Can't Turn it Off

How does the actor behind a beloved TV character such as Seinfeld's Cosmo Kramer fail to dazzle a television audience as the star of his own NBC sitcom? It wasn't hard, as it turned out, and Michael Richards proved it during the fall of 2000. The host examines how he did it. And after deconstructing a failed sitcom, the host's closing monologue unloads more opinions on pizza than any one person should be allowed to have.

During the early 1970s, a simple show about the merger of two half-families spawned characters that have lived on for generations. The host looks back at several ways a lovely lady, three very lovely girls and four men, living all together, have touched the lives of millions of Americans. And then he'll shake his head in disbelief at the musical variety show that first reunited them, and is remembered fondly by almost no one. Listen here! 

The 1970s were a splendid time for television, at least it seemed like it at the time. In the spirit of all that was entertainment during the '70s, NBC introduced us to Pink Lady in 1980, and brought Jeff along for the ride. Who were they and why is their TV show frequently cited among the worst TV shows of all time. Find out here! 

What did a group of Las Vegas showgirls have to do with the Fonz, Mr. C and the rest of the Happy Days gang? That's the beauty of a short-lived, unspectacular sitcom that most people couldn't name if their Final Jeopardy lives depended upon it. And rightfully so. But it's an impressive display of just how formulaic network television could be back in the day, when networks ruled the world. Beyond a look back at the glitz and glamour of Vegas, the host unloads one of his most famous tirades, just in time for Thanksgiving. 

Was it a show ahead of its time, a show that was just too offensive or a show that was too progressive for its network? Perhaps it was all of those things, or maybe it was just a victim of the wrong place and the wrong time. The host looks at a 2001 sitcom that should have had more success than it did.

Turn back the clock to 2002, the geniuses at Fox Broadcasting had found a worthy successor to one of their early sitcom successes, "Married with Children." Or had they? They filmed eight episodes of a show they went on to cancel before you were able to see one of them. And what pairs better with a Fox sitcom than an American hot dog?

This time around, we turn back the clock to either 2006 or 2002, depending upon your perspective, as we look at a television series that never aired on network TV, despite seven intentions for it to do so. And just as important, the host commemorates the career of a retiring game show host.

Season 7 of the podcast is underway. The format is a bit different than past seasons, and the host is still learning how to cram 10 pounds of podcast into a five-pound sack. The podcast team will smooth out the edges soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy a visit to a mostly forgotten piece of history and buy a ticket to a WNBA game.

This is it, the long-awaited end of the longest season of Can't Turn it Off. After a few minutes of chat between the host and Brad Farrell, two nerds who love a forgotten, short-lived '80s sitcom starring Jason Bateman, the host closes out the season with a monologue sharing a footnote from his life.     

Another holiday season is upon us, and in the spirit of the holidays, the host will share fond memories of a game show legend who passed away not so long ago, and would have turned 100 years old this month. And then it's onto new content with past guests. In this case, we revisit our conversations with two gentlemen who have spent a fair amount of time on the radio airwaves in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area over the years.  

What better way to close out the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States than with a monologue from the host of the podcast, sending out sincere thanks to a variety of folks. And to top it off, enjoy more colorful conversation with a season 6 guest who will favor us with a few of his impressions of people you probably don't know.

The end of season 6 is underway, a season delayed thanks to both striking writers and actors. But the team perseveres, and this week we bring you bonus content from two women who were featured during season 6. You'll hear from them after you hear the host boast and brag. And stumble once or twice. His mouth can't keep up with his brain. There's a scattershot of thoughts at the beginning and end of the episode, including an update about one of our past guests. 

Not long ago, the podcast featured Erin Dietrich, a Minnesota woman who had a unique experience. The podcast is on its hiatus, so that means more from Erin, right? Not exactly, but we will learn more about her adventure as the hiatus begins. And we learn about it after we find out why the host thinks too many viewers of TV's Wheel of Fortune are ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. You haven't heard the host do a monologue in a while, so fasten your seatbelt, you're in for a doozy. 

A Minnesota woman and her husband accomplished something few people do. She recalls their adventure after the producer tries to figure out what they did. Confused? You won't be after the next episode of Can't Turn it Off.        

Plenty of people switch careers during their life, and our guest is one of them. Radio broadcasting today is far different than it was in the 1980s, and Phil Huston was part of that '80s scene, working for two prominent Minneapolis pop music stations. He reminisces about those days with the podcast host, who use to listen to Phil on WLOL way back when. Thanks to Jeff Sibinski and radiotapes.com for the supplemental material in this episode. 

