Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast

In honor of Mr. Minow's birthday (01/17), we're re-releasing our interview with the former FCC Chair. Joining us from his office in Chicago, we discuss the role of television in presidential debates, his decisions that supported the rise of PBS, and of course, his famous “vast wasteland” speech.

Happy Holidays from Inside the Box. For this last main feed episode of our limited-episode season, we bring you the gift of Steve Voorhees! Steve climbs back aboard the good ship ITB to discuss with Jonathan Universal Music's latest efforts to recontextualize classic holiday recordings with newly produced animated music videos.

This week Jonathan switches from TV and memory to social media and memory. He takes you through some core ideas about collective memory and how they connect to social media. He also explains a few different ways younger people think about the idea of social media as memory machines.

This week Jonathan works through some ideas relating to the potential for "time travel" through the ability to live within memory bubbles thanks to curated content, persistent nostalgia thanks to certain business strategies, and the unexpected staying power of dead celebrities thanks to new fan work and the use of CGI.

This week join Jonathan as he asks, "Why a new documentary on John Belushi in 2020?" when his story seems to have been told often and long, long, ago. He also uses the documentary to define and apply some historical concepts in order to think through why are such stories seemingly forgotten and then reanimated.

This week Jonathan sits down with Rowan's Dr. Emil Steiner to discuss his research on binge watching and how it connects to sports documentaries. If you've already listened to our episode (Ep. 90) on sports documentaries and nostalgia with Dr. Branden Buehler, then this will be the perfect companion episode. If you haven't, that's ok too since this is an excellent standalone episode and conversation about sports documentaries, sports fandom, why we watch what we watch the way that we watch it ;) and also a little insight into how biography influences scholarship.

This week Jonathan sits down with San Diego State University's Dr. Brian Hu about his article, "Bruce Lee" after Bruce Lee: A Life in Conjectures. Then in the second half of the interview Jonathan asks Brian's opinion about a question Jonathan has been toying with: Will the powers that be, attempt to mold late actor Chadwick Boseman's (1976-2020) legacy and image in much the same way film studios' attempted to do so with Bruce Lee (1940-1973)?

This week Jonathan sits down with Seton Hall's Dr. Branden Buehler to discuss the recent spate of sports documentaries and where these films intersect and engage with nostalgia. We make connections back to my discussion with Travis Vogan and talk through the wider definition of the term "documentary" that many may not be familiar with.

Inside the Box is back with an all-new limited episode season! We kick things off in conversation with sports media scholar, Dr. Travis Vogan to discuss his book Keepers of the Flame: NFL Films and the Rise of Sports Media. In fitting with this season's focus on history and collective memory that often goes beyond the television screen (or "box"), Travis and Jonathan discuss NFL Films's role in crafting how we think about the league, in what ways that has changed with the newer emphasis on the NFL Network, and the role databases and metadata has played in helping to structure this mindset.

In this 7min. preview, Jonathan welcomes you and explains what to expect from the return of Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast during its new limited-episode season.

Andrew and Steve sit down with Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Ken Estin,whose TV resume includes Taxi, Cheers, The Tracey Ullman Show, and The Tortellis. Interestingly, through his work on Tracey Ullman, Ken played a significant role in the creation of The Simpsons. Also joining the conversation is author Paula Finn, who will discuss her […]

Andrew and Steve sit down with author Paula Finn to discuss her new book, Sitcom Writers Talk Shop: Behind the Scenes with Carl Reiner, Norman Lear, and Other Geniuses of TV Comedy.  Finn is the daughter of Herbert Finn, notable TV writer for such series as The Honeymooners, Jackie Gleason Show, The Flintstones, Gilligan’s Island, […]

Happy Trails.   Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast is taking a hiatus. It will either be really long, or perhaps permanent. Jonathan explains why, discusses the show’s highlights, thanks Andrew and Steve, and provides an overview of the best episodes (also listed below). Thanks everyone for all of your support. -Jonathan, Steve, & […]

In this encore presentation, Steve, Andrew, and Jonathan discuss the often forgotten DuMont television network. Innovative, with stations in key east coast major markets, the DuMont network was ultimately done in by a combination of forces — the least of which being its uncooperative partner, Paramount Studios. Join us as we discuss DuMont and its […]

