# Things you miss . . .

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [June 19, 2003, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861 "2003-06-19T04:39:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Murcielago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Murcielago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Murcielago)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/41 "2003-06-20T07:50:54Z")

</div>

_Liquid Television_ on MTV.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Gumbercules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gumbercules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gumbercules)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/42 "2003-06-20T14:01:50Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by voguevixen \*  
> \*\*  
> Son of Svengoolie (Channel 32 Chicago before it became a FOX station.)
> 
> \*\*

Berwyn?!?  
Man, they used to have taco-flavored Doritos. I miss them.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/43 "2003-06-20T14:45:09Z")

</div>

**Fibber McGee** said

> [@](#):
>
> I miss that jazzy little tune with the spinning logo that alway CBS showed before airings of A Charlie Brown Christmas and the like.

Check this out… let it load first. [Strong Bad to the rescue!](http://www.homestarrunner.com/xmas.html)  
**Moejuck** said

> [@](#):
>
> We used to have this soda called “SKI”. I loved that stuff, a citrus-type soda. It was great.

SKI is still available around here (KY) – and DietSKI. I always thought that DietSki sounded like the Polish version of Dr. Atkins.

Anyway. I miss Dead shows. And Captain Kangeroo. And the Electric Company. And Chuck Taylors in wild colors.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/44 "2003-06-20T15:45:25Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Gumbercules \*  
> \*\*Berwyn?!?
> 
> \*\*

LOL, exactly! They used to have cheesy commercial and song parodys at commercial breaks. I remember them doing a “Mr. Microphone” spoof in which the microphone was a toilet paper tube colored with orange magic marker, ha!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Hobie\_the\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@Hobie\_the\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hobie_the_One)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/45 "2003-06-20T19:42:26Z")

</div>

Fred Rogers. My son will never get to meet him.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/46 "2003-06-20T20:27:58Z")

</div>

Kukla Fran and Ollie

Ding Dong School

Damn! I am getting old!!!

I don’t know if they still do it, but when I lived in Kentucky, at sign-off Kentucky Educational Television played “My Old Kentucky Home” with scenes of the state. I particularly liked the mare and foal.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/47 "2003-06-20T21:09:35Z")

</div>

I missed when Fox did not cancel/put on hiatus funny and great shows that only aired for a couple of episodes. And I miss Family Guy. And I miss Futurama. And I miss the Tick. And I miss Andy Richter controls the universe. And I hate fox so very, very much.

I miss tostados(or however you spell them). You can no longer find them in B.C., you have to drive down to the border to get them.

I miss the Arch Deluxe.

I miss really funny television.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![zoltar7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b38774/32.png) [@zoltar7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoltar7)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/48 "2003-06-20T21:17:12Z")

</div>

Walter Cronkite

Manned moon missions

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/49 "2003-06-20T22:03:42Z")

</div>

Another vote for Captain Kangaroo.

80’s comedy club shows (_Evening at the Improv_ et al.)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![moejuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@moejuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejuck)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/50 "2003-06-20T23:25:36Z")

</div>

Looks like I am driving to Kentucky to get some Ski! Thanks Frankd6

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![legion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/838e76/32.png) [@legion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legion)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/51 "2003-06-20T23:41:54Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Michael Ellis \*  
> \*\*  
> …Computers running MS-DOS. \*\*

Come and work for MY company!:dubious:

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![finette6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@finette6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/finette6)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/52 "2003-06-20T23:58:28Z")

</div>

FRED ROGERS! (it can’t be said often enough)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/53 "2003-06-21T00:02:13Z")

</div>

Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom on early Sunday evenings  
Drive In movies  
Cabooses  
Porches  
Youthful awe while watching “docmentaries” on Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster etc.

B movie hosts on UHF stations  
Fireflies  
Being able to see the stars  
Having ever place I ever need to go reachable by bicycle  
Laying in bed and hearing trains in the distance, far enough away not wake me.

Dr. Demento on late Sunday evenings

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/54 "2003-06-21T01:31:29Z")

</div>

The hamburgers (and cheeseburgers) they made in this little filling station/cafe near us when I was in grammar school. Thick patty, thick slices of tomato and onion with pickles and the inside of the bun lightly toasted.

Hardee’s is now running an ad about their Angus burgers. I have yet to try one, but the ad makes me think that the paragon for burgers was that old place. Fine! None better since. Not even the ones we grill ourselves.

