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First, Rankin-Bass' first holiday cartoon was this highly fictitious take on the traditional and now-highly outdated take on the first Thanksgiving, involving a mouse who saves everything with a printing press?!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

November 18th, 2020

It was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 107, 108 & 109 - A Case of Spring Fever, Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style & 1-900 Numbers

This week Greg and Chico bring you the Bayside gang, a weird creature who likes to party and ..... springs?!?!

First, ss chosen by our listeners on our Facebook page we present possibly the craziest subject on our podcast yet. Featured in the 10th season of Mystery Science Theater 3000, A Case of Spring Fever is a 1940 educational short subject about a man who has a problem with springs and wishes to never see another spring again. Don't say we didn't warn you about what happens next. NO SPRINGS! TEEHEEHEEHEEHEE!

Next, in honor of the upcoming reboot on Peacock, we look at the time the Bayside gang spent their summer vacation for a nice relaxing trip to Hawaii at Kelly's grandfather's hotel. Over the course of the trip they encounter Hawaiian natives, greedy hotel owners, shady lawyers and yes Mr. Belding. Also, Zack Morris being trash tries to hook up with a lady who works at the rival hotel. You won't believe what happens.

Finally, 1-900 numbers were a staple of television advertising back in the 1980's and 1990's. It seems you couldn't go one half-hour back in the day without seeing a commercial for a 1-900 number. Chico and Greg go through some of the best(?) of these ads for you in this episode.

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

Two Dollars a Call.

November 11th, 2020

It was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 104, 105 & 106 - The Paul Lynde Halloween Special/Mister Ed meets the L.A. Dodgers/That’s My Bush!

This week on It was a Thing on TV, Greg and Chico deal with White House shenanigans, a horse playing baseball, witches and Tim Conway (?!?!)

First, in Episode 103 we discussed Paul Lynde's self-titled sitcom at ABC in 1972-73. After another failed sitcom with Paul in a starring role at ABC, Paul did various guest spots on shows to fulfill his contract with the network. In 1976, Fred Silverman decided to give Paul his own primetime special for Halloween and in true Paul Lynde fashion he made it his own. Listen as Paul is trapped in a haunted mansion with The Wicked Witch of the West and Wilhemina W. Witchiepoo while having to battle with Tim Conway. Also it's got KISS, Betty White, Billy Barty and Florence Henderson singing disco, how can you go wrong?

Next, we're covering our second baseball episode of the month. In Episode 54 we covered the 2004 reboot pilot of Mister Ed so now we're covering one of our favorite episodes from the original series. For the show's fourth season premiere in 1963, our favorite horse and Wilbur pay a visit to Dodger Stadium to see their favorite team along with legendary coach Leo Durocher. This episode answers the question can a HAWSE go deep against the great Sandy Koufax?

Finally, in 2001, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone created a send up of television sitcoms involving the then brand new presidency of George W. Bush. It had the brilliance that the duo is known for, so why did this show only get eight episodes? Chico and Greg try to find out the reasons why in this episode.

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

One of these days Laura ........

November 4th, 2020

It was a Thing on TV Tripleheader: Episodes 101-103 - Punky Brewster at the ‘84 NLCS, The Alfred Hitchcock Presents Contest on Nick at Nite & The Paul Lynde Show

This week It was a Thing on TV is going to leave you #1800235DEAD

First, we look back at a classic baseball episode of one our favorite shows on the podcast. In 1984, the Chicago Cubs went to their first postseason in almost 40 years and a new NBC sitcom set in the Windy City capitalized on Cubs Fever. In this classic episode of Punky Brewster, Henry has to battle crazed fans, radio call-in contests and scalpers all in an effort to get Punky to see the Cubbies in the playoffs. Also how does someone from one our previous entries get involved in all of this?

Next, Nick at Nite was a staple of our childhood's back in the 1980's and 1990's. One popular show on the early Nick at Nite lineup was Alfred Hitchcock Presents. It was so popular that the powers that be at Nick at Nite decided to run a marathon on Halloween Week 1990 along with a contest for the viewer to guess how many people kick the bucket during said marathon to win a murder mystery cruise. Also, you're probably wondering why Wink Martindale is involved in this based on the image right?

Finally, Paul Lynde is one of the all-time legends of television from his zingers on The Hollywood Squares to playing Uncle Arthur on Bewitched. In 1972 after the cancellation of Bewitched, producer William Asher gave Paul his own self-titled sitcom based on a play that he had performed years earlier. Despite playing against type, he managed to make the best of it, sadly everything else around him didn't work, we look at the reasons why.

