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.
Our 4th show revisited is a show that was beloved among fans for decades, which unexpectedly turned up on BUZZR in 2021. Before then, roughly 15 episodes were available. We felt we needed to revisit this classic since we now know much more about Whew!
NBC might have made a big comeback in the mid-1980s, but there was one huge weakness for them--Friday nights at 9 PM against shows like Benson and Dallas. Half Nelson was another Friday at 9 victim, succumbing after a month and a half. But it had a lot of big names!
Next week, Saturday Night Live starts it's 48th season on NBC. In this special minisode we look back at a weird commercial parody making fun of monster truck shows where those boring funny cars turn out in the ad to be sentient beings able to achieve perpetual motion. Sadly those monster trucks are not amused by what these funny cars manage to accomplish.
As we've said many times, NBC in 1979 was desperate for anything that would draw eyes. Mindreaders was helmed by a former NBC primetime personality, trying to capitalize on an ESP craze at the time. If only the people behind this show had ESP and could see this show not lasting all that long...
This week, both episodes are previous entries from BUZZR's annual "Lost and Found" marathon, which usually happens this time of year. (No details about this year's marathon, BUZZR?) The week starts with a show from the 1950s, hosted by podcast favorite Tom Poston. Split Personality didn't last long, though it technically aired in the 50s and 60s.
35 years ago, a series blended gritty stories, wartime allegories, and cutting edge special effects. If it wasn’t the violence that people were against, it was the toy tie-ins. A show that was ahead of its time could not have come at a worse time. Prepare for the Metal Wars as we talk about Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future.
We revisit school briefly for this episode. Before Saved by the Bell, some of its characters were in a short-lived Disney Channel show set in a middle school in Indianapolis. Good Morning, Miss Bliss was a precursor to the popular series from the 80s and 90s. One thing remained the same: Zack Morris is trash.
Mike, Greg and Chico are back for their second livewatch of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction.
We watch another episode from Season 2 as Jonathan Frakes shows us stories about a retiring pro wrestler, a haunting VHS tape, a woman haunted by the ghost of her dead mother at a clothing store, an insurance scam and an escaping prisoner.
Play along with Mike and Chico as they determine what is truth and what is downright bullfunky.
"Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction - Season 2, Episode 4" (Full Episode) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYdVJarunuI
Tonight (September 8) is the start to the National Football League season and we mark the occasion with a look at a short-lived reality/discussion show starring the two biggest diva football players of the early 2010s. Also, Mike tries taking their Twitter handle and...hilarity ensues.
Later this week is Star Trek Day, and we're talking about what is considered a continuation of the original series, done four years after the original's cancellation. Is this true Star Trek canon? Judge for yourself as we dive into Star Trek: The Animated Series.
