April 9, 2020
In the tenth episode of The Year In Pop, co-hosts Andy Atherton and Scott Criscuolo are joined by J Arsenio D’Amato and George Ribellino to discuss all of the goings on in the news, sports, TV, music and movies for the year 1981. The guys talk in depth about the Royal Wedding of Charles & Diana; Donkey Kong; 1981 MLB Players’ Strike; New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor; Hill Street Blues; You Can’t Do That On Television; the assassination attempts on President Reagan & Pope John Paul II; the launch of MTV & Raiders Of The Lost Ark.
![It Was a Thing on TV Triple Header (Episodes #39-41) “Night Stand with Dick Dietrick”, “The Cool Kids” & (not that) “Double Dare”]()
April 8, 2020
On this week's entries on It Was A Thing on TV, Mike, Chico and Greg look at daytime talk show spoofs, hijinks at a retirement home and isolation booths featuring men named Dr. Lee Franz!
First, we talk about the ultimate spoof of daytime talk shows, Night Stand with Dick Dietrick. Topics in this show include successes (and a failure) which came for most of the people behind Night Stand, the time there was an accidental wardrobe malfunction, and what happened when Mike wrote an e-mail to the show.
Next, we look at one of the most recent entries on our list, The Cool Kids. It was co-created by Charlie Day, it had brilliant writing and casting, and it was loaded with TV legends. What could go wrong?
Finally, Take a risk! Take a chance! Take a dare! We double dare you to listen to this episode about the short-lived 1976-77 Goodson-Todman quizzer Double Dare (Not THAT Double Dare, the other one!)
Remember to follow us on Twitter and Instagram over @ItWasAThingOnTV. Also if you would like to e-mail you can reach us at contact@itwasathingontv.com
April 7, 2020
Today's BRAND NEW Diamond Conversations features Author, Brad Balukjian. Brad's newest book "The Wax Pack" takes you on a journey of capturing stories from players pulled out of a random pack of 1986 Topps cards. Brad goes across the United States in search of these players and finds out more than he anticipated about the heroes of the diamond. You can order "The Wax Pack" by visiting Brad's website https://waxpackbook.com/
April 6, 2020
In a "special isolation edition" episode of Laugh-In Theater, host Andy Atherton is joined by Mirandia Berthold, Shawn Kidd, Logan Crosland, Ben Locke and Jennifer Smith to do a live watch of the 2010 comedy, She’s Out Of My League. The gang discusses “The Moodle”; Pizza Hut Express; airpot security; Disney obsessions; awkward hugs; proper bowling etiquette; Hall & Oates; Pittsburgh; “The Slapshot Regatta”; finishing fast; manscaping; webbed toes & going commando. So, go get the good news bear, follow the Tao of Love and make sure you don’t “show up” early.
![The Glenn Butler Podcast Hour Spectacular, Episode 53: National Film Score Day 2020]()
April 2, 2020
In their latest episode, Glenn and Scott try to wash the taste of another disappointing slate of Oscar scores out of their mouths. In honor of National Film Score Day, they review ten scores they've never covered on the show before, selected for no reason other than that they're good. These aren't legendary scores or universally-acknowledged classics -- one of the selection criteria was “Scott can’t just pick Superman” -- but they make the case for why these ten scores deserve a listen from any film score fan, or anyone interested in becoming one. Come for the 1950s scores Glenn is finally able to bring to the show; stay for Scott's favorite score from a Sinbad film.
Musical Selections:
Necessary Roughness by Bill Conti
"Main Title"
"Featherstone Gets It"
"The Iron Men"
"Featherstone Follies"
"The Big Ending"
"Up Yours, Phil!"
"First Kiss/Blake Quits"
The Fountain by Clint Mansell
"The Last Man"
"Death Is the Road to Awe"
Conspiracy Theory by Carter Burwell
"Overture"
"Riding"
Columbus Circle by Brian Tyler
"Columbus Circle"
"Puzzle Pieces"
Transformers by Steve Jablonsky
"No Sacrifice, No Victory"
"You're a Soldier Now"
"The All Spark"
"Arrival to Earth"
Land of the Pharaohs by Dimitri Tiomkin
"Pharaoh's Procession"
"Main Title"
"End Title"
"Pharaoh's Procession"
The Time Machine by Klaus Badelt
"I Don't Belong Here"
"Godspeed"
The Return of Dracula by Gerald Fried
"Main Title"
"Sunrise"
Quigley Down Under by Basil Poledouris
"Main Title"
"The Attack"
"Cora's Story"
"Dingo Attack"
Tron Legacy by Daft Punk
"Flynn Lives"
"The Son of Flynn"
"Finale"
"End Title"
April 1, 2020
This Week on It Was A Thing on TV. Real Men Don't Need Instructions.
In the first subject of the day, Mike, Chico and Greg look at the 1980 NBC variety show Pink Lady (and Jeff). It was the epitome of Fred Silverman's tenure at NBC. What do you get when you cross a Japanese pop duo with a comedian and turn it into a variety show? You get Pink Lady.
Second, we talk about various video games based on TV shows over the years. The crew talks about some of the worst TV based games including American Gladiators on Super Nintendo, ALF for PC, Home Improvement on Super Ninendo and yes Superman on Nintendo 64.
Finally, the gang starts a series on great short lived TV shows by talking about the 1994-95 animated comedy The Critic! This show bounced around a bit, but had a lengthy life in reruns and even was revived as a brief web series in 2000.
