The Tape Store: Recent Episodes
The Tape Store Podcast
Made in the 80s. Played in the 90s. A family-friendly podcast hosted by two 80s/90s kids that discusses the magic of the two glorious decades that produced some of the best entertainment and popular culture ever.
This week on The Tape Store we begin a weekly series on the Saved By The Bell episodes where the gang worked summer jobs at the legendary Malibu Sands Beach Club. We begin with Zack's Birthday, where the gang begin their summer jobs. We talk about their heavy-handed boss Leon Carosi (Ernie Sabella), his daughter Stacy Carosi (Leah Remini), and Zack's surprisingly remarkable moments of maturity when he's removed from his kingdom at Bayside High School.
This week Toby and Brooke talk about the 1998 epic animated feature The Prince of Egypt, based on the story of the Hebrew Exodus from Egypt. Join us as we celebrate the beautiful animation, the powerful music, the incredible voice cast. We also take time to compare the movie to its origins in the Bible, as well as the cues it takes from other Exodus films, such as The Ten Commandments.
The Tape Store returns to the realm of Unsolved Mysteries as Brooke and Toby discuss three mythological segments from one of the 80s and 90s greatest shows. We talk about the mysteries surrounding the Mary Celeste, the Duchess Anastasia / Anna Anderson, and The Treasure of Victorio Peak.
This week on The Tape Store Podcast we wrap up Saved By The Bell - "Rockumentary". We talk about the terrible pairing of Zack and Mindy, more Zack Attack studio antics, and the epic conclusion. "Friends forever. It's a nice idea..."
This week on The Tape Store we talk Saved By The Bell's "Rockumentary" (Season 3 - Episode 22). There's so much we love about this episode that we had to break this one up into two parts. We chat about The Zack Attack, Jessie's whereabouts during this episode, studio recording etiquette, Lisa's on-point fashion, Slater's drumming, and of course the fantastic soundtrack.
This week on The Tape Store we cover The X-Files Season 1 Episode 9 - "Space", where Mulder and Scully head to Houston, Texas to investigate the possible sabotage of a space shuttle launch. Join us as we compare and contrast Mulder and Scully's respective "faiths" and how their unique worldviews impact their investigation of this intriguing case.
This week on The Tape Store Podcast we head back to Bayside High for Saved By The Bell Season 1 Episode 8 - "Cream For A Day". We talk about the actual locations of Bayside High and Valley High, what Homecoming actually was and now is, the blemish cream craze of the 80s and 90s, and more.
This week on The Tape Store we talk Unsolved Mysteries, the documentary TV show from the 80s / 90s that struck fear in the hearts of many but kept us coming back for more. We talk about what made the show so remarkable (Robert Stack, that music) and highlight some of the segments that really impacted us over the years. In the words of Robert Stack, "join us", as we talk about the show that helped solve mysteries.
We're back! This episode marks the grand (re)opening of The Tape Store. What the heck happened to us two years ago? Why did we drop off the face of the earth? This episode answers the questions of where we've been and more importantly, where we're going now that we've returned. We also chat about our recent binges of classic episodes of Unsolved Mysteries (fitting).
This week we travel back to Angel Grove and cover "Different Drum" the sixth(?) episode of Season 1 of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (air date September 10th, 1993). We talk about Kimberly's fluency in sign language, the Bulk vs. Zack dance-off, how the plot revolves around Melissa, an unassuming supporting heroine in the episode, and more.
This week we go back to Bayside to talk about "1-900-CRUSHED" (airdate: November 17th, 1990), the eleventh episode of the 2nd Season (3rd Season if you count the Good Morning Miss Bliss season as Season 1) of Saved By The Bell. In this episode we follow Zack as he hatches a get rich quick scheme that lands him in a chaotic situation involving Nicki Kapowski (Laura Mooney), Kelly's little sister. We also talk about Lisa as the hero of the story, Mr. Belding's top-notch principal skills, our experiences as teachers with students with entrepreneurial spirits as well as students who like to eat in class, and more.
After a few weeks of accidental but much needed hiatus, we're back for the new year and opening our 3rd season with the 8th episode of The X-Files, "Ice", which takes Mulder and Scully to Alaska to investigate the mysterious death of a group of geoscientists. We talk about the stellar supporting cast, the homage this episode pays to John Carpenter's "The Thing" (1982), how the episode highlights Mulder and Scully's necessary differences, and more. Also, to all our friends and listeners, we truly missed you.
It's December so it's time to delve into our favorite classic holiday stuff. This week we discuss National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989). Tune in as we talk about the holiday misadventures of the Griswold family, Todd and Margo, the wise fool Eddie Johnson, the survival abilities of cats, and more.
After a brief hiatus, we're back! This week we talk about "Night of the Living Dummy II" (air date - January 12, 1996), the tenth episode from the first season of Goosebumps (from the books by R.L. Stine). We cover the Kramer family and their "Family Nights", the virtues of Mr. and Mrs. Kramer as parents, the importance of completely destroying evil dolls and not just throwing them away when they start doing evil stuff, and the magic that makes Slappy a living dummy.
This week we release our newest episode on Halloween Night as we celebrate our podcast's two year anniversary. The subject is The Addams Family (1991). We talk about the film itself and why we love this peculiar and spooky family. This episode also coincides with Brooke's performance as Morticia Addams in a local theatre production this weekend that just wrapped up last night (Saturday) so obviously we talk about that too (she was FANTASTIC). Thanks to all of our listeners who have stuck with us these past two years and here's to more!
This week on The Tape Store we revisit one of our favorite Halloween movies, and arguably one of our favorite 90s movies, Hocus Pocus. We talk about Brooke's theory about the Sanderson Sisters' origins, the history surrounding the time they lived in, the magic of Bette Midler, the brilliant direction of Kenny Ortega, and more. It's good to be back after 2 weeks. We missed you guys!
This week we cover the iconic 1984 film Ghostbusters. As we go through the story, we talk about growing up as 80s/90s kids in the midst of the Ghostbusters phenomena, the incredible cast, the cast that almost was, the strengths and weaknesses of the Ghostbusters themselves, and behind-the-scenes production details. Shout out to our good friend Steve for providing us with a lot of the notes and content for this episode!
100! We are excited about our "centennial episode" which falls on October eve and equally excited about covering Silver Bullet, the 1985 horror film based on the Stephen King novella Cycle of the Werewolf. Along with guest host Jeff Darden, we cover what is, in our humble opinion, the best werewolf film out there. We talk about the young unlikely heroes Jane and Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim and Megan Follows), the rough but big-hearted Uncle Red (Gary Busey), the powerful message of love and family under the surface of this horror story, the haunting narration provided by Tovah Feldshuh, and of course the Werewolf himself.
