Toys on TV

Last night a new show premiered on the Travel Channel called Toy Hunters. At the same time Cartoon Network aired the 100th episode of Robot Chicken. I watched Toy Hunters and DVRed Robot Chicken.

Toy Hunters featured a professional toy dealer who was going on a road trip to buy toys to sell at the NY Comic Con. He went out to Cincinnati Ohio to follow up on some leads. Kenner, the company that made Ghostbusters, Super Powers, and Star Wars, was based in Cincinnati so there are lot of former Kenner employees around and a lot of rare samples and prototypes. He found some crazy stuff and made a deal to broker a Rocket Fire Boba Fett figure for a comic store owner who had one in a random box in his back room. The guy also went to Florida to see a guy who worked on the Thundercats toy line. He made a deal to broker a Mad Bubbler prototype for him. He also bought other stuff from various people including some MISB MASK toys. In the end he sold the Boba Fett for $17,000 at Comic Con.

Robot Chicken was unlike a standard episode, but similar to other season premier episodes. It showcased many of the characters created for the show,  used the Robot Chicken and Mad Scientist, and the characters based on the shows executives. There were less "skits" and focused mostly on one story involving the Robot Chicken escaping from the Scientist only to have to fight his way back into the Scientist's castle to save his chicken wife. It was a good episode, but I enjoy the skits where they spoof a toy line or movie more than the stuff that takes place in the "Robot Chicken Universe". There was an appearance by Mo-Larr: Eternian Dentist, which I enjoyed. The SDCC exclusive Mo-Larr is what got me into the Masters of the Universe Classics toys line.

 I'm a little sad that Toy Hunters has the late night time slot... oh well. Normally I'll have to watch it when I get home from work on Mondays. I am wondering if Toy Hunters will succeed. It's got the charm of American Pickers, but a smaller audience. Also the guy already found two holy grail items in the first episode, it's going to be hard to top that wow factor.

All in all, a good night for toys on TV.