Richard PattersonWe know kids love watching cartoons and playing with toys. These aspects of many people’s childhoods have worked hand in hand to build brands and franchises. Many franchises marketed to kids’ media have a toy line or other forms of merchandise. We thought it would be a fun time to look back on the day at a few of these childhood classics and ask, which came first, the Toy or the Show?
When did it start?
In the 1960s, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set several rules for children’s programs. One of the main rules was that toy commercials could only be about 16 minutes or shorter, leading to many toys at the time not having full narratives or being merchandise for a movie or show. However, in 1981, President Reagan changed television regulations on children’s programming, allowing more cartoons to market toys, leading to many toy companies producing comics, commercials, and full-length cartoons based on their toy lines.
Plastic before the show
Many franchises were toy brands before shows, but we can focus on two powerhouse brands from Hasbro and Mattel! In 1964 the G.I. Joe started out as the first action figure before the Real American Hero series in 1982. Barbie started as a fashion doll brand in 1959 long before getting 1987 TV Movie Barbie and the Rockers: Out of This World. In the same year, the He-man and The Masters of the Universe toy-line was created which was followed by the cartoon a year later. Finally, in 1982, the toys that would become known as the transformers were hitting shelves before the 1984 series hit screens.
The 1980s was basically the golden age of narrative-based toy-line franchises. Many of them have become part of pop culture while some have become obscura. Although it is still common for cartoons to be made to advertise toys, it’s definitely calmed down over the years.
Show before the plastic
Shows and Movies getting toys are common for popular or profitable franchises. It goes back to the 1970s when Kenner produced tie-in toy lines with films like Alien and Star Wars. Around the 1980s, many blockbusters had their toys and merchandise, including some R-rated films. Even now, some franchises, including horror and mature action, would license toy companies to produce toys. To quote a Mel Brooks character, I guess, “Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made!”
Closing thoughts
It was interesting but fun to examine the other side of the entertainment industry and its impact today. Many franchises were created for entertainment, while others were born to profit. Nevertheless, they are part of someone’s childhood. So, which part of your favorite franchise do you remember, the shows or the toys?
Read More From The Able Show Contributors.
https://theableshow.com/what-came-first-the-plastic-or-the-show
Sources:
https://www.awn.com/animationworld/dr-toon-when-reagan-met-optimus-prime