This week at The Tape Store we are joined by our friend, 90s artist, and "Dark" fire-keeper Brett Wilson as we cover The Tale of the Midnight Madness. We talk about Frank (Jason Alisharan) as an excellent storyteller, Gary and Betty Ann's connection as senior Society members, Dr. Vink at his finest, Christopher Heyerdahl's unforgettable portrayal of Nosferatu, Pete and Katie as one of our favorite couples, and more. Join us around the campfire...
Episode art courtesy of Brett Wilson (@brettwilsonart)
This week on The Tape Store we talk about The Tale of the Twisted Claw, one of our favorite episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark? It's a special one because it's the first episode Toby every saw when he was a kid, and also because it was actually a pilot episode before the show got an official order of episodes for its first season. As we go through the episode, we talk about its inspiration from the 1902 short story "The Monkey's Paw", other legends found within the tale such as the appearance of a grim (the black dog), the mysterious Ms. Clove (Ann Page), and a lot more.
We continue "Dark" month at The Tape Store by covering one of the most iconic episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, "The Tale of Laughing in the Dark". Tune in as we talk about the legend of Ol' Zeebo, the lore surrounding this great story, and how what we don't see is much more frightening than what we do.
It begins. Spooky season has started and if you're part of The Tape Store family, you know we start in September. This week is special as it begins a special month, as we're dedicating every episode in September to one of the best 90s shows of all time, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Join us as we talk about The Tale of the Midnight Ride, which carries a big legacy with it, as it references The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. We also talk about The Midnight Society, Gary's leadership, the introduction of Tucker, Betty Ann as the ultimate right-hand lady, and how we feel the episode hints at a deep friendship between Frank and David.
This week on The Tape Store we cover 1995's The Indian in the Cupboard (based on the 1980 book of the same name). We enjoyed this movie as kids, but now as adults returning to the film years later, found deep meaning and powerful messages of bravery and friendship in this incredible story.
This week we cover The X-Files S1 E7, "Ghost in the Machine" (October 29th, 1993) where Mulder and Scully investigate the mysterious death of Benjamin Drake. We talk about 90s fashion and aesthetics, the return of Deep Throat, another classic Scully moment, and the episode's allusions to Frankenstein.
Sorry for the episode being a day late everyone (regular job problems). This week at The Tape Store we discuss 1998's star-studded Pixar classic A Bug's Life. Join us as we talk about how an unlikely heroic ant Flik (Dave Foley) bands together with another group of unlikely heroes to save his ant colony from a group of villainous grasshoppers. This story has a great message about true courage, and what it really means to be a brave "warrior". Our kids also make a brief cameo, so there's that too.
With everyone going back to school around this time, it only makes sense to go back to Bayside. This week we cover "Save The Max" (air date September 22, 1990), which is arguably one of the most important Saved By The Bell episodes. We see the gang discover and re-launch the KKTY Bayside radio show, which soon presents them with crucial lessons of honesty and friendship. Most importantly, we get a glimpse into the past of Richard Belding, AKA "The Big Bopper".
This week at The Tape Store we're back home in Georgia (we miss you Jeff!) and covering the 1996 Disney animated masterpiece The Hunchback of Notre Dame. We love this one because it has one of Disney's best heroes (Quasimodo) and worst villains (Frollo). We also love this one because it's one of Brooke's favorites. We talk about the great music, the powerful and timeless message, and everything in between.
This week at The Tape Store we take the show on the road. We are recording from Washington State for this episode while on vacation visiting our guest co-host Jeff Darden. It's a monumental occasion, as Toby is reunited with his best friend for the first time in 10 years. It also means we're going to do a monumental movie for us and all 80s / 90s kids: The Princess Bride (1987). Tune in as we discuss one of the most fun, magical, and quotable movies ever.
This week on The Tape Store we go back to Jurassic Park as we discuss 1997's The Lost World, directed by Stephen Spielberg. In this sequel to the legendary film that started it all, we follow our favorite mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) as he returns to what he loves the least, the world of uh, dinosaurs. We talk about how much we love Dr. Malcolm, but also how much we miss Dr. Grant and Dr. Sattler. New characters are introduced, some great (Roland Tembo played by Pete Postlethwaite), and some not so great, as we discuss the problems we had with Dr. Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) as a protagonist. There's also discussion on the deep messaging presented by the Jurassic Park universe, and as always, we uphold and praise the true king of the story, the one who gets the last world in any chapter of Jurassic Park, the T-Rex.
This week on The Tape Store, as we head into July 4th, we talk about the 1996 Roland Emmerich film Independence Day. We talk about the film's amazing special effects and how we reacted to the movie as young 90s kids. Also covered is the ridiculous "Welcome Wagon" scene (What were they thinking?), the dynamic duo of Captain Stephen Hiller (Will Smith) and David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum), President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) as one of our favorite movie presidents, as well as the film's memorable bit roles, like Marty (Harvey Fierstein), Dr. Okun (Brent Spiner), and Marilyn Whitmore (Mary McDonnell).
We go from Bayside to Angel Grove this week at The Tape Store and cover the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episode "Food Fight" (S1 E6 - airdate September 4th, 1993). This episode is widely known for featuring one of the more historically recognizable Finster-created monsters, Pudgy Pig. However, the real villains (according to Toby and Brooke) are Bulk and Skull who, for no good reason, foment a food fight that totally ruins the Cultural Food Festival, a local charity event that was raising money for the children of Angel Grove.
This week we return to the X-Files to talk about the Monster-of-the-Week episode "Shadows" (Season 1 Episode 6; airdate - October 22nd, 1993), where Mulder and Scully head to Philadelphia to investigate the mysterious death of two robbers, and uncover something much deeper and extraordinary.
Due to technical difficulties we had to release this episode a day late. We're so sorry guys. This week we finish Saved By The Bell: Hawaiian Style. Will our heroes from Bayside High (with the help of Big Bopper Belding) defeat the dastardly Worthingtons and the Royal Pacific Hotel and save the Hawaiian Hideaway? Will Screech be able to save the land of the Pukuku Tribe? What will come of Zack's romance with Andrea? What is up with Brian Hansen? Will Slater and Jessie end up fighting before the trip is over? Yes to that last one. We talk about all of this and more as we continue to kick off summer looking back on Zack and the gang and their exploits in Hawaii, 1992.
