Wednesday, June 29, 2016

And Now, Pop Culture in 1993!

I really have saved the best for last.



Oh boy.  This cover is a good place to begin with this treasure trove, with a visibly uncomfortable Arnold Schwarzenegger hanging with some kids, and noted iconic characters of the early 90's like Barney, Wolverine, and... Dennis the Menace?

That's the fun thing when reading these old preview-style magazines from a specific year.  There's a good chance they'll cover every bit of media with equal fervor, since they don't have the benefit of hindsight that we do and can only make educated guesses on what the big hits will be. Hence, "Dennis the Menace" getting a spot on the cover and Arnold rhapsodizing about his surefire hit "The Last Action Hero".  Oof.

First, here's what TV Guide considered the cream of the crop in kid's entertainment, circa 1993:



Dispersed throughout the issue are interviews with children asking what they like as far as books, movies, etc. go.  Turns out Berenstain Bears are as timeless as the Beatles (but we knew that already).  "Saved by the Bell" was once a realistic, down to Earth show.  And I can all too easily imagine a Disney executive at the time losing it at this one article quoting a group of 8-year-olds complaining that their animated musicals were "ucky". Thanks, random kids and Disney exec.






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Draw of the Day!

4.27 - Sketchbook Page