Episode 54: All In The Family, Part 01

This week join Steve and Jonathan as they discuss the groundbreaking US sitcom, All In The Family. Why it worked, in what ways is it a product of the 1970s and in what ways is it timeless? We’ll even tip-toe toward whether the show could be re-done today to address our newest president…

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on March 9th, 2017 to listen to Part 02 of our discussion on Archie Bunker and All In The Family. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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Episode 53: MacGyver

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This week Andrew and Steve school Jonathan on appreciating the rare delicacy that is Richard Dean Anderson’s MacGyver. What lies at the heart of the show’s appeal? How exactly was this action hero different from all the others from the 1980s? And of course, does anyone have a paper clip? All this and more as Andrew deep dives into the kind of high stakes adventure only the Fonz could produce.

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on February 23, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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: Producer with Winkler, John Rich (1925-2012)

: Richard Dean Anderson and Dana Elcar (attibution: SarahCutter.com)

: Producer Henry Winkler during his guest appearance on MacGyver

: MacGyver with heavy artillery over shoulder

: Richard Dean Anderson headshot (attribution: macgyveronline.com

: Richard Dean Anderson’s wrap letter to cast and crew

Episode 52 – The Second Golden Age, Flow, and that Last Mile

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This week it is all hands on deck as Steve, Jonathan, and Andrew discuss the second golden age of television, how the concept of “flow” fits into it, and whether the consumer is cheated by those who own “that last mile.” Come along as we return to our first “traditional” episode of the new year and please join us for what we feel is a riveting round table discussion.

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on February 9, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

Stuart Allan’s essay on Raymond Williams and The Culture of Televisual Flow: link

From Wired: The Science Behind What You’ll Watch Next on Netflix (2013): link

About Comcast Quietly Implementing Data Caps: link

More about Data Caps from ARS Technica: link

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: typical television programming schedule

: Scholar Raymond Williams (attribution: The Raymond Williams Society)

: Brandon Tartikoff (1949-1997), former president of NBC from 1980-1991, sets the flow during the early 1980s. (attribution: Alchetron)

: RCN Telecom’s explanation to its consumers about the system of programming flow

: Xavier Amatriain and Carlos Gomez-Uribe of Netflix. (attribution: Cody Pickens)

: Today’s flow

Episode 51 – Presidential Inaugurations

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This week we present a special solo episode from Andrew on the topic of Presidential Inaugurations on television. Bundle up, brave those cold Washington winds, and stir your patriotic heart for the role of television in our established ritual for the beginning of our elected official’s four-year term.

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on January 26, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

Check out the Decades network special on presidential inaugurations: link

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: FDR’s first inauguration in 1933.

: Truman taking the oath after FDR’s death.

: Nixon’s second inauguration in 1973.

: Ford taking the oath after Nixon’s resignation.

: President Carter walks on the day of his inauguration.

: Reagan’s second inauguration.

Episode 50 – Changing Forms of Nostalgia

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This week join Jonathan as he provides a bite-sized portion of Inside the Box on the topic of the changing forms of nostalgia. He briefly discusses yesterday’s TV reunion industry, how it looked and happened versus today’s Netflix-based reunion programs and soft reboots. This topic is both silly and serious as it looks at the type of escapist, comfort-food TV that today beccomes not a singular, ephemeral event, but a standardized and pre-configured ongoing business strategy.

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on January 12, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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: a mini-reunion (minus Adam West) when Batgirl schools Robin about equal pay in this early ’70s PSA (attribution Audrey Amidon)

: Adam West and Burt Ward reunite for two 1979 TV specials.

: Cast of Batman playing the Feud

: Promo for the 1981 reunion film (attribution: Shock Cinema Magazine)

: TV reunion movie for Gilligan. Origially meant for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

: Bob Crane is visited by robot basketball players in the reunion film.

: Gilmore Girls return for a 4-part Neflix series.

: Full House redux 2016

: Neflix continues the nostalgia with Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016)

Episode 49 – Getting a National Shot

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This week join Jonathan as he provides a bite-sized portion of Inside the Box on the topic of regional successes who got their shot at national exposure. This topic reveals a particular era in television history that has changed today during a time of niche cultures and YouTube stardom. Jonathan discusses three case studies from the late 1980s and early 1990s that show the delicate balance between regional sensibilities and perspectives and how the national networks interpret and promote them.