This week on The Tape Store Podcast, we celebrate the beginning of the Summer months with Saved By The Bell: Hawaiian Style. In this first part of a two-part series, we find our favorite 90s Bayside kids on a 2-week trip to Hawaii where adventure and shenanigans ensue. We talk about the magic of Zack Morris that always works when he uses it for others, the wonderful Dean Jones, Mr. Belding's sincere love and admiration for the gang, the importance of the Pukuku Tribe in this story, and how we enjoyed seeing actor Dan Gauthier in yet another great 90s performance.
We end Star Wars month at The Tape Store this week with the conclusion of Heir to the Empire (Timothy Zahn, 1991). We get more of the brilliance of Grand Admiral Thrawn, discover the mystery of Mara Jade's obsession with Luke Skywalker, and Lando joins the party too. Tune in as we bring the first chapter of The Thrawn Trilogy to a close with guest host Jeff Darden.
Star Wars month continues as we discuss Timothy Zahn's 1991 novel "Heir to the Empire", the first of a three-part epic story known famously as "The Thrawn Trilogy". That's right Star Wars fans, Grand Admiral Thrawn, arguably one of the greatest Star Wars villains, was born in the 90s. We dive into the story that takes place 5 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, where we join Luke Skywalker, who struggles with the personal burden of being the last Jedi. We also join Han and Leia, who are dealing with marriage and being pregnant, awaiting the arrival of twins. Also looming in the midst of our heroes is the massive undertaking of building a new government while dealing with the remnants of the Galactic Empire, which, though weakened, is still a threat. Then there's Grand Admiral Thrawn himself, who needs no introduction and truly makes this story one worth reading.
Shadows of the Empire (1996) concludes this week at The Tape Store as we continue to celebrate Star Wars month with the Expanded Universe. We discuss an array of topics, including the peeling away of more complex layers of Darth Vader, Prince Xizor's attempted romance with Princess Leia, how our heroes fare without the magic of Han Solo, the dreaded and hilarious sewer scene, Luke and Lando's disastrous escape plan from Xizor's palace, and how Star Wars, beloved as it as, is inconsistent when it comes to dealing with death and destruction.
It's May, and that means we return to the world of Star Wars here at The Tape Store. For Star Wars month this year, we decided to explore the Expanded Universe, beginning with the prolific 1996 novel Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry, which spawned a line of toys, a comic book series, and a Nintendo 64 video game. In Part 1 of a two-part series with guest co-host Jeff Darden, we cover the story's prologue, which gives us a very interesting perspective on a classic scene from Empire Strikes Back. We then pick up with Luke Skywalker and friends (Leia, Chewy, and Lando), right after the events of Empire, as they pursue Boba Fett in hopes of saving Han. In the midst of this, Luke continues his Jedi training and also continually evades the clutches of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine. We also introduce new characters, the "Han-alternate" Dash Rendar, as well as the complex and interesting new antagonist, Prince Xizor.
Thank you to all of our listeners who helped choose this week's episode! This week we cover 1985's The Goonies. In one of our favorite all-time adventure films, we follow Mikey Walsh and The Goonies as they search for the treasure of One-Eyed Willy, avoid the sinister Fratellis, and hope to save their homes in The Goon Docks of Astoria, Oregon. We talk about Mikey Walsh (Sean Astin) as the seemingly unlikely but idealistic and effective leader of The Goonies, Brandon Walsh (Josh Brolin) as a solid big brother, and the incredible ensemble that makes this film so special. We also hit on the powerful message of the story, that everyone has a part to play, and no one should be underestimated.
This week we go back to Bayside with "All in the Mall", the 16th episode from the 3rd season of Saved By The Bell (air date - November 9th, 1991). In this episode we follow Zack and the gang (sans Jessie) in what starts as a trip to the mall to get concert tickets but soon devolves into a crazy caper involving a bag of money, two shady characters, a smooth shoe salesman, and a camping tent. We also compare and contrast a tornado watch and a tornado warning, as well as mezzanine and orchestra seating.
This week we conclude our three-part podcast series on Steven Spielberg's 1993 film, Jurassic Park. We discuss the final act of the film, including the iconic kitchen-raptor scene, the enduring legacy of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the significance of the Hammond-Sattler discussion, and the meaning we took from the film's brief but impactful final moments on the helicopter as the survivors leave Isla Nublar.
In Part 2 of what we've decided will be a 3-part series, we pick up where we left off last week with Jurassic Park (1993). We discuss the park's sudden downward spiral from majestic and enchanting to chaotic and deadly, Dennis Nedry's change from foil to villain and his unfortunate encounter with the dilophosaurus, and of course, meeting the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
We're excited to finally get around to one of our favorite movies, Jurassic Park (1993). We love this movie so much, and have been so impacted by it, we realized into recording this episode that we're going to have to make this a three-part series. We talk about how the movie impacted us as kids and where we were in our respective lives when we first saw it. We then get into the first part of the film's plot, where we meet the main players, Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Sam Neill and Laura Dern), the child-like John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), Tim and Lex (Joseph Mazello and Ariana Richards), the nefarious Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight), and of course, the unforgettable Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). Also discussed is the beautiful film score (John Williams) and the film's major themes, which can be summed up by simply saying that life...uh...finds a way.
This week at The Tape Store we talk about 1999's Never Been Kissed, a classic 90s rom-com starring Drew Barrymore that is especially near and dear to Brooke's heart. We discuss the great things about this film, like the all-star cast, not to mention the hilarious bit characters of Merkin (Sean Whalen) and Brett (Alex Solowitz). Also covered are the duel story arcs presented, the powerful messages that the film tackles, and where we felt the film unravelled a bit.
This week at The Tape Store we celebrate the 30th anniversary of 1991's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, the direct sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) and the film that birthed "Ninja Rap". We talk at length about this film's sudden divergence from its predecessor, the problems this presented, the merits the film manages to have despite its significant shortcomings, and the iconic moments in it that scream "1990s!".
It's been a while since we've talked about The Muppets (Season 1 Episode 6 to be exact), so this week at The Tape Store we cover the second of what we call the "90s Muppet Trilogy" with Muppet Treasure Island (1996). We praise Tim Curry's iconic and layered performance of Long John Silver and his deep bond with the young Jim Hawkins (Kevin Bishop), the brief but memorable performances of Billy Connolly and Jennifer Saunders, and our favorite musical numbers that will always be with us.
This week at The Tape Store we discuss a pressing engagement, as in "A Pressing Engagement", the fourth Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episode. We cover Jason's importance as leader of the group, the questionable bench press record he's trying to break, more Rita Repulsa savagery, the formidable monster "King Sphinx", and we also tackle about one of the mysteries presented by this episode: Where are Billy and Trini during all this?
