Podcast appearances and mentions of ab pod store

February's episode 46 is sweet like the box of candy you and Sally Brown wish your valentine had gotten you. We're watching 1975's BE MY VALENTINE, CHARLIE BROWN and a short documentary extra called "Unlucky in Love: An Unrequited Love Story". Splash on some shaving lotion from your heart-shaped bottle and join us! We also have a Random Strip of the Month and a Peanuts by Schulz short called "Tennis". Just think of these as the bonus truffles in the gorgeous candy display.   Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus and Lucy" Remix. Find that and other music on Soundcloud here. Thanks to Nick Jones for the use of "25% Off". Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info, show notes and episodes of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, as well as the weekly, short story podcast ATARI BYTES. The website also has info about books I've written like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED  BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, which is a thing you can buy. Pick up "Greetings, fellow blockheads" stuff at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Become a subscriber on the IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN page on Patreon.com. You could get episodes early! Get BONUS content!

Episode 210 of ATARI BYTES is a science lesson. Did you know fire is sentient and can move around at will? It can! But fear not, you can defeat it with a hammer. Also, gorillas hate you. Also barrels. But mostly you. That's right! We're playing iconic game DONKEY KONG this week! But, Bill, you say, you done did that! Yes, yes, I did (ep. 37). But this time...it's for the 7800!!!!!! Please try to control yourselves.  Does Jumpman have the same spring in his step this time? Is he springier? We'll find out. THIS WEEK'S STORY: DONKEY DESTINY Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs 'Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find show notes, info and links to episodes for ATARI BYTES here. And for the monthly discussion of all things related to the legendary Shoopy-rific comic "Peanuts" IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here. Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." stuff at AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com here. Become a supporter of the show by subscribing on Patreon.com. You could get episodes early! You could get BONUS episodes! You could keep the lights on in the podcast studio so I don't stumble around and hurt myself.  Find info about books I've written and just some of the places you can order them on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com here. 

Episode 209! We're having so much fun in Atari future that we're hanging around to play FIGHT NIGHT from 1988 for the Atari 7800. You know it's a good game because the words in the title rhyme. That's how they grade games, right? So is this one a knock out or one of those matches where the fighters just exhaustedly hug each other until the ref pulls them apart? Spit in your bucket and left hook punch the "play" button to find out.* *ATARI BYTES not responsible for damage to your listening device. This week's story comes from Bad Poetry Corner: THE SWEET SCIENCE IN A WORLD THAT HATES SCIENCE - A POEM Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. On www.carnivalofgleecreations.com find ATARI BYTES episodes, social media and more here. Find IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN episodes, social media and more here. Bill's books: MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME. Find info and just a few links to sellers on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com Become an ATARI BYTES subscriber to support the show financially on the Patreon project here. Get episodes early! Get bonus episodes! "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com.

Go suck an egg! Sorry...meant go lay an egg. No, that's not right.  Oh! Right. In episode 207, we're playing the 1987 Atari 7800 port of JOUST where, astride a fierce ostrich (yep) you do battle with knights on buzzard-back (really), scrambling (heh!) to keep the buzzard eggs from hatching into new enemies. I swear, that's what this game is.  This week's short story: THE INFINITE CIRCUS Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the Mad Mike Hughes update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Get more info, social media and episodes of ATARI BYTES and my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here. Get info and links to some of the places you can order my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME or the short story collection MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS here.  Become a subscriber on the ATARI BYTES Patreon page here. Get epsisodes early! Get bonus episodes! Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." stuff at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.

In episode 206, we're playing the 1983 game SORCERER'S APPRENTICE. The game was inspired by the Mickey Mouse "Sorcerer's Apprentice" segment of the iconic 1940 Disney masterpiece "Fantasia"....oh, and some poem by Wolfgang von Goethe. But mostly Mickey. This week's short story: THE SORCERER'S RETIREMENT Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find social media, episodes and more about ATARI BYTES here and about my other show, IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, the monthly discussion of all things related to the Peanuts comic strip and related stuff here on www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  Your host is a writer too! Find out about books he has written, like IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, including some of the places you can order them at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com too. Support the show financially by becoming a subscriber on Patreon.com here. Get episodes early! Get bonus content! Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games. They've Missed You." shirts and mugs here at the AB_Pod_Store on zazzle.com 

So. For the last episode in 2018,  I reviewed a video game-related movie (Megaforce). This year, I fully intended to do that again, but after playing the game "Revenge of the Beefsteak Tomatoes", I decided instead to go with one of its inspirations, the 1978 disaster parody "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes".  It's a...comedy?....about ordinary tomatoes that mutate and go aroud killing people. Also, there's the San Diego Chicken. And a song about puberty.  Yep.  I couldn't keep all this fun for myself. Sean and Jim from the "Pie Factory" podcast are in the studio to talk about the movie too! Don't worry, I unlocked the door and let them out when it was over. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for episode links, social media and info about ATARI BYTES, my other monthly show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN.  The website also has info about my books MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and the holiday-themed IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME. Links to some of the places to order them too! Support Atari Bytes financially by subscribing on Patreon.com here. Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games. They've Missed You" shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com.