Is this a Jeopardy podcast!? No, it's not, but this is the fourth time the host has interviewed a Jeopardy! contestant. in our season of celebrating Minnesota, where this podcast originates, we chat with a recent Jeopardy champion who didn't grow up here, but is investing part of her Jeopardy! winnings in a very Minnesota way.

It has been more than a year since our last chat with the podcast's annual guest, and the latest conversation goes off the rails a bit, but it was a lot of fun for both parties. A lot has changed since we last talked with Izzy, and this episode is very different from every interview we've ever done with the rock and roll prodigal son from Minnesota.

As children across the United States, and presumably elsewhere around the world, prepare for an evening of trick-or-treating, the host recalls his modest childhood fascination with the wacky world of haunted houses, and his adult experiences with the many entities that have haunted the greater Minneapolis area for the past 25 years. He'll ask questions he has no answer to and recount a vague, yet unforgettable, experience at a Minneapolis theater circa 2000. 

It's 2022, and a Minnesota man dedicates a lot of time and effort to his blog, which focuses on two unrelated subjects. It's the latter of the two that has entertained the Can't Turn it Off host in recent years. And if you've ever reminisced about yesteryear in the town or city where you grew up, you'd be lucky to have your own version of Aaron Wallace. 

The hiatus is over and the host returns with an interview featuring his new favorite radio show host. Yes, it's a radio show, not a podcast, but you don't have to dust off the old boom box to dial up the correct FM frequency, of course. You'll learn more than you ever imagined about the music of yesteryear, and how to hear it, during our interview with the host of "Crap From The Past." 

The host has been following a Minneapolis-based photographer for about a year. In this episode of the podcast, he learns about the inspiration, methods and process involved in capturing her distinct, memorable images. And he does so without ever asking about the photography equipment she employs. Following the interview, the host finally explains when and how he realized celebrity autographs weren't as big of a deal as they once were. It's a story he rarely tells, and yes, he will name drop during the story.         

The host welcomes his colleague, a longtime high school sports reporter, to the podcast. Yes, the colleague has many stories he could tell about his five decades covering boys and girls high school soccer, basketball and hockey. But those aren't the stories the host is most interested in. 

Season 6 of the podcast begins with a deep dive into that failed 1980s sitcom the host never forgot, and talked about in episode 68. The host isn't the only person who remembers the show fondly, the foremost authority on the show joins the podcast to discuss the sometimes-brilliant sitcom known as "It's Your Move." That discussion follows the first guest of season 6, the host's former colleague who had a recent brush with cinematic greatness. 

It's the season finale, really. Unless it's not. It's time to move forward with season 6, but not before a brief visit with our buddy Izzy Presley, who surprised the host with a recent Twitter revelation. But first, the host gets overly excited about a TV show you've never heard of, and spends too much time telling you about a chance encounter in Las Vegas. 

As the hiatus nears its conclusion, this episode features a new story from season 5 guest Jeff Walker, who reminisces about his first trip to Vegas. Following Jeff, the host shares a few tidbits about past guests. 

After a holiday hiatus following the close of season 5, the host returns with something you've never heard him do in any previous episode of the podcast. But first, it's story time. The host recalls his unexpected Halloween evening, spent in Las Vegas.

The podcast has had a longstanding invitation to take the show on the road, specifically to Bloomington, Minnesota, for a comic book show. As a podcast that has occasionally called upon the world of comic books for source material, it seemed like a logical destination. Don't read comic books? It shouldn't matter. We talked about things even we didn't expect to.

You never know what the podcast's annual guest is up to in Hollyweird, unless you follow him on a social media platform via @realizzypresley. This year's chat includes discussion of a new gig our buddy has landed. And we close with the story of a very Izzy road trip.         

The Las Vegas version of Strange Days Indeed introduces us to characters whose peculiar actions leave the host wondering what the story was behind those moments when strangers crossed paths. The host's interactions, direct and indirect, raise questions that may never be answered, and most likely will not be forgotten.

What do Free Blockbuster, Jeopardy!, a baby named Robbie and a possible drug addict in Las Vegas have to do with each other? Even the host would admit, not a thing.