We go back to The X-Files at The Tape Store this week and cover "The Jersey Devil" (S1 E5; air date 10/08/1993). In another "Monster-of-the-Week" episode, Mulder and Scully travel in an unofficial capacity to Atlantic City, New Jersey to investigate the death of Roger Crockett. We talk about the extensive lengths Mulder will go to discover the truth in a case. More importantly, in this particular episode, we discuss Scully's struggle to choose between her newfound life of adventure and danger shared with Mulder; and her longing for a life of her own.
This week at The Tape Store we talk about Roland Emmerich's "Godzilla" (1998). Brooke celebrates this film, and Toby does his best, since this film really throws out the rich and beloved mythology of one of film history's most celebrated monsters. This begs the question of whether or not this film is an actual Godzilla film (Toby says no). We open with a discussion about why mythology is so important to both Godzilla as a character and to the overarching narrative of any Godzilla film. We then get into the 1998 film, where we praise the performances of Matthew Broderick as Dr. Nick Tatopoulos, Jean Reno as the mysterious Phillipe Roache, Hank Azaria as Victor "Animal" Palotti, as well as Vicki Lewis's portrayal of unsung heroine Dr. Elsie Chapman. Other topics include the film's struggle to decide whether to be sympathetic to Godzilla or not, and the problem of Audrey Timmonds (Maria Pitillo).
This week on The Tape Store, we go back to Bayside with an episode dedicated to the late Dustin Diamond. We cover Season 4 Episode 3, "Screech's Spaghetti Sauce" (air date September 19th, 1992), where the gang attempts to hit it big in the food industry with a spaghetti sauce recipe from Screech's grandmother, with disastrous results. We talk about their new student-produced news show "Wake Up LA", the onscreen chemistry of Zack and Lisa, Screech as an actual brilliant and useful member of the group but with a debilitating flaw, Mr. Belding as a solid administrator and role model, and the infamous Robin (guest star Soleil Moon Frye - AKA Punky Brewster).
It's showtime again at The Tape Store as we return to the Neitherworld to talk about Beetlejuice (1988). If you haven't listened to our first foray into one of our favorite 80s films, go check out Episode #11 of The Tape Store. This week we analyze the characters of the Maitlands (Alec Baldwin and Gina Davis), the Deetzes (Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O'Hara), Lydia (Winona Ryder), Otho (Glenn Shadix), and the man-in-stripes himself (Michael Keaton). What / who is the film actually about? Who are the protagonists? Is there a villain, and if so, who is it? Is Beetlejuice actually bad? Is there a message in this wonderfully outrageous film? Tune in as we answer all of these questions.
The Tape Store Podcast concludes what has been one of our favorite things to talk about thus far, the epic adventure film Hook (1991). We pick up where we left off last week and continue the tale. We talk Peter Banning's (Robin Williams) journey to Neverland, the menacing Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman) in all his glory, Peter's "happy thought" and subsequent "re-transformation", the ULTIMATE WAR, and of course the messages in this film that will always be so meaningful to us and all those who, while growing old, never want to grow up.
This week at The Tape Store we welcome back guest host Jeff Darden for a long-anticipated episode as we talk about one of our shared all-time favorite films, Hook (1991), in the first of a two-part series. Jeff gives a great story about how the movie came to be from page to film. We explore the story up to the point right before Peter Banning (Robin Williams) begins his journey to Neverland, and share how each of us as children in 1991 reacted to the film. This movie is full of great messages and we cover a few this week, particularly the themes of fatherhood, commitment to family, and how fleeting time truly is. We talk about the tragic moments in the film, as seen in Peter's dedication to his career instead of his family, as well as the magic moments, as seen in the performance of Dame Maggie Smith as Wendy. There's also the chilling unseen introduction of Captain Hook.
This week at The Tape Store we discuss VILLAINS from the 1980s. We submit to you our favorites, who, in our minds, defined what it meant to be BAD in their own interesting, complex, disturbing, and entertaining way. Tune in as we break down and analyze Jack Torrence (Jack Nicholson, The Shining - 1980), Skeletor (Frank Langella, Masters of the Universe - 1987), John Creese and Johnny Lawrence (Martin Kove and William Zabka, The Karate Kid - 1984), Biff Tannen (Thomas F. Wilson, Back to the Future I and II - 1985-89), and Khan (Ricardo Montalban, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan - 1982). Also, just FYI, as we analyze these characters and their story arcs, there will be spoilers if you haven't seen these films.
In our first episode of 2021, The Tape Store returns to The X-Files with Season 1 Episode 4: "Conduit" (air date 10/1/93) as Mulder and Scully head westward again, to Sioux City, Iowa, as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of Ruby Morris. We talk about Mulder's continued obsession and helplessness over his missing sister, Scully's effortless confidence in the face of challenge, what good Science Fiction is (to us at least), and the episode's powerful ending.
The Tape Store ends the year 2020 in Angel Grove with the Teens with Attitude as they battle pollution and a new monster from Rita Repulsa--The Minotaur in "Teamwork" - Season 1 Episode 3 (09/08/1993). In this episode we talk about Zordon's lack of leadership during this particular crisis, the questionable situation where Rita has somehow purchased a dump site in Angel Grove, and the interesting timing of Zordon's decision to gift the Rangers their power weapons. There's also the controversies of "Zackgate" and "Alphagate". You need to listen to figure it out. Tune in and we'll see you there. Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas Eve! We continue the Home Alone saga here at The Tape Store where we talk about how the McAllister family failed to learn their lessons from the first film. We also cover Kevin's wit, intelligence, and ability to think on his feet, and sadly realize that we can't really find any room to pity Peter and Kate, the McAllister parents, as they are forced to confront the fact that they have lost Kevin, AGAIN. In addition, there's the delightful performance of Tim Curry, our favorite bumbling antagonists Harry and Marv, and the touching moments of the film courtesy of The Central Park Pigeon Lady (Brenda Fricker). We also hope you enjoy our special guest, our son Yosi, who makes his debut appearance on the podcast.
KEVIN! This week we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Home Alone (1990), one of the best and most iconic Christmas movies ever. As kids, we loved Kevin McAllister (Macaulay Culkin) and his reign of terror against the Wet Bandits, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern). However, as we watched the film as adults, and parents, we found that we couldn't help but see real issues and dysfunction within the McAllister family. We talk about young Kevin being neglected by his parents, bullied by his siblings, and treated horribly by selfish Uncle Frank (Look whatcha did ya little jerk!). There's also the surprising heartfelt subplots involving the unexpected heroic characters of Mr. Marley (Roberts Blossom) and Gus Polinski (John Candy), and of course the brilliant soundtrack by none other than John Williams.