Like the mud and slush stuck to the runners of Santa's sleigh, episode 204 glides onto your podcast rooftops. No game this week, but plenty of nog-worthy fun! Our short story is: TINY TIM'S ATARI DREAMS. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", "Pinball Spring", Jingle Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas", Dance of the Tuba Plum Fairy", and "Oh, Christmas Tree".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Email the show at ataribytes2016@gmail.com. Like the show on our Facebook page. Follow the show on Twitter @ataribytes or follow me personally @carnivalofglee. Check out the Instagram too. Don't forget, you can call the podcast and leave a voicemail at 563-265-1978 and it might get played on the show. Check out the website www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info, social media and show links for ATARI BYTES and my monthly discussion and analysis of all things related to the Peanuts comic strip IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. The website also has info about my books IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, including some of the places you can order them. Consider becoming a subscriber to the show on the ATARI BYTES Patreon page. You could get early episodes and BONUS episodes. Thanks! Pick up "Go play some old games, they've missed you" shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Christmastime is here! Happiness and cheer! Fun for all that children call... IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN ep. 44! This month, Samantha Claus (you'll have to listen to understand) brings "Sparky" playwright Jack McManus back to the show. We'll be discussing the 2002 TV episode "Charlie Brown's Christmas Tales". Also, unlike poor Sally's dollhouse bicycle, you'll also find under your podcast tree a Random Strip of the Month and a review of the "Peanuts by Schulz" short "Doing it Right". Happy holidays! Support graphic artist and friend of the show Jason Yungbluth, author of "Weapon Brown" and many other things by going to his Death Ray 2020 kickstarter here. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". Thanks to Nick Jones for the use of "25% Off". Thanks to Saul Solano Jr. for the "A Christmas Story"/podcast mashup bumper thingy. Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Find that and more of his music on Soundcloud here. Find episodes, social media and info about IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN here  and about the weekly ATARI BYTES podcast featuring an original short story by me every week here at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com. Consider supporting the show by becoming a subscriber on the IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN page on Patreon.com. Get episodes early! Get bonus episodes! Good grief! Pick up "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts at mugs at the AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com. New stuff coming...someday!  

Episode 203 comes to you from a galaxy pretty not far away at all. In honor of the final installment of the most recent Star Wars trilogy coming out, we're playing STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI - DEATH STAR BATTLE, inspired by the final installment of the original film trilogy. Does this 1983 Parker Brothers offering feel the force or does it Jar Jar Binks all over the place? This week's short story: "Life in Three Parts" By the way, Henry's on the show this week, but you can't hear him a lot of the time because I couldn't convince him to sit closer to the microphone. Kids, man. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find ATARI BYTES show notes, episodes and social media at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com.  Love Snoopy? Every month on IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, we talk about ALL things in, around, and inspired by the Peanuts comic strip universe.  Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for episodes, show notes and social media.  Find info and links to some of the places you can order IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  Help keep the lights on at ATARI BYTES studios by becoming a Patreon subscriber. Early access! Bonus content! All the goodness! Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com 

Do you have any idea how hard it is to put four pairs of tiny boxing gloves on a spider? We find out this week on episode 202 as we're playing the Activision 1982 title SPIDER FIGHTER. Was designer Larry Miller confessing a phobia with this one? His other titles "Snake Strangler", "Dental Damage", and "When You Have to Give a Speech, Blast Everyone Naked with Your Laser" would seem to suggest yes... This week's short story: RECLUSE REFORMATION Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. You can find show notes, social media and all manner of what not for ATARI BYTES here and about my other show, the monthly ode to all things "Peanuts" comics, IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, here. Your podcast host is an author too. Go here for info and retailer links for MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and the holiday themed Santa story for adults IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME. Support the podcast by becoming a subscriber on Patreon.com. Get episodes early! Get BONUS episodes! Thanks! Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." shirts, mugs and what not in the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

You might not know it from the recent self-destruction of Sears & Roebuck, but back in the day Sears was HIP, man. All the best stuff came from Sears. And then there's SLOTS, the Sears Tele-Games 1979 version of the Atari title SLOT MACHINE. Because there's nothing eight-year-olds like better than casino gambling. SLOTS is our focus this week in episode 201 and playing it gives you some insight that the harbingers of Sears's future doom were present even in 1979. THIS WEEK'S SHORT STORY: "A Place for Everyone and Everyone in Their Place" *Sorry for the occasional audio drop. Tried to clean them up. Lately, my software seems to be rebeling. Everyone is a critic. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs, "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Info, show links, social media for ATARI BYTES can be found at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com here. Info, show links, and social media for the podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN is here. Check out Bill's books MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, as well as the holiday-themed Santa Claus for adults, IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME.  You can support the show financially by becoming a Patreon subscriber here. Early episdes! BONUS episodes!  Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games. They've Missed You." shirts and mugs at the Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store. 

