Podcasts about open your toys

Take some time this week to remember your original happy hour: Saturday mornings as a kid, waking up at dawn, jumping on the couch with a bowl of chocolate cereal, turning on the ‘toons, tuning out the outside world, and working your way into a sugar hangover before noon. This week, we celebrate 40 years of The Transformers with The Transformers expert, Slick McFavorite and the Open Your Toys Podcast. Sing it with us now.. Transformers More than meets the eye Transformers Robots in disguise   Autobots wage their battle To destroy the evil forces Of the Decepticons Wholly original, creative, and maybe the single greatest toy line of all time The Transformers hit the United States toy shelves in 1984 as an adapted Japanese toy line from Takara Tomy. But once Hasbro got involved, what was once a just a great toy, became a multimedia phenomenon with mythos, legend and heart that still reverberates throughout our pop-culture today. Join Grim Shea, Marke and special guest host Slick McFavorite as they, recontextualize The Transformers toys, cartoons, movies and reminisce on all that we not only grew up with, but that grew up with us… Roll out!

I've talked about change, motivation, and getting things done too much. It's time to put up or shut up.

Toys are getting a little messy. You have what seem to be hits like the MOTU x TMNT Crossover that keep gaining steam. But then you have what we feel are flops like the Hiya Joe line and their new Gung Ho. Some are inadvertently messy, like making a 5 PoA line out of figures that were originally 5 PoA. I'm looking at you Phantom Menace Retro Collection. Some have got to know, right? Unfortunately, not the Transformers team. Or, maybe they do?

Here are my most important reveals from this show. For Transformers, the Furai Soundwave. While I cherry-pick ReAction, who doesn't want Duke with a lightsaber or Snake Eyes with a trident? No Star Wars toy news this time, but I'm loving these Bad batch posters. Finally, Frog Monger sparked our JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) conversation. That still didn't keep me from ordering three.

Something equally well-received as the HISS is the latest Figura Obscura from the 4Horsemen. Received not nearly as well, but still generating some excitement are the new O-ring Joes from Super7. I'm not sure Joe collectors will be so happy when they are $20+. Something that really impressed the crew this week was an intensely beautiful, or ugly, depending on your view, Threezero's MDLX G2 Megatron. Not sure if it's the piece or it's ridiculous edition size of 50 worldwide. Something that obviously didn't get a great reception was Hasbro's Selfie Series; may it rest in peace.

No time for diatribes today.

No clever segue way this week, just the coolest stuff. The MOTU x TMNT crossovers have got us all excited. The revelation of the new Triple T in the Joe x TF crossover line sounds promising. Think Classified is killing it? The leaked listings prove that they are. While none of us collect Hot Toys, the new Ahsoka is yet another thing of beauty.

Can you feel the frustration with collectors nowadays? It's either pricing, availability, or too much product. Almost everyone I know is cutting back or quitting altogether. It's not stopping these companies. We still haven't got our first big Classified vehicle. We just got done funding our second big vehicle, now we have a third coming our way. Transformers continues with a bevy of new exclusives. Same with Star Wars, but I ain't mad at this EU Black Series multi-pack. While, still available, and relatively reasonable, it's gotta be the price on some of these Power-Con exclusives that are making them hang around. Or, maybe there's just too much MOTU out there to support 3rd Party.

I meant to save a bunch of time and do a really well-thought-out reflection of our 15th Anniversary show. Well, you see how well that worked out.

(mic drop)

Hasbro Pulse Con was kind of meh this year, but it'll be an easy field to pick my favorites from, so here we go. Believe it or not, I think the weird rock truck was my favorite Transformer reveal. I still have no intention of picking it up. I'm a sucker for the Old Republic, so the TVC HK-47 and Jedi Revan 2-Pack was easily my favorite Star Wars reveal. I think Joe continues to kill it. It seems so much so, people are getting burned out on the whole line. I've always been a huge Big Boa fan, but who can really beat that deluxe Metalhead? No news for MOTU, so go enjoy Mattel's awesome Origins stop-motion videos. They made me a lot happier when I thought I had Lady Slither on the way.

