Shows
Battle of the Network ShowsList-O-Rama: Forgotten ShowsFor this bonus episode, Rick used a set of strict criteria to compile a list of 10 forgotten shows from the BOTNS era. Instead of short-lived shows, though, he chose long-running, relatively successful shows that have little to no home video, streaming, or syndication presence these days. Join us to find out the 10 "winners" and to see if any of your favorite shows made the list. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #forgottenshows #list Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.co...
2024-11-0727 minBattle of the Network ShowsBounty or PalmoliveIn the seventies and eighties, two stars of screen and stage also graced our televisions in long-running ad campaigns, offering their advice and years of wisdom to to America. Nancy Walker played Rosie the Bounty paper towels lady, and Jan Miner played Madge the Palmolive dish soap lady. In this bonus game, Mike quizzes Rick on their careers and lives outside of those ad campaigns. Who worked with the Village People? Who once played Della Street? Who appeared in a terrible movie with nearly every actor in Hollywood? #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #games #nancywalker #janminer #bounty...
2024-10-1013 minBattle of the Network ShowsTV Guide Card GameUsing a set of trading card-sized reproductions of TV Guide covers, we wing our way through a new game, The TV Guide Card Game. Like baseball cards, each card features stats and trivia on the back, and Rick uses that to see if Mike can guess the cover subjects. Play along and maybe learn some "fun facts" about some of your favorite BOTNS-era shows! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #games #tvguide #trivia
2023-09-2117 minBattle of the Network ShowsList-o-rama: Battle of the Network NetworksFor this week's very special oversized bonus episode, Rick and Mike dig deep into their memories and pick their favorite networks for each TV season from the 1980s. ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and eventually the fledgling Fox Network all get at shot at the title, but wil one come out victorious? #podcast #tv #retrotv #eighties #list #networks #nbc #abc #cbs #pbs #fox
2023-08-1744 minBattle of the Network ShowsTV Guide Game 1982 EditionThis week, we return to a game we've been playing since the beginning of the podcast: The TV Guide Game! Rick digs into his vast collection of old TV Guides and tries to guess what Mike would watch on a particular night in 1982. Pull out your copy of TV Gude from the between the couch cushions and play along! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #tvguide #tvguidegame #games
2023-07-2017 minBattle of the Network ShowsDennis the MenaceWhat do two Mr. Wilsons, a living mannequin, and Mark Twain have in common? Would you believe Dennis the Menace? We peel back the layers of the various Dennisverses to try to find what makes the tyrannical tyke's dark heart tick. Well, we look at a wild episode of the 1980s animated version and throw in the late '50s, early '60s live action version for good measure, and, yes, that includes a living mannequin, Mark Twain, and a couple Mr. Wilsons. Plus, Mike ranks the menace level of the various Dennises. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #e...
2023-07-061h 09Battle of the Network ShowsABC's A Star-Spangled CelebrationIn 1987, ABC celebrated Independence Day by combining an evening of variety with a rally for literacy. Oprah and Robert Urich host from St. Louis as the likes of Suzanne Somers, Yakov Smirnoff, Barbara Mandell, Atlantic Starr, and a choir of 500 singers entertain from across the country. In between, filmed segments show the different ways America celebrates and provide testimonials from adults who've recently learned to read. If that weren't enough, the wife of the vice president makes an appearance! Rick and Mike break it all down and reveal a little of Rick's carny past. #podcast #tv #retrotv #s...
2023-06-291h 04Battle of the Network ShowsHart to HartIn a "Rear Windowesque" moment, Jonathan Hart witnesses a possible mur-DAH. Then in his rush to stop it, he collides with a moped and gets...AMNESIA. Sure, he remembers how to hail a cab, how to dress to the nines, how to live a life of luxury, but he doesn't remember his wife Jennifer, his loyal aide-de-camp Max, his dog Freeway, or the mur-DAH. How will this calamity affect the Harts' marriage, Max's access to sporting events, and Freeway's access to the couch? Will they solve the mur-DAH? Will Jonathan have to collide with another moped to cure his...