"Blueprint" is a process developed in the 1800s to reproduce techical documents, turning them blue in the process. Coincidentally, the CBS Electronics game "Blueprint" also makes people blue. What about you? This week's short story: WITNESS TESTIMONY, THE PEOPLE vs. BARNABY BUILDER Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find links to info, show notes and social media for ATARI BYTES and the monthly tribute to all things "Peanuts" comics IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. Check info about my books IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS here. Become a Patreon subscriber here. Early episodes! Bonus episodes! Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games, They've Missed You." shirts and mugs in the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

Episode 198 is PELE'S SOCCER, Atari's tribute to one of the greatest athletes of all time: Brazilian soccer star PELE. That's right, this week's game about an amazing sports star is brought to you by one of the least sports-y people ever. Enjoy! This week's short story: LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FIELD Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. You can find ATARI BYTES show info, episode links and social media at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com If you love Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole Peanuts gang, check out my monthly show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN for all things Peanuts. More info at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  Your host is an author too. Find out more about my books IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS here. There are even links to just some of the places you can order the books! You can get "Go play some old games. They've missed you." mugs and shirts at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com here.

Remember how great Sears was? When I was a kid, Sears Roebuck was THE place to shop. And along with your Toughskins and washer/dryer sets, you could get Atari games cleverly renamed and packaged in boring, generic text labels so that...well, I don't know why exactly. BUT, thanks to this bit of video shell-gaming,  in episode 197 we get to revisit one of the "original nine" from 1977, COMBAT, only now it's called TANK PLUS. "Plus what?" you ask. Plus FUN, my friend! This week's short story: Who Will Be Tank's Plus One? Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for "Storytime" theme. Links to episodes, show notes and social media for ATARI BYTES and my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN can be found at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com.  Become a financial backer of the podcast by subscribing on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon.com here. Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games, They've Missed You" stuff at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Check out my collection of short stories MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS or my Santa Claus story for adults IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME

Episode 196 featuring the 1983 Fox Video Games offering REVENGE OF THE BEEFSTEAK TOMATOES is clearly an allegory for the plight of the American farmer in the 1980s international trade market. Also, tomatoes are trying to kill you, so maybe the message is: Kids, eat less fruit. This week's short story: TOMATO PUREE  Flat Earth Rocketman Measuring Curve of the Unite States A ROM Has Been Released of Atari's "Pursuit of the Pink Panther" Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com is where you can get info, episode links and social media for this show, ATARI BYTES, and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. The webiste also has info about my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, a sort of Santa Claus story for adults and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Pick up "Go play some old games, they've missed you." shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com. You can support the show financially by becoming a Patreon subscriber here. Get episodes early! Get bonus episodes!  

In episode 195, we're teeing up the golf ball that is the podcast to sink in a hole in one of your earholes. Or maybe both. But we don't want to overreach. That's right, we're playing MINIATURE GOLF, Atari's 1978 plaintive cry about being out of ideas already. "Weird. I thought they'd come up with more stuff. They had such potential," said the 1970s consumers. This week's short story: MINIATURE DEATH  *Producer's Note: This week's recording was overrun with audio drops. Don't know why. Tried to clean it up as best I could, but if it sounds incoherent in places, just assume it's a technical issue, not the failings of your host. Please. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. ATARI BYTES show notes, episodes, social media and more at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN is a monthly show about all things in and around the "Peanuts" universe. Find out more here. Pick up "Go play some old games, they've missed you" shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com  You can become a Patreon subscriber and get access to bonus content by going to the Atari Bytes Patreon page here.  Find out here about my books IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS

Don't stop believin'...it's episode 194 of ATARI BYTES! Drive one of your Cars to your game console and Wham your cartridge in. Don't get distracted by the Eagles above or Hall & Oats bringing you chicken nuggets and Oreo Speedwagons. We're playing JOURNEY ESCAPE, a 1982 game inspired by the artwork on Journey's album of the same name. Because apparently in 1982, Atari was doing lots of coke.* *Kidding.** **It was probably heroin. This week's short story is: IT'S THE JOURNEY. NOT THE DESTINATION Atari Brings Back Centipede, Asteroids & More in Exclusive Arace1Up Deal Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. ATARI BYTES info, episode links, social media can all be found at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN is my other show; a monthly excursion ito all things Peanuts. Find out more here. Support ATARI BYTES by becoming a Patreon subscriber here. Bonus episodes! Early episodes! Madness! Find out about books I've written like MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS here. Pick up "Go play some old games. They've missed you." stuff at the AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com

Cogito ergo sum. I think, therefore I am. Cogito ergo playsumhuhhhh???? I think no one knows what this game is; does it exist? In episode 193, we're playing AUTO RACING, which despite hold it in my hand, seems to not exist if the Internet is to be believed. But I played it...I think I played it...does anyone else see the walls melting? This week's bad poetry corner: OTTO RACING Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme.  Find show notes, social media and show info for ATARI BYTES and IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com At the website books and publications page, you can also find out about my publications like IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Support ATARI BYTES at Patreon to unlock early access to episodes and BONUS episodes here.  You can get "Go play some old games, they've missed you." shirts, mugs and more at AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com