Follow us at our social media pages over @ItWasAThingOnTV and contact us for feedback and show suggestions over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

No wonder they get $7.50.

October 28th, 2020

It was a Thing on TV: Episode #100 - The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour Revisited

It was a Thing on TV proudly celebrates it's 100th episode! In honor of this occasion we're going back to where it all started as we revisit The Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour. We know more about this topic from the reruns on BUZZR than we did around this time a year ago when we started. We look at the different celebrities that appeared on the show, the contestants and many memorable moments over the show's nine months on the air. Also, we've sprinkled many fun audio easter eggs over the course of the 100th show.

As always please follow us on all of our socials @ItWasAThingOnTV and also we are still having the GoFundMe to help pay for our co-host Mike's recent trip to the hospital at www.tinyurl.com/klaussiestrong if you want to help out.

Thanks to everyone for your support over the last year of this podcast.

October 21st, 2020

It was a Thing on TV: Episode #99 - Kamelion on Doctor Who

This Week on It was a Thing on TV we meet maybe one of the worst characters in the history of a popular long running show.

Doctor Who has had many memorable characters in it's almost 60-year history on the BBC. However, not every character can be Sarah Jane Smith, Amy Pond or even K-9. Meet Kamelion, a robot who's apparently not a robot. A character so bad he only appeared in two televised Doctor Who serials but has since appeared in many spin-off Doctor Who books and audio dramas in which some of the plots of them will leave you confused.

On a serious note, our co-host Mike recently had a serious trip to the hospital which we address in the cold open of the episode. To help out with his medical expenses a GoFundMe has been set-up which you can donate to at tinyurl.com/klaussiestrong.

October 14th, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Presents

It Was a Thing on TV has recently had real life take a turn on us over the last week. Our co-host Mike had a serious issue that sent him to the hospital recently.

Myself (Greg) and Chico talk about what's going on at the time we recorded this (last Friday). While we are trying to figure everything out in terms of a recording and release schedule for what's already in the can (Episodes 99, 100 and 101 are already recorded and need to be edited) we decided to give you folks at PTBN Pop some content this week.

Me and Chico discuss recent issues relating to the Pandemic, movie theater closings, David Spade, The Drew Barrymore Show, Tom Green pranks, Power Rangers and Super Sentai and of course The Fly.

A GoFundMe has been set up for Mike if you want to donate to pay for his hospital bills.

https://tinyurl.com/klaussiestrong

We'll be back here next week on PTBN Pop and have a safe week everybody.

October 7th, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack (Episodes #97 & 98): SNL ‘80 (Directors Cut) and Hometown Commercials

This week on It Was a Thing on TV, we'd like to know who the F did it.

First, every bad show has a bad season, it seems. We will cover such bad seasons in future episodes. For now, we are dedicating an entire show to one such season, Saturday Night Live's 6th season. Almost nothing from the show's 5th season carried over, and it showed.

Then, who doesn't love a good hometown commercial? They're goofy, they're low-budget, they're corny, and often they're viral. We look at over a dozen such ads. Greg also rants and raves about The Sega Channel and Mike talks about his run-in with presumably the star of one of these ads.

Remember to follow us on our social media pages over @ItWasAThingOnTV and also e-mail us if you have any feedback or show suggestions at contact@itwasathingontv.com

My name is Marc and you can count on it!

September 30th, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack (Episodes #95 & 96): Kid Nation & Utopia

This week on It Was a Thing on TV, Mike, Chico and Greg look at two legendary Reality TV flops.

First, A world run by kids--no curfews, unlimited candy, and no homework...right? Here's a social experiment from 2007 which sought out to see how 40 children would run their own society, CBS' entry Kid Nation.

Then, it's another social experiment gone wrong, in multiple ways. Utopia didn't last two months and it cost FOX $50 million in just acquiring its rights. Surely some heads rolled. And what's the deal with the cartoonist as host?

Remember to follow us on Facebook/Instagram/Jack Dorsey's Hate Box/Tumblr over @ItWasAThingOnTV or e-mail us for show suggestions and feedback over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

September 23rd, 2020

It Was a Thing on TV Twin Pack (Episodes #93 & 94): Into The Sanfordverse Parts 1 & 2

This week on It Was a Thing on TV is the big one Elizabeth!

Over these next two episodes, we will explore the three spinoffs of Sanford and Son, as well as the show which caused Sanford and Son to end. In part one, we look at the first spinoff, Grady, as well as the show which effectively killed the mothership, The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour.

