Farewell, Bingo

It's with a heavy heart that we say "Farewell" to our helper monkey, Bingo.

Bingo has been "the man" behind the scenes since day one, tending to the UBW social media accounts, making sure the website was updated, handling emails, and pretty much any odd task that we directed his way.

Safe travels, old friend!

Happy Holidays!

From all of us here at Uphill Both Ways - -

"Shock the Monkey"

Episode #119

Thanks to all of the schedule shuffling this episode would have originally been recorded and aired as episode #119 and there would be a Christmas episode waiting for you here. But that episode aired LAST week and this episode isn't really a Christmas-themed episode - although it is mentioned a few times. With THAT out of the way, settle down into your favorite chair and listen as Mike and Joe talk a little about "Planet of the Apes" and a fan-film they both reviewed called "Revision of the Planet of the Apes". And of course there's the regular segment - the SLP VHS Dub Tape Challenge - in which Mike lists what is on his six hour tape of "After School Awesomeness". It's the last show of 2021 - join us, won't you?

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW119_Shock_the_Monkey.mp3

It Must Be Christmas Time Again!

 

"Christmas All Over Again"

Episode #118

Schedules and timing are a bear this time of year and Mike and Joseph were hit from all sides with conflicting commitments and surprise events, so there was no way to get together and record a new episode. But fret not! Using technological wizardry, the guys have cobbled together a "Best of Christmas Episodes" clip show. So, grab that eggnog, open up that tin of sugar cookies, and enjoy nearly an hour of Uphill Both Ways Memories.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW118_Christmas_All_Over_Again.mp3

"Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)"

Episode #117

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our listeners in the U.S.! The guys have a larger than usual episode to go along with your larger than usual servings of turkey dinner as they discuss some music that they are thankful for, specifically their favorite albums. Some of it's pretty middle of the road, top 40 stuff (Mike, we're looking at you) and some of it is a bit more varied (Yo, Joe!), but all of it is top of the charts for them. But first, kicking things off, is Joseph answering the SLP VHS Dub Tape Challenge of "Cover Ups and Conspiracies". So, take that tinfoil off of your dinner and fashion it into a hat, because it's time for some Uphill Both Ways!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_117_Life_is_a_Rock_But_the_Radio_Rolled_Me.mp3

"Playground in My Mind"

Episode #116

Drag out that toybox you've kept in storage and let's root around in there for a while as Joseph and Mike reminisce about old toys like Slinkys, Colorforms, Super Balls, and toy robots (to mention just a few things!) However, the first thing Mike has to do is answer Joseph's VHS SLP Dub Tape challenge and provide six hours worth of recorded media with the theme of "Well I'll Be a Monkey's Uncle". Things are gonna get bananas!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW116_Playground_in_My_Mind.mp3

Famous Monsters Speak!

In episode #115 Mike mentioned a record album that Joseph had told him about and that they wanted to play during the show. However, try as they might, they couldn't track down who currently held the copyright for the recording.  Made back in 1963, it was written by Cherney Berg, voiced by Gabriel Dell, and has been released a dozen or so different times - originally on vinyl by Wonderland Records and, most recently (in 2011), on CD by RockBeat Records.

This thing is great and it's a shame they couldn't play and talk about it as they wanted.  However, here's the next best thing: a link to a recording of the album!  Fans of the classic Universal monsters - notably Dracula and Frankenstein - need to give this a listen.

8 From the 80s: Slasher Movie Final Girls

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

8 From the 80s: Slasher Movie Final Girls

Last time out we looked at memorable slasher movie killers - this time we give the 'Final Girls' the credit where credit is due.  In no particular order (except for one), we have:

Jennifer Ross – Intruder (Elizabeth Cox, 1989)

Jennifer is capable enough but doesn’t quite measure up to some of the other girls on the list. She’s far more reactive than proactive and she doesn’t do much but act paranoid and afraid of her ex-boyfriend. But she’s likable and you want her to figure out who’s killing all of her night shift coworkers even though she never really does so (until the actual killer outright confesses). The ending of Intruder is atypical in that Jennifer doesn’t go bananas and she doesn’t die – instead we get a “realistic” ending.