This week on the show, you have two jobs. You must hunt. You must score. That's because we're playing Atari's 1978 Concentration, Memory, Memory Match, A Game of Concentration...fine, let's call it HUNT & SCORE. You might remember that as being part of the second wave of new titles from Atari. But hopefully that's not all you remember, because you'll need a steel-trap mind to line up these pairs and crush the computer with infinite (not infinite; not in 1978) memory.  This week's short story: NO MATCH FOR ME Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find episodes, social media links for this show, ATARI BYTES, and the monthly IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN, about all things related to the inconic "Peanuts" strip at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com I'm a writer too. Find info about and links to some of the places you can pick up my books at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com Support the show ATARI BYTES on Patreon.com and get access to episodes early or even get bonus episodes. Pick us "Go play some old games, they've missed you" shirts at mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com The Far Side could be coming to the Internet "We're Going to Slam a Spacecraft Into an Asteroid to Try to Deflect It" "When We used to Storm Area 51 at the Arcade"

Episode 191 is right up your alley...if you're a cold-hearted criminal - possibly with an eye patch, but that may be optional - or a federal agent with a chronic inability to avoid the short straw for assignments. From 1982, we're playing Spectravision's GANGSTER ALLEY. Join me as we power through my personal game cartridge's attempts to sabotage the episode. Grrrrr, technology! *shakes fist at the sky dramatically* This week's short story is: FAMILY TERROR, I MEAN FUN "Lost in the Time Vortex: The American Cult of Doctor Who" Water Found on a Potentially Life-Friendly Planet Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find links to episodes, social media and other info about ATARI BYTES and my other podcast IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN at my website www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  Find links to pick up my books IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME and MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com Support the podcast on the ATARI BYTES Patreon page here. Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games, They've Missed You" merchandise at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

In 1982, there was an epidemic of sides splitting at CBS Electronics due to all the laughing. What was so funny? The programmers were handed a new arcade game to adapt for the Atari. "Tell me again what it's called," one giggling programmer said, gasping for breath. "It's called GORF," the other shrieked, wiping mirthful tears from his eyes. This week's game in episode 190 is the space shooter with the dumb name: GORF. Part Space Invaders, part Galaxian...all fun? We shall see. This week's short story/bad poetry corner entry: THE FINAL MOMENT BEFORE OBLIVION OR WHATEVER ACTUALLY COMES NEXT New York Daily News piece about the "new" Jim Henson project 'A Tale of Sand'. The Game Console: A Photographic History From Atari to Xbox Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find out more about ATARI BYTES and my other show IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN including links to show notes, episodes and social media at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com Find out more about my books MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS and IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com too. Here's one of the places you can order MISERY BANANA. Pick up shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com You can support ATARI BYTES financially on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon.com  

Good grief! This month in episode 41 of the podcast, actor Brad Kesten learns the danger of reaching out to podcasters and saying things like (a) I really like your show and (b) I was the voice of Charlie Brown on TV. When you do that, you end up getting drafted to be on the show. Brad was the voice of Charlie Brown for most of the run of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show", in "It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown" and other Peanuts specials. He also worked in front of the camera and did voice work on a lot of other things many of us watched in the '80s.  And now he's on the podcast! Check out Brad's official website here. Nick Jones provides this month's "Random Strip of the Month" and we've also got another "Peanuts by Schulz" episode. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out this and more of his music on Soundcloud here. www.carnivalofgleecreations.com has links to social media, show notes, episodes of IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN. There you can also find out about my weekly show ATARI BYTES, which features an original short story by me every week. Check out my novel IN THE ST. NICK OF TIME, which you can order here, among other places. Also check out my short story collection MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Ebook or print, wherever you want to get 'em! Pick up "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" mugs and shirts at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Support the Podcast financially on Patreon.com here. Early access! Bonus episodes!  "Peanuts, McDonald's Launch Apollo 11 Partnership" "A Tale of Sand" - "Jim Henson's 'singularly biggest project' that daughter Lisa says "never saw the light of day'" "The Reasons Adults are Never Visible in Charles Schulz's Peanuts Comic Strips" "The Paradox of Peanuts" from theatlantic.com "You Can Do Anything: Must Every Kids' Movie Reinforce the Cult of Self-Esteem?" - theatlantic.com The 20th New Yorker Festival - Good Grief, Charlie Brown

Remember "Happy Days", the feel good 1970s show about a bunch of teens in 1950s Milwaukee? In the show, break-out popular hoodlum character Fonzie had cut ties with his old gang of trouble-makers "The Falcons".  DESERT FALCON, the 1987 Atari game that is the focus of episode 189 has absolutely nothing to do with that. But it's fun to remember such a good show isn't it? This week's short story is titled: DISPENSE WITH THIS Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes Update" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find show notes ("Atari Bytes" AND "It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown"), social media, and info about books I've written at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com Support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page. New tiers are up there, so this is a good time to subscribe! Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games, They've Missed You" merchandise at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS is a book that can be yours in print and ebook. Here's one of the places you can get it.

