The name says it all really. I tried to fit it all in: weird holiday specials, the 70s, weird variety shows, Mayans, zombies, the year of the dragon… Points to anyone who gets all the references.
A note about 70s television: I am not sure if it was on the whole “worse”, there just seems to be a lot better TV now because there is so much to choose from. Even if the percentage of good is less, there is so much that the number is greater.
There was a time when mimes had a prime time show and Charro was on everything, but everything was not very much content. Maybe that is why I read a lot more as a kid or played outside.
I actually do not mean to even knock Shields and Yarnell. They were pretty entertaining to us at the time. I was in school and got the Dynamite magazine where they were on the cover. As I drew this comic, I was surprised to find out that Robert Shields actually has an art career now. There is some pretty cool stuff on his site.
And of course, people look at the Star Wars Holiday Special now with horror, but back then after years of Sid and Marty Krofft shows, as kids, we watched it and even liked it. We all liked the movie so much back then that if the show had been a Han Solo Hypnotoad, we would have probably tuned in…
Anyway, assuming I am not clinging to a bit of molten rock after the 21st, I look forward to a second year of Pop Smoothie…
popsmoothie 
Wow – so much crammed into one comic! I think the slightly crazed look in the dragon’s eye as he ignites the tree is my favorite part, lol!
Can’t wait to see what your blog’s second year brings!
Thanks! I think doing this comic is a little too much fun 🙂
I just went digging through my piano music because your comic reminded me that I have the piano music book for “Christmas in the Stars: A Star Wars Christmas”. It includes this song.
I actually have the Star Wars Holiday Special on my iPod. And, believe it or not, I listened to it last night. As weird as it sounds, it’s not that bad. It brings back quite a few memories of the 70s I’ve tended to have left in the back of my mind. Like, Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman and Alien. I think 2012 is a year many would soon agree as being labeled: Retro.
You can get the Special on iTunes? That is cool! I have seen the Riff Trax version most recently. I agree with you on 2012. The retro thing is big… I suspect Hollywood execs are about our age and want to redo/or pay homage to the stuff they remember as kids…
That is a great link Brooke! Thanks for sharing! I am surprised I did not hear of it before. I love that there is a piano book of the music. I seem to recall having Star Wars Theme sheet music.