Place to Be Nation POP Experience
It was a Thing on TV
Episodes
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
Take a trip back to January as Greg and Chico watch the 49ers and Cowboys rekindle their historic rivalry with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.
If you listened to the live show we did last year involving these two teams this had another ending that had us all going like WTF? #hilarityensues
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we’re pushing daisies and crabs in outer space.
First, Star Trek: Voyager was a success for UPN. So was Moesha. The powers that be thought, "Why not combine the two? It'll be a hit!" Spoiler: It wasn't. It did give us The Space Hoopty, for what it's worth.
Then, for our Easter 2023 episode, we're not talking about cutesy-wootsy bunnies this year?! We're talking about someone who can revive the dead. Pushing Daisies was a critical darling but it couldn't come back from a fate worse than the death of a scripted show in 2008.
Finally, in 1984, the San Francisco Giants needed something to get fans' attention away from their poor play on the field. Enter the first ever anti-mascot a crustacean mascot which drew heat from not only the fans, but the Giants and the opposing teams as well. It's all immortalized in one of the best baseball commercials ever.
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Timestamps
1:13 - Homeboys in Outer Space
58:43 - Pushing Daisies
2:11:40 - The San Francisco Giants Crazy Crab Commercial
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we celebrate the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the start of MLB season.
First, in honor of the upcoming release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in theaters next week, we present this episode dedicated to commercials to our favorite 8-bit and 16-bit systems.
Then, the start of a new baseball season has arrived and we celebrate by looking back at the TV version of a movie from 3 years prior, about a rag-tag group of underdogs. The toughest competition for The Bad News Bears didn't come from opponents on the field, but from its competition on other networks.
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Timestamps
0:36 - NES and Super NES Commercials
1:26:56 - The Bad News Bears
NOTE: Episode 362 - Hulk Hogan’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling can be heard on the PTB wrestling feed
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV it’s our third annual Lost in Translation week.
First, the concept of home videos shows originated in Japan in the late 1980s and branched out all around the world. In 1992 in Australia, a show aired which used footage deemed too racy or of questionable taste, titled Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos. It didn't make it through one airing. Fast forward to 2019, where a similar version was tried in America, titled Videos After Dark. At least that ran for the full airing.
Due to language and questionable content, listener discretion is advised.
Then, we continue with Lost in Translation week with a small show whose promotion was equally small and, not surprisingly, whose audiences and ratings were just as small. Small Fortune didn't last long in the UK, yet it was still imported to the States where its run was equally short.
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Timestamps
0:55 - Australia’s Naughtiest Home Videos and Videos After Dark
51:51 - Small Fortune (US)
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we teach you many life lessons in this very special compilation.
First, three years after the end of Full House and nearing the end of the original TGIF lineup, ABC brought back The Olsen Twins as tweens in this one-season vehicle, whose legacy lasted well beyond its one year.
Then, did you ever notice some people have some shows essentially omitted from their resumes? We had never heard about Charles Nelson Reilly on Uncle Croc's Block until Mike went down a rabbit hole one night. And after seeing this and its associated cartoons, you can't blame CNR from forgetting this misstep.
Finally, we watch a very special episode that we have referred to on and off throughout the podcast. Find out why drugs are bad when Robbie gets hooked on thornoids on Dinosaurs. Remember you can't say steroids Friday nights on ABC in 1993.
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Timestamps
0:36 - Two of a Kind
1:07:41 - Uncle Croc’s Block
1:49:56 - The episode of Dinosaurs where Robbie got jacked on steroids
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 355 & 356 - New Monkees/That 80s Show
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we discovered that some originals should not be messed with.
First, hey hey, everybody is familiar with The Monkees, who have entertained people since the late 60s. They had a resurgence in popularity in the mid-to-late 80s, which gave someone the idea to create a new version of the band. The powers that be tried to make fetch happen, but the new version fizzled after 13 episodes.
Then, That 70s Show was getting good ratings, so it was inevitable a spin-off would happen. But that show was less of a spin-off and more of its own separate unrelated entity. That 80s Show was gone as quickly as it arrived. Bummer, dude!
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Timestamps
0:36 - New Monkees
1:07:15 - That 80s Show
Sunday Mar 12, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Live Show 34 - Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Sunday Mar 12, 2023
Sunday Mar 12, 2023
After the highs of Star Trek IV, Harve Bennett turned to another member of the Star Trek cast to try his hand at the directing chair. Surely with Captain Kirk at the helm, Star Trek V would reach even higher profits at the box office right?
Yeah, about that .......... Greg and Chico try to take a look at went wrong and try to answer what does God need with a starship?
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 353 & 354 - Tucker’s Witch/Madame’s Place
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
Wednesday Mar 08, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we solve mysteries with a kitty and then chill in a giant mansion with Madame.
First, Detective shows were big in the early 80s, see Cagney & Lacey, Simon & Simon, Magnum P.I., Hill Street Blues, and others. But what if one of them was a witch? Tucker's Witch tried that. In the end, CBS made it disappear.