We're not sure, but we're guessing that in 1978 at Atari HQ, game designer Warren Robinette won an office pool. The bet was who could come up with a game that matched it's title close enough that the boss would take it, but still had really nothing to do with it. SLOT RACERS, a game that has "cars" in it, but are not slot cars, nor are they racing, was the result.  In keeping with that spirit, this week's short story in episode 188 is SLOTTED, really has very little to do with the game we're talking about.  START YOUR ENGINES! You know, if you want. Really doesn't matter. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Find links to episodes, show notes, social media and more for ATARI BYTES and my other podcast IT'S  A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com.  You can support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here.  Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games, They've Missed You" shirts and mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com. Check out MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS, my short story collection in print and ebook wherever you like to order books. Find out more about that and my other works at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com

This month in episode 40, the Peanuts kids are headed off to camp! RACE FOR YOUR LIFE, CHARLIE BROWN from 1977 is the third big screen outing for the Peanuts and they set sail on troubled waters. Raft races! Bullies! Dangerous waterfalls! Sweet motorcycles! Bears that knock first! You're gonna need Velcro (brand fastener) on your popcorn bag, otherwise the tension is gonna make you drop your snack all over the place. We've also got another Random Strip of the Month and a "Peanuts by Schulz" short episode called "Snoopy the Superstar". Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". Find links to episodes, show notes and social media for IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and my other show, ATARI BYTES at www.carnivalofgleecreations.com  Check out the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com for "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs. Please consider supporting the podcast financially on our Patreon Page here. Check out in print or ebook my short story collection MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS wherever you like to order books. Here's one of those places.

In episode 185, imagine yourself on an early Sunday morning in a crowded, noisy breakfast joint. The scents of coffee and waffles waft through the air. Your arms are pleasingly sticky from syrup residue on the table. What are you doing to pass the time until your twelve egg omelette and bacon with a side of heart attack arrives? Playing HANGMAN on the placemat of course! And this week, we've got Atari's 1978 placemat-fun-in-a-cartridge answer to the pen and paper icon. You provide your own greasy breakfast meat. In a fun experiment, this week's short story is provided by friends of the show Dave Ciampa and Greg Klein from the podcast "Ciampa & Klein: The Knight Rider Years". It might be called "Those Are My Alpha-Bits" or maybe it doesn't have a title. Dunno. It's pretty good though. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for more about my podcasts and books! Pick up Atari Bytes shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Support the podcast financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon here. Pick up MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in e-book and print pretty much wherever you buy books. Here's one such place.

In 1977, Atari said, "We need a small batch of games to show off this new video console we've got." Larry Kaplan heard this and was like, "Great! Here's like six of them. Car racing. Skiing. Airplanes. All sorts of stuff." "But, Larry," Atari said, "we've only got room in the catalog for one more." Larry grumbled a bit and instead of scrapping his six games, he stuffed them all into one cart, slapped a STREET RACER label on it and went home to dinner.* Before Atari knew it, the misnomer STREET RACE became one of the "original nine" of Atari...and episode 184 of this podcast.  *We totally made that up. But what if we didn't? This week's short story: BAD POETRY CORNER: MOVING ON, STANDING STILL Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Check out carnivalofgleecreations.com for podcast info, book publishing info and social media links.  You can pick up MISERY BANANA VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED By OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in ebook and print many places. Here's one. Support the show financially on the Patreon page here. AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com has Atari Bytes mugs and shirts.

Episode 183 flutters in on cute-as-a-bug little wings with FIRE FLY, a 1983 offering from Mythicon. Is this game where you pilot a metallic humanoid insect in battle against other metallic humanoid insects in exchange for fabulous prizes mere myth? A flat-out con? The bee's knees? What's the buzz around the nectar-filled flowers on this one? Plant your stinger in this episode and find out for yourself. This week's short story: HELL'S CEREAL Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Man for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes and what not here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! You can pick up Atari Bytes mugs and shirts at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com. You can support the show financially on Patreon.com here. Check out the exclusive collection of short stories from THIS VERY PODCAST wherever you like to order e-books or print books! It's called MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Thanks!

It's episode 182, in which I lose my title belt and my podcast pants fall down so I'm left in my gaming skivvies. Aren't you glad this is an audio podcast? This week, we're playing TITLE MATCH PRO WRESTLING, a 1987 entry from Absolute Entertainment. Is it absolutely entertaining? Well, we'll pile drive this sucker to the mat and see if it airplane spins out some fun. Or something. This week's short story is: "Humble Pie...Er, Cobbler" Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes and what not. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes mugs and shirts at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Please consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Hey! I wrote a book! MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS is on sale now wherever you like to order books - e-book or print! Here's one of those places!

In the 1980s, Charles Schulz and his son Monte Schulz set out to create the "Citizen Kane" of Peanuts specials. The result was 1988's IT'S THE GIRL IN THE RED TRUCK, CHARLIE BROWN.  In this special, scripted by the two Schulzes, we find animated cartoon Spike wandering around live-action Needles, California - ala "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" - where he meets up with Jenny, played by Schulz daughter Jill Schulz. There's lots of driving around in the titular red truck, falling aluminum cans and...gunfire?  "Citizen Kane"? Well, you can decide for yourself.  We've also got Peanuts news, another "Random Strip of the Month" and a "Peanuts by Schulz" short called "No Strings Attached". So finish your popcorn, strap on your roller skates (you'll understand after the episode) and boogie on over to episode 39! Thanks to Henry Pope for his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out that and other Pope music on Soundcloud here. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker". It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown show notes and what not. Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show. Pick up "Greetings, Fellow Blockheads" shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Support the show financially on our Patreon page here. You can read a collection of my short stories - MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED by OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS - in e-book or print wherever you like to order books. Here's  one of those places.

