The Voice of the Nineties: Joe Cipriano, Console Wars, and What Fifty Bucks Meant | Cartridge and Quest – Season 2, Episode 13

The Sound of Your Childhood is Calling

Remember those lazy 90s afternoons, glued to Fox, waiting for the next episode of The Simpsons or Martin? There was one voice, smooth and authoritative, that told you exactly what was coming up next. That voice, the iconic sound of 90s television, belongs to the legendary Joe Cipriano. This week, Averagetrav and Foodie Mike C sit down with the man himself, diving deep into the golden era of Fox, the wild world of voice acting, and some truly chaotic 90s memories.

Get ready to geek out, relive some serious nostalgia, and maybe even get a little angsty about how much things have changed.

Listen to this episode on Cartridge and Quest

Alani Fuel, Shattered Screens, and Local Heroes

The mics are hot, and so are the Alani energy drinks this morning! Averagetrav's rocking a Strawberry Sunrise while Foodie Mike C sips on an Orange Kiss – essential fuel for a deep dive into retro chaos.

Before the main event, the guys shout out some essential 90s kid “boy math”: dropping a stack on a mint-in-box Super Nintendo game, but refusing to fix a smartphone screen that looks like it’s been hit with a Sid Vicious powerbomb. Luckily, their friends Alex and Sam at Cellular Center ICT in Wichita's Town East Mall have a deal that makes fixing that shattered screen a no-brainer. Seriously, stop slicing your thumbs! Mention that Trav and Mike sent you for a sweet deal.

And if you’re in the Wellington area, show some love to Jerry at The Regent Theater. He's keeping 90s ticket prices alive for movies like The Mandalorian and needs local support to keep bringing the big blockbusters. Support local, support nostalgia!

The Epic Console War and Nintendo's Blunder

This week's Retro Rewind isn't just a trip down memory lane; it’s a full-blown espionage thriller from the summer of 1991. Remember those playground debates? Were you a Nintendo loyalist, eagerly awaiting the SNES, or a Sega Genesis kid bragging about "blast processing" and how Sonic the Hedgehog crushed Mario? Averagetrav, the Nintendo die-hard, and Foodie Mike C, the Sega enthusiast, revisit the intense rivalry.

The true battlefield wasn't the monkey bars; it was a cutthroat boardroom in Chicago during the Summer Consumer Electronic Show (CES) of '91. Nintendo finally unveiled the SNES at $199, bundled with Super Mario World. They owned 85% of the market and knew it.

But Sega CEO Tom Kalinski, a true visionary, pulled a kamikaze move. He dropped the Sega Genesis price to a shocking $149 and, against his board's wishes, bundled it with their flagship title, the blazing-fast Sonic the Hedgehog. This razor strategy paid off – a $50 difference and a brand-new, cool game made the Genesis an irresistible choice for many parents in the 90s. Did your parents pick the cheaper console? Let us know in the comments!

But the wildest twist? That same weekend, Nintendo, in its hubris, publicly betrayed Sony on stage, ditching their joint CD-ROM project for Philips. This colossal blunder ignited Sony's fury, leading them to develop their own console out of pure spite: the original PlayStation. In one chaotic weekend, Sega forced a price war, and Nintendo accidentally birthed the rival that would ultimately dominate them both. (For more on this, check out Season 1, Episode 4: "Apple One to Dark Web Devils"!)

Channel Surfing: A Blast from the Past (and Some Questionable Choices)

Let's flip through the channels of 90s pop culture:

• June 1, 1990: Total Recall hits theaters, teaching us about exploding eyeballs on Mars and the "surplus" of three-boobed aliens. Don't ask questions, just accept it.

• June 6, 1993: Kevin Nash debuts in WWF as Shawn Michaels' bodyguard, Diesel. A brick wall in leather pants, slamming fools in the Attitude Era.

• June 4, 1996: Metallica drops the Load album and famously cuts their hair. Overnight, James Hetfield went from thrash god to looking like a substitute teacher ready to challenge Shooter McGavin on the back nine.

• June 6, 1997: Tommy Dreamer finally beats Raven in an ECW "loser leaves town" match. Proof that enough trash cans to the head will make anyone check out. The most emotional goodbye in ECW history, and a major highlight for 90s pro wrestling podcast fans.

• June 1, 1998: The Game Boy Camera releases in the US, allowing blurry black-and-white selfies. Averagetrav suggests it was "a perfect device for teenage boys," making junk look like "a blurry thumb next to a Goomba." First-ever pixelated dick pic, anyone?

