A Small Nuance Streaming Services Are Missing

 

If you have read any of my blogs (I humbly and gratefully Thank You), then you probably know I am a very nostalgic person. Not just in big things that molded my childhood such as cartoons, trends, toys of the 90's. Also in little things that you never realized where cool and wish were still done.

One thing is how Cable TV networks would have movie blocks actually hosted by people like TBS Dinner and A Movie (which I wrote about here). Another thing is the little bumpers that would appear before a film started.

I recently watched A Christmas Story Christmas on HBO Max and before it started, I randomly hummed the old HBO theme song and thought it would have been cool to see the old HBO bumper playing before the movie came on.

It led me down a YouTube rabbit hole of old bumpers, including old General Cinema bumpers. In today's instant gratification consumption heavy society, many may not care for bumpers.

I think it would be an excellent way to help bring in new customers and keep current customers of a certain generation smiling, when they see something so small like bumpers remind them of simpler times. Especially as streaming services increase the price to justify the content they provide, it maybe a good "add-on" for people to keep the service.

Before the WWE network was merged into the Peacock app, I suggested they play old commercials of wrestling toys, video games, etc in between programs. Just as a way to remind people the little things that helped them love pro wrestling. The same principle applies here

I for one, know I would enjoy it. I'm sure initially people maybe skeptical but they eventually would enjoy it too. Bring back the bumpers before the feature presentation 

Read More

Why The Green Ranger Is A Legend

 

90's kids took a shot to the heart last Sunday when Jason David Frank better known as Tommy from Power Rangers passed away. For a good 3-4 years, Power Ranger mania took over the world and he was a huge reason why.

The Power Rangers as a collective were cool as hell and heroes we looked up to, but Tommy Oliver was simply that guy. He was the team leader, a bad ass fighter, the personification of the "teenagers with attitude" motto, that had a bit more edge than the rest of the team. About as much Edge as he would get on a kid's TV show.  Let's not forget The ladies namely Kimberly and later Kat loved him, and likely a host of fans.

When we played as Power Rangers on the playground, all the kids wanted to be him, for those exact reasons. Let's not forget his Shield and Zords that made him stand out from the rest. I mean he was so cool and admired. He even hosted a karate training session on VHS, so more kids could learn karate just like him. I proudly bought it one year with my own money, in my mind on my journey to being a power ranger. It's a very cheesy cash grab looking back, but for it's time in a kid's mind hot damn it was worth it to start my "training".

His story arc even introduced us to serialized long term story telling and we didn't even realize it. Green with evil was a five part series. One guy gave all five rangers a run for their money, and drew fans in his over the top acting, but hey he was cool. Subsequent episodes regarding him losing his powers had us tuned in as well. When the Green Ranger disappeared, The two-part White Light series that marked his return as the white ranger had us excited he was back.

When he returned to the franchise in Dino Thunder . I was an young adult way past watching Power rangers, but deep down I was excited he came back home. From what I know his time on that series only grew the legend of Tommy Oliver.

The man behind the helmet was said to be very grateful and generous to his fans. Which is all we really ask for when we meet our "heroes". From what I've read about him, all the love he received from fans was an additional spark in his life. 

credit: @custompowerrangers instagram

Often times as an adult you forget just how much your childhood influences shaped who you are. To this day I unapologetically love franchises like Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers, I secretly wish I was a ranger getting summoned on my communicator to save the world. Tommy Oliver the power ranger of various incarnations along with his teammates was a huge part of my youth, fans will always celebrate the Legend of him. 

May The Power Protect Him.

Read More

Disney We Need A Powerline TV Show

 

If you are a 90's kid chances are even if you aren't a big fan of A Goofy Movie, you're a fan of fictional pop star Powerline. There is no denying the song "Eye 2 Eye" is a classic regardless of how you slice it. "Stand Out" while I personally don't think is on the level of "Eye 2 Eye" is also well beloved.

I recently visited Disney World and while not shocked nor really surprised, I still was in a state of awe at the insane amount of Powerline T-shirts worn at the park. I can't blame fellow Disney guests as I bought my Powerline T-shirt but didn't wear it.

Then a lightbulb went off in my head, Hollywood loves exploiting nostalgia against us for a quick buck. Disney Plus could use some new content, we don't know much about Powerline and would surely tune in. A 8-10 episode limited series of Powerline on tour during his Stand Out World Tour with some new hits sprinkled in would be gold.

Powerline could be a megastar traveling the world and learning something new about each new city he is in, making it educational. Or each episode could produce a challenge or situation that inspires Powerline to write a new song by the end of the episode. The early 90's gave musicians like Kid N' Play, MC Hammer, and New Kids On The Block cartoons, so maybe it could take inspiration and riff on those shows.

The possibilities are endless but the opportunity is there. Disney let's get the wheel churning and give us our Powerline Cartoon.

Read More