March 3rd, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 138 & 139 - The Powers of Matthew Star/To Tell The Truth ‘80

This week's drop on It Was a Thing on TV has it all from Dick Clark to Louis Gossett Jr. to Larry King and to ..... Tommy Heinsohn? WHAT? We explain it all as we discuss this week's topics of Obscure TV.

First, we start with the short lived NBC Sci-Fi show "The Powers of Matthew Star" This show tried to be something at first, but then the format changed halfway through its only season. Apparently the only power Matthew Star had was to become a footnote in history. But hey, at least we got Louis Gossett Jr. on this show.

Then, To Tell the Truth is seemingly eternal, having been on television every decade since the 1950s. We look at the 80s version, which didn't last long despite some quality central characters and visits from numerous old friends on the panel. We also make a plea for Betty White to get on a game show before she turns 100.

Follow us at our social media feeds over @ItWasAThingOnTV. Also, be sure to send any show feedback or suggestions to future topics via e-mail at itwasathingontv@gmail.com

February 24th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episode 136, Minisode 5 & Episode 137 - Li’l Bush/Barack Obama Gold Plate/Alliance of American Football

This week on It Was a Thing on TV we're honoring 'Merica with a look at the Presidents and some good ol fashioned American Football.

First, we thought Lil' Bush would be a fair topic for a President's Day episode. Boy, were we wrong. For the most part, this aged like bad cheese. What seemed like a good idea in the 2000s ended up having a very short shelf life, running on one-note political gags from 15 years ago. We apologize in advance.

Next, we continue the President's Day theme by looking at a commercial for an inaugural keepsake. There's something about a gold plated commemorative plate of Barack Obama which we find odd.

Finally, there have been numerous attempts at football outside of the NFL season. None exist any longer. A recent attempt in 2019 was the Alliance of American Football (AAF), which we remember fondly. Listen as we blame the owner of Chico’s favorite hockey team for the demise of the league.

Follow us on our social media feeds over @ItWasAThingOnTV and if you have any show suggestions or feedback send them to itwasathingontv@gmail.com

February 17th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 134 & 135 - Goddess of Love/Bzzz!

Did you enjoy Valentine's Day? Well if you didn't, we got the perfect medicine with these two love-themed episodes of It Was a Thing on TV.

First, Vanna White was everywhere in the late 80s--Wheel of Fortune twice a day, touring the country by train, a best-selling writer, and scantily clad in an adult magazine. NBC tried to capitalize on her success with a made-for-TV movie starring Vanna called Goddess of Love, which was downright bad.

Then, the love theme continues with a fun little game that didn't have the run it deserved, the late-90s Annie Wood speed dating game Bzzz!

Remember to follow us on our social media feeds over @ItWasAThingOnTV and if you have any feedback regarding the show e-mail us at itwasathingontv@gmail.com

February 10th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 133: Super Bowl Shuffle Parodies and Knockoffs

The game may be over but It Was a Thing on TV presents a very special musical inspired football themed episode of the podcast.

In 1985, the Chicago Bears earned a place in pop culture history with their iconic song and music video during their Super Bowl winning season. Over the years, several teams and companies outside of football have tried to replicate the Bears magic with not much success. We cover a variety of these songs in the longest episode of the podcast yet!

Follow us on our socials over @ItWasAThingOnTV and also email us for any feedback or show suggestions over at itwasathingontv@gmail.com

Nick Bockwinkle f'n rapping folks!

February 3rd, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 130, 131 & 132: TV Trading Cards/”Mr. Food” Art Ginsburg/Super Bowl XXIII Halftime Show

This week we have a "super" episode of It Was a Thing on TV here on PTBN POP.

First, I'll trade you my Fonzie for your Vinny Barbarino! We offer a primer to TV trading cards, a smattering of shows which made their way to cardboard, and what types of cards are available nowadays.

Next, famous TV chefs include Julia Child, "The Galloping Gourmet" Graham Kerr, and "The Frugal Gourmet" Jeff Smith. One chef whose legacy is as good as the above people but wasn't as big of a name is Art Ginsburg, who went by the moniker "Mr. Food." We spend this installment looking at the career of this underrated icon, as well as some of the secrets to his 90-second cooking segments.

Finally, it's the week of The Big Game! You know which one, that Superb Owl. Like last year, we're looking back at something regarding that event. The 1989 edition had a halftime show which wasn't the marching bands or Up With People from years past. It also hadn't reached the era of epic musicians. Instead, it was magic tricks and 50s music, all in glorious 3D.