After a bombshell reveal in the cliffhanger of Part 1, we conclude the Saved By The Bell Christmas "Carol". We learn more about the charming and endearing homeless man, Frank Benton (Steve Mendel) and his daughter Laura. We also talk about the dynamic of Zack's family as a whole, their virtues and their flaws (including the absent Derek Morris - Zack's father), the big heart of Kelly Kapowski and the unintended consequences that result, THE SPORT COAT, and good Lord--the play. That play. THAT PLAY.
On December 7th, 1991, we were blessed with a two-part Saved By The Bell Christmas story. This week we talk about Home for Christmas, Part 1. We cover gingerbread "ladies", Zack's uncharacteristic twinge of generosity and his mysterious new love interest Laura, Lisa as a genuine and caring candy striper, Jessie's ineptitude when dealing with kids, and most importantly, the curious homeless man who impacts the gang in unexpected ways. We know you're excited, and it's only Part 1. Tune in for some 90s holiday cheer brought to you by some of our favorite TV teens.
This week on The Tape Store we talk about a rather difficult subject: Edward Scissorhands. We explore the story of this peculiar, brilliant, gentle, and rather tragic hero that we both feel deserved a better ending in Tim Burton's 1990 film. Special thanks to our listeners who sent in questions and comments that helped guide our discussion in this episode. We talk about Edward, the film's ending, the use of colors (SUBURBAN PASTELS), Vincent Price, the soundtrack, and more.
We wrap up our "Scary Stories" series this week with 1991's Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones. We meet "Harold", "the Pale Face Lady", and several other sinister players in this unique and magical 80s/90s universe created by author Alvin Schwartz and illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Join us we read several of our favorite chilling tales and see where the stories and conversation take us.
This week in The Tape Store we continue our journey through the Scary Stories Treasury, with selections from MORE Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the sequel to the classic children's horror story collection. We choose some of our favorite tales from the compendium, read them, then talk about them. Tune in. Not quite finished with Spooky Season / Halloween? Neither are we.
As it turns out, though High Spooky Month (October) is over, we're not done being spooky here in The Tape Store. We open our 2nd season and November 2020 with Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (1981), the collection of short stories that haunted many who grew up in the 80s and 90s. In this episode, we read a selection of our favorite tales from first of the "Scary Tales" trilogy, and talk about them.
We crown High Spooky Month with 1993's Hocus Pocus. Where to start with this iconic 90s Halloween masterpiece? Join us as we talk about The Sanderson Sisters and all their glory and the chaos that ensues when this 17th Century trio of outrageous witches collide with the 1990s.
This week at The Tape Store, Jeff Darden guest hosts as we take a darker turn with Tim Burton's 1999 film Sleepy Hollow, a re-imagining of the classic 1820 short story by Washington Irving. Not only do we talk shop about this Halloween 90s classic, but we also make comparisons and contrasts to Irving's story. In this beautifully crafted film, we talk about Burton's horrifying take on the story that borders on overkill, his use of color, and the lack thereof. We analyze Johnny Depp's much more heroic portrayal of Ichabod Crane as a New York Police constable, and compare him with the haphazard and at times, off-putting schoolmaster written by Irving. We also praise the dual roles of the Headless Horseman, played by Christopher Walken and Ray Park. And as always, throughout the conversation we throw other random topics in such as Burton's Planet of the Apes film, and our brief take on Van Helsing (Hugh Jackman).
Inspired by the Cinar / Nickelodeon TV show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", The Tape Store Podcast presents "The Storyteller's Chair". In a re-imagined audio drama format, we present the stories from The Midnight Society how they might have sounded as they were told around the campfire. In this episode, we tell Betty Ann's "The Tale of Laughing in the Dark" (Season 1 Episode 2), a story about a cocky young boy named Josh and the horrors that unfold when he crosses paths with the villainous ghost of an old clown, Zeebo. Narrated by Brooke Manolis. Original music composed / performed by Brooke Manolis (Are You Afraid of the Dark? Theme composed by Jeff Zahn and Jeff Fisher - variation of the Are You Afraid of the Dark? Theme performed by Brooke Manolis).
The second week of High Spooky Month at The Tape Store is all about the 1998 Disney Original Movie "Halloweentown". With an excellent cast led by Debbie Reynolds and Judith Hoag, this one was an instant classic. We talk about the film's focus on the family element, and the importance of not running from who you're meant to be. There's also the funny stuff, like the melodramatic Calabar, the neighborhood-punk-coolest-kid-in-town Luke, and more.
We usher in "High Spooky Month" (October) here at The Tape Store with Ernest Scared Stupid. As we go through this 90s Halloween classic, we talk about the unique appeal of our favorite lovable simpleton--Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney), the crazy Lady Hackmore (Eartha Kitt), the hilarious Bobby Tulip (Bill Byrge), and the freaky and incredibly gross villain of the film--Trantor, the evil magic troll. Other topics include childhood stories of being scared of Trantor, Super Soaker water guns, and a random tale about Harry Potter merchandise.
This week we go to the wonderful world of Disney to talk about an unsung masterpiece from 1985, The Black Cauldron. In taking a closer look at this truly underappreciated fantasy classic, we talk about its ensemble of unique characters, the story's dark themes, the terrifying Horned King (John Hurt), and the story's message about courage and true heroism. We also talk about Taran's hero's journey and the incredibly stark parallels we saw in this film to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films.
We honestly couldn't wait to get back to The X-Files to cover Season 1's third episode, "Squeeze" (air date: 9/24/93), which follows Mulder and Scully as they investigate a string of bizarre murders in Baltimore. Not only known for being the first "Monster of the Week" episode of the series, it also features one of the scariest and most fascinating villains in the X-Files universe, the ravenous mutant predator Eugene Victor Tooms (Doug Hutchinson). As we go through this truly creepy chapter in the X-Files saga, we delve deeper into the bond between Mulder and Scully. We talk about the power of Scully's personal convictions that transcend even her trust in Mulder, but also make her his most powerful ally. There's also Agent Tom Colton (Donal Logue), the ambitious agent who (vainly) attempts to rival the unassuming brilliance of Fox Mulder. If that's not enough, we couldn't help but notice references and nods to other scary tales / paranormal legends: Edgar Allan Poe, Dracula, and It.
We continue "Spooky Month" at The Tape Store with the brilliant Jim Henson-produced film The Witches (1990). We have a blast talking about this film that's filled with so many memorable moments and rich characters. Join us as we discuss the adventures of one of our favorite film heroines, the witch hunter Helga (Mai Zetterling) and her grandson Luke (Jasen Fisher), along with other excellent players like the hilarious Herbert Jenkins (Bill Paterson), the irritable Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson), the mysterious Ms. Irvine (Jane Horrocks), and of course, the iconic performance of Anjelica Huston as The Grand High Witch. We also spend some time comparing the endings of the film with the book (written by Roald Dahl) and sharing the powerful messages we found throughout the film.