When Wendy’s first came out with theirs, they were close, but then soon went plastic.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![IUHomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90db22/32.png) [@IUHomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IUHomer)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/55 "2003-06-21T04:45:37Z")

</div>

Free, scrambled porn. Nothing confused and infuriated a whole generation of teen boys more. It almost succeeded in making the old wive’s tale about “going blind” come true.

```
 Someone mentioned late night scary movies and local TV heros. In Indianapolis, there were three. Cowboy Bob and Janey did the morning cartoon shows. I watched them until we got cable and Bozo became available on the Chicago station. Loved the grad prize game. Then Sammy Terry was on Friday nights. Old scary movies hosted by....I don't remember what he was. Some sort of vampire? Anway, the local rumor was that he was married to Janey. I think it was really true.  

   Topps baseball cards. Back before the explosion of cards in the early-mid 80's, thats all there was. Bubble gum and stats on the back. Simple. I loved it. You could learn about a player's career besides having a nice picture of them. I have not bought any baseball cards in years, but my impression is now they are more flashy and less substance. Once in a while you could cut out cards from the Hostess boxes. There'd be like three cards on the bottom of the Twinkies or Ding Dongs box.  

   Phil Hartman. I'll always remember where I was when I heard he had been murdered. I don't think the loss of one actor has ever had such a profound impact on two different TV shows. The Simpsons and Newsradio were never the same. And if you think about how he was supposed to be the voice of Zap Brannigan on Futurama, it could be three TV shows. 

  Atari. Once I make more money, I plan on becoming a classic video game collector. I'll start with Atari Pole Position and Decathalon.
```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/56 "2003-06-21T08:26:36Z")

</div>

1. My lifelong obsession

The ability to make one quarter last forever if you were good enough.

Being able to put a game in a console, start it up (this took mabye a couple of seconds), and play it with the peripherals that came with the system. And have a blast.

Seeing my old console replaced by a new, better console, and being able to actually see the improvement.

Arcade games that were were designed from the ground up for mindless button mashing (often with 2-3 buttons), and everyone _loving_ them.

Electrogames Plus. Where did they go wrong…

Watching the first person “beat” the first ever game with an actual ending, and me (and everyone else lucky enough to witness it) thinking this was the most incredible accomplishment ever.

Every type of fighting game, racing game, action game, sports game etc. under one roof.

The Neo Geo bursting onto the scene completely unheralded and blowing the doors of every other home console on the market.

The Dreamcast. (WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED???)

Getting the NES Game Genie, a revolutionary new peripheral the likes of which I’d never seen before. A lot of NES games were a blast without it, of course, so it never occurred to me that I’d ever want or need one. But after trying out all kinds of fun codes, I was hooked. It also helped me clear levels that I had some trouble with before, which I also appreciated. All in all, while it wasn’t really necessary, it certainly lived up to the billing as “video game enhancer”.

(For the record, everything in that little narrative is a complete 180 about-face inversion of how my PS2 Gameshark experience went. Oh, and I eventually shelled out $47 for the Pro Action Replay as well. :-P)

1. All else

The Critic. Duckman. The PJs. And yet South Park continues to plod on season after season.

Honolulu Bookstore. The only local bookstore that didn’t cater to the Bible-thumping stupid-truth-fish-eating-Darwin-fish demographic.

Being thrilled, mesmerized, and riveted to my seat by The Amazing Race, rather than jaded by the endless bunchup points and thorougly disgusted by who actually gets to win.

Being able to give any kind of damn about Survivor.

Sitcoms that were always watchable and pretty funny most of the time.

The brief, shining moment when MC Hammer was actually _happy_ as a groundbreaking, enormously popular straight-up rapper.

The idea of a channel designed by ultra-wealthy right wingers for ultra-wealthy right wingers still just a fantasy.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/57 "2003-06-21T10:20:21Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by IUHomer \*  
> **Free, scrambled porn. Nothing confused and infuriated a whole generation of teen boys more. It almost succeeded in making the old wive’s tale about “going blind” come true.**

I remember that!

“Hey, the image is clearing, is that a nipple? Damn, lost it again.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/58 "2003-06-21T14:21:15Z")

</div>

Nostalgia. It used to be so much better.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Buck\_The\_Diver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Buck\_The\_Diver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_The_Diver)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/59 "2003-06-21T15:49:29Z")

</div>

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

Icky Twerp (DFW Dopers will know).

The Chimp Channel.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PatrickM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7feea3/32.png) [@PatrickM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickM)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861/60 "2003-06-21T15:55:52Z")

</div>

The Richfield (Ohio) Coliseum. It was a great place to see a basketball game, even if it was the only NBA arena where as a driver you had to worry about crashing into a deer before getting in the parking lot. It had great sight lines from every seat in the house.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861.md?page=2)

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-you-miss/182861.md?page=4)
