The State of the Connection Between Toys and TV:
Okay, remember He-Man? Remember GIJoe? Remember Transformers (the original only)? What do all these things have in common? They were all great shows of their tiem with really kick-ass toys to go along with them! Yes! And that kept every small boy on the planet more than content. Sadly, this hasn't been the case since the Ninja Turtles were on the downfall. TMNT was teh last resource that the small boy had to connect tv with really good toys. Since then children have suffered through many lame attempts, the strongest of which came from the Power Rangers (which was neither a good show or a good toy line).
I believe the problem lies in the amount of confidence in teh imagination of the small children. They assume that children cant' imagine anything for themselve anymore, going outside of television, so they don't try. Maybe they're right. Maybe the children are a little less into just plain "fun" as we all were when we were little. To them, a toy is a thing to be played with as a last resource; but otherwise sits on a shelf, while some lame ass show is on (Modern day Fox Kids... i'm looking in your direction). To us, toys were something that you could throw during a good war, or play with for a whole day to have a whole adventure with them. THAT was fun! My Transformers and Ninja Turtles came with me everywhere! Hell, i used to bury the things! Today's kids wouldn't dream of such things! That would lower their value! Geez!
One of the truly sadder attempts to change thsi situation is to bring back things that WERE great toy lines. In particular Transformers and Popples. Now, the Transformers I've gotten in to (see the Transformers rant), but the Popples? Come on, Popples? True, they were really fun, but modern kids wont' find a use for them. Plus, they're hideous now! They look like 80's popple's "special" little brother, who just learned to dress himself (or so he thinks).. those of you who have seen these monstrosities know exactly what I'm talking about... but yes, I feel it is up to us: those who experienced the great toy-tv era, to bring back the days of old! Lets stand up and fight for the ability to make really rockin' stuff! Oi!