It was a Thing on TV: An Anthology on Forgotten Television

The title of this series unintentionally goes deeper than the premise of the show.  It's not easy to keep the kids together after a divorce.  It wasn't necessarily easy to replace two actors who starred in this show's pilot, one of whom passed away to tragic circumstances.  It also wasn't easy for this show going up against two relatively new shows on TV, two favorites from the 1980s.  Certainly, it wasn't easy for one of the show's stars to balance this show with another gig he had at the time.

We had ECW One Night Stand from WWE in 2005, and then WWE did it again in 2006, followed by the blah revival of ECW, so when most of the OG ECW roster jumps from WWE to TNA by 2010, what happens? Dixie Carter decides she'll have her own One Night Stand! WITH BLACKJACK! AND HOOKERS! Greg and Dane look at TNA Hardcore Justice 2010, where they go over dance-offs with the Full Blooded Italians, Raven and Tommy Dreamer having the most cringe hardcore match ever, a lightsaber fight and RVD facing Sabu in the Main Event! Be sure to thank Dixie for this episode everybody, because this wouldn't be possible without her (heavy sarcasm).

In honor of our annual Star Trek Day, we have that moment when Jadzia Dax was an up-and-coming model working for someone whose assistant was Will Riker. Because it's the 80s, it'll be a melodramatic rise to the top. Lucky for her, she's got the world's top teenage fashion model in her corner. We go inside the world of two “Paper Dolls” and why they managed to… fold… so quickly.

College football officially kicked off last week.  Years ago, we looked at what might be the worst Monday Night Football game ever.  20 years ago today (September 5), what might have been the worst college football game between two true collegiate football powerhouses occurred.  Get used to the phrase "three and out."  It is used with frequency this episode. "The game that killed the Golden Era of Miami-Florida State" (Worst Game Ever) (Colton Denning) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5GRxnKbOyY

In honor of the Eagles' start of the defense of their Super Bowl title, Greg and Dane on the SCTM go back to February of 1983 for a big WWF House Show at the Philadelphia Spectrum on PRISM. We got a big 10-Man Tag Team Match featuring Andre the Giant, Superstar Billy Graham, Pedro Morales, Jimmy Snuka, Don Muraco, and others. We also got Bob Backlund defending the WWF title against Big John Studd, along with a fun brawl between The Wild Samoans and the Strongbows for the Tag Team titles! Plus, we also meet our new favorite ring announcer, THE ZINC! COME BACK ZINC! COME BACK!

Over the last 30 plus years, MTV has had some decent cartoons, most notably Beavis and Butthead and Daria.  3-South isn't on that list, but it holds a place in the heart of at least one of us.  Goofy and stupid but with some notable contemporary voice talents, this show might be best known as one of the gigs Brian Dunkleman took after the first season of American Idol.

Continuing from the last episode of the SCTM, Greg and Dane look at the first-ever event held at Chicago's United Center in WWF SummerSlam 1994. Leslie Nielsen will solve the mystery of the two Undertakers while Bret and Owen Hart battle in an epic Steel Cage match for the WWF title. Also, we got Sweetness himself, Walter Payton, helping Razor Ramon regain the Intercontinental title against the now two-belt Big Daddy Cool Diesel! Make sure Anvil isn't sitting behind you during this episode.

Over 5 years and 500 episodes ago, we tried a "concept" episode where Greg read actual titles to episodes of Maury.  (Episode 60, if you want to visit that show.)  We are back with a second compilation from shows which aired after our initial May 2020 episode.  How many ways can Maury's staff describe DNA test episodes?  The answer is 'many.'

In prior episodes, we have talked about the first two iterations of The Joe Schmo Show.  While it is an often funny and unpredictable format, one can't go to the well with that format too often, due to the familiarity of the personnel and the wacky (and suspicious) scenarios which unfold.  After a hiatus of over a decade, the format returned with the same host, the same crazy situations, actors trying to sell their characters, and Lorenzo Lamas?  Wearing next to nothing?!