All of my favorites from this show you can put off. None of them are really required for any sort of collection. As much as I love Lady Slither and her articulated tail, do we really need her? I almost wish I had collected the Holiday Black Series figures from the beginning, especially because the latest batch is just killing it on a bunch of different levels. Another Transformers crossover to take or leave popped up as well. It looks great, but do you really need it? I don't think anyone needs G.I. Joe ReAction figures, but the Sunbow deep cuts keep sucking me back in.

Why is it that I am constantly laboring on Labor Day? We just spent 3 hours doing yard work. That was after camping for the second time in so many weeks. Setting up and tearing down camp is always crazy laborious. The one thing I can skip is writing about it. Now you don't have to read it, win-win.

The way people collect can be equally as diverse as the way people choose to camp. And just as with camping, there's no really right or wrong way to do it. I think this year's Power-Con demonstrated this. The big two, Hasbro and Mattel, were nowhere to be found, but in their place was an amazingly diverse group of indy toy makers. The Four Horsemen had an extremely impressive setup highlighted by their amazing life-size Ogre. Fresh Monkey Fiction showed off some great new entries to the BBTS-sponsored Monster Force line. Mondo continued their stellar reputation with a flocked Panthor and Filmation Trap Jaw. My favorite by far was Creative Beast Studio, makers of The Beasts of Mesozoic. It looks like, besides just redecos and buck reuse, they most likely had an absolutely brilliant idea all along.

With so many amazing reveals, this quick list shouldn't be too hard. For Star Wars, the second wave of ROTJ figures is simply amazing. I think most Joe people would say the Vamp stole the show, but for my money, I'm all about the Pulse Con Exclusive Crimson Strike 3-Pack. I don't think I'm in the minority when saying the new Studio Series Ultra Magnus is pretty damn impressive. Finally, while I'm really sad to see MOTU Origins become an exclusive line, the new animated line looks amazing.

No time for the usual. SDCC is on fire and we're going to do an impromptu show tomorrow to yak about it.

I don't even know how to start this post. Unfortunately, we are dealing with the loss of our amazing Ruthie Goosie. She has been the backbone of our family for over 15 years. Through everything we have gone through, she has always been there for all of us. Especially as we are still experiencing some ups and downs, her presence is missed so much. It's not even the big things, it's the smallest of things. Things like not having to rearrange pillows on the couch so she can have a couple of places to choose from or having her hoover up some dropped food always seem to make me cry. I've struggled with loss my entire life. Not just family, but far too many friends. It's always the smallest things that remind me of them and bring that loss rushing back. Whether you haven't seen them in years or you woke up to them every morning, the loss is real. It's felt in different ways and there is no right way to cope. I've found for me, I spend a couple of days in absolute despair, then I just gotta keep on keeping on. I have learned to cherish experiencing moments that make me cry. While the memory of the loss is always crushing, it gives me a chance to remember someone I loved that much.

Sound quality and host quality aside, at least the content was amazing. We talk about the launch of the new HasLab Classified Dragonfly. Mondo absolutely killed it with their V2 Skeletor. The new TBS Endor Rebel Trooper is perfection. But, why so pricey, especially for an army builder? Probably worst kept spoiler in recent times gives all of us Transformers fans a glimmer of hope of something we've always wanted.

I feel great about all the new Joes we're seeing, but that's because I'm a sub-team whore. I know everyone is loving Classified, but is that because they also love these sub-teams or are they just caught up in the hype? Those with a Sail Barge should be super-happy with the new Droid Factory R2-S4M. I love that we're getting a new screen-based character from ROTJ. While it makes me happy to see any brand I love utilizing graffiti, not quite sure the Amazon Battle in Brooklyn makes me as happy as it should. The performance of the latest Mattel Creations drops has me worried. At least for Masterverse. Both of the latest drops are still available. Maybe the snapping turtle tank wasn't the best idea for Vykron.

Toy life is heating up. Transformers made some interesting announcements at their recent livestream. Loving the deep-dive on the Evolution line. Scrap-Iron is hot, but is he over-hyped? I'm really cold on the Masterverse Whiplash, but some may dig it. Some may be cold on the politics, but I'm absolutely loving the Pride mechs.

