Place to Be Nation POP Experience

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!

On the first of a four part series of Pop Goes To The Couch, Andy Atherton is joined by Shawn Kidd, Scott Shifflett & Tim Capel to discuss the series Cobra Kai. The guys deep dive and break down Seasons 1 & 2 before giving their thoughts on Episode 1 of Season 3 "Aftermath". So after you binge the latest series, give a listen and don't forget one to post one of those hash browns when you do.

In the sixteenth 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 1987. The guys talk in depth about Mike Tyson’s Punch Out; the passing of “The Great One” Jackie Gleason; the launch of the Fox Broadcasting Co,; the New York Giants’ victory in Super Bowl XXI; “The Super Fight” Hagler vs. Leonard; Married…With Children; Remote Control; the albums “Slippery When Wet” & “Licensed To Ill”; Fatal Attraction & The Princess Bride.

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

On the return of Pop Goes The Movies, Tim Capel and Jennifer Smith join Andy Atherton to have a spoiler-filled discussion of the latest movie in the DCEU, Wonder Woman 1984. They go over all of the major plots and give their thoughts on many aspects of the film including: the fun opening sequence; the 1980's setting; Pedro Pascal's Maxwell Goldman & Kristen Wiig's Barbara Minerva/Cheetah & what the mid-credits may mean for the story going forward.

In the eighth episode of Making Mt. Rushmore, panelists Shawn Kidd, “The Cowboy” Roger Morrissette & Andy Atherton join guest moderator Ben Locke, to discuss which Talk Show Hosts deserve a place as on their respective lists. Is Johnny Carson a no-brainer? What about David Letterman? Will Regis Philbin grab a spot? Does Jerry Springer or Arsenio Hall deserve a place? After that, they discuss which Game Show Hosts will be part of that grouping. Can you argue that Alex Trebeck shouldn’t get a spot? Will Bob Barkerincluded? Is Wink Martindale in the conversation? What about Richard Dawson & Monty Hall?

On the seventh episode of Blockbuster Rewind, co-hosts Andy Atherton, Eric Eells & Scott Shifflett  are joined by guest Rob “Tek” Pinotek to discuss the Indiana Jones franchise. They go through each of the films and talk about the incredible introduction of one of the greatest characters in film history; the great action set pieces; traveling by map and the exotic locations Indy travels to; the femme fatales of each film; the villains and their nefarious plots; the somewhat scary scenes in the films; Indy’s brilliance and resilience; the great supporting characters we meet throughout the series; the highs and lows of each film & their thoughts on what we may expect to see in Indy 5.  

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.

Continuing on the latest series of Pop Goes The Couch, Andy Atherton, Scott Shifflett, Shawn Kidd, Tim Capel & JT Rozzero get together to review The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 8 “The Rescue” in a spoiler-filled show. They discuss all of the major plot points and give their thoughts on where they may effect the overall story of the series, including that incredible post-credits stinger. As a bonus, the guys give their thoughts on all of the recently announced Star Wars shows and movies coming over the next few years.
Please don’t listen until after you’ve watched the episode.

On a special Christmas episode of Laugh-In Theater, Andy Atherton is joined by Ben Locke, Calum McDougall, Scott Shifflett & Logan Crosland to do a live watch of the 1990 comedy, Home Alone. The guys discuss Macaulay Culkin’s filmography; “The South Bend Shovel Slayer”; massive amounts of pizza; viewing films multiple times in theaters; doing the “McAllister airport run”; international in-flight meals; “Angels With Filthy Souls”; penalties for shoplifting; scary furnaces; spotting characters actors; “McGyver’ing” the house; Christmas baubles & love spuds; crappy video games and the concussion count for The Wet Bandits . So remember, keep the change, ya filthy animal!

In the newest episode of Piece of the Action, Matt welcomes Ben Locke, Jennifer Smith, and Shawn Kidd to the podcast for a group live watch of the 1988 classic Die Hard! Listen to Matt and the gang discuss Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, THE Hart Bochner, Nakatomi Plaza, Huey Lewis, Great Value henchmen, actor’s music careers, bonds, and so much more! (And be sure to stay during the credits for a very special gag reel!) Yippee Ki Yay! It’s the new Piece of the Action!

On the Christmas episode of The Great Debate, host Andy Atherton is joined by Logan Crosland, Scott Shifflett, Matt Souza & Shawn Kidd. The gang discusses and debates a variety of holiday-themed topics including: which actor has been the best on-screen Santa Claus; memorable Christmas episodes of TV shows; Christmas treats they love; favorite holiday traditions; best Christmas gifts; and deliberates whether movies like Die Hard, Gremlins, Batman Returns & A Nightmare Before Christmas can be considered “Christmas movies”. And as always, the show closes with a fun rapid fire round that runs the gamut.
 

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.

Continuing on the latest series of Pop Goes The Couch, Andy Atherton, Scott Shifflett & Tim Capel get together to review The Mandalorian Season 2 Episode 7 “The Believer” in a spoiler-filled show. They discuss all of the major plot points and give their thoughts on where they may effect the overall story of the series.
Please don’t listen until after you’ve watched the episode.

In the seventh episode of Making Mt. Rushmore, panelists Shawn Kidd, Logan Crosland, Ben Locke & Andy Atherton, discuss which Christmas Songs deserve a place as on their respective lists. Is All I Want For Christmas Is You a no-brainer? What about Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree? Will The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year grab a spot? Does Last Christmas deserve a place? After that, they discuss which Christmas Specials will be part of that grouping. Can you argue that A Charlie Brown Christmas shouldn’t get a spot? Will Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas be included? Is Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer in the conversation? What about Frosty The Snowman & Mickey’s Christmas Carol?