It's eight days before SummerSlam 1994, and on the latest episode of The SCTM, Greg and Dane look at this USA Network special hyping the PPV. They look at Leslie Nielsen's search for The Undertaker, the possibility of Lex Luger selling out to Ted DiBiase, and Bret Hart fat-shaming Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart. Make sure to eat a Domino's Pizza before you listen to this episode.

You've heard many stories about Elvis… his music, his moves, his crappy movies, but have you listened to the one where he invites Miss Tennessee to a kung fu movie and then starts a relationship? In 1981, Stephanie Zimbalist was the beauty queen, and Don Johnson was her King in a made-for-TV tragedy about the last few years of his life.

In this installment, we have yet another revival whose shelf life was incredibly short.  Was it because of the competition?  Was it because all the major characters were played by new actors?  Was the original series too fresh in the minds of viewers?  No matter the answer, The Case of the Quickly Cancelled Show got a swift verdict from viewers and CBS executives.

Greg and Dane begin their first real-time arc here on The Squared Circle Time Machine as they review a storyline from 1994-95 WCW. It's the August 1994 episode of the Clash of the Champions featuring the big rematch from Bash at the Beach between Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair for the WCW title! But this rematch may be ruined by a man in a mask pulling a Nancy Kerrigan on the Hulkster brother! Can Hogan walk five blocks from the hospital to his match with the Nature Boy in time? We also got Dusty and Dustin Rhodes battling Col. Rob Parker's Stud Stable, along with an epic US title match between Ricky Steamboat and Steve Austin among others!

A long time ago in a galaxy far away, there was a crew of space garbage pickers before previous installment Salvage 1.  (See episode 399.)  NBC aired the pilot episode with little fanfare and little success.  However, something happened within two weeks of the pilot airing which gave NBC a reason to turn this pilot into a full-fledged series, albeit for just a smattering of episodes.

Here is another case of taking a successful movie and turning the general premise into a lackluster TV show.  Though there is no connection between this show and Look Who's Talking, outside of slightly changed names, the similarities are there.  Despite being called the worst show on TV in its first season, the show got a second season and remained bad.

In the newest "Best of", we go back to Episode 82 when the gang covered this ABC drama from Steven Bochco from 2005 that was his big follow-up to "NYPD Blue". It's about a NYC Police Detective who gets shot, he becomes blind, and he solves crimes! That's the show, everybody! But hey, it's the first episode we covered that has future show HoFer Rena Sofer in it! That counts for something, right? RIGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTTTT?

The newest episode of the SCTM looks at a big episode of Smack-Smack-Smack-Smack-Down! It's Stephanie McMahon's first episode as SmackDown GM, and she's booked a big show that features a Steel Cage-Steel Cage-Steel Cage Match between Edge and Chris Jericho-Jericho-Jericho. Also, we got the WWE Debut of Rey Mysterio-Rey Mysterio-Rey Mysterio! And we got the SmackDown debut of The Next Big Thing-The Next Big Thing-The Next Big Thing, Brock Lesnar-Lesnar-Lesnar! But can Stephanie face the specter of Raw GM Eric Bischoff hanging over her head as Eazy E tries to poach talent from her roster?

104 years ago on July 23, one of our favorites, Calvert Deforest AKA Larry "Bud" Melman, was born.  In honor of this milestone, we are watching a VHS release of a workout video for those who think Jazzercise is too strenuous.  Sit back, grab your remote, as well as a cold one and your favorite snack for Larry "Bud" Melman's workout for couch potatoes.

In the latest episode of The Squared Circle Time Machine, we look back at one of the worst pay-per-views of all time in the 1991 Great American Bash from WCW. In this episode, we are joined by HypSports legend RickinBaltimore, who was at the Baltimore Arena in July of 1991, and we get his first-hand perspective on the crowd's reaction to Ric Flair leaving WCW and how they took their anger out during the entire show. We also get some funny stuff, including the debut of Eric Bischoff in WCW, Kevin Nash as Oz, a Scaffold Match with capture the flag rules, and El Gigante coming out to the ring with four little people! "WE WANT FLAIR! WE WANT FLAIR! WE WANT FLAIR!"