• June 1, 1999: Blink-182 drops Enema of the State, providing the perfect soundtrack for suburban kids to complain about absolutely nothing. Nothing screams hardcore rebellion like getting grounded from AOL Instant Messenger. What's your age again?

Joe Cipriano's Wisdom, Fat Nuts, and "Glass Bottom Boats"

The highlight of this episode is the incredible interview with the one and only Joe Cipriano. The voice of Fox in the 90s shares insights into his career, the shift from radio to TV, and the surprise he feels now that his voice is recognized as the "soundtrack of a generation." He talks about the legendary "8, 7 Central" promos and the behind-the-scenes genius of Fox acquiring the NFL contract to boost network visibility. It's a goldmine for those interested in 90s TV shows and movies, and a nostalgic podcast for dads and 90s kids alike.

Of course, no Cartridge and Quest episode is complete without a bit of unscripted chaos. Technical difficulties (even for a pro like Joe!), "Fat Nuts HD" commenting relentlessly, and Mike's baffling "What's on Mike's Mind" segment provide plenty of laughs. Mike introduces a truly horrendous Urban Dictionary entry (you'll have to listen to find out what a "glass bottom boat" is in that context), and a slideshow of 90s celebrity crushes and how they've aged (or haven't!). From the Pink Ranger, Amy Jo Johnson, to Carmen Electra, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Marge Simpson (yes, Marge!), Pam Anderson, and Tiffany Amber-Thiessen, the guys debate what constitutes "aging gracefully."

Foodie Mike C also shares details about his band, Greyshore playing at The Brickyard in Wichita, proving that 90s kids transition to adulthood with their passions intact. It’s a hilarious, insightful, and deeply nostalgic ride, reminding us why we love the Cartridge and Quest podcast.

Cartridge Conundrum Trivia FAQ

Q: What unique hardware feature was physically built into the Pokemon Pinball cartridge itself when it was released for the Game Boy in June 1999?

A: The Pokemon Pinball Game Boy cartridge featured a built-in rumble pack, powered by a single triple-A battery. This allowed for haptic feedback during gameplay, simulating the vibrations of a real pinball machine.

Basement Dictionary

Cooked:

• 90s Equivalent: Toast, Screwed, F***ed.

• Gen Z Meaning: Completely ruined, done for, in big trouble.

• Example: "My phone screen is totally cooked after I dropped it."

Motion:

• 90s Equivalent: Making bank, Ballin', Flossin', Pimping.

• Gen Z Meaning: Having money, influence, or things going well in life. A sense of positive momentum or status.

• Example: "That new rapper's got mad motion right now."

Glass Bottom Boat:

• 90s Equivalent: N/A (Let's keep some mystery, shall we?)

• Gen Z Meaning: (Refer to the podcast for the utterly un-PG explanation. You've been warned.)

• Example: "After dinner, my partner treated me to a glass bottom boat ride." (Use with extreme caution and only among close, unshockable friends.)

NotebookLM Markdown Outline

Cartridge and Quest - Season 2, Episode 13: The Voice of the Nineties, Console Wars, and What Fifty Bucks Meant

I. Introduction and Opening Banter

    A. Welcome and Host Introductions (Averagetrav, Foodie Mike C)

    B. Guest Tease: Joe Cipriano, Voice of Fox in the 90s

    C. Podcast Engagement Call to Action (Website, Secret Button, Live Joining)

II. Hangout: Drinks, Sponsors, and 90s Kid Boy Math

    A. Drink Review: Alani Energy Drinks (Strawberry Sunrise, Orange Kiss)

    B. Sponsor Segment: Cellular Center ICT (Wichita Town East Mall)

        1.  Phone repair justification (retro games vs. cracked screens)

        2.  $20 off deal for repairs over $100

        3.  Contact: Alex and Sam, mention Trav and Mike

    C. Sponsor Segment: The Regent Theater (Wellington)

        1.  Support local theater, boost attendance for better movies

        2.  Recent movie (The Mandalorian) and pricing discussion

    D. Personal Banter and Chair Sponsor Wish

III. History: Retro Rewind - The 90s Console Wars

    A. Sega vs. Nintendo Rivalry (NES/SNES vs. Sega Genesis)

        1.  Blast Processing discussion (Sega marketing ploy)

        2.  Trav: Nintendo loyalist; Mike: Sega kid

    B. CES 1991: The Epic Showdown

        1.  Nintendo's SNES launch ($199 with Super Mario World)

        2.  Sega's Kamikaze Price Drop ($149 with Sonic the Hedgehog)

            a.  Razor strategy explanation

            b.  Audience question: Did parents buy Genesis to save $50?