"Bad Moon Rising"

Episode #115

"It's almost time, kids. The clock is ticking. Be in front of your TV sets for the Horrorthon. And don't forget to wear your masks. The clock is ticking. It's almost time."

But first, Mike and Joseph break out the treats and talk about an assortment of things related to Halloween. Then it's time for something different. The 'Christmas Carol' episode is one of their favorites, so they decided to do something similar for this episode by doing their version of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado". Joseph also answers the SLP VHS Dub Tape Challenge of the theme "Wait! That's my Sister!".

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW115B.mp3

8 From the 80s: Slasher Movies With Memorable Killers

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

Slasher Movies With Memorable Killers*

* That aren’t Jason, Mike or Freddy 

The Prowler

Look at this guy – as if being attacked by a guy in combat fatigues and a helmet isn’t enough, he’s got a damn bag on his head so you can’t see his tears of embarrassment over looking like such a schlub.  

"Look to the Skies!"

Horror Channel Goes Out of This World to Bring Channel Premiere of Brit Sci-Fi Thriller Series “UFO” from October 20

Horror Channel will be continuing its commitment to bringing great cult & classic sci-fi to its audience with Season 1 of the 1970 British science fiction TV series UFO, created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson and produced by the Andersons and TV mogul Lew Grade. One of the best of its genre, the 26-part series combines the remarkable talents of the Andersons with those of special effects director Derek Meddings. And with a stellar cast including Ed Bishop, Michael Billington and George Sewell, it proved a popular hit at the time.

 

Following syndication in the US and favourable ratings, a possible second series was planned; initially entitled UFO 1999. This eventually became SPACE 1999.

 

Synopsis: Earth is being visited by aliens from a dying planet, who are abducting humans and harvesting their organs for their own bodies. Earth's defence organisation – a secret, high-tech international military agency called SHADO – suspect that a full-blown invasion is being planned. Called into covert action, SHADO wages a spectacular battle to prevent the alien takeover, which must remain hidden from the public.

The series makes its Horror Channel premiere on October 20, 2021.

"Bark at the Moon"

Episode #114

Lock your doors, pull down the window shades, and huddle close together as it's time for the first of two Halloween-themed episodes! In this episode Joseph and Mike talk about the "unholy trinity" of Universal's classic monsters - Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, and The Wolf-Man - and their lasting visual and thematic impact on pop culture for the past nearly 100 years. Movies other than the Universal ones from the 30s and 40s, cartoons, comic books, and even vinyl recordings have all been stamped by the portrayals of the creatures by Karloff, Lugosi, and Chaney, Jr. There's also the SLP VHS Dub Tape Challenge in which Mike answer's Joseph's challenge - or does he?

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW114_Bark_At_The_Moon.mp3

THE KING OF THE MONSTERS ARRIVES!

TOHO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND STERN PINBALL ANNOUNCE NEW GODZILLA PINBALL MACHINES 

Stern Pinball, Inc. and Toho International, Inc., the subsidiary of the Japanese entertainment studio Toho Co., Ltd, announce a new line of pinball machines based on the iconic Toho film franchise featuring the King of the Monsters, Godzilla!  The Godzilla pinball machines are available in Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition (LE) models.

READ MORE HERE!

"Love Me Two Times"

Episode #113

It's almost Halloween season and Mike and Joseph are busy picking out their costumes and decorating the UBW offices with skeletons, Jack O'Lanterns, bats, and all sorts of creepy things they found at the Dollar Store. So rather than skip this week they decided to run an encore of an older episode that sees Joe spell out his mix-tape of songs about sports in the Mix-Tape Challenge and then it's time for the main event as the guys chat about old horror TV shows from the 70s and 80s like "Circle of Fear" and "Tales From the Darkside". It's the perfect episode to get you in the mood for the upcoming Halloween holiday!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW113_Love_Me_Two_Times.mp3

"Tales From Black Manor" - An Interview With the Filmmakers

TALES FROM BLACK MANOR, INTERVIEW WITH THE FILMMAKERS

And how they want to make a horror film set in the Harry Potter universe

Lexie: Hi! We’re Nick + Lexie, a directing duo! We’ve directed two feature films, a bunch of shorts, and more commercials than we care to remember. Most recently we directed the upcoming Tales from Black Manor, a fantasy horror series about a family that meets Death. 

