issue 37. It comes, as always, with my strong recommendation!

RetroFan #36 is another strong issue

I gave the mag some mild criticism last time out, but I did renew my print subscription, and, let me tell you, folks, that's putting my money where my mouth is because that is no small investment. Issue 36 with cover gal Stefanie Powers is a solid issue that gives me my money's worth.

The mag is always going to rely on a mixture of repurposed material, but this issue is better about not overdirecting readers to other sources.  The Powers feature draws from a 2011 interview Mark Voger did with the actress, which could be a disappointment considering she is around and doing press now. However, Voger blends that material with other info to create a fine piece. I enjoy his capsule descriptions of 10 prominent Girl from UNCLE episodes, a sidebar that adds entertainment and value to the profile of Powers.

Scott Saavedra's section on TV catchphrases is one of the lighter pieces in the mag, for sure (And the publication itself is not exactly Foreign Affairs), but his entertaining layout/design enhances it, and his text adds enough tidbits to make the story a plus.

RetroFan goes outside its usual lineup to provide an article on Battle of the Planets. Contributor Jason Hoifus lays out the convoluted history of the show in entertaining fashion and with a compelling angle: He focuses on the involvement of multiple creators involved with Hanna Barbera.

Rick Goldschmidt, leading Rankin Bass historian, offers a Christmas piece each year, and this time it examines Santa Claus Is Coming to Town. This one does reference a lot of the author's other works, but he provides a lot of information, does some myth busting, and gives a fine overview of the beloved special just in time for Christmas (Hey, just because you are reading this after the holiday doesn't mean I didn't read it before the holiday).

Now let's get to my favorite stories in issue 36. Will Murray talks about two "one-season TV wonders," Coronet Blue and T.H.E. Cat. Much like last issue's The Name of the Game profile, this story takes a lesser-known topic and tells me things I didn't know. Excellent work, and I want to see more of this kind of thing in the magazine, much as we love seeing stuff about the old favorites.

One standout of each issue is the illustrations, and this article is a great example. Numerous cool pics accompany Murray's text. We see comic book covers, 1960s merch, publicity photos, and an excerpt from a vintage TV Guide. You're always gonna get interesting visuals in a TwoMorrows publication.

While I am talking interesting visuals, Andy Mangels' fantastic and comprehensive (as can be) look at advertising of Saturday morning network programming continues in #36 with ads from 1975-1977. Some of these I have seen or have elsewhere, but seeing them all in one spot is a delight and a great way to consider the history of Saturday morning TV. I only wish they gave the feature more pages and made every ad a full-page reproduction!

Finally, I want to highlight two features relevant to recent episodes of the podcast. A "Retro Sports" piece covers the career of Chuck Connors, who was nominated for a Batty for Outstanding Male Actor due to his work in The Rifleman (And note that the episode we discussed did win a Batty in Season 11). Scott Shaw! takes on SCTV, which is a huge subject, but he does it justice and adds some personal memories of working with castmembers on various projects.

It's great reading again from RetroFan, with the usual visual appeal. This issue is highly recommended!

RetroFan has an outstanding article on a lesser-seen TV show of the 1970s

Whaddya know? I got my new RetroFan mag last week and realized I never commented on the last one. In this look at the previous RetroFan magazine, number 35 if you're scoring at home, I am going to present some mild criticism--a rare occasion in these reviews! It remains my toppermost of the poppermost favorite mag, and I am about to renew my print mail subscription, in fact.

First I must spotlight one of the best pieces I have seen in RetroFan: Robert Greenberger's in-depth look at The Name of the Game, a Universal "wheel" show that aired on NBC 1968 to 1971.  You get info on the series' genesis, behind-the-scenes stories, and all kinds of info that will make you wish the scrapped DVD release had come to fruition. The program aired on Cozi years back but has not had much of a rerun footprint. Greenberger has had a long and varied career in entertainment and especially comic books, and I hope he is a regular author in these pages. 

While the subject matter in the rest of the issue is varied and compelling, I did get a nagging sense that more than usual was promotional in nature or directing us to other material. The magazine always gives helpful in-text references to other issues--editor's notes that say, for example, see issue #4 for a look at the topic just mentioned--but something about the stories this time out got me a bit. 