In our latest "Best of" we go back to Episode 47 and look at an instructional VHS tape put out in 1997 called "The Kids Guide to the Internet". Take a look at what all the kids in 1997 were doing when putting a web search on Yahoo! All the kids in 1997 wanted to surf to MTV dot com, get their sports scores, write an e-mail to Bill Clinton and watch Mister Ed in a pixelated small QuickTime video surfing!   YOU'RE GOING SURFING ON THE INTERNET!

In 1981, Major League Baseball held its All-Star Game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in Early August following a players' strike which cancelled two months of the season. There was a lot of mystery surrounding the game and how the fans would react to the players upon returning to action. What we got at the 1981 MLB All-Star Game was a lot of exciting action, plus a cameo for Morgana: The Kissing Bandit! It was also the first All-Star Game for several Hall of Famers, including Ozzie Smith and Andre Dawson. Enjoy as we look back on the 1981 MLB All-Star Game.  

One thing all three of us enjoy is a good game of pinball.  With the 50th anniversary of this show happening earlier this week, it was a natural for us to cover this show.  What may have looked good on paper was not, for reasons ranging from the machine often broke down to the physics which made traditional pinball fun were non-existent.

In honor of the cinematic release of the new version of Superman, we look at a pilot that was sort of the spiritual successor to The Adventures of Superman, after its 6 season run.  This is one of those pilots that makes you ask why, between the premise of the pilot, the creepy costumes, and the overall cheapness in quality.  This time, we don't have a dog of a show for you.  We have a superdog!

In honor of the 4th of July, we take a look at the go-home show for Georgia Championship Wrestling on SuperStation WTBS, before their big 4th of July show at the Omni in Atlanta. In this episode, we get to see Tommy Rich, Don Muraco. Paul Orndorff, Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen among others. We also get to see Gordon Solie conduct a face-to-face interview with NWA Champion Ric Flair and WWWF Champion Bob Backlund before their big Champion vs. Champion match at the Omni show. As if that wasn't enough, Greg and Dane also have fun watching all the 1982 commercials during the show. Just be sure you don't have to call a different number in New Jersey when ordering. This episode of Georgia Championship Wrestling is available to watch on YouTube thanks to the Retro Wrestling Archive at this link. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnIVfvwQSB8

This time, we look at another anomaly that got cancelled despite good ratings like Bridget Loves Bernie.  Maybe CBS cooked Goodnight Beantown because the network wanted to go a different route on Sunday nights.  Maybe a single mother having relations with her neighbor/co-worker was a bit too much.  Maybe it's because the penultimate episode ruined sexual tension between the two main characters.  There is no definitive answer in our research.

In our newest edition of "Before the Show", we look at the Italian Bowl in Toledo and a hurdler having multiple wardrobe malfunctions in Segment 1. Then, in Segment 2, we are joined by Chico as we discuss the lack of ticket sales of Hulk Hogan's Real American Wrestling at Cleveland State, along with an update on Greg's progress on "Knots Landing", before talking about the selection of movies on Bounce.

Summer movie season is upon us.  This installment, we look at a very short-lived comedy about an old time movie theater and its cast of high school-aged workers, specifically one employee who dreams of making it big in the movies one day.  The show died a quick death, in part, because it aired, ironically, on a day when many people go to the movies.

First-run syndication in the 1980s was a blessing for numerous sitcoms that might not have gotten a fair shake from the networks--Too Close for Comfort, Mama's Family, Out of This World.  Charles in Charge had a similar fate.  It didn't find enough eyes on CBS, but give it a year and a half, and it would become a comedy staple of the late 80s and early 90s.  Alas, Jamie Widdoes did not make it to the successful syndicated run.

