Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast

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Inside the Box: The TV History podcast discusses a particular era, innovation, trend, or program and spends an episode discussing it. Hosted by Jonathan Bullinger, Andrew Salvati, and Steve Voorhees, they apply their scholarly work in media studies to provide the history of TV, critique it at times,…

Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast


    • Jan 17, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 99 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast

    Episode 97: Encore Presentation of Our Interview with Newton Minow

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 54:53


    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.

    Episode 96: Animated Holiday Music Videos

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2021 50:31


    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.

    Episode 95: Pyramids to Ourselves

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2021 41:32


    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.

    Episode 94: Sticking with the Stars You Know: Memory Bubbles, Persistent Nostalgia, and Dead Celebrities

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2021 49:28


    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.

    Episode 93: John Belushi Documentary and Forgotten History

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 55:29


    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.

    Episode 92: Sports Docs and Binge Watching with Dr. Emil Steiner

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 58:23


    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.

    Episode 91: The Conjectural Bruce Lee with Dr. Brian Hu

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2021 51:17


    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)?

    Episode 90: Sports Documentaries & Nostalgia with Dr. Branden Buehler

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 39:18


    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.

    Episode 89: NFL Films & NFL Network with Travis Vogan

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 37:14


    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.

    Episode 88: Trailer for Our New Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 7:27


    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.

    Episode 91: Interview with Paula Finn & Ken Estin (Part II)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2018 49:37


    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 […]

    Episode 90: Couldn’t Stay Away: Interview with Paula Finn & Ken Estin (Part I)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2018 48:59


    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, […]

    Episode 89: Unexpected Endings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2018 19:27


    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, & […]

    Episode 88: Encore Presentation of The DuMont Network (1946-1956) (Ep. 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2018 37:42


    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 […]

    Episode 87: Encore Presentation of TV During WW2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 40:54


    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 […]

    Episode 86: Does SNL Use More Guest Stars?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2018 29:20


    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 […]

    Episode 85: Nostalgia & Reality TV

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2018 27:17


    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 […]

    Episode 84: Encore Presentation of Episode 03: AFL in the ’60s

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2018 74:55


    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 […]

    Episode 83: Athlete Cartoons

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 29:28


    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 […]

    Episode 82: Encore Presentation of Episode 05: Depictions of ’60s Youth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2018 40:46


    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 […]

    Episode 81: Composer Jesse Frederick

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2018 23:55


    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 […]

    Episode 80: Shows That Changed Their Premises Mid-Season

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2018 33:19


    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. […]

    Episode 79 – Why Is John Candy Forgotten?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2018 31:16


    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 […]

    Episode 78 – Encore Presentation of Mr. Rogers (ep. 28)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2018 60:54


    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 […]

    Episode 77 – Jerry Seinfeld, A Way Too Early Historical Assessment

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2018 48:46


    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 […]

    Episode 76: Pop Music On TV

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2018 39:12


    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 […]

    Episode 75: Encore Presentation of The Star Wars Holiday Special (Ep. 24)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2017 113:21


    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 […]

    Episode 74: When Budgets Are Slashed

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2017 39:37


    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 […]

    Episode 73: The Dana Carvey Show (1996)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2017 50:40


    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 […]

    Episode 72: Gail Patrick Jackson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2017 32:00


    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 […]

    Episode 71: Robert Guillaume Appreciation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2017 30:26


    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: […]

    Episode 70: Political History of Saturday Night Live

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2017 27:13


    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 […]

    Episode 69: Blacke’s Magic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2017 62:00


    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 […]

    Episode 68: Pat Weaver

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2017 48:07


    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. […]

    Episode 67: Interview with Gary Edgerton about Ken Burns

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2017 43:54


    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: […]

    Episode 66: The Betamax Case

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2017 52:01


    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 […]

    Episode 65: The USA Network

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2017 53:32


    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 […]

    Episode 64: An American Family (1973)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2017 60:11


    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 […]

    Episode 63: Lynda Carter Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2017 45:52


    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 […]

    Episode 62: Sports Virtual Broadcast Technology

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2017 54:39


    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 […]

    Episode 61: Adam West Salute

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2017 39:32


    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 […]

    Episode 60: Sports Interactive Graphics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2017 48:07


    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, […]

    Episode 59: Is TV Dead?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2017 46:50


    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. […]

    Episode 58: The Remote Control

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2017 22:47


    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 […]

    Episode 57: Colorization of TV

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2017 34:03


    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 […]

    Episode 56: TV Shows That Never Existed

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2017 41:14


    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 […]

    Episode 55: Late ’80s Boomer Nostalgia on/for TV

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2017 50:18


    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 […]

    Episode 54: All In The Family, Part 02

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2017 40:16


    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 […]

    Episode 54: All In The Family, Part 01

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2017 35:07


    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 […]

    Episode 53: MacGyver

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2017 50:22


    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 […]

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2017 48:46


    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 […]

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