This week on The Tape Store we are joined by artist Brett Wilson and our good friend J.D. Gravatte to talk about the legendary 90s show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?". We spend some time discussing our respective first encounters with the show, what it has meant to us as both kids and adults, and what sets it apart as such a unique and memorable moment in kids TV history.
All of this builds up to the REAL reason we gathered this week, which is to hear some INCREDIBLY exciting news from Brett and J.D. that Dark fans will be beyond PSYCHED about. You will want to tune in for this one guys.
Art on this graphic courtesy of Brett Wilson (Instagram: @brettwilsonart)
Before there was The Avengers: Civil War, there was Saved By The Bell: Civil War. AKA Season 4's first episode, "The Fight" (September 12th, 1992), where Zack and Slater beat the crap out of each other over a girl during the first week of their Senior year. It was a dark time for the halls of Bayside High School. No, seriously. If you're a fan of Saved By The Bell, this is a tough episode to watch. It's not so lighthearted. We compare the characters of Zack and Slater and analyze their common object of desire, Joanna Peterson (guest star Shana Furlow), the girl that launched two fists (Zack and Slater's straight rights). We cover the subplot of Lisa unwittingly asking out the tall, dashing, handsome freshman, Darren. Of course, we don't forget to include the haphazard but helpful wisdom and presence of Mr. Belding. It's chaos. It's crazy. It's Saved By The Bell: Civil War.
This week is an exciting one at The Tape Store as we return to talk more about one of our favorite films, Labyrinth (1986). Along with guest host Jeff Darden, we explore the story from a different angle, through the lens of the film's young protagonist Sarah (Jennifer Connelly). By doing so, we present two very different perspectives on the film's story: Was Jareth (David Bowie) and the magical world of the Labyrinth literally real, or was the whole thing all in young Sarah's mind? The evidence for both is compelling, and results in an interesting conversation.
The Tape Store continues the search for The Truth with another episode dedicated to The X-Files. This week we follow Mulder and Scully in "Deep Throat" (S1 E2) as they go to southwest Idaho to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Air Force test pilot Robert Budahas. We discuss FINALLY getting to see and hear the show's iconic intro and haunting theme song, the dichotomy of Mulder's intuitiveness and recklessness in his search for The Truth, the mystery surrounding alleged events in Roswell, New Mexico, Scully's fierce response when her partner falls into peril, and the mysterious new "specter" we meet: Deep Throat.
We also talk about Toby's own obsession with UFO's as a young high school student and his favorite UFO Book: "Mysteries of the Unknown: The UFO Phenomenon" (1987).
This week on The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke re-open The X-Files as they talk about the pilot episode of one of the best shows of all time. We delve into the characters of Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny): the brilliant, impassioned, and idealistic true believer, and Agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson): the equally brilliant skeptic guided by her determination, conviction, and honesty. Suspense and mystery abound as the unlikely duo learn each other during their first outing to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in Northwest Oregon. Other topics include the ominous Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis), Brooke's theory on similarities between Scully and another well known driven female FBI Agent in popular culture: Clarice Starling, and Toby's early childhood obsession with the unexplained. The Truth is out there...
This week on The Tape Store we wrap up our 2-part discussion on Galaxy Quest. We cover the individual character arcs of the Galaxy Quest crew and how they went from washed-up actors to real-life heroes as they found true courage in themselves. This was of course, only made possible by the pure-hearted Thermians like the brave and benevolent Mathasar (Enrico Colantoni), and the loyal Quellek (Patrick Breen). We also discussed how the "pretending" in acting and theatre creates real and tangible feelings and inspiration for fans and followers, and how the power of the things we do to help others should never be underestimated.
This week Toby and Brooke begin a two-part series on the 1999 sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest. We talk about the initial character arc of the film's protagonist, TV actor Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen), his virtues, his vices, and his hilarity. We also introduce Jason's fellow Galaxy Quest cast members: Gwen (Sigourney Weaver), Alex (Alan Rickman), Tommy (Daryl Mitchell), Fred (Tony Shaloub), and Guy (Sam Rockwell), and how they struggle with both being in Jason's self-centered shadow as supporting characters but also with their own very flawed perception of themselves as former stars of a sci-fi TV show with a cult following. Other topics include the brilliance of Alan Rickman, the film's homage to Star Trek actors and fans, what a "redshirt" is, and how much we love the kindhearted and benevolent character of Mathesar (Enrico Colantoni). We even mention Bob Ross. Never give up! Never surrender!
This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby & Brooke return to 1993 and Angel Grove to talk about the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episode "High Five" (Season 01 Episode 02). This episode focuses particularly on Trini's (Thuy Trang) struggle with a particular fear. We also talk about Rita's inexplicable three-point plan that she ends up sabotaging herself even without the help of her incompetent band of ne'er-do-wells, the significance of the Rangers tackling problems without using their powers, and Trini's savage moment in combat.
Toby and Brooke discuss Disney's 1997 masterpiece Hercules. Where to begin? This film is full of iconic stuff. We talk about Hades (James Woods), a Disney villain that's entertaining, hilarious, cruel, yet strangely sympathetic. We also touch on Zeus (Rip Torn), who while benevolent, is rather flawed as the chief god of Olympus. Who can forget the Muses, who take this good story and make it exceptionally phenomenal with their unmatched musical exposition? On a more serious note, we address the layered characters of Meg (Susan Egan) and Phil (Danny DeVito), the difference between a "father" and a "dad", and the powerful message central to the journey of Hercules (Tate Donovan): What does it really mean to be a hero?
This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby, Brooke, and Jeff talk about the second half of the 1988 epic fantasy adventure Willow. We revisit the outrageous "Not A Woman!" scene one last time because we couldn't resist then move on to the film's climax and conclusion. We discuss the development of the characters of Willow, Madmartigan, and Sorsha as they become the heroes they were destined to be, and the film's rather too-rapid but nonetheless effective resolution and powerful message. Other topics we touch on include Lootcrates, Roger Ebert, and the novelization of Willow's continued story after the film (The Shadow War Chronicles).
This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby and Brooke, along with guest host Jeff, discuss 1988's fantasy epic Willow in part one of a two-part podcast series. We talk about the years-long process to make George Lucas's Willow story a reality and delve into the first half of the film. Topics include Jean Marsh's commanding presence as evil Queen Bavmorda, the unlikely Nelwyn hero Willow (Warwick Davis) and his sweet wife Kaiya, Val Kilmer as the hilarious but brave knight Madmartigan, the "NOT A WOMAN!" scene (If you know, you know), and more.