We celebrate the 99th anniversary of Paul Lynde's birth with this effort from the early 70s.  (Lynde didn't join the cast until season 2.)  Hospital hijinks happen with a wacky staff of nurses and orderlies working under a no-nonsense chief of staff.  ABC must have had faith in the show, despite getting beaten in the ratings by multiple top 10 shows in its run.

In honor of the late Steve "Mongo" McMichael and since the official WCW YouTube channel has posted some of the early Nitro's, Greg and Dane look at the fifth episode of WCW Monday Nitro from October of 1995. We go over Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko being so amazing, Kevin Sullivan dressed as a women, Randy Savage's colorful outfits and the Dungeon of Doom shaving off the Hulkster's mustache, brother! Get on a wild ride on The Squared Circle Time Machine.

Pilot Month 2025 comes to a conclusion with this entry about a shopping plaza whose occupants communicate primarily through song and dance.  It sounds like Cop Rock (see Episode 450), but with significantly more singing and music.  The open may give off a different sort of vibe.  Regardless, this oddity is the perfect way to close up the pilot vault for a year.

With AAA and WWE's NXT brand presenting "Worlds Collide" this week, we look at the last time AAA presented a PPV/PLE with that title, as in 1994, they partnered with IWC and WCW to present this PPV event. Greg and Dane in this episode of "The Squared Circle Time Machine", talk about Minis, La Parka, Tito Santana still in his El Matador get-up, the greatness of Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr, and Konnan being a Mexican soap opera star?!  

Mike has some announcements about the future of the podcast.  (No, we're not ending, at least now.)  We hope you embrace some of the forthcoming changes to the podcast.

Before it was a single season wonder on The Disney Channel and way before it became a stalwart on NBC Saturday mornings as Saved by the Bell, Good Morning, Miss Bliss had an aired pilot in summer 1987, with a different focus compared to the later series and an entirely different cast of students, which is a who's who of known actors.  A little retooling, then a little more retooling after the Disney era, and you got a beloved part of the childhoods of most every current 40-something.

Greg and Dane travel the world from New York to London to Paris to Tokyo on this old WWF Coliseum Video VHS, which was recently uploaded to the WWE Vault YouTube channel. We'll see Bret Hart face Dino Bravo, Hulk Hogan face Randy Savage in Paris, and see TEMU Jewel Staite in a pink wig? NOTE: We recorded this episode last Tuesday before AEW Double or Nothing 2025, so for fun, hear our thoughts about how we thought the card was gonna go in the current wrestling discussion at the start.

One of the more successful imports in the 60s and 70s was The Avengers.  An American version was bound to happen, and it did from the genius that was Quinn Martin.  The leads were played by a name mentioned on this podcast a bit the last few weeks, Granville Van Dusen, and Morgan Fairchild.  CBS took a pass, but the Avengers franchise (non-MCU version) lives on to this day.

A couple of years ago, we did an episode about all the guest stars who appeared on "The Love Boat". For Greg's "Money in the Bank", we look at all the guest stars who appeared on Aaron Spelling's other show that featured a variety of guest stars in "Hotel". In this episode we encounter some old podcast favorites and discover some potential new ones! Take a visit to the St. Gregory's in San Francisco as we go through the entire guest list on "Hotel".

Back when we reviewed "Throb" last year, Greg and Chico were reminded of this movie a pre-Fast and the Furious Paul Walker did back in 1998. Two loser surf brothers from Hawaii are sent by their father to Yellowstone, where they are mistaken for park rangers and have to do battle with a paranoid Dennis Hopper doing weird Dennis Hopper things. We probably think this is the first time in Disney+ history that more than one person watched this movie at one time.

In 1999, the World Wrestling Federation and UPN teamed up to give us a network special that would become a regular series later in the fall with WWF SmackDown! Greg and Dane discuss the newly turned face Rock, the Corporate Ministry, X-Pac and Kane, the black wedding with Stephanie, and so so much more. Listen to this episode because later it will be forbidden by The Undertaker, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

In 1983, as Laverne and Shirley came to an end and as Happy Days was wrapping up its run, Garry Marshall came up with this series about high school friends, one of whom became a computer millionaire and the other becoming his assistant.  The show came across as more of a showcase of Michael Richards' brand of physical comedy than anything else.  The best part of this pilot was the ads before and throughout the show.