Nick: We were really inspired, oddly enough, by the Harry Potter series. The idea started a few years ago but really cemented this last year. We have a six-year old daughter and when she turned five, we bought her the Harry Potter illustrated books by Jim Kay. 

"I've Seen That Movie Too"

Episode #112

The review trilogy comes to a close as Joseph and Mike share their thoughts on six of the movies that aired as part of this year's Genre Blast Film Festival. Were there any stand-outs or stinkers? Is Kringle Time an actual time zone? And what does Vernon Wells have to do with any of this? Before you get the answers to THOSE questions, though, Joe answers the SLP VHS Dub Tape Challenge with the topic of "losing a job". Let's all head to the lobby for some refreshing snacks before the start of the show!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW112_Ive_Seen_That_Movie_Too.mp3

“Britain’s Answer to Roger Corman”

Tom Paton on His New Sci-Fi Thriller “G-LOC”

 

In this exclusive syndicated interview, director Tom Paton reflects on why making movies is like solving a puzzle, his passion for survival stories, and being compared to Roger Corman. Paton’s sci-fi action thriller G-LOC is scheduled for an upcoming premiere on Horror Channel in the U.K.

 

Horror Channel will be broadcasting the UK TV premiere of your sci-fi adventure G-LOC. Excited or what?

 

It’s honestly so strange to me every time Horror Channel debuts one of my movies. The channel has been such a big part of my life growing up and informing my taste in films, that it’s always a “pinch myself moment” when I see something that I’ve made appear on their TV listing. G-LOC is much more of a sci-fi adventure than any of my previous movies, so it’s great that Horror Channel is supporting it and bringing it to UK audiences.

Tom Paton on the set of G-LOC 

8 From the 80s - Comedians

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

Comedians

While the stand-up comedian as we know it today was hardly anything new by the 80s (George Carlin, Richard Pryor, and Lenny Bruce are just a few who found fame in the 70s), it was the “decade of decadence” that really saw the art form shoot through the roof.  As comedy clubs appeared in nearly every major city from New York to California, it became easier to get your act in front of an audience and, if you were lucky, you’d land a sitcom or  a cable special. Many were influenced by those who had come before and many inspired those who would come later, but one thing that they ALL did was make us laugh.

Jerry Seinfeld

Seinfeld’s career took off in the early 80s as he frequently appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman doling out his observational humor about life, relationships and the minutia surrounding them.  The now-classic sitcom “about nothing”, Seinfeld, (which was loosely based on Jerry himself), debuted in 1989 and ran for nine years.  

"Kung Fu Fighting"

Episode #111

Mike and Joe review and discuss RetroTV's newest program, "Dracula's Kung-Fu Theater" and how it harkens back to old TV horror hosts, albeit with the hook that instead of monster flicks, we get old martial arts films. This leads into memories of hosts from their youth like Sir Graves Ghastly, Bob Wilkins, the Ghoul and others, as well as how current and more recent personalities like Svengoolie, Elvira, and Joe Bob Briggs provide today's horror hounds with similar experiences. Oh, yeah - and there's the debut of the newest feature, The SLP VHS Tape Challenge! Was Mike able to fill up a six hour video tape of things inspired by the topic "The One That Got Away"? Find out by downloading or hitting play now!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW111_Kung_Fu_Fighting.mp3

 

Skatetown, U.S.A.

Here's an all-but-forgotten blast from the past!

We smell a Retro Review coming on!

Enjoy this glorious trailer!

The Envelope Please...

