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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
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
In 1985 and 1986, David Letterman presented two special episodes of Late Night with David Letterman around the holiday season highlighting short films by various celebrities. We analyze these short films and offer our commentary in this holiday episode of It Was a Thing on TV.
1985 segments
"PMS - Premenstrual Syndrome" (Andrea Martin/Catherine O'Hara) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwLTCayIeSw (Uploaded by Darian Glover)
"Angst on a Shoestring" (Bette Midler) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Jfs8bK6WQ (Uploaded by Darian Glover)
"Dress Cool" (Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band ft. Dave) - https://youtu.be/eTRc_IIMtk4?si=qba3H9i_xS-K6aYf&t=92 (Uploaded by the Letterman YT Channel)
"The Making of You Wouldn't Believe Our World" (Harry Shearer ft. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean & Marcia Strassman" - https://youtu.be/eTRc_IIMtk4?si=qba3H9i_xS-K6aYf&t=92 (Uploaded by Darian Glover)
"But I'm Happy" (Michael Keaton ft. Ron & Clint Howard) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq88ORPeQAQ&t=183s (Uploaded by the Letterman YT Channel)
1986 segments
"Feelin' In Love" (Dave ft. Paul Shaffer and Hal Gurnee) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtGaNgZyUUU (Uploaded by Darian Glover)
"My Day With the Stars" (Jonathan Winters) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7LMSRFBKAE (Uploaded by Darian Glover)
"Chris Elliott: A Television Miracle) (Chris Elliott ft. George Takei, Don King & Dave) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgKqko5ZvMA (Uploaded by Darian Glover
"Diane Sawyer's Shocking Expose" (Diane Sawyer ft. Mike Douglas & Andy Rooney) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rweOsVEfI_M&t=146s (Uploaded by the Letterman YT channel)
"The Ice Man Hummeth" (Michael J. Fox ft. Howie Mandel) - https://youtu.be/56lk7cp5Umg?si=O_9gQ6ZDQey2fb5Z&t=93 (Uploaded by the Letterman YT channel)
Saturday Dec 23, 2023
Saturday Dec 23, 2023
Today is the 40th Anniversary of Tom Poston's mini-coma at the Super Match on The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour. In honor of this moment we present an outtake between episodes of a taping in 2020 as Mike gives some play-by-play of this legendary moment.
This outtake was heard in Episode 100 but this is the first time we are presenting this by itself.
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
Thursday Dec 21, 2023
In our annual episode where you pick the topic, we gave you 3 shows from which to choose. The show with the most votes was this one, a one-season classic about an Old West bounty hunter avenging his father's death, with science fiction and steampunk elements.
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Our mini-tribute to the new Aquaman cinematic release comes to an end with this series which was marine-adjacent about the last survivor from an underwater civilization. Four TV movies were made, with decent enough ratings to merit a series, one that lasted an additional 13 entries.
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
Thursday Dec 14, 2023
In theaters soon is a new Aquaman movie and in honor of its release, we have two special episodes dedicated to it. First, we start with a pilot which should have made it to air but the timing may have been horrible, plus the price tag on the pilot was astronomical. Greg spent his hard-earned money to see this pilot and offers up a thorough recap.
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
In honor of what would have been Bob Barker's 100th birthday on the 12th of December, we talk about one of his lesser-known ventures.
In 1980, both ABC and NBC had popular reality shows in the forms of That's Incredible! and Real People, respectively. CBS wanted a piece of this reality action. The result was a show somewhat based on a title which was successful for the network for almost 20 years.
Due to language, listener discretion is advised.
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
It's the final voyage with the OG Trek crew as the Federation and Klingon Empire are close to intergalactic peace. However, Kirk and the Enterprise crew must deal with Klingon Christopher Plummer and a potential traitor on board the ship. Join Greg and Chico as they head second star to the left and straight on til morning.
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
Thursday Dec 07, 2023
One of our current favorite shows from the past is The New Liar's Club, a reboot of the popular game from the late 1970s. The game's the same but the caliber of celebrities was very much Canadian because, as Greg would say, John Barbour's son did all the casting for the show. Maybe all the money was spent getting a Rolls Royce in the show's open...
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
You are the network with the most watched show on television. What do you do? Create a spin-off. But not just any spin-off, a sequel, to outdo anything the mother program ever did, up to and including alien abduction. That’s what ABC did with Dynasty and The Colbys. We break down why that was a mistake with the help of a special guest.
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Today (November 29th) marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary ABC News anchor Frank Reynolds. Although this man has not been with us for the last 40 years he left a great legacy of journalism on TV that lives on today with World News Tonight as one of the program's three founding co-anchors. We will showcase some of his great moments on this special episode of It Was a Thing on TV.
Sargent Shriver Interview (1965) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGVMfce5bJk
ABC 1968 Race to the White House - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJeozETBpYU
Issues and Answers Opening (1968) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkSI07FQniM
Remembering JFK (11/22/68): - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRFEIHSOg9Q
Apollo Program (1968-69) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL3SMbWGtWc&t=1941s
Neil Armstrong Profile - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pceDTbCNlQ
Frank Reynolds’ farewell to the ABC Evening News (1970) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGT-Bolt7N8
World News Tonight Premiere (7/20/78) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5OrVbxAL4g
Frank reporting on the Solar Eclipse (1979) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrz-_4CFOuE
Frank at work on ABC Network line (1980) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qdmrvL4DyI
Anchoring World News Tonight during Mount St. Helens Eruption (1980) - https://youtu.be/5izisUIqO2s?si=qZkRivtS6eUYAEiB&t=636
KTVK-TV 3 Arizona World News Tonight Promo (1981) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5df74Xw4QSo
ABC Reagan Attempted Assassination Snippets from the Oddity Archive’s Breaking News video - https://youtu.be/1hQSxVsdY78?si=eSWQLuWA5l8Uopy7&t=1424
Special Report within World News Tonight (1981) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YJFGncyMPI
Frank Reynolds Remembered - ABC News Nightline (7/20/83) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d259RtOMBnk
Frank Reynolds: A Man Who Cared (7/24/83) - https://archive.org/details/ABC_News_Frank_Reynolds_A_Man_Who_Cared_1983