        3.  Nintendo's Betrayal of Sony

            a.  Public shaming, abandoning Nintendo PlayStation for Philips

            b.  Sony's furious response and creation of PlayStation out of spite

            c.  Reference to Season 1, Episode 4: "Apple One to Dark Web Devils"

    C. Value of $50 in the 90s (Bigfoot pizza, music tapes, Tamagotchis, McDonald's, groceries, gas)

IV. Humor: Channel Surfing - 90s Pop Culture Headlines

    A. June 1, 1990: Total Recall (exploding eyeballs, three boobs)

    B. June 6, 1993: Kevin Nash debuts as Diesel (WWF Attitude Era wrestling)

    C. June 4, 1996: Metallica drops Load album (haircuts, Shooter McGavin comparison)

    D. June 6, 1997: Tommy Dreamer beats Raven (ECW hardcore wrestling, emotional goodbye)

    E. June 1, 1998: Game Boy Camera (blurry selfies, "blurry thumb next to a Goomba")

    F. June 1, 1999: Blink-182 drops Enema of the State (suburban angst, AOL Instant Messenger)

V. Cartridge Conundrum: Pokémon Pinball Trivia

    A. Setup: Unique hardware feature in Pokémon Pinball Game Boy cartridge

    B. Options (A, B, C, D)

    C. Contest: 250 answers across platforms for a free item from the Cartridge and Quest Mall

VI. Humor: What Are These Damn Kids Saying? (Basement Dictionary)

    A. Slang Word 1: "Cooked" (meaning and 90s equivalent)

    B. Slang Word 2: "Motion" (meaning and 90s equivalent)

    C. Host banter on modern vs. 90s slang

VII. Mid-Roll/Sponsor Reminders

    A. Website, Socials, Contact link

    B. Cartridge and Quest Mall (merch, nerdy shirts)

    C. Support on Spotify, YouTube (likes, comments, shares)

VIII. Guest Interview: Joe Cipriano, Voice of the Nineties

    A. Introduction and Joe's background (voice of Fox, CBS, America's Got Talent)

    B. Community comments (Zayday Oddball, Cass Sophia, Hawley)

    C. Impact on 90s kids' childhood memories

    D. Hearing his own voice in public (airports, car radio)

    E. Fox vs. CBS (Ron Scalera's move, "blue-haired lady network")

    F. Watching the shows he promoted (The Simpsons, family tradition)

    G. "8, 7 Central" explanation (East/West feeds, Mountain Time exclusion)

    H. Getting the Fox gig (filling in for vacationing talent)

    I. Top-tier voiceover jobs (Emmys, Grammys, network promos)

    J. Competition in voiceover vs. on-camera acting (supportive community)

    K. Most satisfying catchphrase ("Deal or No Deal" and "Sunday, an all new Simpsons")

    L. Fox acquiring NFL contract (Rupert Murdoch's strategy, promo during games)

    M. Technical difficulties during interview (Joe's computer issues)

    N. Joe's thoughts on AI in voice acting (SAGAFTRA, NAVA lobbying, personal AI development, cloned voices)

    O. Joe's Thursday live show (reason for starting, teaching promo timing)

    P. Invitation for Trav and Mike to join Joe's show

IX. Humor: What's On Mike's Mind? - Aging Celebrity Crushes

    A. Introduction: Mike's fascination with aging celebrities (Duffer Brothers show inspiration)

    B. Slideshow of 90s crushes then vs. now:

        1.  Amy Jo Johnson (Pink Ranger)

        2.  Carmen Electra

        3.  Jennifer Love Hewitt

        4.  Marge Simpson (Playboy, Chat GPT aged)

        5.  Pamela Anderson

        6.  Tiffany Amber-Thiessen (Kelly Kapowski)

    C. Discussion on cosmetic work vs. natural aging

X. Cartridge Conundrum Answer & Wrap-up

    A. Answer: Pokémon Pinball cartridge had a rumble pack (powered by AAA battery).

    B. Rules of Engagement for Live Show (don't interrupt guests)

    C. Outro: Website, socials, Friday Night Rush game

    D. Catchphrases: "Peace out, motherf***er! Keep it rad. Peace."