Jimi and Alison Nguyen are Minnesota's first ambassadors of the Free Blockbuster movement. They'll explain what it is and why they're a part of it. If you remember anything about the once mighty Blockbuster video rental chain, you'll enjoy hearing about how they're making Free Blockbuster happen in 2021.   

This season's second interview occurred while the host and producer were in Las Vegas earlier this month. You don't need to know anything about Sam Novak, or care about what he does, in order to enjoy our interview with him. Thoughtful and articulate only scratch the surface. This man should have his own podcast. 

This season's first interview features a Canadian who affirms what the host knows, and doesn't know, about his neighbors to the north. And we learn a few things about how the state of Canadian radio is similar to its U.S. counterpart in 2021. The host concludes the podcast with his opening monologue, which seems appropriate for this episode.   

Here comes another story the host is surprised he hadn't heard until recently. Elmer Sherwin won a lot of money in 1989, but that's not what makes his story so fascinating. His story, and an unrelated tale of woe, follow an addendum to episode 57, and the story of another of the host's once-lost friends. But wait, there's more! You get all the aforementioned content plus the big podcast announcement the host mentioned during the previous episode. We already told you we're taking the show on the road, now you'll find out where we're going! 

It's not the music of Carl Ferris that intrigues the podcast host, it's how and why he performs it, nightly, for thousands of people. Carl's story follows recollections of how the host met, and reconnected with, one of his friends. 

Season 5 of the podcast begins with a long, sorted tale from the host's past, inspired by the recent misadventures of his friend. From there, it's a tribute to the Las Vegas showgirl, including a former showgirl whose story the host had never heard until a few months ago. 

Two factors changed plans for the final spectacular of season 4. The end result still includes a visit with a past guest, but it also includes a tribute to a game show host who died earlier this season.

The hiatus continues, and this spectacular offers a fun fact, a major announcement, new questions for a past guest and a Halloween nod to Highrise Joe.

It's a little of this, and a little of that as the season 4 bonus content begins. You'll hear new content from perennial guest Izzy Presley, learn about a new, convenient discovery the host has made involving Highrise Joe, (the subject of episode 45,) and enjoy the host and producer's modern day homage to Joe. As usual, Izzy's comments may not be appropriate for the host's 10-year-old niece. 

It's the season 4 finale, and the host is lazy, so he glosses over the history of a French woman who lived longer than you will. But not before he revisits his recent trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin, and shares a tidbit he has since learned about his beloved Madeline Island. And what does Vanna White have to do with any of it?

Hundreds of people appear as contestants on TV's "Jeopardy!" every year. So why was Meggie Kwait's appearance so memorable? The host will explain as he learns many fascinating details about her road to, and appearance on, the game show.

In this episode, the host shares his fascination with island living, based upon a short vacation getaway to Wisconsin.  And then he reminisces about a lost weekend to that same vacation destination, 29 years ago.

The host has a personal connection to a woman he has never met, and he discusses her complex story in this episode of the podcast. And how does a woman from Texas, whom neither the host nor April have met, figure into April's story?  To read more about April, visit bit.ly/aprilpease.

The podcast's only annual guest returns for season 4 and discusses how current events are affecting him and those who live and work in Hollyweird. 

A Nevada adventurer who likes to explore the desert outside of her Las Vegas home may surprise you with a story or two from her past.

It's time for the host's annual recollections of assorted chapters of his life. This collection of stories revolves around the Great Minnesota Get Together (TM), culminating with memories of Aug. 27, 1993.   

The host remembers a man he never met, but talked to more than once. What made Highrise Joe so quirky and unique? The host will explore that, after discussing how a once valuable commodity lost its luster. 

Discussion of a ninth-grade social studies film, classic '80s tunes, the demise of Myspace and a woman who chronicles her desert exploration via YouTube are all sandwiched around the host's memorial to an early social network. Is there a point to all of this? 

Season 4 of the podcast begins with three stories about three people who have likely never met, but all share something in common. The stories are improbable, bizarre, tragic and/or hilarious. We'll leave that for you to decide. 

The conclusion to season 3 has arrived, and it features our guest from Episode 32, Paul Drabek, who will discuss his love of roller coasters and his travels around North America to ride them. The spectacular concludes with several minutes of conversation featuring Jason Lillie, our guest from Episode 31. Jason, the subject of our very first episode of Can't Turn it Off, and the host share their memories of how and why Jason earned his peculiar nickname. 

A truly spectacular hiatus!