The It Was a Thing on TV Podcast Network

The 46th anniversary of the debut of this program happened earlier this week.  We decided to revisit it this week, as more footage of the show has found its way online in the last 6 years like Isaac Asimov talking about the future, Chuck Norris doing some martial arts, and Phil Donahue supposedly dating Bill Murray's grandmother.  Also, a sitting senator was supposedly an occasional guest?!

Last year, we went over TV Guide's 50 Worst Shows of All-Time list from 2001 and thought about which shows should be removed from the list and what shows we would add from the last 20+ years since the list was released.

This year, Mike, Greg, and Chico present their re-rankings of what they think are the 50 Worst Shows of All-Time based on what they kept from TV Guide's 2001 list and what shows they added from Part 1.

For new listeners, you can listen to Part 1 of this special from last year at this link. - https://www.itwasathingontv.com/e/it-was-a-thing-on-tv-presents-tv-guides-50-worst-shows-of-all-time-list-part-1/

In Fall 1975, two different shows named Saturday Night Live premiered--the one we know, albeit without the Live moniker, and this show, a variety/talk show hosted by arguably ABC's biggest personality (and definitely ABC's biggest mouth) at the time.  Despite its deserving role as one of the worst shows in television history, very little footage of this series exists...which may be a good thing.

Over 5 years and 500 episodes ago, we tried a "concept" episode where Greg read actual titles to episodes of Maury.  (Episode 60, if you want to visit that show.)  We are back with a second compilation from shows which aired after our initial May 2020 episode.  How many ways can Maury's staff describe DNA test episodes?  The answer is 'many.'

In the television landscape of 1998, there was a need for late night programming on FOX and other channels not part of The Big Three networks, something to fill the void when The Arsenio Hall Show ended.  Enter the NBA hoopster with a million dollar smile and the energy to match.  Unfortunately, said hoopster didn't have the chops to host.  It didn't help the show's sidekick got the boot during the 3rd episode.

National Sex Day is happening on Friday of this week!  (6/9...nice)  We're doing three episodes with related titles, though only this episode is really about the act itself.  This short-lived WeTV entry could be summed up as sex therapy in The Cube.  We advise listener discretion.

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.

Today would have been the 100th birthday of the legendary Betty White.  In tribute to that milestone, we present Pet Set, a light-hearted show where Betty talks with celebrity guests about their animal companions, and talks with other guests about animal-related topics like saving the tigers and talented animals.

We have honored TV celebrities in the past.  This episode, we pay tribute to an icon from the 80s and 90s, Larry "Bud" Melman.  Not only was he a comic foil on Letterman's shows, he had bit parts in other TV shows and movies, he was a writer, he was a spokesman, and he even had his own workout video...sort of.  Grab your Toast on a Stick and enjoy this installment of It Was a Thing on TV.

1995 was a tough time for baseball, in the middle of a strike and using replacement players in spring training.  Andy Richter lightened the mood by visiting the Mets in Port St. Lucie, FL, interviewing replacement players, informing people about the real St. Lucie, and visiting Butterfly World.

Also, we meet, the man, the myth, the legend, DIESEL!