Everything old is new again...even in podcast land. In episode 181, we're going home to episode 8 with MS. PAC-MAN. Sort of... You see, this week we time travel to Atari's future with the 7800 port of this iconic 1984 title. Do we still like the game in new wintergreen - er, 7800 - flavor? Yes, yes we do. (spoiler) Are we any better at it on the new platform? Well... This week's short story is: TURN LEFT! NO, RIGHT! NO, LEFT! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat", and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes and what not. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Support the show financially on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon.com MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS is a book you can own in print or e-book for your very own! You many options to order, including the one at this link!  

Episode 180 of Atari Bytes is all about giving tanks. That's not a typo, 'cause we're overjoyed and overrun by tanks this week with Activision's 1983 Battlezone rip-off  tank adventure game ROBOT TANK. In the game, it's 2019 and the landscape is overrun by hostile forces who want nothing more than to destroy you and take control. Weird how Activision knew in 1983 what life would be like so many years later. It's like Activision predicted Twitter. This week's short story is: ROSIE THE RIVETER...OF DEATH! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes -show notes, social media and stuff here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up show merchandise at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page here.

This week, I'm swinging in on a vine as Planet Funk Con sinks into the quicksand below and I land on the other side to record a podcast. The episode, unfortunately, is just me screaming as I am crushed by a rolling log.  I recorded episode 179 after attending Planet Funk Con where much fun was had. (Hello, new listeners!) This week marks the end of Intellivision Month for the podcast. (Stop cheering!) We close on a high - and not just because of those vines. We're playing PITFALL! for the Intellivision gaming system. Did David Crane have any new tricks up his sleeve for this version? No. No he didn't. But we had a good time anyway.  This week's short story is: LOG ROLLIN' Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes - show notes, social media and what not. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Support the show financially (please) on our Patreon page here. Pick up shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store at Zazzle.com If you're so inclined, pick up a copy of MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in e-book and print wherever you like to order books. Here's one place you can do just that.

This week on the podcast we LOCK in episode 178 and CHASE down another game as Intellivision month avoids the Atari cops to continue for another week.  My surprise co-host and I are playing the Mattel 1982 edition to the Intellivision line LOCK 'N' CHASE. Does this Pac-Man wannabe maze game steal our hearts or leave us locked in a cold dungeon of disappointment? This week's short story comes to us from Bad Poetry Corner: DEADLOCKED. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes show notes and what not. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Thanks the Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "storytime" theme. Pick up shirts and mugs in the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. You can order the print or e-book of MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS many places. Here's one of them.

So, is Intellivision month on ATARI BYTES continuing in episode 177? You BET it is! In 1979, Mattel gambled on a game based on the thing kids love most: casino gambling. This week's title is ROULETTE. Place your bets. When the ball drops on this episode, will you be in the audio chips or the gaming gutter? This week's original short story is: SPIN IT, BOB! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance", and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes and what not. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Check out the merchandise store AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon.com Pick up MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in e-book or print wherever you like to order books! Here's one option!

Playwright Jack McManus returns to the podcast this month to discuss one of his favorite Peanuts specials: "Why, Charlie Brown, Why?" from 1990. This first TV special of the 90's arose out of Schulz's desire to honestly talk to kids about cancer. One of the Peanuts kids is diagnosed with leukemia and we follow the others as they process this information. It's a heavy episode. Does it manage to both entertain and inform?  Unfortunately, there were some audio issues that makes Jack hard to hear for a lot of the discussion. Don't give up, though, it's good stuff if you just bump up the volume a little. My apologies. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Base Walker". Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Check out his music on Soundcloud here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - show notes, episodes, social media, etc. Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up It's Podcast, Charlie Brown mugs and shirts and what not at our AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com You can support the show financially on the Patreon page here.  You can pick up my short story collection MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS in ebook and print many places. Here's one of them.

YAH, HORSEY! YAH! ATARI BYTES Episode 176 comes down the stretch with the second entry in our annual "Intellivision Month" - HORSE RACING, Mattel, 1980. Pull off your blinkers, grab hold of your podcatcher's irons and coax that filly into the backstretch to break maiden on this latest episode! It's a breeze! Oh, and, for you Henry groupies: He's on this week! This week's original short story: "Ghost Horses" Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Atari Bytes show notes and what not It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other podcast! Pick up shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes Update Theme" Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Order MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS wherever you like to order books.

Do you like gladiator movies? I only ask because when you watch a gladiator movie, it's astounding how these brave, bold warriors insist on lining up in straight lines and running at each other, expecting that they won't be mowed down. Still, you have to cut the gladiators some slack. They lived centuries ago and had limited technology. Which makes it even more stunning that the futuristic alien invaders in Intellivision's SPACE ARMADA, Mattel, 1981, aren't any smarter. In episode 175, we're kicking off our 2019 INTELLIVISION MONTH with this close cousin to the iconic Atari "Space Invaders". Does it live up to its inspiration - not to mention gladiators? Do any of us really? On that note, this week's original short story is: "Space Letters from the Space Front Lines...In Space".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Pinball Spring" and "Take a Chance". Atari Bytes show notes and what not It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Pick up shirts at mugs at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com  Please consider becoming a subscriber to the show on Patreon.com. Thanks! You can pick up a collection of short stories inspired by the games in this show and told in a wide variety of genres from sci fi to contemporary fiction to 19th century erotic literature. It's MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Here's one place you can do that.

