Beagles to the left of me! Beagles to the right of me! Beagles everywhere! It must be a Beaglefest! The annual Beaglefest celebration coming up in August in Santa Rosa that is! Peanuts Collectors’ Club president Kathy Magrane is on the show in episode 75 this month to tell us all about it, all about the club, and (maybe) how Snoopy made her the tennis player she is today. We’ve also got a review of “The Snoopy Show”, season 2, episode 3. We’ve got a “Peanuts by Schulz” episode and another “Random Strip of the Month”. And much, much more. Good... Read More

Episode 310 is going to the dogs…er, rabbits. We’re playing Apollo’s 1982 title WABBIT for the 2600. The bunnies are on a fluffy rampage! So grab your carrots…er, joysticks and join us! This episode’s original short story: THE CABAL Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Chance”, “Reformat” and “Mining by Moonlight”.  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the “Storytime” theme. Support the show at the ATARI BYTES page on patreon.com and get…stuff! www.carnivalofgleecreations.com... Read More

In ATARI BYTES 309, I hear voices.  This is nothing new, but this time, I know the voices are coming from outside my own head. Probably.  We’re closing out Intellivision Month on the podcast by playing the 1982 Mattel title “Space Spartans” with – holy crap! – the “Intellivoice” voice synthesizer module. Is the game fun? Who cares! There’s a robotic voice emanating from my blocky, outdated gaming console! Short Story: WHAT’S THE POINT?  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Change”,... Read More

Episode 74 is here with love. And it’s no small thing!  (Seriously, this thing is like two hours long. Get comfy.) This month, we take a gander at the latest offerings from Apple TV+, Wildbrain and Peanuts Worldwide. First up: “It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown” in which Sally has dandelion-angst. Then we watch “To Mom (and Dad) With Love”, in which everyone, especially Peppermint Patty, has Mother’s Day angst.  We also have another “Random Strip of the Month” and a “Peanuts by Schulz” episode.  Also, if you haven’t already,... Read More

Episode 308 of ATARI BYTES is a blast! A GAS blast, specifically! It’s true! In SPACE HAWK, your gas is the only thing that can save the universe. Tell you significant other to stop complaining. The 1982 Mattel title SPACE HAWK is for the Intellivision console. Why an Intellivision game on an Atari-based podcast? Well, it’s our annual INTELLIVISION MONTH! If you have thoughts about this title or Intellivision, send them to me. If you’re blasting gas, keep it to yourself.  Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Chance”,... Read More

Hey, everybody. I took a little break from producing the latest episode to enjoy a little theatre. I attended opening night of a production of Bert V. Royal’s play “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead”, a reimagining of the Peanuts kids as teenagers dealing with some heavy issues. Homophobia, suicide, sex, drugs, death and life. Good grief there’s a lot of stuff.  Anyway, here’s a bonus episode with my thoughts. (If you want to hear me talk more about the play and Bert Royal, as well as my chat with the director of a different production of the play,... Read More

Does the 1983 nuclear terrorism game COUNTERMEASURE for the 5200 measure up to the quality you’ve come to expect from this podcast? Counter point: Don’t sweat it. The podcast is free. Short Story: MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE…TO THE BONE Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Chance”, “Reformat” and “Pinball Spring”.  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the “Storytime” theme. Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com to find more about this show ATARI BYTES, and my other show IT’S A PODCAST,... Read More

Let ye who is without Sin-istar, cast the first pod. Well, fortunately for us, we DO have this episode’s game SINISTAR, the 1984 Atari 2600 port prototype of the arcade game. Is the game a heavenly delight or sinfully awful? Count your luck stars and join us. Bad Poetry Corner: THE SINN SISTERS HOST A BRUNCH Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of “Pinball Spring”, “Take a Chance”, and “Reformat”.  Thanks to Sean Courtney for the “Storytime” theme. Go to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com to find out more about ATARI... Read More

In episode 73, either all those voices in my head have spilled out onto the podcast, OR this episode is nearly bursting at the seams with INTERVIEWS! Good grief! We’ve got the hosts of the new podcast “Unpacking Peanuts”: Jimmy Gownley, Michael Cohen and Harold Buchholz. I tried real hard not to let my jealousy over their perfect pod-naming color our conversation. THEN, for the first time since this pod was in it’s 30’s (episode numbers, that is), author/illustrator Jason Yungbluth returns. He’s got a follow up to his Peanuts-in-a-Dsytopian-Hellscape graphic... Read More

The 5200 love-fest continues in 305 with QIX. This 1982 puzzling, strategizing, flashy lights game is a keeper…of addictive frustrations. SHORT STORY: QIX-SAND Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs “Take a Chance”, “Reformat” and “Pinball Spring”. Thanks to Sean Courtney for the Storytime theme. Head to www.carnivalofgleecreations.com for info about ATARI BYTES, IT’S A PODCAST, CHARLIE BROWN and about books by ME, like 2nd Duck on the Right & Other Very Short Stories”. Support the show at patreon.com! ... Read More