2023-06-221h 19Battle of the Network ShowsThe All-New GameRick has long espoused the theory that adding "new," "all-new," "brand-new," etc. to the title of a show never works creatively or commercially. This week with the help of the BOTNS Games Lab (TM), we put that to the test in more ways than one as he runs Mike through the paces of "The All-New Game"! Ccan he distinguish shows that had "new" versions from those that didn't? #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #games #new
2023-06-1515 minBattle of the Network ShowsFame Game 10Will Mike's Fame Game hot streak continue, or will it all fall part? Plus, what do "Slylock Fox," the stone age, produce, and bowling balls all have in common? They appear in this episode! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #games #famegame
2022-07-2822 minBattle of the Network ShowsTV Guide Game: August, 1977Our Facebook Group voted on a year to cover in our long-running TV Guide Game feature. They ended up in a two-way tie, so this week, we return to the BOTNS Vaults and pull out a TV Guide from 1977. Disney, the Hardy Boys, Ethel Merman, a BOTNS theoretical favorite, and more vie for Mike's viewership. Can Rick guess what he would watch, and if he does, will he celebrate in Jim Crockett's Victory Garden? #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #tvguide #tvguidegame
2022-07-0718 minBattle of the Network ShowsIt's Garry Shandling's ShowThis is the one about Garry's Show. In "Go Go Goldblum," Garry Shandling (Garry Shandling) and Jeff Goldblum (Jeff Goldblum) find themselves in quite the pickle. Rick (Rick) and Mike (Mike), on the other hand, don't have any trouble heaping praise on the underappreciated gem It's Garry Shandling's Show. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #itsgarryshandlingsshow #garryshandling #jeffgolodblum.
2022-06-2351 minBattle of the Network ShowsMy Favorite Martin"Imagine if you will a pyramid of Martins." What could this mean? The wizards in the BOTNS Game Labs have done it again, that's what! Can Mike guess the BOTNS-era celebrity Martins (first or last name) and build the pyramid, or will the pyramid crumble like so many misplaced bricks? #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #game #myfavoritemartin #martin
2022-06-0918 minBattle of the Network ShowsFame Game 9We take a break from our regularly scheduled programming to bring you another round of the Fame Game, where Mike has to guess a famous personality (real or fictional) from the BOTNS era based on a series of clues. Will his hot streak continue, or will he crash and burn? Find out! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #game #famegame #bonusepisode
2022-05-1212 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Easter Bunny is Comin' To TownIn our Season 10 opener, Sunny The Easter Bunny braves a grouchy bear, a grouchy duchess, and more to spread joy to the dismal Town. Yet again, Rankin-Bass manage to consolidate and convolute holiday traditions into a single mythology, and yet again Rick and Mike do their best to make sense of it all. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #easter #easterbunny #fredastaire #rankinbass #holidayspecial #seasonpremiere
2022-04-211h 01Battle of the Network ShowsCatching Up, Looking Ahead, and MoreWith season 9 and the BATTYs in the rearview mirror but always in their hearts, Rick and Mike catch up on life and some BOTNS-era viewing and look ahead at season 10. Plus a bonus Fame Game. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties
2022-03-1737 minBattle of the Network ShowsAlice "Mel's Recession"In a season two episode of the long-lived Alice, diner owner Mel receives bad news from his accountant and decides he has to give one of the waitresses "the sack." In the ensuing struggle to keep their jobs, the ladies all end up at Mel's fortress of slobitude. We dive into this, the characters' transition from the big screen to the small screen, and Rick's mild obsession with the show.
2021-07-151h 03Battle of the Network ShowsThe TV Guide Game March 30, 1981This week, we go back 40 years for the TV Guide game to March 30, 1981, when a major historical event disrupted the TV schedule. Rick tries to guess what Mike would have watched from the originally planned schedule, and we ponder a number important questions raised by the schedule and the day's events.
