The Toys That Built America Season 2 Episode 10 Gross Out Icons

The Toys That Built America is a show that explores the history and impact of iconic toys that have shaped American culture. In season 2, episode 10 titled Gross Out Icons, viewers are taken on a journey through the evolution of toys that were designed to be gross, disgusting and even revolting.

From the introduction of Gak and Silly Putty in the 1970s to the launch of the Garbage Pail Kids in the 1980s, the episode delves into how these toys became instant sensations. The episode also explores the controversies and backlash that some of these toys faced due to their controversial content and themes.

One of the highlights of the episode is the story of Mattel's Madballs. These rubber balls with grotesque facial features were introduced in 1986 and became hugely popular with children. The episode explores how the team at Mattel came up with the concept for Madballs and their design process.

Another iconic toy discussed in Gross Out Icons is the Slime. Originally introduced in the 1970s by Mattel, Slime was a gooey, green substance that was marketed as "the toy you can't put down." The episode explores how the toy rose to prominence and examines the various iterations of Slime that have been released over the years.

The episode also looks at the influence of Garbage Pail Kids on pop culture. These trading cards, depicting grotesque and satirical versions of popular culture figures, were met with outrage when they were released in 1985. Despite the backlash, Garbage Pail Kids went on to become an immensely popular franchise, leading to everything from a cartoon series to merchandise. The episode examines the history of Garbage Pail Kids and their impact on pop culture.

Finally, the episode also explores the toy that took gross-out humor to new heights - The Flush Force. These miniature toy figures were launched in the 2010s and quickly gained a cult following. The Flush Force figures were characterized by their disgusting appearance - each figure looked like it had been flushed down a toilet. The episode explores how the Flush Force figures were conceived and designed, and examines their impact on the toy industry.

Overall, The Toys That Built America season 2, episode 10 - Gross Out Icons is an entertaining and informative look at the history of toys designed to be gross and revolting. The episode provides intriguing insights into how some of these toys became hugely popular, despite facing controversy and backlash. Whether you're a fan of gross-out humor or interested in the history of popular culture, this episode is sure to be a hit.