This VHS tape is an absolute gem from the height of the mid-90s POG craze... errr, excuse me, "milkcap" craze. Hosted by the ever-so-radical Jesse Hynes, THE (not Turner, "Trotti Home Entertainment") takes us through a 16 minute whirlwind that serves as the premier time capsule of this great moment in human history. Hynes starts things off with an ADD-fueled spiel about the history of "the milkcap game", although, at one point, he does call it P-O-G-S. If you can get past the erratic camerawork and editing, this portion of the tape teaches us that milkcaps are only going to get more popular and they'll soon become a worldwide craze.
Coincidentally, during the filming of the next segment, Jesse recalls that there's a tournament going on "down the street" and he seizes the opportunity to learn more about the simplest game ever created. There's some initial security concerns, since Hines definitely didn't warn the organizers about his appearance in advance. Fortunately, he's wearing the same size XXXL fuchsia t-shirt as all the judges, so he's allowed past the impenetrable barricade tape. Once inside, Hines desperately tries to make a low-energy game between a few kids seem watchable. Since it's 1994, the winner of the tournament ends up being a kid with a bowl cut.
Next, we see an interview with a collectables shop owner whose voice is almost certainly disguised to protect his identity. Intermittently, we also hear from a camera-shy little kid who explains that a "starter kit" comes with 16 milkcaps. That seems weirdly specific? He goes on to show off a broken pog tube while bragging about his collection. A few more folks are asked about their most prized pog possessions, including Aaron, a 14-year old, who describes a "heavy metal slammer" that he never uses and polishes everyday to prevent scratches. Seems practical.
Soon, the kid with the tube returns to tell us about an "old guy" (his grandpa) that is saving milkcaps as an investment. Such a visionary. He also teaches us how the game is played, despite the fact that the tape is already over halfway through. During his lecture, the boy explains that both plastic AND metal slammers are "better" within the same breath.
The penultimate scene features an interview with Doris, the founder and Vice President of "Z Caps". She's wearing a neck and wrist brace, both which are never acknowledged. The discussion provides little insight into the game or her company, but at the conclusion she encourages the host to "play with the power of the storm", a command that Jesse half-heartedly agrees to. Shortly thereafter, Hines advises us to "keep on slamming". The power of the storm is not acknowledged, possibly as a means of gaining a competitive edge in future milkcap competitions.
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