The It Was a Thing on TV Podcast Network

Episode 461--Iron Chef USA

In the late 90s and early 2000s, one of the surprise cult classic hit TV shows was the original Iron Chef from Japan.  Naturally, an American network had to take their stab at a domestic version.  The end result was two episodes where William Shatner got more screen time than the food itself.  Unfortunately, the charm of the original version was lost in translation when it originally went across the Pacific.

Episode 460--Days Like These

The annual Lost in Translation episodes start with another British adaptation of a beloved American sitcom.  Despite American scripts being localized for a UK audience, Days Like These didn't click.  Maybe it needed a catchy phrase in its opening like "Hello Luton!"

Episode 459--Easy Street

Hugh Wilson and Loni Anderson worked together on a popular series in the late 70s and early 80s, WKRP in Cincinnati.  They tried to parlay that magic into another series four years after WKRP's end, one where a former showgirl, played by Anderson, married her wealthy husband, who died.  When you're battling family members who want that money, life isn't so easy on Easy Street.

Episode 458--The Completely Mental Misadventures of Ed Grimley

Mike's birthday is this weekend and he played his Money in the Bank on this short-lived cartoon that, while absolutely hilarious, aired at the wrong time slot and/or aired either a few years early or a few years late.  Celebrate Mike's birthday by getting completely mental with Ed Grimley and those in his universe.

Episode 457--Charlie & Company

Black History Month 2024 concludes with a comedy starring a comedic legend, trying to capitalize on the success of a similar show on another network.  Despite pulling the stops to make it popular including adding a familiar face later in its sole season, Charlie & Company is just a footnote in history.

Episode 456--Baby...I'm Back!

Demond Wilson's first post-Sanford and Son role was in this series, as a husband who abandoned his wife and family for seven years and was legally declared dead.  Not only was Wilson back on TV after a short time away, but baby, he's back for his family.

It Was a Thing on TV Delayed Reaction--The 2024 NHL Stadium Series

Greg is 48 hours removed from attending the 2024 NHL Stadium Series game between crosstown NY rivals the Rangers and Islanders at MetLife Stadium. Greg shares in the first-ever It Was a Thing on TV Delayed Reaction his experience at the game along with some of the exciting action including a fight and a wild late comeback.

Episode 455–Melba

Broadway legend Melba Moore was given a starring vehicle for her own CBS sitcom in Early 1986. Sadly, it had the misfortune of premiering the same day as a tragic news story.

However, was the news story the reason the show failed or something else entirely? 

Episode 454--Cleghorne!

Ellen Cleghorne was a groundbreaking talent when she was on Saturday Night Live.  The WB gave her her own show, which was gone in months.  Was the problem that Cleghorne! was on The WB, or was it something else?

Episode 453--Frank's Place

CBS' most hyped show in 1987-88 was Frank's Place, about an academic who inherits a New Orleans restaurant.  There was so much publicity for it that its two main stars hosted CBS' series of unsold pilots in Summer 1987.  Despite the hype and critical acclaim, it was done in a season.  There was one big name who admits to liking it and recording it.