Popcorn Frights Announces Award Winners with SUPERHOST Receiving the Jury Prize for Best Film and WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED Taking the Audience Award

The Seventh Annual Popcorn Frights Film Festival was a hybrid experience that pulled in a record setting 10,000 attendees and viewers across all 50 U.S. states

August 19, 2021 // – As its seventh edition comes to a close after eight nights of in-person and virtual programming, Popcorn Frights Film Festival is proud to announce its juried and audience awards that were selected from its lineup of 68 films (31 features and 37 short films from 13 countries) in 10 categories. This year’s Jury consisted of South Florida journalists and notable genre enthusiasts, who chose to honor Brandon Christensen’s SUPERHOST with the Jury Prize for Best Feature Film. In announcing the Feature Film Prize for the film, the jury said the following: “We found Superhost to be a highly entertaining film, headlined by one of the best performances of the festival by Gracie Gillam. After terrifying us in years past at Popcorn Frights with Still/Born and Z, Brandon Christensen made the most enjoyable film of this year's festival. We indeed wanted to ‘smash that like button’ and ‘click that little bell’ while watching Christensen's movie, and as such, this is our pick for the top prize of the best feature film.”

"Popcorn"

Episode #110

It's movie review time! The guys sit down and talk about four movies that played at this year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival that was held in person in Fort Lauderdale along with a nationwide virtual version from August 12th until today. On tap are two slasher-esque flicks as well as two creature features, both of which were world premieres. Plus, Joseph introduces the SLP VHS Dub-Tape Challenge. Put some Jiffy Pop on the stove burner and get ready for something completely different.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW110_Popcorn.mp3

Popcorn Frights Film Festival 2021

Florida’s Popcorn Frights Film Festival Offers Horror Thrills of the Retro and Modern Varieties

By Joseph Perry

This year's Popcorn Frights Film Festival, the seventh annual installment of this outstanding Florida horror film fest tradition, will be a hybrid experience offering both in-theater and virtual film offerings from August 12-19, 2021, and Mike and Joseph are thrilled to bring you both print and podcast reviews from the fest! Uphill Both Ways listeners and readers can join in on the fright-fare goodness with Popcorn Fright’s nationwide virtual version. That’s right, true believers --- you can bring this highly acclaimed horror film festival smack dab into your own homes! The virtual program highlights include eight feature film World Premieres, Popcorn Frights’ first-ever Virtual Reality experience, a Sneak Preview of Alex Proyas’ new short film set in the DARK CITY universe, and a record-setting 68 film premieres! 

Following is information from the official press announcement with just a few of the Popcorn Frights offerings that Mike and Joseph are most looking forward to. Regular listeners know that Mike loves his slasher movies, Joseph is partial to supernatural fare, and they both love creature features — and Popcorn Frights nails all three of these subgenres, and more!

"Play That Funky Music"

Episode #109

While Joe is busy spending his Summer break waiting to get his second Covid vaccine shot, the guys weren't able to schedule any time to record, so Mike has put together the next best thing: A clip show! But not just any clip show, no sir! One of the most popular UBW features was the Monthly Mix-Tape Challenge, so Mike put together seven of the best challenges and compiled them into this very special episode. Songs about the one that got away, songs that would make cool movies, and songs that make you think about Halloween are just a few of the ones you've got waiting for you here. Just push play already!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW109_Play_That_Funky_Music.mp3

"Everybody Was Kung-Fu Biting"

“Dracula’s Kung Fu Theatre” Swoops In on Retro TV This August

Here at Uphill Both Ways, Joseph and Mike are big proponents of both horror hosts and martial arts blasts from the cinematic past, so we are thrilled to tell our faithful followers about a new undertaking that sounds like a lot of fun: Retro TV’s  Dracula’s Kung Fu Theatre. Mixing chops with chuckles, kicks with kickers, and punches with punch lines, the new series has us striking martial arts stances in anticipation of its debut. Following is the official press announcement.

Retro TV is proud to announce the premiere of its newest original programming, Dracula’s Kung Fu Theatre, on Friday the 13th, August 13th to be exact, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The series, a mix of Elvira meets Enter the Dragon, is hosted by Dracula from his Castle Studio where he shares his immortal collection of cult classic VHS Kung Fu films. Armed with his “legendary” comedy skills and joined by a cast of Transylvanian misfits, Dracula is ready to dust off his fangs and deliver A+ jokes to B+ movies.