2021-03-3026 min
Battle of the Network ShowsMichael Learned or Michael LernerIn the grand tradition of Patrick Simmons or Gary Sandy, we proudly present another unique podcast game when Mike asks Rick to determine whether Ma Walton herself Michael Learned or venerable character actor Michael Lerner fits a given trivia question. Is Rick learned enough to face the challenge?
2021-03-1109 minBattle of the Network ShowsFame Game 7When last we played The Fame Game, Mike secured a victory after the previous "Ruth Buzzi Fiasco." Can he turn that victory into a streak, or will the ghosts of previous losses once again haunt him? Find out now when Rick puts Mike through another round of The Fame Game!
2021-02-1806 minBattle of the Network ShowsA Preview of Things to Come: Season 8This week, we give you a quick preview of our upcoming season 8, which premieres Thursday, September 24, 2020. We also tell you where else you can hear Rick and Mike, and we somehow manage to work Jeffrey Scott and Kenny Rogers into the discussion.
2020-09-1708 minBattle of the Network ShowsFame Game SixIt's time for another round of everybody's favorite TV-related game The Fame Game. This time, Mike tries to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Also, as a PSA, we plea for proper treatment of produce.
2020-08-1313 minBattle of the Network ShowsCatching UpBetween an intended break between seasons and the state of the world in 2020, we've taken a longer hiatus than expected. This week, we catch up on the state of the show, the state of the hosts, and the state of the Season 7 BATTYS. We also talk about some of the TV we've watched during lockdown.
2020-07-3029 minBattle of the Network ShowsFame Game: Round FiveWe return for another exciting round of the Fame Game! Will Mike be able to guess this week's BOTNS-era celebrity, character, or possibly location, or will he go down trying? Plus, what have Bobby and the BOTNS Orchestra been up to? Find out this week!
2020-04-3011 minBattle of the Network ShowsList-o-rama: Action Figure Wish ListWhile shows ranging from Transformers all the way to M*A*S*H had action figures during the BOTNS era, plenty didn't, so we offer up a double-decker wish list. First, we look at toys we would have wanted as kids at the time. Then we list toys based on the era we'd love to have now. Join us for all the action and play along with your BOTNS action figures!
2020-04-1641 minBattle of the Network ShowsTransformers: "Auto-Bop" and "Prime Target"Nothing screams the eighties more than break dancing and transforming robots. You wouldn't expect to find them in the same place, but "Auto-Bop" does just that as Blaster and Tracks help some break dancers stop the Decepticons from hypnotizing patrons of Club Dancetron in order to build an office building. Plus, a big game hunter and his immortal butler try to capture Optimus Prime!
2020-03-191h 40Battle of the Network ShowsBattle of the Network PromosBack in the seventies and eighties, the big three networks used elaborate promotional campaigns involving memorable slogans, catchy jingles, celebrity appearances, and everything from picnics to fantasy sequences to hot air balloon rides. This week, we pit some of these campaigns against each other in a heated, yet celebratory competition.
2020-03-121h 14Battle of the Network ShowsSoap "Pilot"Part soap opera parody, part socially relevant comedy, Soap broke new ground in the late seventies and early eighties, stirring up controversy months before it ever aired. Writer Susan Harris and and a stellar cast covered everything from feminism to gay rights to ventriloquism. Confused? You won't be after listening to this episode of Battle of the Network Shows.
2020-03-051h 16Battle of the Network ShowsThe Beachcombers "Blue Plate Special"This week, we head north to Canada to take a look at venerable institution The Beachcombers. In "Blue Plate Special," Nick and the gang to save local cafe Molly's Reach from getting bulldozed for condos. Meanwhile ne'er-do-well Relic tries to sabotage their efforts from the inside so that the can profit from them later.
2020-02-2753 minBattle of the Network ShowsCharo!Charo! World-renowned flamenco guitarist! Charo! Frequent guest on the Love Boat! Charo! Mysterious! Charo! We couldn't do a podcast about seventies and eighties TV and not eventually talk about Charo! In this case, we talk about her 1976 variety special with bandleader Frank DeVol and special guest star Mike "Mannix" Connors! Say it with us one more time. Charo!