It was one of those weeks. A lot of bad habits and not nearly enough good. I'm going to keep this short so I can get onto my good habits. However, I want to check in with everybody. Are your good habits winning? Are the bad habits creeping in? Either way, just keep on truckin' and remember shit happens when you party naked.

I think the Joe franchise survival instinct is kicking in with them trying to secure Michael Keaton for yet another reboot of the Joe cinematic universe. The Transformers team instinct is hopefully going to kick in when it comes to the Deathsaurus package artwork. Star Wars is doing pretty well with their Mando Mania, but I'm concerned that they're doing too many of the same characters. Masters just continues to kill it. Even its partners are turning out gold.

No time to talk, we have a very special guest star making an appearance at Casa de McFavorite.

Nothing too exciting for Joe besides some new listings. We're getting the inevitable repaint of the Volvo Prime. I really dig it but had no idea this thing was so small. While not crazy about the uncanny valley Luke in The Mandalorian, all the new Luke toys are very welcomed, including the new Training Luke. Saving the best for last was all of the MOTU Reveals. I mean, come on.

All these companies have to do is what they're doing. They are killing it, but is it too much? How many Classified Joes did you pre-order in the last couple of weeks? How about 3rd party Transformers? Maybe a couple of new Origins figures? FOMO finally got to me and I had to grab the new mini Lego Super Star Destroyer.

Amazing toys that I don't want also feel good. Kind of like this Mondo Trap Jaw. Or, the possibly leaked Mandalorian Starfighter. While I love the tractor for the Armada Prime, I definitely do not need it. A Classified Dragon Fly probably would have been needed, but we'll never know.

Joe absolutely killed it this time around. While Snow Job is one of my favorite characters of all-time and they did justice to him, the Classified Scrap Iron is a thing of beauty. There were some great reveals at the latest Star Wars Livestream, but I think I gotta give it to the Revenge of Jedi Darth Vader. I'm glad to see the masses will be getting access to an amazing Snake Horde Trooper. However, nothing can touch the Cybertronian Jazz I have been waiting almost 4 decades for.

Shopping is one thing I haven't been doing. However, I have been adding things to my JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) list like crazy. Including a bunch of canceled pre-orders, I have over 60 toys on there right now. We'll see if I still want them in a year. Some things I can't wait to get to buy from this show are as follows. What looks to be a Target Collectors' Con exclusive, the Python Patrol Crimson Guard is beautiful. I can't believe I have to wait a year to play with the new Legacy Tarn. I guess I'll have to settle for my MMC version. Luckily, I had everyone I wanted from the latest wave of Black Series on pre-order. I can't wait for that Bill Barr, I mean Bill Burr figure. The thing I have the most JOMO about is the Mega Construx Snake Mountain. It's already down $80 from the list price. If it gets to $200, I might get FOMO instead of JOMO.

Take some time this week to remember your original happy hour: Saturday mornings as a kid, waking up at dawn, jumping on the couch with a bowl of chocolate cereal, turning on the ‘toons, tuning out the outside world and working your way into a sugar hangover before noon. This week we find ourselves in the spirit of the season with a hostfull look at some of our favorite Holiday/Christmas/Festivus sitcom specials. From a Friends Christmas armadillo to a Home Improvement Santa Wilson miracle, we dig through our collective memories to celebrate a sneaky Holiday tradition that you probably didn't know you were part of. Join hosts, Grim Shea, Marke, Jimmy The Gent and Open Your Toys Slick McFavorite for a “spirited” television sitcom holiday sleigh ride and the airing of more than a few grievances! Celebrating its 70th anniversary, the original TV sitcom family is back and fully restored for The Holidays! The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Ultimate Christmas Collection is available NOW. The set includes 14 full and fun-filled holiday themed episodes from throughout the series. We are giving away a couple of copies. To win, follow and Tweet us @StayClassySDCC your favorite Holiday TV sitcom episode.

Depending on how you view it, collectors should be feeling like they're on top of the world. Have you seen the Classified Checklist? Did you see that over 15,000 people want an obscure Japanese cartoon character? Who wants tiny little stuff like 1:100 scale Star Wars brought back from the '90s? I do! I can't even keep up with all of the new Origins and Masterverse, but that's just Two Bad.