Then, it's time for Mike's annual Money in the Bank selection. This year, he went with a comedy set around a puppet, her life, and her TV show. Madame's Place was racy and had big guest stars. But when you're going up against late night fare like Carson, it won't end well.
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Timestamps
1:36 - Tucker’s Witch
57:53 - Madame’s Place
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 351 & 352 - That’s My Mama!/The Royal Family
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we look back at two African-American sitcoms.
First, we start with a short-lived classic from 1974. Clifton Davis was a free-spirited bachelor barber. He had friends and family who loved him, including Theresa Merritt, known for having an opinion on anything and everything. What else could he say except… “That’s My Mama!”
Then, it was CBS' new hotness in 1991, one of the best new shows on television. Then tragedy happened and retooling had to occur. There are some "what ifs" regarding The Royal Family, specifically around its star.
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Timestamps
0:36 - That’s My Mama!
1:14:48 - The Royal Family
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we look to find lost loves but not before we got slapped by Mr. Spock.
First, with Valentine’s Day having just passed we're talking about a real-life finder of lost loves, who became the main character in this drama from 1984-5. The series is loaded with guest stars, which is unsurprising since this was an Aaron Spelling production.
Next, we've reached another milestone, with the release of episode 350! The Slap isn't known for much more than the titular slap, delivered by Spock?! What the hell Zachary Quinto?
Finally, in honor of Presidents' Day we at It Was a Thing on TV present another example of someone trying to make fetch happen.
When the US Treasury Department launched the new golden dollar coin in the year 2000, they commissioned the father of our country to help promote the new coin along with getting Batman himself Michael Keaton to voice him.
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Timestamps
3:34 - Finder of Lost Loves
1:29:01 - The Slap (US)
2:16:06 - The Golden Dollar Commercials from 2000
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we try to guide you through a blackout to help you find the post office.
First, Super Bowl LVII featured two brothers playing against each other. Ten years earlier, we had a set of brothers coaching against each other for a title. What was a great battle that came down to the end was overshadowed by a lengthy power outage
Then, we know all the single ladies out there want to know the secrets of finding that dream date. This VHS tape from 1984, How to Pick Up Men, has all the answers to getting the man of your dreams. It involves a dog named Boaz, not knowing where the post office is, and asking supermarket cashiers when the most single men shop. Plus flirt, flirt, flirt!
Full video on YouTube courtesy of the Oddity Archive. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWIO8d31E4M
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Timestamps
0:50 - The HarBowl/Blackout Bowl
1:08:53 - How to Pick Up Men aka The Art of Meeting Men
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 345 & 346 - Good Sports/Superdome
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we prepare you for Super Sunday with two sports related subjects.
First, Imagine you were on a show with your ex, playing anchors on a sports program. It happened here with Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal. They were truly Good Sports about this short-lived entry from 1991.
Then, with Super Sunday coming up, we're talking about a made-for-TV movie about a serial killer who takes out people associated with the two teams playing for it all. A star-studded cast struggles to make it to Super Sunday in the 1978 flick Superdome.
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Timestamps
0:51 - Good Sports
1:10:02 - Superdome
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 343 & 344 - Lotsa Luck!/Free Spirit
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV a witch becomes our nanny while hilarity ensues with Dom DeLuise.
First, A comedy starring Dom DeLuise and created, in part, by Carl Reiner? Sounds like a winner to us! But it's going up against a strong police procedural and a stalwart from the early days of television? All we say is Lotsa Luck!
Then, Free Spirit got its first exposure on the premiere of the TGIF block. It was then placed on another night, where it was replaced by a show which has been on for over 30 years. Was this show with a witch cursed? Possibly. But it gave us one of our favorites, Alyson Hannigan.
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Timestamps
0:30 - Lotsa Luck!
1:13:58 - Free Spirit
Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 342 - Tic Tac Dough Without Wink Martindale
Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
Wednesday Jan 25, 2023
This Week on It Was a Thing on TV we talk about the less memorable versions of one of the most popular quiz shows of all-time.
One of the most beloved games of the late 70s through the mid-80s was Tic Tac Dough. The show had lives before and after that halcyon period. Unfortunately, it was rigged, hosted by an imbecile, then hosted by a bigger imbecile, and recently went to pilot, but did not get picked up.
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Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
Wednesday Jan 18, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV, prepare for trouble and make it double as we go to the courtroom!
First, a long awaited reboot of Night Court will debut. In honor of the event, we are going back to a show which could be considered the inspiration for the original Night Court. Sirota's Court has a similar feel, but it only lasted several months in 1976 and 1977. There were reasons, including a controversial plot line and going up against the biggest miniseries ever.
Next, Chico's birthday is coming up and he's playing his Money in the Bank on this gem from the 1980s with twins. One is good and the other is troublesome...at least in the first season. Also, Greg comes up with an idea for a prequel for Jake and the Fatman.
Finally, Greg saw this commercial one day and felt it was deserving of a minisode. Did you ever feel the Metaverse deserved it's own law firm? We didn't either.
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Timestamps
1:32 - Sirota’s Court
50:14 - Double Trouble
1:49:30 - The Morgan & Morgan Metaverse Commercial