Partially an oral history of obscure TV shows, partially an oral version of MST3K, and partially a thorough episode guide, It Was a Thing on TV is an anthology podcast about obscure, forgotten, and odd TV shows, commercials, televised events, and almost anyone and anything else that was on television. For the most part, the subjects we cover are from the United States and Canada. We’re just three guys with a love for television. New episodes are generally every Monday and Thursday, sometimes more often.
We ring out what has been 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!
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.
For Christmas/New Year's we're releasing as our present to you the Director's Cut versions of two of our more popular episodes originally released on the Place to be Nation POP version for the first time on our regular feed.
We start with Herb Abrams' Universal Wrestling Federation as we look at a time when old Herb tried to insert himself into an angle along with a special eBay Price is Right in the Director's Cut segments.
On this Christmas Eve 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.
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.
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.
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.
The Complete Ghoulardi Clip Collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34c4k23JNTk
WEWS-TV5 News Promo with Ernie Anderson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r2JMa3mHzE
Star Trek TNG Premiere Promo Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiFXVyeBf9w
America's Funniest Home Videos VCR Board Game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlfXZrp5y3k
Ernie Anderson on Letterman, March 21, 1983: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp0gGWRHIqQ
WrestleMania VI L.A. Coliseum Bid Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwYopEoNUvY
Adam and Eve clips from Animaniacs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgZMaSEoacQ
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.
The complete "A Recipe for Seduction": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mgD1DpmZ8
One of the more recent shows on our list, 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.
In this installment, 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.