"Buddy Bands. Buddy Bands. Buddy Bands. Hey...they work..."
This week at The Tape Store we go back to Bayside High in 1989 to talk about the Saved By The Bell episode "The Friendship Business" (Season 1, Episode 11). We talk about the legendary Buddy Bands commercial, Mr. Tuttle as a very capable and competent teacher, Jessie and Slater as a cutthroat duo, and more.
This week at The Tape Store we talk about 1999's swashbuckling action adventure The Mummy, starring an excellent ensemble cast including Brendan Fraser, Arnold Vosloo, Rachel Weisz, Oded Fehr, and John Hannah. We discuss the film's highlights such as the hilariously entertaining characters of Gad Hassan (Omid Djalili) and Winston Havelock (Bernard Fox), the epic soundtrack composed by Jerry Goldsmith, and the film's nod to the classic adventure/horror films of yesteryear.
This week on The Tape Store Podcast, Toby and guest co-host Jeff (sitting in for Brooke) return to 1999 and Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace. This time, we talk about the massive and unprecedented cultural craze that surrounded this film, which was the first of a new Star Wars trilogy. What makes this so special is that both Toby and Jeff were young adults during this time, which means we remember very well what it was like to see it all happening. Jeff shares a unique perspective as a former movie theater manager and talks about what it was like to open up a box and see with his own eyes, the iconic Episode I teaser poster. Toby shares his perspective as a former big-box store employee and what it was like when the toys started rolling in.
In addition, there's the spectacular stories such as taking our local Wal-Mart by storm and ripping into boxes to snag the new Episode I action figures, the epic journey to get tickets, and of course, opening night, where we discovered "graduation Jedis".
You don't want to miss this one. It's a fitting end to Star Wars month here at The Tape Store and we invite you to join us.
This week, Toby and Brooke along with guest host Jeff Darden (Toby's long-time best friend) talk about 1999's Star Wars - Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, the only Star Wars film that's a 90s movie! We talk about the powerhouse duo of Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor), the menacing Darth Maul (Ray Park), the whole Trade Federation political stuff in layman's terms, the experience of seeing Jedi doing their jobs in their height as peacekeepers of the galaxy, and of course, that lightsaber duel at the end of the film. There's also a gem of a story from Jeff (a former movie theatre manager during this time) about an escapade involving the Attack of the Clones trailer you won't want to miss. Brooke also treats us to the backstory of "Duel of the Fates", the orchestral piece that essentially became the theme of the prequels. As true Star Wars fans, we appreciate this film, and though we give some critiques (just being honest, but we're not rabid about it), we promise we don't rant. See you there!
This week at The Tape Store we continue to celebrate all things Star Wars in the month of May with 1983's Return of the Jedi. We talk Luke Skywalker's growth and maturity and the significance of his new lightsaber, the importance of the character of Mon Mothma, Han Solo's failed attempt to get the jump on a Scout Trooper with a one heck of a backhand, the intense speeder chase on Endor, Luke's crisis in having to fight his father, and the importance of accepting one's calling no matter what challenges lie ahead.
May is Star Wars Month here at The Tape Store. This week we kick off the festivities with 1980's Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Widely considered the best of The Skywalker Saga, Toby and Brooke discuss what makes this film such a classic. We talk about the strengths and weaknesses of hero Luke Skywalker and also compare and contrast him with heroine Leia Organa. Toby discusses his lack of appreciation for the film as a kid but how he changed his heart as an adult as the film raises the stakes of the entire Saga and deepens the relationships between our favorite Rebels. There's also the wonderful gifts that "Empire" gives us that are epic fixtures in the Star Wars Universe: the Asteroid Field, Han's jacket, the AT-AT, Yoda, Boba Fett, Cloud City, Lando Calrissian, Han and Leia's relationship, and of course, Vader's big reveal to Luke.
We're excited to introduce a new series in The Tape Store Podcast, "The Angel Grove Chronicles", where we discuss our favorite teen superheroes, The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. This week we talk about the first episode, "Day of the Dumpster", where we meet Zordon and Alpha 5, some inept astronauts, Rita Repulsa and her gaggle of villainous but comical underlings, the five teens-with-attitude themselves, and of course, Bulk and Skull. There's also some in-depth discussion about the hero's journey (courtesy of Brooke "The Literature Teacher" Manolis), the idea of being called to great responsibility, as well as our take on the philosophy behind "The Power".
We're goin' green this week at The Tape Store as we delve into the 1996 disaster film "Twister". We talk about the story arcs of characters Bill "The Extreme" Harding (Bill Paxton) and Jo Harding (Helen Hunt), the film's excellent ensemble cast, the "steak and eggs" scene at Aunt Meg's, Dr. Melissa Reeves as a sympathetic character, and the differences between Bill and Jo's ragtag storm-chasing team set against the wealthy and underhanded antagonist storm-chaser Dr. Jonas Miller (Cary Elwes) and his "corporate sponsors".
We also discuss the film's very-90s soundtrack, and how the plot very conveniently sets our protagonists against 5 tornadoes of increasing strength.
It's the WONDER OF NATURE BABY! Tune in and join us!
This week on The Tape Store podcast, we go back to 17th Century France, and also, 1998, to talk about the swashbuckling film "The Man in the Iron Mask". We discuss the beloved and legendary Musketeers Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and D'Artagnan and the stellar ensemble cast of actors that filled these epic roles (John Malkovich, Gerard Depardieu, Jeremy Irons, and Gabriel Byrne, respectively). There's also the use of accents, or lack thereof, especially those of Louis XIV and Phillipe (both played by a young Leonardo DiCaprio). Other topics include the film's underappreciation, as well as its powerful messages of loyalty, devotion, and the idea of fighting for a greater good.
This week, we talk about the 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It's a great film and full of memorable gems: Raphael dropping the D-Bomb (3 times!), Master Splinter as the World's Greatest Dad, April O'Neill's stressed out boss Charles Pennington (Jay Patterson), Elias Koteas's outrageous performance as vigilante Casey Jones, Shredder's boneheaded blunder that causes him to lose it all, the excellent film score, and the movie's gritty realism. In addition, we give some commentary on the film's overall themes: the meaning of family, father-son relationships, and the advantage of mental strength over physical prowess.