This week, 40 years ago, the NBA held the first-ever draft lottery in New York City. The seven non-playoff teams from the 1984-85 NBA season watched to see if their team would end up with the services of Georgetown's Patrick Ewing. However, even 40 years later, controversy continues around this event. Did the NBA happen to rig the draft so that the team in the country's largest market could end up with Ewing? Also, we look at how one of the teams that missed out on Ewing ended up scoring big later in the '85 Draft.

The year is 1983.  Game shows are rebounding after going through a tough spell from 1980 through 1982.  Nipsey Russell, a friend of the genre, is in a period of hosting different shows from different genres.  Why not give Nipsey a crack at a game show?  CBS and Mark Goodson Productions did just that with at least 3 pilots.  Unfortunately for Nipsey but fortunately for passionate game show fans, it appears that CBS passed on Star Words, and opted for one of the most popular games in history, Press Your Luck.

25 years after The Saint with Roger Moore first appeared on television, an attempt at a revival was made.  As you might imagine since this is pilot month, the reboot was unsuccessful.  It was the first pilot ever shown on CBS's Summer Playhouse series.  Despite not making past the pilot stage, the show received an overwhelmingly positive review from the home audience.

In honor of Mother's Day, Greg and Dane go back 30 years to when the WWF on Mother's Day held the first of a series of budget PPV's. Not only that but the WWF as part of the lead-up to the show advertised that they were giving away a house in Florida to one lucky fan! Make sure Dok Hendrix gets a tee time at the golf course because remember It's Live Pal!

With the new season of Doctor Who happening right now on Disney+ and the BBC, we look back at one of our earliest episodes in 2020 when we looked at when Doctor Who did a special crossover with EastEnders in honor of the 30th Anniversary of Doctor Who. Also, Noel Edmonds is involved for some reason.

Pilot month resumes with this entry about a lawyer who has a habit of having panic attacks while litigating cases.  The cast was loaded.  It had potential.  Unfortunately, beyond panic attacks, this show had an identity crisis and did not make NBC's fall schedule in 2010.

Yesterday, May the Fourth have been with you.  Because of the unofficial holiday, this installment will cover a facet of the Star Trek universe.  (How many of you checked out after that intentional faux pas?)  The Ewoks were the breakout stars of the 3rd released movie of the Star Wars franchise, while droids were a big part of the series from the start.  Combine the two in separate Saturday morning cartoon franchises, and that means kids will want the toys, adding gobs of money into several coffers.  The cartoons themselves?  Typical disposable Saturday morning fare.

In the newest edition of "The Squared Circle Time Machine" Greg and Dane return to an old WWF Coliseum Home Video recently uploaded onto the WWE Vault YouTube channel. Paul Bearer in this VHS tape selects some of his favorite matches while giving us a tour of an old theater where he and The Undertaker hang out. Also, we get Stan Lane and Gorilla Monsoon not giving two f**ks who's watching this tape!

It's the start of our annual Pilot Month and we're starting off with a pilot two of the three of us didn't see much of, so one of us took one for the team.  There's a kids show with a lion puppet and Marcia Gay Harden is involved.  That's about all we cared for.  It was a CBS Summer Playhouse entry, so it was earmarked for failure.  We promise it gets better from here.

It's our fourth annual Hall of Fame class here at "It Was a Thing on TV" and we induct 17 worthy inclusions to our Hall. They include a non-human, a former James Bond, and someone who wants to know what was in that danish.

None of us take responsibility for selecting this show and putting it on our schedule, which must say how bad this show is.  Two ex-cons produce a TV show about protecting people from scams, which makes sense; who'd know more about the scamming business than two reformed ex-cons?  This show's shelf life was very short and for obvious reasons.  At least a young Marg Helgenberger is in this.