2020-02-2047 minBattle of the Network ShowsEpisode 7-7: Doctor Who "Genesis of the Daleks"We travel through time and space with the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker), Sarah, and Harry as they try to stop the genesis of the Daleks at the hands of Davros. He's quite mad, you know? We also do our best to understand a little of the history of the Doctor Who phenomenon.
2020-02-131h 37Battle of the Network ShowsMurder, She Wrote "Murder Takes the Bus"On a dark and stormy night, America's favorite mystery writer/amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher takes a bus ride with a bevy of guest stars. While they hole up in a roadside restaurant, a passenger gets murdered, and everyone's a suspect (except Jessica and Amos natch). Whodunnit? Whydunnit? Will Jessica figure it out, or will they all fall victim one by one? Most importantly, will they make it to the Sheriff's Conference in time for Amos to get some potato soup? Let the man have his potato soup!
2020-02-061h 00Battle of the Network ShowsSpider-Woman "Pyramids of Doom"If you ever wanted to watch a cartoon featuring a spider-powered heroine who also runs a magazine with her know-it-all nephew and sexist photographer as they face off against space mummies, travel the world in seconds, and make Spider-Man look like a dope, then we have the cartoon for you! 1979's Spider-Woman cartoon, based on the Marvel character of the same name, has literally everything...in the first episode "Pyramids of Doom."
2020-01-3053 minBattle of the Network ShowsHead of the Class and What a CountryThe classroom provides the settings and the Cold War provides the backdrops of these two mid-eighties sitcoms. In Head of the Class, the IHP team faces off a with a team of Russians, and Eric struggles between dueling pulls of cooldom and nerddom. Across the country, Yakov Smirnoff and a band of would-be citizens learn to become good Americans, and one learns that the path to love might lie in remaining true to himself rather than playing it hep. Plus, Yakov raps.
2020-01-231h 11Battle of the Network Shows3-2-1 Contact "Light/Dark: The Electromagnetic Spectrum"We here at BOTNS don't just want to entertain. We want to educate, especially for our vaunted 2- 11-year-old demo, and what better way to educate than to talk about classic kids science show "3-2-1 Contact" talking about light by going behind the scenes at a KISS concert?
2020-01-1642 minBattle of the Network ShowsPray For the WildcatsWe dive into the wild world of made-for-TV movies with a real whopper, Pray For the Wildcats. Ad men William Shatner, Robert Reed, and Marjoe Gortner try to seal the deal on a campaign by taking a dirt bike trip across Baja with a malevolent Andy Griffith! Plus Angie Dickinson!
2020-01-091h 12Battle of the Network ShowsMiami Vice "Smuggler's Blues"Season 7 launches with an explosive start as we delve into quintessential eighties drama Miami Vice! Guns, cars, boats, airplanes, swagger, fashion, music, explosions, weird dancing kids, Glenn Frey, Richard Jenkins--this one has it all and then some! Crockett and Tubbs go undercover to Colombia to buy some drugs to stop a kidnapper/murderer in Miami. We think.
2020-01-021h 27Battle of the Network ShowsYogi Bear's All-Star Comedy Christmas CaperWe celebrate the holidays with Yogi Bear and the gang as they try to cheer up a little girl in a jam-packed 23 minutes. How will the big city react to bears on its streets? Will Yogi find any pic-i-nic basket? How much does Augie Doggie really love his Doggie Daddy? How many Hanna-Barbera characters show up? Do we discover the true meaning of Even?
2019-12-1956 minBattle of the Network ShowsList-o-rama: Comics That Should Have Had TV ShowsAdapting comics into TV and movies has become all the rage in Hollywood. Well, we have our own suggestions for comics that should have become shows in the BOTNS era!