Mark Arnold's story on rock bands in TV cartoons is amusing but often feels like a promo for his book on the subject, and Herbie J. Pilato's "Christmas TV Memories" is a mere page taken from one of his own books. I like the work of both authors and think maybe this is an editorial thing.

Elsewhere, Will Murray writes about his time on the set of Evil Dead II years ago, and Mark Voger writes about John Astin, drawing on several interviews he did with the actor in the past. Now, I realize with this subject matter--old-school all the way--we aren't gonna get new interviews with many of these stars, but I do want to point out that much of the material in each issue is authors drawing on previously published work. It's usually quite successful. It does, however, make pieces like Greenberger's stand out even more.

I enjoyed the thorough look at Space Ghost and the story on coffee advertising, of all things, and I always appreciate a look at the TV show Isis. The latter is another repurposing of old interviews, and I just point that out hoping RetroFan maintains a balance and continues to present such material in fresh and interesting ways!

RetroFan Magazine brings it

The latest RetroFan is another interesting blend of topics. I recently read that longtime TwoMorrows editor Michael Eury is retiring, and I hope the magazine continues on the same course without him.

The cover story spotlights CHiPs, and how can you not appreciate an article that includes a nice big photo of our guy Robert Pine? Herbie Pilato seems to be a regular contributor now, and this is a good overview of the series even if its list of standout episodes somehow lacks "Roller Disco."

Oh, and I want this toy pictured in the story (Thanks to swfigures.com for the pic):

Mark Voger's feature on Tiny Tim includes a lot of info beyond the famous Tonight Show wedding. Though Tim was not as much an icon in the BOTNS era as in the Sixties, he was a common cultural reference who grew up in the Seventies/Eighties, and I think this piece is of interest to all of us! Voger strikes a nice balance between trying to capture the weird appeal of the persona and the man as an individual.

I really like Scott Shaw!'s column this week, a personal remembrance of John Candy. Shaw! worked with the late actor on the NBC toon Camp Candy, and I enjoy the details of his own experiences combined with an overview of Candy's career.

The other big story that is relevant to the world of BOTNS is Andy Mangels's deep dive into the Plastic Man cartoon. It's frustrating that so much of the animated Plas remains unavailable, though some of the ABC show did make its way to DVD years ago. Mangels does a great job laying out the history of the character in cartoon form.

There's more, including features on Steve Reeves, Remo Williams, and Weird-Ohs model kits, and it's the usual solid effort from everyone involved. As always, I recommend it!

A look at Retro Fan #33

Yes, it's time again to discuss the latest installment of my favorite magazine, RetroFan from TwoMorrows. Not all the articles in this one do it for me, but the variety of topics is cool, and there is one excellent piece that I think will be of particular interest to BOTNS fans. The overall package is always worth it to me.

The cover story is a feature on The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman by noted vintage TV author Herbie J. Pilato. TwoMorrows has talked about the origins of the former (the novel Cyborg) before, but this is a nice dual show-ography adapted from one of Pilato's books.

My favorite article this time out is Will Murray's look at the TV Western craze of the 1950s. The story goes beyond the basic facts in many places, like pointing out that the quiz show scandals that took so many programs off the air helped pave the way for the Western glut on broadcast TV in 1958. There is one odd passage (an editing mistake) that makes it seem like Bonanza debuted in 1964, but otherwise it's a great overview. I like that Murray does not focus only on shows like Bonanza and Gunsmoke but mentions lesser-known oaters and features quotes from the likes of Dale Robertson (Tales of Wells Fargo). As is standard for the mag, it features great illustrations like old comic book covers and trading cards.

Mark Voger remains a favorite contributor, and this month he examines the movie icons of the 1940s taking on the Axis powers during the war. He includes Sherlock Holmes, The Three Stooges, Donald Duck, and more!

There are features on Hot Wheels and Hostess snack cakes, and I learned a lot from the history of the Modesty Blaise comic strip. Scott Shaw! has mined a lot of gold out of San Diego-centric topics, and this issue has his story on the origins of the San Diego Chicken (One of the stars, natch, of The Baseball Bunch).

Andy Mangels delivers yet again with his Saturday morning column. Issue 33 has his overview of The Fantastic Four in TV cartoons, and, yes, he explores Herbie and Fred and Barney Meet the Thing.