“With our proven success in original programming, I knew it was time for our incredibly creative team to take a bite out of something new with a hosted movie series,” says Joel Wertman, president of Retro TV. “We have no doubt that this show will be a hit among genre fans, and will bring in a new audience as well. Having Dracula host the show was a big risk, but who knew the guy could be so charismatic!”

Dracula’s Kung Fu Theatre will premiere on Friday, August 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes every Friday. Retro TV is available on 67 stations in 54 markets across the United States, and audiences will also be able to stream the show on-demand via the It’s Real Good TV app, available on Roku, Apple and Android devices, as well as on the web at itsrealgoodtv.com.

To stay up to date on the latest information, follow the show on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

RIP RRP - "Ever Forward"

Hard to believe it's been six years already.

 

Ron Popeil - 1935-2021 - RIP

Ron Popeil, the man who invented such iconic products like the Pocket Fisherman, Hair in a Can spray, Mr. Microphone, and many others, died Wednesday July 28th at the age of 86.

Family sources told TMZ that Popeil had a "severe medical emergency" Tuesday night and died Wednesday morning at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. 

But wait, there's more!!

8 From the 80s - New Wave Music

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can rate one thing over another when it came from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

New Wave Artists

Psychedelic Furs

Starting in 1977, the Psychedelic Furs were at the forefront of the New Wave genre.  Despite being successful in their native U.K. and getting airplay on college radio stations through the early 80s, it wasn’t until their re-recorded ‘Pretty in Pink’ was featured in the John Hughes film of the same name in 1986 that they shot to the mainstream.

"Nobody Loves the Hulk"

Episode #108

Lois Lane, Mary Jane Watson, and Veronica Lodge - what do they all have in common? They're non-powered love interests of comic book characters. While there are plenty of couples in comic books, most of them don't last long or, when they do, both parties have extraordinary abilities. So Joseph and Mike decided to take a hike up Mt. Retromore and discuss those love interests and each list their top four. Then, sticking with the comic book theme, the guys discuss what got them into comics, their early days of buying, when they realized they were collectors, and other topics related to their comic book fixations back in the day.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW108_Nobody_Loves_the_Hulk.mp3

"I Hear You Knockin'"

Episode #107

It's a special review show as the guys look at Craig Moss and Goldwyn Films new movie, Let Us In which debuted on VOD last Friday. They discuss the movie and other examples of "gateway" horror geared towards kids, or that is at least kid-friendly, and how they both were drawn to and/or introduced to the horror genre. But before that Mike reveals what has been ailing him the past six months or so and then it's a trip to their favorite landmark, Mt. Retromore, where they each run down their top four TV detectives from the 70s and 80s. And for Pete's sake, if someone starts knocking on your door asking if they can come in, make sure they aren't dressed in black and don't have empty black eyes before you say 'Yes'.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW107_I_Hear_You_Knockin.mp3

"Mr. Roboto"

Episode #106

Joe talks about some old Kiss demo clips that he found on YouTube, Mike bemoans the cardiac event monitor that he has to wear for two weeks, and they both share their top four identifiable villains in this episode's "Mount Retromore". After that, it's time to get into the nuts and bolts of the episode as the guys look back at electronic devices that made their debut - or at least became affordable and commonplace among consumers - in the 1970s. So grab your Sony Walkman and pop a cassette copy of this episode in and give it a listen! 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_106_Mr._Roboto.mp3

"Captain Lou"

Episode #105

Last episode's 'Mail bag' posed an interesting question; What is your most memorable pro-wrestling moment? The guys decided that an answer to that question would be better served on its own show - and that show is now! From jealousy tearing The Megapowers apart to Andy Kaufman going ballistic on Jerry Lawler on an episode of "Late Night With David Letterman", Mike and Joseph dig deep into the days of kayfabe and come up with at least a dozen events between the two of them. Oh, yeah - and Mount Retromore focuses on the best Butlers and Maids and has a very surprising outcome. Go ahead and listen now - we'll get the door if anyone stops by. 

