Christmas through the decades : The 70s

[Wee67]

^^^ You know, Len, I've always thought Mego's Icarus-like tale would make a great case study for business students.

[MIB41]

What though, no Megos? Everyone I knew from back then remembered them. But they are so overlooked. I would think at least the WGSH would have made more an impact than just to have a small cameo in the movie "The Toy" at the end of their run.

And to think, how man

y times was it suggested to the big toy makers to bring them back before the powers that be (our generation) was finally old enough to be the powers that be and actually have it done. Famous covers, Hasbro, Mattel, And finally -- Paul aka EMCE and then FTC with their mammoth attempts. You can't say they weren't popular with 70s kids or the 70s kids would have never resurrected them from the antiques stores, basements and attics.

I think the story's shortcomings have more to do with the people who wrote and produced it, than the people who lived it. Most iconic product lines were left out of this segment. Besides the vast licensing by Mego, you had the massive popularity of model kits and movie/television related games, traditional board games, Colorforms, Hotwheels, not to mention all of the Peanuts related toys and licensed products. And how did anyone get through Christmas in the 70's without the GI Joe Adventure team? If that wasn't a staple of the Sears Christmas catalogue, nothing would be. Speaking of which, not one peep of the popularity of department store catalogues that were all the rage in the 70's. So there were huge gaps of what would be consider normal sights in this era.

[Werewolf]

The 80s one was even worse. I think it had even more D list celebs rambling on than the 70s one.

There was a little bit on Atari and Gameboy in the first half hour. 45 minutes into it the cabbage patch craze got a brief mention. The very last minute of the show they had a run down of 10 popular toys. Each got a quick flash by. Smurfs, Glow Worm, Rubik's Cube, a picture of a beat up He-Man with no accessories, Megatron, Teddy Ruxpin, Koosh Ball, Trivia Pursuit, Care Bears and Real Ghostbusters. No mention of popular and iconic 80s lines like Real American Hero GI JOE, Jem and the Holograms, Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake.

Wowzers, that was bad.

[EmergencyIan]

The 80s one was even worse. I think it had even more D list celebs rambling on than the 70s one.

There was a little bit on Atari and Gameboy in the first half hour. 45 minutes into it the cabbage patch craze got a brief mention. The very last minute of the show they had a run down of 10 popular toys. Each got a quick flash by. Smurfs, Glow Worm, Rubik's Cube, a picture of a beat up He-Man with no accessories, Megatron, Teddy Ruxpin, Koosh Ball, Trivia Pursuit, Care Bears and Real Ghostbusters. No mention of popular and iconic 80s lines like Real American Hero GI JOE, Jem and the Holograms, Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake.

Wowzers, that was bad.

There's a good chance that the people who researched and produced these specials didn't live through the 60s, 70s or 80s and were just assigned to this project by their bosses at History. I really have no interest in the 1990's, but it will be interesting to see if that particular special, airing this coming Wednesday, is better produced than the previous three. In saying that, I'm not sure that I will be able to recognize whether it is or not. Lol

However, I enjoyed what was presented in each special.

- Ian

[MegoMark71]

And how can you mention toy's from the 80's and not have Star Wars in there?