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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.
Episodes
2 days ago
2 days ago
One of the amazing technological marvels of the mid-1980s was the story telling teddy bear Teddy Ruxpin. A cartoon was later created around the world of Teddy Ruxpin but before that, a live-action pilot was created. Coincidentally, this pilot aired in two parts in late 1985, just in time to purchase Teddy Ruxpin as a holiday gift.
View the pilot and follow along at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAyeKcKC4Xs
6 days ago
Episode 468--Best of the West
6 days ago
6 days ago
It's a western! It's a comedy! It has legends including Joel Higgins, Meeno Peluce, and Leonard Frey! And occasionally Christopher Lloyd! It can't fail! There is one small problem--half the nation didn't see its first episode because of football. Maybe it would have truly been the Best of the West if the western half of the country saw it.
Monday Apr 29, 2024
The Best of It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 87–College Comedies of 1979
Monday Apr 29, 2024
Monday Apr 29, 2024
In our newest "Best of" we go back to the Summer of 2020 when we looked at a trio of television shows that looked to capitalize on the popularity of "Animal House". All three shows would premiere around the same time in Early 1979 and would all be canceled by the end of the season.
Let's look back at when we talked about "Delta House", "Brothers and Sisters (1979)", and "Co-Ed Fever".
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Episode 467–Rags to Riches
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
It’s a classic story: member of the 1% needs an image makeover and decides to adopt not one, but six…err, five… girls. The audiences loved them on Sunday, but NBC thought they’d love them even more on Friday. It’s a classic “Rags to Riches” story… that lasted only 20 musically tinged episodes.
Monday Apr 22, 2024
The Best of It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 21–The $1.98 Beauty Show
Monday Apr 22, 2024
Monday Apr 22, 2024
In the newest "Best of" we go back to one of our early episodes from January of 2020.
What do you get when you have the king of the wacky Game Show produce a spoof of beauty contests? You get Rip Taylor, barrels of confetti, and a $1.98. Take a journey back as we look at "The $1.98 Beauty Show".
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Episode 466–Guess What
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
In honor of the 80th birthday of Canadian TV personality and host of former entry To Tell the Truth from 1980 (episode 139), we present another show hosted by Robin Ward, one which looked incredibly dated, plus had a miniscule budget. Guess what the answer is and you might take home hundreds of dollars Canadian on Guess What!
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Episode 465--The Baseball Bunch
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Baseball season started a few weeks ago. In honor of the start of a new season of America's pastime, we look back at sports-related edutainment from four decades ago, starring a Hall of Fame backstop, who was joined by a Hall of Fame manager and an iconic character from the game. We have a hunch you'll enjoy The Baseball Bunch.
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
The Best of It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 138–The Powers of Matthew Star
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
Tuesday Apr 09, 2024
In memory of Lou Gossett Jr. we bring you our latest "Best of" the time we looked at the 1982-83 NBC show "The Powers of Matthew Star"
It was a show so bad that it almost brought one of us to near tears. Also in what other episode of "It Was a Thing on TV" will you hear us bring up Tommy Heinsohn?
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
The ”It Was a Thing on TV” Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
Sunday Apr 07, 2024
It's our third Hall of Fame show here at "It Was a Thing on TV" and we are inducting 17 new members into the Hall. They include some TV legends, some show favorites, and some legendary guys from "that thing".
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Episode 464--How Ken Jennings Almost Didn't Happen
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
In honor of the 60th anniversary of Jeopardy! this past Saturday, we talk about how one of the greatest players in the show's history almost didn't happen. A somewhat lenient response and a rule change allowed Ken Jennings to become the show's all-time wins leader and eventually the host of the show.