This is a March 1986 print ad for the CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE toy line which - rather succinctly - nails why campaign groups objected so vigorously way-back-when.
Not only did the old Kid-Vid bug-bear of violence return but - this time - it looked like young viewers could join in with the on-screen mayhem by using the toys to fire at the TV. At least Mattel were smart enough to not make the handset in the shape of a gun.
And, they claimed, not only was this an extended 30-minute (minus the other ads) commercial for the toys but the viewer could only really appreciate it if they owned the toys. Thus sending pester-power off the charts.
Fortunately, Mattel (by luck or design) had commissioned a show from a creative team that weren't content just to churn the stuff out so the show was perfectly enjoyable without having to buy the (flaky tech) toys anyway.
The whole series (all one season of it) is now on R1 DVD and includes a fascinating new "making of" documentary.
I loved Captain Power. I actually had an elementary school teacher who worked on the production designing the sets. We had a miniature of the ruined city in the back of our class. :)
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