It's another winning issue from RetroFan and is highly recommended.

Checking in again with RetroFan

 It's been a while since I reported on RetroFan magazine, available here, so let's take a look at the latest issue, which happens to have a few features with direct ties to recent BOTNS episodes. As always, the whole package is a great read, but this issue's (May 2024, #32) topic selection is a bit more esoteric than usual.

The cover feature on David Cassidy is a good read, delving into the more complicated parts of the actor's legacy. Mark Voger covers his whole career in brief but with clarity, touching on the 1970s NBC misfire David Cassidy Man Undercover.

Andy Mangels' column is always a treat, and his in-depth look at Thundarr the Barbarian is a highlight of the issue. I only wish it had been around when Mike and I talked about the show on the pod!

One of the more unusual pieces is the "Retro Music" look at Sonny and Cher, whose variety show we covered last seasonwhose variety show we covered last season. Paula Finn focuses on a personal encounter she had with the duo as a starstruck teen in 1967!

Other pieces aren't as directly related to BOTNS, but the Mighty Mouse article is very good, and I enjoy the Retro Travel feature, which goes to Roswell, New Mexico this issue.

I expect the next issue, with a bionic cover duo, to arrive in a couple of weeks, and I look forward to it as always. I get no compensation for plugging the mag, but especially now that it is not going to be sold at Barnes and Noble anymore (Publisher decision in response to changes in B&N rates and policies, I gather), I like to do what I can to make people aware of it.

RetroFan is still bringing it!

It's been a while since I shared my enthusiastic praise (without compensation and with all sincerity) for TwoMorrows' RetroFan magazine, so let me check in with a few words about the current March 2024 issue.

Cover girl Elizabeth Montgomery headlines this #31, with a big story by biographer and noted classic TV author Herbie J. Pilato. He shares the story of his own personal relationship with the actress and also provides an overview of her career that includes her later appearances in many TV movies.

Mark Voger is one of my favorite regular contributors, and in this issue he discusses the history of Howdy Doody, and he does cover the lesser-known revival from 1976.

Now, here is what really blows me away: Andy Mangels' "Retro Saturday Morning" department focuses on two of the live-action efforts of D'Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions. One is a show I have always wanted to see, the body-switching comedy Big John, Little John with Robbie Rist and the great Herb Edelman. The Region 2 DVD is probably all we are ever gonna get unless some kind soul uploads more episodes than the few already online.

The other is one one of the most obscure programs we have devoted a podcast episode to: Run, Joe, Run! Hey, I appreciate a Bewitched article even if it isn't one of my personal favorites, but I get a warm feeling inside when my favorite magazine digs deeper for something like this 1974-1976 program. Click here for our take on the work of Heinrich of Midvale, but do read Mangels' great feature.

Elsewhere, Scott Shaw! explores the history of Alvin and the Chipmunks, focusing on the Sixties' iteration of the cartoon. In it he asks a vital question: Where the heck is THAT show on DVD? It received a few minimal releases, but we want more!

I enjoyed the look at Peter Gunn and the "Retro Toys" focus on girder and panel building sets. There's even more than that, like a profile of Time After Time, which at first seemed like a departure for the magazine but fit in quite well.

The magazine never disappoints, and I recommend it as much as ever even if I don't always talk about it here!

RetroFan magazine #26 looks at "Super Friends," "All in the Family," and more

The current issue of RetroFan from TwoMorrows Publishing dives into the tangled history of the Super Friends franchise. You may wonder, how can Super Friends, of all shows, be a complicated history? Well, just trust me, it is. We got into a bit of it on our episode, but Andy Mangels does a great job of laying out the early production history of the series.

I say "early" history because this piece is only the first part of a four-parter! Next ish brings the awesome Challenge of the Super Friends incarnation.

The other major BOTNS-adjacent piece is the long profile of Mr. T. The man has had a fascinating life outside of The A-Team, and the article hits many of the highlights. However, though it makes extensive use of T's 1984 autobiography, I believe it avoids the part where the star basically admits to killing people when he needed to do so. There may be some doubt about the veracity of T's book, but the guy has some tales to tell.