A lot of people aren't the biggest fans of these carded Black Series figures. But, I love them, including the next wave of ROTJ figs. At least they give people another chance at some figures they may have missed. If you were like me, you missed the Origins Camo Khan. Let's hope we get another shot and that great international variant. People had plenty of chances to vote for the Cobra Tacticition. I voted like 5 times. Glad to see my choice won. Finally, we didn't think it would happen, but the Death(a)saurus killed it. Not only passing the funding goal, but selling 50% more units in just 14 days.

We once again had some amazing stuff. However, not too much for the big four. Probably the most exciting was from Mondo. Their Panthro, uh, I mean Panthor is amazing. Also, listen just for our discussion on their Anti-Eternia He-Man. It's a classic. Less amazing, but something I am really digging right now is the vintage carded Black Series figures. Gamorrean Guards are a focus

I don't think Mondo has faced much rejection in it's storied history. Everything they do from posters, to wax, to what is possibly the best Battle Cat ever made seems to sell out. Well, except for their puzzles and tikis. Beyond product drops, I think the most immediate response you can garner is after a con. While at the con, people are all excited, but let the dust settle and you get some real reactions. Even after a second look, Star Wars killed it at MCM. While the announcements were light for Joe, Femtroopers and Shadow Tracker were crowd pleasers. I love Christmas and I love Optimus Prime, but who is buying a candy cane Prime, even if it is a new mold? Rejected!

It's been a helluva 2 weeks.

Instead of my four favorite things from the show, I'm going to speculate on what will be worth the most money in 5 years. If it makes it all the way, the 31-inch Agora Model Prime is going to be worth a ton. However, it's going to cost a ton too. Maybe we should be looking at increase in value. Since I wholeheartedly believe Pops won't be worth much in the coming years, the Gamestop Exclusive G.I. Joe box will most likely lose the most value. I don't have a lot of experience with multi-language packaging like BigBadToyStore is getting a ton of as I tend to avoid it, but I assume it probably lowers the value. What probably will top them all is the Black Series Droids Boba Fett.

Luckily with toys, we primarily worry about fan service. Man, this time around I think we got some great service. The G1 Jetfire Deco Valkyrie from Kitz Concept is amazing, if not pricey. Any toy based on McQuarrie concepts is going to be a favorite with me. Same thing with MOTU mini-comic homages, especially those of one of my favorite characters. I can't think of better fan service than farming out your license so fans get even more product. Are you in on the HIYA Exquisite Mini Joes?

How could I cut a whole line when they keep rockin' stuff like we saw this week? Upon further review, there really wasn't anything that amazing this time. And yet we still managed to talk for over 2 hours. Maybe it was because we had the triumphant return, for at least one episode, of past host and resident curmudgeon, the one and only, Lotus Stark. It was so great to have him back on. It truly felt like a full house.

While not necessarily retro, with a trip to the happiest place on earth on the books, the new 4-pack DroidFactory exclusive has 3 of my favorite Halloween-themed droids. And if Halloween isn't nostalgic for you, I think you did it wrong. Think they're not targeting us, the Classified Checklist from the last 3 years says differently. I always preferred some articulation in my retro, but the MOTU Little People are still killing it. Lastly, Micro Machines are back and now finally in G1-style with a Prime Playset.

Pretty easy picks this year for top reveals. I always love me an origins story. Gotta get another Pax, but a good Alpha has been a long time coming. I think it's safe to say Classified Serpentor stole the show. Well, maybe not if you're a MOTU fan. That Eternia, am I right? Star Wars was a little lack-luster, but I'll take another Credit Collection wave.

Glad I don't want to order too many of Super7's Joe exclusives, but their ReAction set with Snake Eyes and Shipwreck in Cobra disguise and Cobra bot is amazing. Much less amazing was the TFCon 3rd Party Panel. I was all excited because I thought a Planet-X Snarl was something I needed, turns out it was Fansproject I'm missing. The MEGA Snake Mountain is a hot item, but I'm glad I waited on it. While Star Wars had a lot of great reveals, none were more exciting than me as a Black Series Stormtrooper.