This week Toby and Brooke go back to BaydockviewSIDE! to discuss Saved By The Bell, Season 3, Episode 17 - S.A.T.'s. First off, who can forget James (played by Mark Blankfield), the struggling actor who STEALS THE SHOW in his roles as the Harvard University representative and Stanley Alan Taylor? We also talk about Zack "Mr. SAT" Morris's high-level intellect, his doomed study date with Heather (guest star Christine Taylor), Mr. Belding's at times misguided care for his students, and just how bad it can be when you're friends with Jessie "The Find of the Century" Spano when she falls short of her own lofty expectations. In addition, we take some time to talk about our own experiences with the S.A.T.s and college both as students and now teachers.
Tune in as we talk Bayview history...
This week, The Tape Store goes to The Underground. We talk about the 1986 Jim Henson film "Labyrinth". While we journey through this magical film, we spend a great deal of time unpacking and analyzing the character of Jareth the Goblin King (played by the late GREAT David Bowie). What were his motives? Did he just want to turn baby Toby into a goblin, or was he really set on the film's headstrong protagonist Sarah (Jennifer Connelly)? It gets pretty deep, even as far as Brooke analyzing Jareth using the Enneagram model. In addition, we talk about the power of fiction vs. the power of reality, and how maybe we could all use a little of both to make it in this world.
This week, Toby and Brooke wrap up their two-part series on their favorite childhood toys. While rounding out their respective top 10s, they also discuss the pronunciation of the word "accoutrements", Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats, and black licorice.
In the first of a two-part series, Toby and Brooke each share 5 of their favorite 80s/90s childhood toys and the stories, magic, and nostalgia from each one.
This week in The Tape Store we talk about the 1986 Disney classic The Great Mouse Detective. Basil of Baker Street is the "Sherlock Holmes" of the Mouse Kingdom, which led us to talk a little bit about our favorite portrayals of the great British detective. We touch on the past performances of Robert Downey, Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, Matt Frewer, and especially, Basil Rathbone, who directly inspired the character of Basil of Baker Street. We also discuss Ratigan as one of the best (in our opinion) villains of the Disney universe, and of course, who could forget his outrageous sidekick, Fidget the bat.
This week we go back to Bayside again and explore what we have coined the SBTBTVU (Saved By The Bell Television Universe). Toby and Brooke discuss the Saved By The Bell episode "Dancing to the Max" (Season 1; Episode 1) from August 1989 guest starring the late great radio legend Casey Kasem. We talk about A.C. Slater's iconic dance routine, the incredibly cool music teacher at BHS, Zack and Jessie's bond of friendship, and Byron, the super-cool dude who dumps Lisa when she sprains her ankle. There's also a few sidebars about Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, sunrooms / solariums, skorts, and potty training our toddler.
This week Toby and Brooke talk about the 1993 film Son in Law and how the character of Crawl (played by Pauly Shore), an outrageous career college student from LA, breathed new life into a conservative, mid-western family. It's a great message, and done hilariously. We also spend some time reminiscing about life during the "VHS to DVD" transition, and our experiences with name-brand vs. off-brand DVD players.
This week in The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke discuss Disney's "A Goofy Movie" (1995). We talk about the film's powerful father/son message, our reactions to the movie as both kids and as adults, Goofy as a single dad of a son entering very formative years, the excellent soundtrack, our appreciation for musical artist Tevin Campbell (Powerline), and other stuff in between.
This week at The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke talk about the 1994 kids football film Little Giants. We compare the O'Shea brothers, discuss the "coming of age" aspects of the story, share our views of little league athletics, and of course, talk about our favorite scenes.
"Briggs, count it off..."
This episode of The Tape Store is the first of a series known as "Back To Bayside", where Toby and Brooke talk about the famous teen sitcom from the 80s and 90s, Saved By The Bell. In this episode, they cover "House Party", the fifth episode of Season 2 of SBTB (air date October 6, 1990), also known as the "Elvis Statue Episode", or the "Bopper Ann Episode". Toby and Brooke talk about the outrageous Roberta Powers (played by Ruth Buzzi), the misogynistic Max Nerdstrom, their mishearing of the lyrics of the Beach Boys song "Barbara Ann" (Toby thought it was Bopper Ram, Brooke thought it was Bopper Ann), and more.
In this episode of the The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke talk about how the Disney/Pixar film Toy Story impacted their lives both as kids in the 90s and as adults today. Toby talks about how the film revealed his "mid-kid" crisis at age 15. Brooke highlights the importance of keeping and passing down the magic of childhood and favorite toys. It's a very personal episode and we hope you join us!
In this special "After Hours" episode of The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke unbox a massive lot of vintage Batman toys they purchased on Facebook Market. Hear their descriptions and reactions to these toys, some nearly three decades old, that tell the story of Batman in film from the late 80s, through the 90s and into the early 2000's.
Ricki Lake, The Little Mermaid, Simon & Simon, Legos, and Chicken Soup with Gatorade...Join us this week at The Tape Store as we remember the days when we stayed home sick as 80s/90s kids.
Was Beetlejuice an actual villain? What was up with Lydia's red dress? Did the sandworms have an actual purpose in the "Afterlife"? These are a few of the things we hit this week at The Tape Store as we talk about one of our favorite classics from 1988, Beetlejuice.
--The Tape Store Podcast
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"Jumanji: A game for those who seek to find a way to leave their world behind." This week on The Tape Store we talk about the 1995 film Jumanji.
What do friendship bracelets, Santa's off-season wardrobe, and Christina Ricci have in common? In this episode we take on a trip to the past as we share some of our best stories and memories from the holiday season.
This week at The Tape Store we talk about Tim Burton's epic film The Nightmare Before Christmas, continuing our holiday month. We talk about our childhood memories watching the film, Jack Skellington as a flawed protagonist, the heroism of Sally, and the beautiful and magical world created by Tim Burton in this classic.
Instagram: @thetapestore
"That's how he feels Neal. Nice sweater buddy!" This week at The Tape Store, we talk The Santa Clause from 1994, one of our favorite holiday films that has a great message, lots of laughs, and Neal's sweaters.
As we enter the holiday season at The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke talk about 1992's The Muppet Christmas Carol.
This week at The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke review and discuss the 1993 film Addams Family Values.
This week in The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke talk classic 80s and 90s kids meal toys and the stories and experiences that came with them.
This week at The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke review Nickelodeon's reboot of the Classic 90s show "Are You Afraid of the Dark?".
This week on The Tape Store, Toby and Brooke discuss the classic 90s show from Cinar / Nickelodeon, "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"
The Tape Store is a podcast by Toby and Brooke, who were "made in the 80s, and played in the 90s." In this episode we introduce ourselves and talk a little bit about what this podcast is going to be about.