![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 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 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 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.
![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 4, 2020
This week’s episodes of It Was A Thing on TV will have you ask “What is going on?”
First, We look at an infomercial for the CD-i entertainment system from the mid-90s, while spending a significant amount of time talking about the system's titles, versatility, and technological downfalls.
Next in 2003, Spike TV took a chance on a different type of reality show, one in which everybody was an actor but one person, who the entire show was built around. "The Joe Schmo Show" was a memorable and fun unique endeavor which we remember quite fondly. We will cover the other seasons in the future.
Finally, "Banzai" was a British show which eventually aired on four different networks in the United States. Why would such a show be bounced around? Could it be the controversy that followed it? We look at this bizarre and offensive show.
February 26, 2020
It Was A Thing on TV is breaking out the Confetti, the TARDIS and the $$$.
First the gang looks at The $1.98 Beauty Show. Chuck Barris was the king of bizarre in the 1970s. The $1.98 Beauty Show proved this with it's low stakes to the oddball host, Rip Taylor.
Next, Doctor Who has been a TV staple for close to six decades. One of the oddest entries in the show happened in this 1993 crossover with Eastenders called "Dimensions in Time."
Finally, one of the most hyped shows of 2003 was Joe Millionaire. It lasted two seasons, and was off TV by the end of 2003. We look at this flash-in-the-pan which briefly made a star out of a construction worker/underwear model.
![It was a Thing on TV Triple Header (episodes #18, 19 & 20): “First Night 2013″, “Super Jeopardy/Monopoly” & “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” knock-offs.]()
February 19, 2020
Mike, Chico and Greg's latest mix on "It Was A Thing On TV" has it all Awkwardly Timed New Years Countdowns, Jeopardy! Champions, Complicated Game Show Rules and Credit Card Debt Shredders.
First, they look back at 2012/13 in a hurried mess of a New Year's Celebration called "First Night 2013" hosted by Jamie Kennedy. This disaster of a show was predicted by Mike Judge in Idiocracy seeing as it was sponsored by Carl's Jr.
Next, the recent Jeopardy! Greatest of All-Time Tournament wasn't the first time Jeopardy! aired in ABC Primetime. We look at Super Jeopardy! from the Summer of 1990 along with it's companion show Monopoly. We hope you have patience for complex rules.
Finally, after ABC hit it big with Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, other networks tried to grab their piece of the pie. We look at three of those shows "It's Your Chance of a Lifetime", "Winning Lines" and "Twenty-One". Mike also shares his experiences on his tryout for "Twenty-One" back in 1999 including the rules of the game at the time.
February 5, 2020
In this week's triad of episodes on "It Was a Thing on TV" the gang looks two of the most notorious shows in TV history along with a look inside the snowglobe of Chad Allen.
First, the guys look into the Alder family as they say "Hello, Larry." Was it as bad as the critics made it sound? Can they find anything redeeming about one of the worst shows ever? Just remember, Portland is a long way from L.A.
Then Mike, Greg and Chico look into what the Tommy Westphal Universe entails, some of the weird connections of many include a fictional brand of cigarettes, and they discover a plethora of new entries.
And then ABC had one of its big shows in the 70's at sea. NBC tried to duplicate that popularity on rails. It ended up being regarded as one of the worst shows in TV history, almost bankrupting NBC. Hop aboard as we delve into "Supertrain," including music cues which were recycled years later.
January 29, 2020
In the latest trio of episode from It Was A Thing On TV, Mike, Chico and Greg look at a triad of TV obscurities.
First the gang looks at the 1983 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. If you were somebody on NBC back in 1983, odds are you were there.
Then what happens when monkey business is combined with show business? The Chimp Channel. TBS' first attempt at original comedy. Somebody get Greg a banana.
Finally, Pitfall had it's ups and downs and we're not talking about the elevators. Some people might have gotten their earnings while others including Alex Trebek got the shaft.
January 22, 2020
PTBN Pop’s newest show “It Was a Thing on TV” is back to give you a triple dose of obscure television from yesteryear.
First in their shortest episode to date, Greg and Mike look at Big Brother ….. WITH CATS! And it came from Iceland!
Then things get really trippy when Greg and Mike look at an early 70’s acid trip from Sid and Marty Krofft called “Lidsville”.
Finally talk about a kangaroo court! Remember when Judge Wapner had a show on Animal Planet? We do! We take a brief look at this early attempt at original programming for AP besides nature documentaries.
January 15, 2020
PTBN's newest weekly show, It was a Thing on TV comes at you with a triple-header! First off, it's Automan! It's Manimal! It's Automanimal! Mike and Greg look at these two connected shows from 1983/4. #HologramsCannotWearSuits
Then, our look at NBC disasters from 1983 wraps up with the show wedged between the previous two entries on NBC's Friday night schedule, a supernatural sitcom starring Ann Jillian titled "Jennifer Slept Here." We are joined by our first special guest, Kris Lane.
Finally, the podcast officially goes to the dogs...and cats. We look at two pet-centric game shows from yesteryear, and Greg gives us his thoughts regarding the subject of last week's installment, "Jennifer Slept Here."
January 8, 2020
PTBN Pop's newest weekly show! In Episode 1, Mike and Greg take a look at Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour which, until recently, had not been seen on television in over 35 years. Then in Episode 2, Mike, Greg, and the third contributor to this endeavor, Chico Alexander, look at one of the most hyped shows in 1983-one that didn't make it to 1984.
January 2, 2020
Welcome to PTBN's latest weekly show, It was a Thing on TV! This new podcast presents a focus on obscure and/or misguided televison content. On this special sneak preview episode, hosts Mike Klauss and Greg Diener introduce the podcast and preview the first official installment of It was a Thing on TV (coming VERY soon on Place to Be Nation Pop!)
