Episode 58 - Tonight He Dines on Turtle Soup...

     James LaRue Avery (1945 - 2013)

      

      On this 58th episode of Turtle Soup, we continue our coverage of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Animated Series (1987) Season 4 by reviewing episodes 3 and 4. We also pay tribute to the legendary James Avery with listener emails and recollections, handle some Twitter controversy, and Ryan goes on a rant about negativity on the Internet.

DOWNLOAD: Episode 58 - Tonight He Dines on Turtle Soup...

Next Week: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Animated Series (1987) episodes 5,6, and 7.

Episode 57 - The Ol' Sniff n' Squirt.

     
      Well, this will be the last episode of Turtle Soup released in 2013. Realizing this, I went back to see where we were in the journey at this one long year ago. The last episode of 2012 was a two-fer releasing Episodes 6 and 7, as well as premiering the Joe Martin designed Turtle Soup soup can logo. That seems like ages ago, doesn't it?

      In the last year we have released exactly 50 episodes of the show, tearing through 3 seasons of the 1987 Animated Series, dozens of action figures, scores of comics, and 4 years of time in the history of the TMNT. At this rate of covering 4 years in past time for every year we continue the journey, we should catch up in.... something like 7 years. Things aren't constant, however. the gap between the tapering off the TMNT popularity in the mid to late 90's and the start of the 2000's renaissance should speed things up considerably. Either way. We'll be at this a while.

      I guess that brings me to my main point here: thank you. Thanks for listening, emailing, facebooking, tweeting, suggesting the show to your friends, keeping the faith, dealing with our language, dealing with our stupidity, dealing with Danny, and everything else. When we decided to take this thing on more than a year ago, we were hoping we would meet awesome people along the way, and we certainly have. We always are striving the to make the show funnier, more relaxing, more detailed, more ridiculous, and, of course, more deserving of your excellent listenership.

      On this episode of Turtle Soup, we make a triumphant (and weary) return to cartoons by covering  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Animated Series (1987), Episodes 1 and 2. Also discussed is the strange tale of the TMNT Vacation in Europe, saucy details of the Crimmus past, and a Dems Da' Rules on impersonating the dead.

DOWNLOAD: Episode 57 - The Ol' Sniff n' Squirt.

Next Week: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Animated Series (1987), Episodes 3 and 4.

Episode 56 - I Hate Music!

    

      On this iconic episode of Turtle Soup, we cover everything Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coming Out of Their Shells Tour, including the Coming Out of their Shells show, Soundtrack, and Making of Documentary. You'll probably hate music, too. Also discussed is Eric's recent Pokemon addiction, Christmas tree dumpster diving, and motivating children to use the potty... Turtles Style!

DOWNLOAD: Episode 56 - I Hate Music! 

Next Week: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Animated Series, Season 4, Episodes 1 and 2?!

Episode 55 - 21st Century Wizard Warrior

   
     The subject matter for this episode is something near and dear to my heart. My memories of Fall of the Foot Clan lie deeply rooted in my nostalgia. As I played the game for the show, all of the memories came roaring back. Being in the Appalachian Mountains, fighting car sickness, having to jump from vehicle to vehicle and bring down the maniacal Baxter Stockman. Lazy afternoons spent not doing chores, getting super hyped for the bonus game where you pit your turtle against Krang to see who is left with that lone throwing star. That's the amazing thing about going back in your adulthood and re-living the things that fascinated you as a child. The schema is already in your head. You just have to take a second to open the door and all of those excellent memories come flowing through. Well enough about me. Prepare yourself to warp back to a day when gas was well under a dollar and Nickelodeon truly was all you needed...      

      Joined by our venerable video game expert Dr. Joe Martin, we delve into the portable gaming phenomenon with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan for Nintendo's revolutionary GAMEBOY! We also get the (perhaps) final votes for TMNT movie pitch contest, drop some knowledge about quality soap, and find out what's in the ball pit!

DOWNLOAD: Episode 55 - 21st Century Wizard Warrior

Next Week: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coming Out of Their Shells EXTRAVAGANZA! 

Episode 54 - FOR CHICO MENDEZ!!!

      Instead of a lengthy post this week, I think I'm just gonna share this:

http://www.realmofdarkness.net/pc/sb/music/dlr/2  

      That's right. That's David Lee Roth's iconic vocal from Van Halen's 'Running With the Devil' broken out into handy, bite sized chunks that can be triggered at will. It's might not be what society wants, but it's most certainly what society needs. Enjoy!     

      On this episode of Turtle Soup, we take another step on the path to full TMNT enlightenment by reviewing Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1, Book 33, the Playmates Figures (1990) Wacky Weapons and Vehicles, Pizza Power Vehicles, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Vol. 1, #14. Also, the votes begin to roll in for our perfect TMNT film contest, we talk about a possible Vanilla Ice / TMNT reunion, hear shocking tales of Eric's 24-hour Black Friday sojourn, and break out Dem's Da Rules: Thrifting Figures.


DOWNLOAD: Episode 54 - FOR CHICO MENDEZ!!!

Next Week: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot Clan (GAMEBOY, 1990) featuring Dr. Joe Martin!

Episode 53 - Bode-cious Babes, Sun!