Remember to follow us on our socials over @ItWasAThingOnTV and send any suggestions or show feedback to our e-mail address at contact@itwasathingontv.com

January 27th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 128 & 129 - Saturday Supercade & WBNB-TV

This week on It Was a Thing on TV it's on like Donkey Kong.

First, who didn't love cartoons and video games in the early 80s? Pac Man was successful. But the anthology with cartoons of Pitfall, Space Ace, and Kangaroo? Not as much. We talk about the cartoon cavalcade called Saturday Supercade in this installment.

Then, from 1961 to 1989, CBS affiliate WBNB-TV served TV audiences in the U.S. Virgin Islands with an eclectic mix of programming. Sadly the station went dark permanently due to Hurricane Hugo, but the station's legacy lives on YouTube thanks to an ex-employee who saved various clips from the station.

Remember to follow us at our socials over @ItWasAThingOnTV and for any suggestions or feedback e-mail us at contact@itwasathingontv.com

January 20th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 126 & 127 + Minisode 4: Oh Madeline/Trivia Trap/Don Johnson’s Heartbeat Music Video

This Week on It Was a Thing on TV we have plenty of traps for you.

First, Oh Madeline had plenty of quality guests, the versatile and multi-talented Madeline Kahn, and had its moments. It also had three unique theme songs and was revamped in its sole season. It was Carsey-Werner's first TV series, before they hit it big a year later with The Cosby Show.

Then, when is a right answer not a right answer? When it's a trap! That was the original premise of Trivia Trap. Once that format was viewed as flawed, most of the game changed. It didn't help; the show was gone in 6 months.

Finally, the 1980's was the age of MTV and Miami Vice. So naturally the star of Miami Vice, Don Johnson would try his hand at music with an album called Heartbeat. The song from the album of the same name would be featured on MTV and it's one of the weirdest music videos we've ever seen. Follow along to the video at this link as we do a live watch of it. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CR4lSORZ_Q

Remember to follow us at our social media feeds over @ItWasAThingOnTV and send us an e-mail for any feedback or show suggestions over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

January 13th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 124 & 125 + Live Show 4: The Ropers/Jeopardy!’s Other Versions/Nick’s Coverage of the NFL Wild Card

This week get your plunger and fire the slime cannons because you now have control of the board on It Was a Thing on TV!

First, when the worst shows of all-time are mentioned, The Ropers makes that list with frequency. Is it justified? We state our cases that it was an average show and that there are many shows worse, and we have covered a lot of them.

Next, Everybody knows about the current version of Jeopardy! and some remember the original version. We're not talking about those shows. We talk about the nighttime version from 1974-5 and, to a great extent, the 1978-9 NBC version Also in this episode... The 1977 CBS Jeopardy! pilot, Password Plus' frequently changing time slot and Arte Johnson meets Bobby Riggs.

Finally, When we found out Nickelodeon was simulcasting the NFL Wild Card game between the Saints and the Bears, we knew this had future entry written all over it. And the broadcast was everything we hoped it would be. Join us in a live watch of the second half as we see how many Nickelodeon shows Nate Burleson can punch on your bingo card.

Follow us on our social feeds over @ItWasAThingOnTV and if you have any show feedback send us an e-mail over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

January 6th, 2021

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 122 & 123 - The Morton Downey Jr. Show/2020 Year in Review

This week on It Was a Thing on TV, the gang discusses the forefather of the modern TV Talk Show along with recapping the previous year in TV.

First, for over two years, The Morton Downey Jr. Show took the nation by storm. It was all over by Fall 1989, maybe because it was too controversial but also because the new late night show on the block at the time also took the nation by storm, The Arsenio Hall Show.

Then, we ring out what was an absolute disaster of a year with a look at what was on TV in 2020, changes due to COVID, shows that ended in 2020, and those we lost in 2020, among other things. Here's to a great 2021!

December 30th, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 120 & 121: Video Game Show Part 2 (Director’s Cut)/Tiger King

First, earlier this year, we looked at 9 bad video games based on television shows. We found 9 more and felt it appropriate to cover them before the Christmas holiday. With any luck, we'll find 9 more and do a 3rd installment in 2021.

Then, we look back at what was the binge watching hit at the start of the COVID lockdown this year in Tiger King on Netflix. We look at the insane cast of characters including Joe Exotic, Jeff Lowe and yes that b***h Carole Baskin! Due to some strong subject matter in the show, listener discretion is advised.

Remember to follow us on our socials over @ItWasAThingOnTV and to send any feedback to our e-mail at contact@itwasathingontv.com

December 23rd, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 118 & 119 - Ernie Anderson/Davis Rules

This week on It Was a Thing on TV we pay tribute to one of our favorite personalities and give a short-lived show it's well deserved due.

