It Was a Thing on TV: An Anthology on Forgotten Television

In the 70s, Sherwood Schwartz had an idea to introduce a couple with a multiethnic group of kids. The ahead-of-its-time idea was revisited in the mid 80s, but would anybody watch it? And what happens when nobody watches it? On this episode, we break down the strange case of “Together We Stand”…. Or “Nothing is Easy”.

We conclude our trifecta of Dabney Coleman shows by looking back at a show which was a complete contrast to the last two entries, where Coleman played an irritable, cantankerous TV host and an irritable, cantankerous sportswriter.  This time, Coleman portrays an irritable, cantankerous 5th grade teacher.

Dabney Colemania continues with another series fronted by Dabney.  Unlike Buffalo Bill where he played an irritable, cantankerous TV host, Dabney played an irritable, cantankerous sportswriter.  Like Buffalo Bill, The "Slap" Maxwell Story was a critical favorite.  Also like Buffalo Bill, the ratings were not good.

Like Schuckapalooza last year, we're devoting a number of episodes to an actor, this time Dabney Coleman.  First up is a show which didn't get many viewers, despite praise from critics.  It's a show that, after cancellation, Brandon Tartikoff said was one of his biggest regrets.  Coleman plays the prickly title character in the 80s classic Buffalo Bill.

In our third edition of Before the Show, Mike busts open a box of Topps Allen and Ginter 2023 and goes over with Greg some of the various cards in this year's set.

Afterward, Chico joins Mike and Greg for the second half of the show as they discuss the programming (or lack of) on the soon-to-be defunct Longhorn Network including an annual Christmas tradition involving the University of Texas' mascot Bevo.

Finally, Mike talks about his trip last weekend to Buffalo to see Marc Summers' one-man show.

Post-Head of the Class, the person who replaced Howard Hesseman was given a second chance, on another series where he played an educator.  This educator, however, had some issues, the least of which was living with one of his students and the largest of which was living with her to remain in the United States.

Way back in episode 2, we originally covered Mr. Smith, on the basis of Leonard Frey being credited from it and the curiosity of what it was.  Four years later and the upload of over half the series later, in honor of the 40th anniversary of its premiere, we can give Mr. Smith the justice it deserves.  Does an orangutan with an IQ of 256 help fix Washington D.C., or do wacky shenanigans happen because Mr. Smith is into monkey business?

On this installment, Greg and Mike talk about an obscure show which ran very briefly in the early 1980s, hosted by a pair of brothers whose biggest claim to fame was being the shortest pair of twins in the world.  The pair made some appearances on movies and TV, including a segment on Real People, which was apparently enough to give them this (awful) hosting gig.

Mike and Greg recap a wild Week 1 in the NFL on a special It Was a Thing on TV Presents. 

Among the things discussed are the debuts of Bryce Young and CJ Stroud, Tyreek Hill's great game against the Chargers, the Giants laying an egg against the Cowboys, Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury, and the Jets' walk-off win against Buffalo.

Tonight is the first Monday Night Football game of the 2023 season.  There have been many legendary characters behind the mic in the 50+ year history of MNF, from Howard Cosell to Frank Gifford to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman nowadays.  For a brief period, the announcing crew consisted of the highly capable and competent Joe Tessitore and two people wet behnd the ears--the fish-out-of-water Jason Witten, and the human obstruction known as Booger McFarland.