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.
Now You See It is another beloved Goodson-Todman classic that doesn't get enough credit, partially due to a year run, then a 15-week return fourteen years later. But OMG, those sets, those hosts, and that music. We also talk about the 1985 pilot hosted by Jack Clark.
It's time to take a visit back north of the border for the latest episode of the remastered series. This time we go back to Episode 11 and Pitfall. A Canadian game show that ended up stiffing everybody from Alex Trebek to the contestants.
A week and a half before the official series premiere of The Cube, all three of us watched a sneak peek episode after TNT's coverage of the NBA playoffs. Going in, at least one of us had high expectations for this much anticipated series. Were we left fulfilled after the show? Enjoy the first episode of this long-running UK series.
Press Your Luck is back for another season and just like last year we're doing a special live show for the start of Season 3. Enjoy as we finally learn just what the heck a Flokati Rug is, what we'd do with a hot dog cart and figure out why Dan O'Toole did an awkward run-in on our live show thanks to Greg hitting the wrong button on his phone.
Everybody knows about the timeless Wheel of Fortune, but there was a show with that same title in the early 50s which had to do with rewarding good samaritans.
The mid-90s were a big period for game shows on cable, between Game Show Network's start, a possible Game Show Channel, and a foundation for that Game Show Channel--interactive game shows from Wink Martindale et al. We look at the quartet of games which could be played at home on a telephone keypad. Mike also shares his story about how he almost won some big prizes from one of those games.
Our next edition of the remastered series goes back to Episode 5 as we looked at two pet-centric game shows. That's My Dog which had a four-year run on The Family Channel and Think Like a Cat a one-off special that aired on GSN back in 2008.
Let's just say that Sega CD-ish animated open for That's My Dog is one of the best things we've ever talked about on this podcast.
Does this remind you of anything? Does this remind you of many things? Mark Goodson's last original format, TKO was a little bit of a number of shows, from Jeopardy! to Blockbusters to Couch Potatoes.
It was to be Paul Reubens' bounce back role after Pee Wee's Playhouse was cancelled. You Don't Know Jack is but a blip in TV history, a deviation from what TV audiences were used to seeing. Mike used his Money in the Bank on this and by the end of this episode, he regrets selecting this show.
To Tell the Truth is seemingly eternal, having been on television every decade since the 1950s. We look at the 80s version, which didn't last long despite some quality central characters and visits from numerous old friends on the panel. We also make a plea for Betty White to get on a game show before she turns 100.
