The It Was a Thing on TV Podcast Network

The Best of It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 47 - The Kids Guide to the Internet

In our latest "Best of" we go back to Episode 47 and look at an instructional VHS tape put out in 1997 called "The Kids Guide to the Internet". Take a look at what all the kids in 1997 were doing when putting a web search on Yahoo! All the kids in 1997 wanted to surf to MTV dot com, get their sports scores, write an e-mail to Bill Clinton and watch Mister Ed in a pixelated small QuickTime video surfing!

 

YOU'RE GOING SURFING ON THE INTERNET!

Episode 570–The 1981 MLB All-Star Game

In 1981, Major League Baseball held its All-Star Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Early August following a players' strike which cancelled two months of the season. There was a lot of mystery surrounding the game and how the fans would react to the players upon returning to action. What we got at the 1981 MLB All-Star Game was a lot of exciting action, plus a cameo for Morgana: The Kissing Bandit!

It was also the first All-Star Game for several Hall of Famers, including Ozzie Smith and Andre Dawson. Enjoy as we look back on the 1981 MLB All-Star Game.

Episode 569--The Magnificent Marble Machine

One thing all three of us enjoy is a good game of pinball.  With the 50th anniversary of this show happening earlier this week, it was a natural for us to cover this show.  What may have looked good on paper was not, for reasons ranging from the machine often broke down to the physics which made traditional pinball fun were non-existent.

Episode 568--The Adventures of Superpup (1958 pilot)

In honor of the cinematic release of the new version of Superman, we look at a pilot that was sort of the spiritual successor to The Adventures of Superman, after its 6 season run.  This is one of those pilots that makes you ask why, between the premise of the pilot, the creepy costumes, and the overall cheapness in quality.  This time, we don't have a dog of a show for you.  We have a superdog!

The Squared Circle Time Machine: Episode 15 - Georgia Championship Wrestling (07.03.82)

In honor of the 4th of July, we take a look at the go-home show for Georgia Championship Wrestling on SuperStation WTBS, before their big 4th of July show at the Omni in Atlanta. In this episode, we get to see Tommy Rich, Don Muraco. Paul Orndorff, Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen among others.

We also get to see Gordon Solie conduct a face-to-face interview with NWA Champion Ric Flair and WWWF Champion Bob Backlund before their big Champion vs. Champion match at the Omni show.

As if that wasn't enough, Greg and Dane also have fun watching all the 1982 commercials during the show. Just be sure you don't have to call a different number in New Jersey when ordering.

This episode of Georgia Championship Wrestling is available to watch on YouTube thanks to the Retro Wrestling Archive at this link. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIVfvwQSB8

Episode 567--Goodnight Beantown

This time, we look at another anomaly that got cancelled despite good ratings like Bridget Loves Bernie.  Maybe CBS cooked Goodnight Beantown because the network wanted to go a different route on Sunday nights.  Maybe a single mother having relations with her neighbor/co-worker was a bit too much.  Maybe it's because the penultimate episode ruined sexual tension between the two main characters.  There is no definitive answer in our research.

It Was a Thing on TV Presents: Before the Show VIII

In our newest edition of "Before the Show", we look at the Italian Bowl in Toledo and a hurdler having multiple wardrobe malfunctions in Segment 1.

Then, in Segment 2, we are joined by Chico as we discuss the lack of ticket sales of Hulk Hogan's Real American Wrestling at Cleveland State, along with an update on Greg's progress on "Knots Landing", before talking about the selection of movies on Bounce.

Episode 566--The Popcorn Kid

Summer movie season is upon us.  This installment, we look at a very short-lived comedy about an old time movie theater and its cast of high school-aged workers, specifically one employee who dreams of making it big in the movies one day.  The show died a quick death, in part, because it aired, ironically, on a day when many people go to the movies.

Episode 565--Charles in Charge, Season 1

First-run syndication in the 1980s was a blessing for numerous sitcoms that might not have gotten a fair shake from the networks--Too Close for Comfort, Mama's Family, Out of This World.  Charles in Charge had a similar fate.  It didn't find enough eyes on CBS, but give it a year and a half, and it would become a comedy staple of the late 80s and early 90s.  Alas, Jamie Widdoes did not make it to the successful syndicated run.

Episode 564--Temperatures Rising

We celebrate the 99th anniversary of Paul Lynde's birth with this effort from the early 70s.  (Lynde didn't join the cast until season 2.)  Hospital hijinks happen with a wacky staff of nurses and orderlies working under a no-nonsense chief of staff.  ABC must have had faith in the show, despite getting beaten in the ratings by multiple top 10 shows in its run.