     Hello, again. As this episode launches, you will be hearing Eric's perfect Turtle film pitch, which is the second part of our two part contest. Having heard a pitch from each of your intrepid hosts, now it's up to you guys to listen to each pitch and vote for your favorite. What's in it for us, you might ask? Bragging rights are the sole prize for the victor here, but that alone is a pretty heavy win. Eric and I are always looking for the edge in the ongoing journey to make fun of each other, so this may just be a valuable weapon in a future debate. If you would like to review both pitches, you can find mine at 1:21:00 into Episode 52 and Eric's at 1:07:30 of Episode 53. You can place your vote at turtlesoupshow@gmail.com or on the Facebook group. Thanks! Now let's get to that TURTLE ACTION!

     On this episode of Turtle Soup, we review Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1, Book 32 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Vol. 1, #12 and #13. Also included this week is some Old Drink about the fate of TMNT: Out of the Shadows for PS3, a hands on review of Playmates new Bee Bop and Rocksteady Classic figures, Eric's perfect Turtles movie pitch, and some tactical deal grabbing methods in Dem Da Rules: Black Friday.

DOWNLOAD: Episode 53 - Bode-cious Babes, Sun!

Next Week: Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Vol. 1, Book 33, the 1990 Playmates Figures (Wacky Weapons and Vehicles, Pizza Power Vehicles), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures, Vol. 1, #14.

Episode 52 - Squigglin' Wigglin'

      Hello. For the general well being of my sanity (and the general well being of you, our valued listener), I feel I must share with you one of the scariest, most terrifyingly uncanny things I have witnessed during my run on Turtle Soup. While reviewing the Playmates "Wacky Action Figures" from 1990 on Episode 52, it was my task to handle the review of one "Creepy Crawlin' Splinter". Immediately upon pulling up the image of our teen's furry father I was profoundly shocked by what I witnessed:

      For those familiar with horrible 80's action movies, the terror may already being sinking into your brain and heart as it did mine that fateful Friday evening. I had watched Commando just earlier that day, as it is one of my favorite of the genre. This made the feeling of nauseous shock even worse, for it felt that I had just left the world of John Matrix and his evil counterpart Bennet. Yet, when I saw this dreadful figure all my withering mind could see was:

       

      It was Bennet. In rat form. Staring at me through time; invading the sanctity of my journey. Try as I might, my brain could not turn from the sickening thought. Bennet?

      Did they actually design, sculpt, and release a figure of Master Splinter modeled after you, Bennet?! 

      I mean, Commando came out in 1985. It's been 5 years, Bennet. Is THAT the breadth of your cultural impact? 5 years later and they make this?!

      Commando was no slouch at the box office, Bennet, I understand that. $57 million gross on an R-rated action flick. Easily five times your budget. Made a lot of dudes happy. But Creepy Crawlin' Splinter?! Why?!

      All due respect, sir, but you're a pretty rough dude in Commando. You collude with terrorists and kidnap your ex-war buddie's little girl. She's in your care for an hour and she already has a bloody lip and sits weeping softly in the corner while you sharpen your knife. What did you do to her, man? LIKE, WHY THE HELL IS SHE CRYING THAT MUCH, BENNET?!

      My eyes, heavy with dread, slowly make their way to Creepy Crawlin' Splinter's accessories. Tail Mace... okay. Sewer Searchlight and Radar... useful, I guess. Rat Lantern... I could see Splinter actually using that. Ninja Knife... NINJA KNIFE?! Since when the hell has Splinter EVER used a knife. EVER?! Oh, that's right. NOT UNTIL HE WAS MODELED AFTER YOU, BENNET! AND WE KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT KNIVES, DUDE! HELL, YOU ALL BUT CREAMED YOUR RIDICULOUS, DIRTY, BLACK CARGO PANTS WHEN JOHN OFFERED UP A LITTLE KNIFE ACTION!

      I MEAN, DID THE CONVERSATION SOUND LIKE "MORNIN', RALPH. EVER SEEN COMMANDO? NICE! I LOVE COMMANDO AS WELL! ANYWAYS, BACK TO WORK DESIGNING CONCEPTS FOR CREEPY CRAWLIN' SPLINTER... WAIT, I GOT A FUCKING AWESOME IDEA! LET'S MAKE HIM LOOK LIKE FUCKING BENNET! YEAH, THE GUY WHO HAS A HARD-ON FOR KNIVES AND BEATING / MOLESTING LITTLE GIRLS! IMMA BUY EVERYONE LUNCH!"

      Whew... man. I can still feel the greasy dread on my mind. Anyways, thanks for allowing me to let off some steam about this whole thing, guys.

     

      On this heaping sized episode of Turtle Soup, we cover Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1, Book 31, the 1990 Playmates Figures (Basic Assortment and Wacky Action Figures), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Vol. 1, #11. Also, we reveal BIG NEWS FOR THE SHOW, Ryan reviews 4 movies in 4ish minutes, we tackle

the first in a two-part TMNT casting call contest, and stir up some drama with a rival podcast!

DOWNLOAD: Episode 52 - Squigglin' Wigglin'

Next Week:  Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 1, Book 32 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures Vol. 1, #12 and #13!