First, Ernie Anderson is among our favorite announcers. We decided to dedicate an episode to his life and career, going back to his radio days after World War II. He might be the only announcer to have an annual fest in honor of one of his TV characters.

Then, Davis Rules is one of our favorite short-lived shows. It was funny and it had Jonathan Winters, yet it ran on two networks over 15 months. Also, we question if there is any situation in which Parker Lewis can lose.

Follow us on social media over @ItWasAThingOnTV and send any feedback or show suggestions to contact@itwasathingontv.com

The Loooooooooooooovvvvvvveeeeee Boat.

December 16th, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 116 & 117 + Live Show 3: It Ran One Season Too Long/Personal Injury Court/A Recipe for Seduction

This week on It Was a Thing on TV, the gang looks at some shows that hung around too long along with bringing the legal sauce.

First, we look at shows we believe lasted one season too long. (Your mileage may vary.) Mostly, we cover comedies which lasted a year too long. Continuing a trend from last week, Greg continues his basketball coach namedropping streak.

Next, Personal Injury Court was clearly not real, between nobody apparently having health insurance to the ridiculous amounts of money people for which people sued. Let's dive head first into the legal sauce with this installment.

Finally, when this lit up the socials last week, we made the decision that not only was it worth submitting but it was also worthy of live show status. Put a Lifetime Christmas movie, a KFC infomercial, and romance in a Vitamix and this would be the result.

Follow us on our socials over @ItWasAThingOnTV and send any show feedback or suggestions to our e-mail over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

It's Finger Licking Good.

December 9th, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 114 & 115: Carter Country and Caesar’s Challenge

This week It Was a Thing on TV gives you two very different shows that both have the same initials!

First, who knew racism could be so funny...?! Carter Country somehow ran two seasons, despite a character who was an out-and-out racist. Only one of us three could make it through an entire episode, and for good reason. File this one under "doesn't age well."

Then, the last NBC daytime game show from 1993-94 was a good one, a true challenge. Caesar's Challenge had Ahmad Rashad, gladiators, and a rotating cage of letters. Also in this episode, the guys rattle off the name of everyone in Arizona in 1993 they can think of.

Follow us on our social media feeds @ItWasAThingOnTV and send any suggestions and show feedback to contact@itwasathingontv.com

CAESAR SAYS STOP!

December 2nd, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 112 & 113 + Minisode 3 - The Mouse on the Mayflower/’84 Thanksgiving Day Parade/Gobbledy Gooker

Yeah, Thanksgiving maybe over but here at It Was a Thing on TV we're going to provide you with all the leftovers.

First, Rankin-Bass' first holiday cartoon was this highly fictitious take on the traditional and now-highly outdated take on the first Thanksgiving, involving a mouse who saves everything with a printing press?!

Next, It's a tradition unlike any other here at It Was a Thing on TV. Last year, we looked at the 1983 Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, we jump to 1984, a time with Avril the Eccentric, creepy Cabbage Patch Kids, and a Fraggle with permanent sex face.

Finally, yes of course we're gonna talk about the 30th Anniversary of a WWE Icon ...... The Gobbledy Gooker! Listen as The Gobbledy Gooker and Mean Gene Okerlund try to excite a bored crowd in Hartford by dancing to Turkey in the Straw.

Follow us on all of our socials over @ItWasAThingOnTV and e-mail us for any feedback or show suggestions over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

WHOA!

November 25th, 2020

It was a Thing on TV Twin Pack: Episodes 110 & 111 - Makin’ It and The Episode of Boy Meets World where Shawn worked for the mafia

This week on IWATOTV we talk about disco dancing and the takeout business scene in Philly.

First, it's another show from the late 70s which tried capitalizing on the disco craze. Unfortunately, timing is everything. Makin' It even had a Travolta, just not that one. Also this installment, we return to full strength.

Then, we look at a special episode of Boy Meets World. A personal favorite of ours, what happens when you combine a Christmas episode with a naive teenager, then sprinkle in two of the goofiest mafiosos you'll ever meet? You'll get a very special episode with one heck of a takeout business.

Follow us on social media over @ItWasAThingOnTV on Facebook, Instagram, Tumble and Jack Dorsey's Hate Box. Also if you want to e-mail us for feedback and show suggestions do so over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

Seriously folks the takeout business scene in Philly is almost as good as the deals you can get at Four Seasons Total Landscaping.

Place to Be Nation POP Experience