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW105_Captain_Lou.mp3

"Please Mr. Postman"

Episode #104

It's been a while since they've done it, so Mike and Joe dump out a few bags of the hundreds of letters they get each month and dive into some "Listener Mail". Topics include, but are in no way limited to; Ultraman fighting a couple of other guys, nostalgic fashion, lunchboxes, and whether or not they plan on including the 90s into any upcoming shows. And don't forget your climbing gear for a trek to the summit of Mt. Retromore and the top four picks from each on the subject of newspaper comic strip characters! Thrills, chills, and spills - this one has it all!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW104.mp3

"Love Rollercoaster"

Episode #103

Iconic corporate mascots take center stage in this episode's "Mt. Retromore" and then it's time to cram the family in the car and head off to Wally World as Mike and Joseph talk memories of theme parks like Disneyland, Disney World, Cedar Point, Marriott's Great America, Boblo Island Amusement Park, and more. Please keep your arms, hands, legs, feet and head inside the ride vehicle at all times. You must be this tall to enjoy this ride.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW103_Love_Rollercoaster.mp3

Billie Hayes, 1932 -2021

Billie Hayes, whose portrayal of the flamboyantly and comically wicked witch Witchiepoo on the 1969-70 Saturday morning live-action children’s classic H.R. Pufnstuf, died of natural causes April 29 at Cedar’s Hospital in Los Angeles. She was 96.

Click here for the full story

"Your Mama Don't Dance"

Episode #102

Joseph and Mike talk about the band Sparks and the recent kaiju brawl Godzilla vs Kong in the opening segment and then it's time to talk about animals and famous TV pets for Mt. Retromore. While there are tons to choose from, two made both Mike and Joseph's list and we're almost willing to bet they'll make yours as well. Finally, while it's still over a week away, the guys celebrate Mother's Day with a discussion about Famous TV moms from the 70s and 80s. Some are traditional, old family values mothers, some are more hip and "with it", and others are... a bit out there, both figuratively and literally. So make sure you wash your face and hands, comb your hair, and sit up straight because it's time for Uphill Both Ways.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW102_Your_Mama_Dont_Dance.mp3

Bally's Kiss Pinball Game (1979)

On the latest episode the guys talked about famous quartets from pop culture in the 70s and 80s and one of them, without any question, was Kiss.  As the conversation ambled, as they often do, the Kiss pinball game came up and both Joseph and Mike shared stories of playing (or not being able to play because of its popularity) the game.

According to the Internet Pinball Database, there were 17,000 of these made in June, 1979.  There was even a prototype of the game built that featured speech!

Just looking at this thing you can see why it was so popular.

Do you have any memories of playing this table? Or NOT being able to play, as the case may be?  Share your memories in the comments!

"Four Sticks"

Episode #101

Creeping up on us from out of the darkness... our FOURTH ANNIVERSARY SHOW! Where did this come from? Why, it seems like it was just last episode the guys marked one hundred episodes and now they want to celebrate another anniversary? To do so, they look at schoolyard games for this installment of Mt. Retromore and then to tie into the 4th anniversary they discuss famous and influential quartets from the 70s and 80s. It's 76 minutes of pop culture nostalgia Uphill Both Ways style.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW101_Four_Sticks.mp3

Bands That Deserved Better, Part 2

 

European Rock Circa 1978-1980

By Joseph W. Perry

The late 1970s through the early 1980s were interesting years for rock music. Punk rock, new wave, and no wave were rising in popularity and making more traditional forms of rock seem old hat and out of vogue. Some bands that relied on traditional blues or boogie riffs were dismissed as dinosaurs, while others playing the same style of music were embraced as cutting-edge purists. Unfortunately for some bands, fickle record labels looking for The Next Big Thing and fans who leaned too heavily on following trends ignored or missed out on some groups that weren’t easily categorized. Sometimes poor management was to blame for low record sales.

For this installment of “Bands That Deserved Better,” I’m going to discuss five European bands - focusing on their debut U.S. albums, with one exception - that fell between the cracks in the American market. They sometimes did the same in their home countries, while some groups still soldier on to this day. They should have all been international superstars in my humble opinion, and I hope that if you haven’t heard them before, you will give them a try and perhaps find some new favorite bands --- better late than never!