Listen closely...hear that? Right now, as I write and you read this, tiny little plaque jerks are eating away at your tooth enamel. You can hear them, can't you? I can't unfortunately, as the voices in my head are much louder. We're playing Activision's 1983 ode to oral hygiene, PLAQUE ATTACK. Blast the plaque with your tube of toothpaste and leave the whole eight teeth in your mouth minty fresh. Pucker up! This week's short story is: "Bared Teeth. Bared Soul." Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes and whatnot.  It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up "Go Play Some Old Games. They've missed you" mugs and shirts at AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Become a Patreon subscriber here.  My first collection of short stories from this show is out! MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS is available many places, including this one. 

Dive down deep into episode 173: SUB SCAN, the 1982 port of Deep Scan from Sega. We explore the depths of this submarine v. destroyer ocean battle.  I hope you don't get the bends coming back up to the surface to listen to this week's original short story: "Maximum Depth Charge: A Steve Stetson, 1980s Superspy, Adventure".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme.  Atari Bytes show notes and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes "Go play some old games" shirts and mugs at AB_Pod_Store on the Zazzle.com store. You can support the show financially by becoming a Patreon subscriber here.  Pick up my book! Please! Here's one of the places you can get MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS.

In 1982, Data Age had a video game concept meeting. "We need a new idea, people," the team leader said. "We gotta get this one out by the end of the day." It was 4:45 p.m. The office closed at 5:00 It was also Friday. In desperation, someone grabbed a marker and scrawled "SPACE BUGS" across the large flip chart, knocking the easel to the floor.  Ernie sat at the computer. He wasn't the best programmer, but was the fastest typist. He banged out some code that would have pink centipedes type things and some other cylindrical bug with antennae crawl slowly across the entire upper half of the screen. It wasn't really clear what they were doing, but you could shoot them. "Good enough?" Ernie said. "YES," the rest of the team said in unison and fled out of the building into the five o'clock world where no owned a piece of their time. And, thus, BUGS, the game at the heart of episode 172, was born. Is this a bad game? Well, can one dung beetle drag 1,141 times its weight? This week's story is...BUGS: A POEM Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring", "Reformat" and "Circus Waltz".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes and what not It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! The AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com has Atari Bytes related stuff to buy. Please consider supporting the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page. Pick up your copy of MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS wherever you like to buy ebooks or print books. Here's one of those places.

We exist in three dimensions: length, width, height. This podcast has spanned three types of classic video games: Intellivision, Atari 2600, Atari 7800. And now, much as H.G. Wells, in his 19th century novel "The Time Machine", bravely journeyed in time, the fourth dimension, this podcast is venturing into a fourth type of game... We are playing our first Atari 7800 HOMEBREW! We're playing the 2016 title T:ME SALVO, a run and shoot game inspired by Wells' novel and the movies the book spawned. Is the game destined to become a timeless classic or is it simply not worth the time? This week's short story is "Weena: Warrior Princess".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! You can support Atari Bytes financially on our Patreon page here. Pick up show mugs and shirts and what not in our Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store...store! Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme Don't forget to check out the new collection of short stories from this very podcast. MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS. Here's one of the places you can order it.

Formula One is our focus this week.  That's right! Grecian Formula One, that liquid warrior against grey hair rides in on a wave of faux-youthful delusion and - Whoops! Wait! Formula one RACE cars... *Puts on a hat. Reminds Grecian Formula we are still looking for sponsors.* We're actually playing Activision's 1982 race car effort GRAND PRIX. Is it grand? Is it prix? Join us before the checkered flag drops... This week's short story: Once More 'Round the Track Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the Mad Mike Hughes theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme Atari Bytes show notes and more It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com  Support the show financially on the Atari Bytes page on Patreon

Quiet! I'm sleeping! A week out from Midwest Gaming Classic in Milwaukee and I am STILL tired. But it's a good tired. Had a great time playing a few games, reconnecting with friends and fans old and new, and, of course, talking about this podcast and the Misery Banana book.  This episode has my exhausted reactions to the weekend AND you get to hear my audio journal entries recorded at various times throughout the weekend.  All right. Well, much like the lady with the tail who came over to say "hi" and then abruptly bolted, I'll end these show notes here. Where do I sign up for MGC 2020? Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes - show notes, episodes, etc. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes shorts and more in the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Please consider support the podcast financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Misery Banana: Very Short Stories Inspired by Old Games and Odd Thoughts is for sale many places. Here's one. In the St. Nick of Time

In 1983, Sega said, "We took a shot at creating a 3-D looking game for the arcade. Congo Bongo looks amazing." "We took a shot," some staffer said. "But it really doesn't look that great." "We should now adapt that for the home console," the powers-that-be said. "It will look even better." "It will look even worse," the staffer said and was summarily fired. Okay, that's not exactly how it happened, but it might as well have.  Well, if Gilligan can spend all those years lovin' on his coconuts. We can spend one episode.  This week's short story is: "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts...But is That All There is to Life?" Con-Go? Bon-Go! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Pinball Spring" and "Reformat". Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and what not... It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Thanks to Mike Mann for the Mad Mike Hughes theme Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime Theme Support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here. Pick up Atari Bytes merch at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com You can pick up Misery Banana: Very Short Stories Inspired by Old Games and Odd Thoughts in many places. Here's one of them!