In honor of last week’s D-Day anniversary (June 6), we present an encore presentation of episode 48: TV During WW2. 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 […]

This week, join Jonathan as he provides really “inside baseball” on the question of whether Saturday Night Live uses more guest stars today than in the past. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on Thursday June 14, 2018 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment […]

This week, join Jonathan as he waxes philosophic about the role of nostalgia in a corporation’s ability to re-sell already-paid for content. Then, he connects this idea to the use of reality TV to do so in a really unecessary and demeaning way – Vh1’s Bands Reunited (2004-2006). Then be sure to stop back two […]

In the wake of this year’s National Football League College Player Draft, we thought we’d go WAY back to episode 03! Listen as the guys discuss the American Football League and television duriing the 1960s. Here is the link to our original blog post with additional info and images: link Then be sure to stop […]

This week, join Jonathan as he celebrates the Mike Tyson Mysteries and all the previous athlete cartoons Tyson sends up each week. In this episode, Jonathan discusses 1977’s I Am the Greatest: The Adventures of Muhammad Ali, Mr. T (1983-1986), and Pro Stars (1991). What is it about the athlete that makes us want to […]

This week, enjoy an encore presentation of episode 05 where Jonathan, Andrew and Steve discuss and have fun with depictions of 1960s youth culture on television including clips from The Monkees, Dragnet, and Star Trek: the Original Series. The trio also discuss growing up as a re-runs generation in the 1980s depicting culture from twenty […]

This week join Jonathan as he explores the output of TV theme song composer Jesse Frederick and his frequent collaborator Bennett Salvay. What themes these Mille/Boyett productions embraced in order to get, and stay on the air? How these theme songs helped to sell these situations and emotions for uplifting, increasingly family-oriented programming. Then be […]

This week join Jonathan as he has some light fun looking at shows that did a 180 in their premises either mid-season or between seasons: Nichols (NBC, 1971-1972); Going Places (ABC, 1990-1991); and Baywatch Nights (syndication, 1995-1997). A lighthearted look at the ridiculousness that ensues when such drastic changes are made to a program’s premise. […]

This week join Jonathan as he asks the question why a performer so likable, versatile, and successful, seemingly so easily forgotten? Does the age when a performer passes, have an effect? Does the audiences’ interpretation about what makes the performer effective, play a role? Join Jonathan as he asks this question using the case study […]

This week join Steve, Andrew, and Jonathan on an encore presentation of our Mr. Rogers episode to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Mr. Rogers’ debut (February 19, 1968). In this episode we discuss Fred Rogers as a counter-cultural figure. Can we view his choices regarding race and sexual preference as revolutionary? Pragmatic? or did he […]

This week join Jonathan as he provides a way-too-early historical assessment of Jerry Seinfeld’s career. Using a lot of short clips, Jonathan ponders whether one day Seinfeld will suffer a similar fate to Harold Lloyd in the annals of history. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on February 8, 2018 to […]

This week join Jonathan as he provides a broad introduction to presenting pop music on US television, in particular, some of the precursors to the explosive success of MTV beginning in August 1981. NPR’s story on the first music video: link Great fan site for the Video Concert Hall: link Then be sure to stop […]

We’re taking a break this week for the holidays! So, please enjoy this encore presentation of the podcast’s episode 24, where Andrew and Jonathan tackle The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) with special guest, Frank Bridges. Here is the link to the original episode’s page so you can check out additional images and videos: link […]

This week join Jonathan as he briefly discusses three case studies for when budgets were severely slashed on classic television shows, and the effects this had on creativity (or lack thereof). Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on December 28, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You can […]

This week join Steve and Jonathan as they discuss The Dana Carvey Show (1996) within the context of one of Steve’s favorite television topics, flow. Also, we’ve offering a prize giveaway at the conclusion of this episode. Please be the 40th respondent via email to feedback@tvhistorypod.com, including your full name and legal mailing address, and […]

This week join Jonathan as he introduces himself, and probably you, to the first executive producer in U.S. television, who was also a woman – Gail Patrick Jackson. Ona Hill’s 1999 Raymond Burr biography: link Michael S. Starr’s Raymond Burr biography: link Jim Davidson’s Perry Mason ebook: link Then be sure to stop back two […]