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on December 29, 2016 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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: Ross Shafer hosts Almost Live!

: Ross Shafer headshot

: Ross Shafer hosts The Late Show on Fox (interviewing The Pet Shop Boys)

: Almost Live! cast

: Almost Live! Logo

: KTMA MST3K cast shot

: KTMA promo for original version of MST3K

: Classic MST3K cast shot from Comedy Central

: Jim, Trace, and Kevin with their on-screen characters

: Jim, Kevin, Trace, and Mike of MST3K in 1996

: Joel returns to visit the Satellite of Love.

Episode 48 – TV During World War II

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This week join Andrew as he leads a discussion with Steve and Jonathan about how TV was used not before, not after, but during World War II. Contrary to popular belief the then new medium was at least thought about as another technology to be harnessed during the war effort. We also discuss how the rudimentary uses of TV in the immediate post-war era is surprisingly similiar to how we use it today.

NBC Newsreel from Eisenhower’s return to NYC: link

Life Magazine’s photo coverage of Eisenhower’s return: link

A wonderful site titled Early Television Museum from which we borrowed some images: link

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on December 15, 2016 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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: 1939 GE TV & Radio installation guide

: World War II-era TV airborne camera (attribution: Southwest Museum of Engineering, Communications and Computation)

: television to be used during World War II civilian defense effort (attribution: Early Television Museum)

: TV-guided war missle plans (attribution: Early Television Museum)

: General Eisenhower receives a hero’s welcome in NYC in 1945.

: General Eisenhower extends hands to wave to the throng of people lining NYC’s streets.

Episode 47 – The Mouth of the South

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This week join Steve as he weaves a tale of one man’s drive to not only see A future, but to see multiple futures and gamble big on being in control of it all. This one has family drama, high stakes media wagers, big money, celebrity romance, and the changing of the very media landscape itself. Oh, and Jonathan says “yup” a lot and tends to agree with most of what Steve’s saying.

Two great weblinks about the man and his accomplishments:

Atlanta Magazine: link

Jack Doyle: link

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on December 1, 2016 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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: Ted in front of the technology that allowed for the creation of both TBS and CNN.

: early Superstation logo

: Lou Dobbs and Bella Abzug on early CNN election coverage.

: Ted Turner on CNN’s set from early in its existence.

: Turner on the cover of Time magazine two years after CNN’s launch.

: Common broadcasting logo for the Braves baseball team on TBS. Turner owned both team and station.

: Grandpa (Al Lewis) from The Munsters hosted a TBS Saturday horror film show from 1987-1989 drawing upon his recognizability from reruns.

: ad for sister station TNT’s Monstervision hosted by Penn and Teller from the 1990s.

: Ted Turner shaking hands with Captain Planet, a cartoon character he helped create and aired as a cartoon from 1990-1996.

Episode 46 – The Paul Lynde Halloween Special

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This week join Steve as he begins surgery on the 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special. Jonathan occasionally hands Steve a scalpel, especially in terms of attempting to get behind Lynde’s troubles with the bottle. Otherwise, it is a lot of lighthearted, Halloween fun as we attempt to survive some of the most surreal 1970s variety show sketches and dance numbers this side of the Star Wars Holiday Special!

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on November 17, 2016 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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: Paul’s 1960 “Recently Released” album.

: the cast of The Paul Lynde Show (1972-1973).

: Paul on the cover of the September 13, 1976 issue of People magazine.

: Print promo for the 1976 special.

: Paul Stanley with Billy Barty and Roz Kelly on set.

: KISS on the set of the Halloween Special – October 1976

: Ace Frehley with Paul Lynde and Margaret Hamilton from the special.

: Gene Simmons and Margaret Hamilton.

: Paul relaxes with his dog Alfred from a 1981 Architectural Digest photoshoot (attribution: Paul Lynde info.com)

Episode 45 – KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park

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This week join Jonathan, Andrew, and Special guest Frank Bridges as we rev up for Halloween with a special episode on the 1978 TV film KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park. Jonathan gives some context for how and when KISS got to be so big as to warrant such a production. Frank gives us some first-hand fan experience about what it was like to be bombarded by the entertainment experience that was KISS. And Andrew provides the outsider’s view as he tries to make heads or tails of both the band and this train-wreck of a film.

Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on November 3, 2016 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach us via email at: feedback@tvhistorypod.com

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