"Kiss on My List"

Episode #100

No joke, it's finally here! Episode #100! Joseph and Mike present the Uphill Both Ways 100 Essential Pop Culture Things from the 1970s and 1980s. It's a topic that only an extra sized episode could contain!

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/Uphill_Both_Ways_100.mp3

"99"

Episode #99

The boys are back in town! Sidekicks - quick, name your top four! Joseph and Mike surprise each other with theirs in this episode's installment of "Mt. Retromore" as they also talk about what makes a sidekick (among other things) and then it's time to hit the main topic which was inspired by the episode number. Yep, it's the old "100 bottles of beer on the wall" topic. No? How about the number of times Mike says "Uhm"? Not buying that either, huh? Would you believe it's a discussion about the TV show "Get Smart"? From Agent 99 herself to Hymie the robot and shoe phones, the guys lift the cone of silence and share their affection for this classic sitcom. And most importantly, maybe we'll find out just why Siegfried was pretending to be a doctor on 'The Love Boat'.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW099.mp3

"Meet Me Half Way"

Episode #98.5

The podcast gods have once again foiled the best laid plans of mice, men, and Mike and Joseph, so it's time for a very special episode - a "one half" episode. That's right - this is episode 98 and a half! Mike talks a little about the successful "Fist of Justice" Kickstarter, we listen to a few old commercials, and Joseph updates everyone on his living conditions before providing an addendum to his recently posted article on the UBW web page as well as a bit of teaser for the upcoming second article. You are checking out the website at ubwpodcast.com, right? Things will be back to normal in the next week or two when episode #99 rolls around and then it's time for the big one - number 100! So until then, please enjoy this sample-sized episode (little plastic cup and toothpick not included).

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/whenitwascool/UBW98.5.mp3

8 From the 80s - Underappreciated Sitcoms

 

Each installment Mike will look back to the decade of decadence and provide a list of eight things – from movies to music to memorable moments and everything in-between.  Keep in mind, this isn’t a TOP 8 list and any numerical notations are included to merely designate one item from another. Because, frankly, how can you rate one thing over another when it comes from a decade as totally tubular as the 80s?

While it could be argued that the seventies had a better class of sitcoms, the eighties were no slouch in the “filmed before a live studio audience” department either.  From The Cosby Show, to Cheers, Diff’rent Strokes and Family Ties, there were numerous sitcoms that ran for a number of years and had millions of viewers.  But for every Growing Pains, there was a Charles in Charge. But not every “bad” sitcom was bad, some just never caught on.  Here are eight of them.

8. Head of the Class (ABC, 1986-1991)

This Howard Hesseman vehicle is one of the two more well-known of these eight.  In it, Hesseman played Charlie Moore, a substitute teacher who oversaw the kids in the school’s Individualized Honors Program (IHP).  The kids covered a wide spectrum of high school archetypes and a lot of what was “learned” was that people aren’t all that different from one another.

Bands That Deserved Better, Part 1

 

Five Hard Rock Acts of the Seventies

By Joseph W. Perry

For every Kiss, Cheap Trick, Rush, or AC/DC that the 1970s gave us, there were dozens of bands signed to major labels that had equally good or sometimes better material, yet those acts didn’t find wide recognition. In this article, I will recommend four (technically, five, if you look closely) 1970s hard rock groups that should have been huge and one that did become quite successful, but only after a name change. If you like wailing guitars, power chords, and thunderous bottom in your rock, I hope you find some new discoveries or remember some old favorites as you read on.

We're Still Here!

Things have been a bit of a mess the past couple of weeks.

As you might know, Joseph lives and teaches in South Korea, while Mike lives on the East Coast of the United States - that's something like a 13 hour time difference! As if it wasn't trouble enough to arrange a time to record, Joseph has been without Internet access for the past couple of weeks while the dormitory he lives in is being renovated.  Meanwhile, Mike has been dealing with work, working on Fist of Justice related stuff, and dealing with what seems to be a half foot of snow every week.

Suffice it to say there hasn't been a time to record episode #99 yet and for that we apologize.

We WILL have a new episode soon, we promise.  Until then, we're going to crack the whip on Bingo the helper monkey and ensure that we at least have some fresh content here on the site for you.