This week, we have another M Network game for you, this one from 1982, boldly titled SPACE ATTACK. That's a name right up there in the creativity pantheon with "Space Battle", "Racing" and "3D Tic-Tac-Toe". At least that last one tries to dress things up with the 3D part. Does only being in 2D keep SPACE ATTACK from being a classic? Or even fun? Does this week's original short story "It's People I Can't Stand...But I Can Stand With Them" overcome its clunky title? Do I use the ellipsis as a means of expression too much? So many ... questions.  And please check out my Atari Bytes - inspired short story collection MISERY BANANA: VERY SHORT STORIES INSPIRED BY OLD GAMES AND ODD THOUGHTS Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Atari Bytes show notes and more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! You can support the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page. Thanks in advance. Pick up show merchandise on the Zazzle.com store AB_Pod_Store.

My dad always said never stay at a hotel called Lakeview. There won't be a lake within sight. It seemed like just a bit of clever wordplay. But this week, ATARI BYTES episode 165 is DARK CAVERN. What we get on screen for this M Network game is neither dark, nor cavernous.  Holy crap! Dad was right! So, if you're brave enough, journey down into the caverns of this episode and then, when you come out the other side, enjoy this week's original short story "Lost and Found".  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" update theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the storytime theme. Atari Bytes show notes, episodes, social media It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! You can support the show financially on our Atari Bytes Patreon page. Thanks in advance. Check out the Atari Bytes merchandise store AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com

This week, episode 164 of ATARI BYTES is drenched in sweetness. So much squeaky clean gaming joy, it'll make your teeth hurt. This is bad because of the teeth gnashing you'll do trying to have fun playing STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: MUSICAL MATCH-UPS. To be fair, you're probably not a preschooler who's into mixing and matching the heads, torsos and legs of Strawberry and her friends Lime Chiffon, Huckleberry Pie and Blueberry Muffin. That jerk Purple Pieman has messed them all up. It's basically "Frankenstein" with a fruity pastry scent. After you get through that, stick around for a big ol' slice of this week's "Untitled Strawberry Shortcake Story". It's like the a la mode to your gaming pie.  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring".  Thanks to Mike Mann for the "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and more here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes merchandise on the AB_Pod_Store podcast store on Zazzle.com You can support the show financially on our Patreon page here. Thanks in advance for doing so!

Greetings, fellow blockheads! IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN Episode 35 is here! Just so you're not confused, I messed with the schedule this month and not just because this episode is dropping a day late. We've still got a random strip of the month. We've still got a "Peanuts by Schulz" short (this one is called "Reach for the Stars"). We even still have episode 17 (the penultimate one!) of "The Charlie Brown & Snoopy Show". BUT, we're shelving the planned "A Good Man, Charlie Brown" discussion until a later date. I had the unexpected good fortune of booking an interview with playwright Jack McManus about his new musical "Sparky", which debuted earlier this year in New York. The play presents significant points in Schulz's life and sounds very cool. I think you'll agree the scheduling change was well worth it.  Even we blockheads get it right once in a while. Go here to donate to William Johnson's "Peanuts on Parade: A Tribute to Charles Schulz" book Kickstarter. Listeners who kick in $50 or more get an extra photo! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Mining by Moonlight" and "Bass Walker".  Thanks to Henry Pope for the use of his "Linus & Lucy" remix. Hear that and more of his music on Soundcloud here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Show notes, episodes, social media Atari Bytes - Hey! That's my other show! Go there for an original short story every single week. You can still pick up items in our merchandise store on Zazzle.com AB_Pod_Store. If you have ideas for what to put in the store, let me know. Please consider supporting the show financially on the IT'S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN page on Patreon.com here. Thanks in advance.

Wallaby darned! It's another episode of ATARI BYTES! Though the game is actually KANGAROO! Not Wallaby! Which makes the pun even more annoying! If that's possible! That's right. This week, episode 163 is devoted to the largest marsupial in the family Macropodidae, that icon of Australia that isn't Crocodile Dundee: the kangaroo. KANGAROO is a 1982 Sun Electronics arcade game distributed by Atari, which caused some hard feelings. Know who else is experiencing some hard feelings? The kangaroos in this week's short story "Kanga-Ruined".  So throw some shrimp on the barbie and hop on over and give us a listen.  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Mike Mann for our "Mad Mike Hughes" theme. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" theme. Atari Bytes show notes, episodes and social media here. It's a Podcast, Charlie Brown - Hey! That's my other show! Pick up Atari Bytes merchandise at the AB_Pod_Store on Zazzle.com Please consider supporting the show financially on the Atari Bytes Patreon page here.