There is also a good history of The Avengers (the TV show, that is) with a profile of the almost-original Emma Peel, Elizabeth Shepherd. An article on Cheryl Miller delves into the TV show Daktari. There is even a section on Nutopia, the nation crated by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I enjoyed the story on Mexican monster movies, which touched on the Santo films.

Maybe my favorite part of RetroFan #26 is the summary of All in the Family collectibles. That's right--AITF. In 2023, it might be difficult to think of the show as a merchandising bonanza, but as the Joey Stivic doll indicates, the megahit did spawn many items. Richard Kolkman describes the t-shirts, the campaign buttons (Archie Bunker for President), the board games, and more in a fun story with some great illustrations.

Material from the Sixties, Seventies, Eighties: A good mix of subject matter in this issue of RetroFan, all presented in the usual appealing package. As always, the magazine earns my highest recommendation!

RetroFan #25 is even more BOTNS-era-centric than usual

The March 2023 issue of RetroFan from TwoMorrows gets my usual strong recommendation, but this time out the issue is even more BONTS-era-centric than recent ones. The mix of articles offers a bit more thematic diversity while offering lots of Seventies and Eighties material.

Cover girl Lynda Day-George (and I noted a few weeks ago how impressive it was the mag put her at 76 on the cover and not her in, say, 1976) is the subject of the main article, and it's pleasant if not revealing. Perhaps she is saving some stuff for her memoir that is in the works, but she doesn't have to have a ton of specific memories to share about much of her resume, though she seems like a great person.

Much better is the profile on WKRP by Scott Shaw!, a story that delves into the origin of the series and has interesting commentary on why it didn't last more than 4 seasons (time slot changes didn't help). The bits on the series' casting were most interesting to me, but this was a fun story overall given that we have not yet talked about WKRP on the podcast.

I totally want the toy mentioned in the article, by the way! I found a pic on Worthpoint:

Andy Mangels' column on Saturday morning TV is always a highlight, and the only disappointment this time is that he does not continue his look at comic book ads promoting network cartoon lineups. His look at The New Adventures of Superman is entertaining, though. The man has found many uses for the interviews he did with Filmation's Lou Scheimer for a book years ago! 

Next month begins a 4-part (!) series by Mangels on various incarnations of Super Friends, and I am not sure I really want 4 issues to be consumed with that. Oh, who am I kidding, I will eat that up. I just hope he gets back to those sweet comic book ad scans.

I really like the detailed piece by Shaqui Le Vesconte on Space: 1999, even if I have a grudge against the series dating back to my childhood (a story I think I told on the podcast before and will again someday). The section on commercial jingles is amusing and covers some material from our era. As an example:

A different but worthwhile story covers Rambo in all his forms--movie, cartoon, lunchbox (!), and more. Don Vaughan's story features an interview with the author of the original novel, David Morrell, and that writer has keen insights into the character's history. One part is a little odd: Vaughan mentions a prominent fan fiction series, and Morrell is quoted as saying in a matter-of-fact way that he threatened to shut him down using any means necessary if he threatened his copyright. It's a weird note in a pleasant story that surprises me with the subject matter.

That's a lot of BOTNS-era content, and you also get a story on the Fleischer Superman cartoons and more. My absolute favorite in the whole issue is Mark Voger's history of Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis comic books, a fascinating piece of DC history.

It's another fun-filled issue of RetroFan, and I have been seeing it again in stores. I'm a subscriber, natch, but if you see it in the wild, I suggest you check it out!

RetroFan has an interesting mix in its latest issue

Longtime readers of this site will not be surprised that I was delighted by the latest issue of RetroFan magazine from TwoMorrows, nor by my disclaimer that I am not compensated in any way for my review. I kind of wish I were; it's an expensive publication. Yet every couple of months, it satisfies with its mix of pop culture, and while it leans 50s/60s, it often has something of interest for us 70s/80s kids.

The January 2023 issue features talented writer Mark Voger's look at Leave It to Beaver plus Lost in Space co-stars Angela Cartwright and Bill Mumy in a cover story, but in a more BOTNS-era-centric piece, the mag looks at Wesley Eure from Land of the Lost. My favorite story in this edition is the comprehensive history of Underdog, a toon I watched quite a bit growing up. I believe my first exposure to it was on WNEP's Hatchy Milatchy!