These toy companies have been busy to varying degrees of success. The HasLab HISS killed it! Now bring on more stretch goals. I cannot wait to see the new Star Wars Micro Galaxy in stores. Especially the Troop Transport. However, the “new” Transformers Crossovers have a lot to be desired. Mattel tried to pull a fast one by putting the new Mega Construx or now just MEGA Snake Mountain on Mattel Creations. Not only is the going to be a mass release, but the Creations orders are still just pre-orders.

I have been so lazy the last few days. Not really feeling doing the whole writing thing. I need to catch up on real life.

I am still a sucker for repaints, but I have grown to really love drastically different designs of a character. No longer does a chromed Stormtrooper matter, but a concept design-based reimaging of characters like the Black Series Concept Obi and Vader, a yes, please. No thank you to black Primes, but hell yes to a minor retool to homage a vintage character like Ransack. Even new characters like Kol Darr, do not hold as much sway compared to getting 200x designs in Origins. So maybe it is more connection and its derivatives more than anything. Not worried about the Classified Rock n' Roll, probably won't get him either way. However, when it comes to Shipwreck, I want him to look like he walked right out of the cartoon.

In hindsight, what is truly amazing about the toys we talk about? Considering we talk about franchises that have lasted over 40 years, it could be said almost anything. However, we sure have a lot to bitch about, and for good reason. These should be better. So instead of featuring my favorite things from this show, let's talk about the worst things from this show. The new “no plastic” packaging is the death of carded figure collecting. Ducks? We don't need no stinkin' ducks, especially Transformers ducks. I love plastic model kits and a $100 6-inch scale vehicle sounds amazing. That is until it has a ridiculous large Arashikage logo plastered on it for no reason. Since there is no Masters news as usual, we'll pick on the 4 Horsemen. While the figures are amazing, who gives a 2-pack the name Furious Four?

Lately, I've found myself supporting things I would not have in the past. As companies finally figure out that we will shoulder more cost we're getting larger, more exclusive, and deeper cuts. Not to mention the proliferation of 3rd party non-Transformers projects. If you're not careful you can “support” yourself into a corner. What about a third 3rd party Bantha? Or, a four-foot Metroplex? The latest Kickstarter ninjas could definitely use your support. Lastly, Hiya has my support for their 7″ Godzillas.

Third-Party definitely influenced Hasbro with those ankle rockers. During these Transformers Fan First events, they are constantly touting those things. What happens when a 3.75 vintage line influences a vintage-style 3.75 line? A whole lot of people that do not care about the new wave G.I. Joe ReAction figures. With the new Silverhawks Ultimates getting more obscure, they're starting to lose a little luster. Finally, I try multiple times during the show to get people to buy discounted Star Wars Legos.

I think people were happy, for the most part, with the Fan First Star Wars event. Especially us, who love the EU and Disney's new version of it. Something, that now in hindsight, might receive a little criticism is the Commander Class Motormaster that was leaked. Two things that received overwhelming praise and minimal feedback are Classified Dr. Mindbender and Mega Contrux Zombie He-Man. I think the only criticism we received live, was from opener-extraordinaire, AAA. He complained there was too much packaging. That was quickly categorized as opinion.

I'll tell you what will always put a smile on my face, the Horde. That's what made the new MOTU reveals so exciting. I'm not a Bot Bot guy, but an Autobot symbol and a cat lady? Yes please. The new GameStop exclusive Republic Commando Fixer is truly a Gaming Great. See what I did there. The thing I think that made me the happiest, another wave of Joe Ultimates. While pricey, these things really make me smile.

What started off as a discussion on the soaring prices of toys turned out to be more of a referendum on value. What value to find in your toys? Are they investments, just for fun? Are you like me, it's a hobby and I love them. If I or my family get some money for them in the future, great. Cliff drops his thoughts on why he canceled tons of his pre-orders. In the end, I frantically try to show what things cost ten years ago. Then I go on to demonstrate what a bad manager of money I am.

Really not feeling writing right now and this is something on my to-do list. Going to keep it simple. Peace.