This week join Jonathan as he makes a succinct case for the underappreciation of performer Robert Guillaume. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on November 16, 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: […]

This week join Jonathan as he takes you through the history of political satire on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Tropiano’s SNL FAQ (2013): link Hill and Weingrad’s Saturday Night: A Backstage History of Saturday Night Live (1986): link Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on November 2, 2017 to listen to […]

This week join Steve and Jonathan as they take a very light-hearted look at the short-lived 1980s detective/magic/adventure program Blacke’s Magic. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on October 19, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You can leave a comment on this page and can always reach […]

This week join Steve as he educates Jonathan about the significant role Sylvester “Pat” Weaver played during the golden age of television. It is a fascinating portrait of the former President of NBC. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on October 05, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. […]

This week join Andrew in conversation with historian Gary Edgerton about Ken Burns’s new documentary Vietnam. They discuss Burns as a filmmaker, whether Burns is a “proper” historian, and who he considers to be the audience for his films. Gary’s The Columbia History of American Television: link Gary’s book on Ken Burns: link Gary’s homepage: […]

This week join Steve and Jonathan as Steve takes you through the details of the famous Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 464 U.S. 417 (1984) or “Betamax Case.” Listen in as we take you through the initial apprehensions studios had toward allowing audiences to have the power to record and archive […]

This week join Andrew, Steve, and Jonathan as they discuss the rise of The USA Network. Look back at its history of programming and in particular its network brand during the 1990s. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on August 24th, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. You […]

This week join Steve, Andrew, and Jonathan as they discuss the PBS 1973 series An American Family. Was it an experimental documentary? Was it the first iteration of what we now understand as “reality TV”? These questions and many others are discussed as we think through how affected one becomes when “living” in front of […]

This week join Jonathan, Steve, and Andrew as they sit down together to discuss a listener-suggested topic – Lynda Carter’s fifth and final television variety special: Body & Soul (1984). The guys discuss the special within the context of the time period, why Lynda Carter didn’t become a “mega star” even though by the “rules […]

This week Steve sits down with David Valentino who is the SMT (SportsMEDIA Technology) Operations Manager for the Virtual Broadcast of the NFL on CBS. David is one of the original broadcast engineers for PVI Virtual Media Services in the late 20th century and has over thirty years experience in broadcast & cable television, including […]

This week join Jonathan for a special salute to television star Adam West. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on June 29th, 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 Twitter: @tvhistorypod On […]

This week join Jonathan and Steve as they discuss the history of interactive graphics used for sports broadcasts. We delve into the technical aspects of how the system works, reveal some connections Steve has to the technology, and hypothesize about where the future might take us in terms of how we’ll use the technology. Oh, […]

This week join Steve for a special episode that finds him in conversation with Barry Levy (MCC) regarding whether new platforms have killed television or whether they simply represent newer forms of television. Then be sure to stop back two weeks from now on June 1st, 2017 to listen to our next full length episode. […]

This week join Jonathan as he discusses the origin of the television remote control, how it worked and works, and humorously, how it was advertised. Chris Woodford’s wonderful article on how remote controls work: link Daniel Engber’s history of the remote from Slate.com: link Steven Beschloss’s article from The New Yorker: link Then be sure […]

This week join Jonathan and Andrew as they discuss CBS’s recent efforts at colorizing and packaging classic episodes of I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Then the conversation takes a historical turn as Andrew and Jonathan discuss what role black and white plays in our understanding of history […]

This week join Jonathan and Andrew as they discuss the online archives that have been built to TV shows that never existed: the 1963 Fantastic Four series and the late 1970s show Kresky. They discuss the particulars of each of these archives, whether we can classify them as hoaxes, and whether each of these can […]

This week join Jonathan, Andrew, & Steve as Jonathan introduces the potential significance of nostalgia that occurred on U.S. television beginning in the late 1980s. Using the shows The Wonder Years, Quantum Leap, and Dream On as case studies the guys discuss and debate the significance of nostalgia not only for a childhood but a […]

This week join Steve and Jonathan as they continue their discussion of the groundbreaking US sitcom, All In The Family. We discuss it’s transition from All In the Family to Archie Bunker’s Place, what other shows tried to fill the void, what shows today attempt to take on its themes, and whether the show could […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]