Rankin-Bass historian Rick Goldschmidt contributes a story about The Little Drummer Boy--not my favorite of the studio's Christmas specials, but this article makes me want to revisit it.

There is a small piece on Cabbage Patch Kids. Scott Shaw! does a lot of pieces centered on 1960s California surf culture, which is not really in my wheelhouse, but he makes them entertaining. I love the spread spotlighting bizarre gifts from 1960s mail-order catalogs.

OK, I said my favorite story was the Underdog profile. Well, my favorite thing in this issue, period, is the first in a series by Andy Mangels presenting, in chronological order, the Saturday morning TV ads that appeared in comic books. This time takes us from 1962-1969, and I only wish the reproductions were a little bigger, but this is a gem!

RetroFan brings it with a great article on "Shadow Chasers"

I was way behind on my magazines and didn't get to RetroFan for a while this time around, but the current issue, #23, is one of the best ones of the year. It also has more 1970s and 1980s TV material than the previous edition.

The most remarkable feature is the story on the short-lived ABC TV series Shadow Chasers. Editor in Chief Michael Eury's opening column mentions that this show was a new one even to him, a confessed TV junkie. Author Jeffrey S. Miller  talks to creator Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V) and gets the scoop on the interesting blend of paranormal thrills and comedy.

Andy Mangels' extensive piece on Flash Gordon covers the Filmation cartoons (and also mentions The Man Who Hated Laughter!), and the production thereof is an interesting story. Eury's history of Colorforms is another standout piece, loaded with illustrations and culminating in a glorious two-page spread that features a ton of licensed sets the company put out over the years, from The A-Team to Wonder Woman.

All this, plus the history of M&Ms, Yellow Submarine, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Will Murray's look at The Prisoner (which does not spoil the finale). This issue connected with me big time, and I give it a stronger recommendation than even my usual strong recommendation!

RetroFan is back with a Summer-themed issue (Hey, it's still Summer!)

I think this was meant to come out just a tad earlier, but there's no reason we can't enjoy the new RetroFan magazine at the end of meteorological Summer. This issue is a little light on 1970s/1980s TV content, but Andy Mangels' column covers that realm with a big piece on Zorro cartoons from Filmation.

The main story is on the 1960s beach movies, and there is a long article on car-themed cartoon magazines of the Sixties that sounds a little esoteric even for me but is quite entertaining. I really like the history of The Wild Wild West and the accompanying profile of Michael Dunn (Dr. Loveless). 

Elsewhere in the issue, Will Murray takes a look at the Masters of the Universe franchise, giving Filmation even more love. The Norman Lear interview is repurposed from a book and, sadly, does not touch on the fuller Learverse concept Mike and I have dreamed ab--uh, discussed on the podcast.

RetroFan is published by TwoMorrows I have no affiliation with them other than being a happy subscriber!

RetroFan's July issue is outstanding!

Hey, just because I didn't get around to writing about the latest RetroFan yet doesn't mean it isn't awesome. In fact, this is one of my favorite episodes in some time. In addition to a cover story on Julie Newmar's Catwoman, there is all kinds of great stuff for us lovers of 1970s and 1980s TV.

For starters, how about a big article on BOTNS favorite Search? Yes, the short-lived Burgess Meredith/Hugh O'Brian/Doug McClure/Tony Franciosa adventure show gets a nice write-up by Bob Greenberger. In addition to the production details, there is interesting info about the resurrection of the program on DVD and the cult status it achieved.

The mag's lead piece is a surprisingly comprehensive (not that I am complaining) history of Fruity Pebbles commercials by Scott Shaw!, who was the campaign's creative director for years. The stories and goodies like original concept art make this a tremendous piece.

Elsewhere, there are articles about Tarzan and Astro Boy cartoons and one about The Untouchables. There's a non-TV-related feature about the 1977 Soviet Expo that really captures the atmosphere of the event and the era.

Again, I assure you I am just a contented subscriber. In fact, I have to admit, 10.95 per issue is a lot for a magazine, but RetroFan delivers each month with its combination of fun articles, attractive design, and superb subject matter. I think the new issue is coming any day now, so I figured I'd better talk about #21 now!