Twenty Years and Still Going: A Simpsons Retrospective

Simpsons TV Group Pic Twenty Years and Still Going: A Simpsons Retrospective

I don't think I'll ever get tired of these people.

True Fact: I grew up in the United States of America. I’m not trying to brag or anything, it’s just simple stating of fact. Why this is important to The Simpsons has to do with what The Simpsons is to me: An American Institution. This in no way means that I believe The Simpsons is only for Americans. Oh heavens no, The Simpsons is a show for the entire world. It’s been aired all over, only managing to tick off Australia, Brazil, and a few other countries of the world that I can’t be bothered to remember. The real special aspect of the show is how unimaginable it is to think of a Sunday night at 8 without The Simpsons. It’s into its 21st season now, with the 20th season just released on DVD (and which I just finished watching). The show has been around for 20 years and here’s how I remember it. Read more

The Premiere of the Too Much Awesome Podcast!

February 27, 2010 by Chris Pranger  
Filed under Action Figures, Toys, Video Games

Mario Fear and Loathing 580x503 The Premiere of the Too Much Awesome Podcast!

I wish I'd been the one to think up this image first, but I'm not.

Happy Saturday everyone! February is ending in the next day or so and that means the beginning of the newest feature here at Toy-TMA: The Too Much Awesome Podcast!

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Sweet Memories of Childhood Cars: A Matchbox Retrospective

February 24, 2010 by Chris Pranger  
Filed under Toy Vehicles, Vintage & Classic Toys

Matchbox Cars Heavy Traffic Sweet Memories of Childhood Cars: A Matchbox Retrospective

Who would win in a drag race between Matchbox and Hot Wheels?

I wrote an article last week about Hot Wheels cars, but upon posting it something started gnawing at me. While talking about Hot Wheels, I had completely neglected to mention Matchbox, the opposing brand. What makes this worse is that as a kid, I couldn’t distinguish between the two as both brands made little toy cars. They still do of course, so it’s only fair that I give you the other side of the story. Read more

The Glory of G.I. Joes: A Retrospective

February 23, 2010 by Chris Pranger  
Filed under Action Figures

G. I. Joe Group Shot The Glory of G.I. Joes: A Retrospective

These are a bit newer, but still cool.

We’ve been over how much I love Ninja Turtles at least twice. You may also remember a long while back I had a thing or two to say about the G.I. Joe toys based on the movie. But it’s taken me this long to realize that what I really need to do is talk about the real G.I. Joes and why they rival Ninja Turtles for Greatest Action Figure status. Ready? Oorah! Read more

Victory Never Tasted So Sweet: A Candy Land Retrospective

November 19, 2009 by Chris Pranger  
Filed under Board Games

I still plan to live here some day.

I still plan to live here some day.

I’ve been talking about board games a lot lately but I’ve been too caught up with the serious world of competition to remember some of the most classic and wonderful games of our youth (or in some cases our present if that’s how you roll). Two words for you here: Candy and Land. Put those together and you have Candy Land, a game that requires no skill but demands you enjoy it and when the game revolves around a land made of sugary treats, how can I say no?

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Where the Wild Things Are: New Toys Come with the Movie

September 2, 2009 by Chris Pranger  
Filed under Movie and TV Toys

This doll will cost you your next child.

This costume is coming to a Halloween near you.

Where the Wild Things Are is a classic book by Maurice Sendak. Every child should have read this book by now. Have you? If not, go read it right now.  I’ll wait.  I’m having a tea party right now, so I don’t mind.

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