March 29, 2020
In a "special isolation edition" episode of Laugh-In Theater, host Andy Atherton is joined by the co-hosts of The PTBNXT podcast: Jennifer Smith, Tim Capel & Jacob Williams to do a live watch of the 1988 comedy, The Naked Gun: From The Files Of Police Squad!. The gang discuss evil dictators of the 1980’s; Leslie Nielsen’s dramatic acting roots; motion sickness; the presence of cake throughout the movie; O.J. Simpson’s filmography; old white guys; talking in public restrooms; stuffed beavers; driving lessons; Zippo lighter crowds; sexual organs on ceramic statues; old, expired Worcestershire Sauce; the parallels to 1989’s “Batman”; & lion fish. So, don’t forget to boil your roast, remember not to go sixty-five down the wrong way on a one-way street and wipe that thing off the side of your face, no the other side.
March 26, 2020
In the nineteenth episode of Laugh-In Theater, host Andy Atherton is joined by Steve Wille (PTBN’s Main Event) to do a live watch of the 1986 comedy, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The guys discuss breaking the 4th wall; Chicago landmarks; Ed Rooney’s vendetta against Ferris; their first cars; taking it too far; how unlikeable Ferris really is; was Cameron really the hero of the story?; hey batter, batter, batter; in-home intercoms; Edie McClurg; and Charlie Sheen as the voice of reason? So, don’t forget that life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
March 25, 2020
The week It Was A Thing on TV says "It's Your Move".
First, The $50,000 Pyramid is the forgotten version of the Pyramid franchise and for good reason. We talk about the changes to the short-lived version and the celebrities on this version.
Next, One of the most requested shows in this podcast's short life has been It's Your Move. We look at why this brilliant series had such a short life, how it was a predecessor of future shows, and what exactly The Dregs of Humanity has to do with this show.
Finally, Did you ever want to win a disco date or a dinner for 2? You could on the classic Canadian series The Mad Dash! In this episode, we look at this life-sized board game adaptation from the 1970s and 1980s.
March 23, 2020
Kevin and Mary return for another edition of The Brother/Sister Re-Watch Podcast, and this week they are bringing the heat for the beginning of spring as the cover episodes 17+18 of The Office's 5th season, "Lecture Circuit Part 2" and "Blood Drive". The siblings sit down this week and discuss tons of topics from the shows, including Michael's meltdown in Nashua, more of the Dwight/Jim PPC team, Angela's uncovered eccentricity, a memorable lunch date, and Michael's unwavering optimism to find love.
March 19, 2020
On the second installment of the Pop Goes The Classics series looking at the Disney animated features, Andy Atherton, Mirandia Berthold & Chad Campbell look at 1940’s Pinocchio. They discuss the many aspects of the film including the animation style especially the underwater scenes; the context of some of the parts of the film in regards to the time it was released; the introduction of Jiminy Cricket; the songs and music score; the scary/horror aspects of it; the emotional high points; the many villains of the film: Honest John, Stromboli, The Coachman & Monstro; the theme park attractions based on it and the movie’s lasting legacy.
March 18, 2020
This week It Was A Thing on TV provides you with No Fair Catches, Longshots and Winning Streaks!
First, the new and vastly improved iteration of the XFL began play last month. We look back at the original XFL from 2001 and where it went wrong, from being too much like the WWE to the absolute lack of decent players. Almost 20 years later, we're wonder who exactly hated "He Hate Me."
Next, we look at two memorable shows from Fall 1979, albeit memorable for differing reasons. Beat the Clock was quite a departure from previous versions of that show, and Whew! was funny and engaging but had a confusing rule set. Ultimately, both shows died in part to a common desperate last gasp attempt to gain viewers--making the shows celebrity-based.
Finally, February 18th marked the 100th birthday of The Dean of Game Shows, Bill Cullen. We look at three of his less successful shows--Winning Streak, The Love Experts, and Pass the Buck.
March 16, 2020
Kevin and Mary return for another edition of The Brother/Sister Re-Watch Podcast, this time covering episodes 15+16 of The Office's fifth season, "Stress Relief Part 2" and "Lecture Circuit Part 1". In this episode they discuss major topics such as Michael's search for closure, a cathartic episode, a useless Andy storyline, the return of a face from the past, Kevin's not-so-popular take on Jim, and much, much more.
![It Was a Thing on TV Triple Header (Episodes #27-29): Bud Bowl, “Cheap Cheap Cheap” & Tom Poston Game Show Tomfoolery]()
March 11, 2020
This week It Was A Thing on TV looks at beer bottles playing football, a bizarre game show/sitcom hybrid and Tom Poston being Tom Poston.
First, People enjoy seeing ads during the Super Bowl sometimes as much as the game itself. In the late 1980s through the late 1990s, The Bud Bowl was likely the most popular series of Super Bowl ads. We reflect on The Bud Bowl's growth and eventual demise.
Next, UK celebrity Noel Edmonds finished hosting their version of Deal or No Deal on Channel 4 in 2016, after over 11 years. In 2017, he return to Channel 4 with a game show/sitcom hybrid called Cheap Cheap Cheap, which was just weird weird weird. We look at this bizarre hybrid which has been compared to Twin Peaks.
Finally, Tom Poston was a beloved television fixture for decades, ranging from The Phil Silvers Show in the 1950s through The Suite Life of Zack & Cody in the 2000s. Poston also appeared on many game shows through the years. We look at three times in the 1980s when Tom Poston's game play wasn't exactly stellar, though we do not put the entire blame upon Tom.
March 9, 2020
Join Kevin and Mary for another week of The Brother/Sister Re-Watch Podcast, as this week they are covering episodes 13+14 of The Office's fifth season, "Prince Paper Company" and "Stress Relief Part 1". They cover myriad topics, such as Mike facing an ethical dilemma, an amazing cold open, David Wallace as a perfect straight man, and the siblings heap a massive amount of praise on a certain episode.