In part two, we have two more visits in the Sanford and Son family--the very short-lived series which replaced the parent show, titled Sanford Arms, and an early 80s attempt to revive the franchise in Sanford.

Remember to follow us on Facebook/Instagram/Jack Dorsey's Hate Box/Tumblr over @ItWasAThingOnTV. You can also e-mail us for feedback and show suggestions over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

September 16th, 2020

It Was A Thing on TV Twin Pack (Episodes #91 & 92): Double Dare (1985) and The worst Monday Night Football game ever

This week on It Was A Thing on TV, bust out the Colt 45 as Mike, Chico and Greg review a pair of topics that will leave you as muddy as the sod at Heinz Field.

First, it's not the Double Dare from 1976 which was previously covered, nor is it the Double Dare on Nickelodeon a year later. This Double Dare was a cop show in the vein of Miami Vice which lasted just over a month on CBS, starring TV's Wiseguy and the guy who is as cool as the cool side of the pillow.

Next, last week marked the start of the 2020 NFL season (Who knows how long it will last...) In celebration of the start of the new season, we look at what is considered the worst Monday Night Football game, a 2007 affair between the Miami Dolphins and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though Miami had a forgettable team that year, that wasn't the primary reason this game was bad.

You can follow us at our social media pages (Facebook/Instagram/Jack Dorsey's Hate Box/Tumblr) @ItWasAThingOnTV. If you want to e-mail us for any show suggestions or feedback you can reach us at contact@itwasathingontv.com

We want the thumb to go this direction!

September 9th, 2020

It Was A Thing on TV Twin Pack (Episodes #89 & 90): Learning The Ropes & Golden Balls

Today on It Was A Thing on TV we will learn important life lessons about struggling with two jobs as a wrestler and a teacher along with the importance of holding on to your balls.

First, when late 80s family sitcoms and wrestling overlap, the end result is the short-lived Canadian entry Learning the Ropes, starring Lyle Alzado and the stars of the NWA. We also determine the Canadian equivalents of TV shows it seems everything goes back to.

Then, from the era of Deal or No Deal, we get a game of luck, truth telling, psychology, some memory, and lots of balls. 2/3 of us didn't like it. If you like it, you likely will really enjoy Golden Balls. It was popular for a brief period of time, but quickly faded away to obscurity.

Link to weirdest Split or Steal round ever: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0qjK3TWZE8

And of course follow us at all our social media feeds over @ItWasAThingOnTV and e-mail us for show suggestions and feedback over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

September 2nd, 2020

It Was A Thing on TV Twin Pack (Episodes #87 & 88): Collegiate Comedies of 1975 & AfterMASH

This week on It Was A Thing on TV it's time to go back to school as Mike, Chico and Greg learn that suicide is painless.

First, we're going back to school with three shows from early 1979, which tried capitalizing off the success of Animal House. All three were busts, though each show produced quality future talent. Also in this show, Mr. Whipple typecasting and ZIPPER?!

Then, M*A*S*H is one of television's most popular shows ever, yet its spinoff AfterMASH lasted less than a season and a half. Was it too derivative from the parent show's plot? Did it just run its course?

As always follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Jack Dorsey's Hate Box and Tumblr over @ItWasAThingOnTV and also e-mail us for any feedback or show suggestions over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

August 26th, 2020

It Was A Thing on TV Tripleheader (Episode #85, Minisode #2 & Episode #86): ‘80 Collegiate Cheerleading Championships, Mr. Microphone & Playboy’s Roller Disco & Pajama Party

This week on It Was A Thing on TV we talked about the jiggle factor way back in Episode 15 with "Flying High" this week we bring you two examples of this along with a memorable product featured in commercials around that time.

First, like many things in the 70s and 80s, minor happenings were turned into celebrity-laden events for television. It happened to collegiate cheerleading in 1980, infusing it with such personalities as Magic Johnson, Catherine Bach, and...Willie Shoemaker?

Next, as an homage to the recent Omnibus podcast episode about Ronco, we look at commercials for what is likely Ronco's most popular product, Mr. Microphone. Also Greg's dad also proposes new rules to football.

Finally, join two of the top playboys from the 1970s, Hugh Hefner and Richard Dawson, for a night of roller skating, disco music, and tastefully done Playboy photo shoots in this 1979 special which epitomizes the late 70s nicely.

Follow us on various social media platforms over @ItWasAThingOnTV or e-mail us for feedback and future show suggestions over at contact@itwasathingontv.com

Hey good looking we'll be back to pick you up later.

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