2019-12-1229 minBattle of the Network ShowsTV Guide Game: June 7-13, 1986We start to ramp up for season 7 with another round of the TV Guide Game, this time from the summer of '86! When school lets out and the sun stays out longer, what better way to spend your time than in front of the tube? This game includes such luminaries Jack Klugman, John Stamos, Valerie Harper, and two "Seinfeld" dads!
2019-11-2819 minBattle of the Network ShowsBATTY AwardsLive on tape from Tommy Westphall's snow globe, it's the Season 6 BATTY Awards! Join Rick and Mike as the stars vie for top awards like: Best Show, Best Episode, and Outstanding Performance by a Non-human! It all happens!! on theSeason 6 BATTY Awards!
2019-10-172h 17Battle of the Network ShowsGary Sandy or Patrick SimmonsOn our recent "What's Happening!!" episode, Mike suggested that WKRP actor Gary Sandy and Doobie Brother Patrick Simmons share an uncanny resemblance. Now he puts Rick to the test to see if he can differentiate between Sandy or Simmons, and we learn a few things along the way!
2019-10-1015 minBattle of the Network ShowsWhat's Happening!! "Doobie or not Doobie Parts 1 and 2"We take it to the streets in our season 6 finale with a real Doobie--er, doozy. Join us as we groove to the infamous Rerun bootlegs the Doobie Brothers episodes of What's Happening!! Does it live up to memory or play a bit like a poorly recorded bootleg of a major rock act in a high school gym? We'll let you know, but how can you go wrong with laughter's the best medicine and music is the doctor?
2019-08-221h 05Battle of the Network ShowsSt. Elsewhere "Close Encounters"This week, we return to Boston and travel to the very center of the Tommy Westphall Universe to talk about classic hospital drama St. Elsewhere. Betty White pays a visit to investigate the condition of an astronaut, Denzel Washington and Alfre Woodard get cozy, an amnesiac decides he's Mary Richards...much to the consternation of "The Bob Newhart Show's" Mr. Carlin.
2019-08-151h 15Battle of the Network ShowsLegends of the SuperheroesLong before the Avengers assembled on the silver screen, the Arrowverse filled the CW schedule, or Netflix canceled the Defenders, NBC and Hanna-Barbera gathered some of DC Comics' greatest heroes and villains for a live-action TV event, and they chose the most obvious setting...the comedy variety special. 1960s Batman stars Adam West, Burt Ward, and Frank Gorshion join various standups, comedic actors, and unknowns in one of the oddest curiosities of the 1970s. Also, BOTNS fav Ed McMahon!
2019-08-081h 22Battle of the Network ShowsAutoman "Murder MTV"Someone might kill an up-and-coming pop star (Laura Branigan) unless Walter and Automan stop them. Along the way, Automan straps on a holographic guitar and rocks out. Why? It's the eighties, baby! Why else?
2019-08-0156 minBattle of the Network ShowsJem and the Holograms "The Jem Jam" Parts 1 and 2In another listener poll, our listeners chose eighties cartoon Jem and the Holograms. We chose two episodes promising appearances by stand-ins for some of the biggest acts of the eighties. Can you guess the real identities of the likes Roland Owens, Luna Dark, Johnny Deacon, Ron Cox, and the mysterious Lina Lerner? Also, some of the Starlight girls have some issues--including Vietnam flashbacks--the Misfits cause trouble, and bears bear!
2019-07-251h 24Battle of the Network ShowsMoonlighting "My Fair David"Fed up with David's antics--limbo party, anyone--Maddie challenges him to act like an adult for a week. Will he, or won't he? Also, some guy gets kidnapped or something. Plus, we put on our own detective hats and try to answer whether the "will they, or won't they?" aspect of the show truly caused its demise?
2019-07-181h 06Battle of the Network Shows6-6: Greatest Sports Legends Terry Bradshaw and Bob UeckerThis week, we look back at an unofficial TV genre, weekend dad TV, the kind of show that might fill the gap between the early game and the late game. Greatest Sports Legends combines interviews and documentary footage to cover the great athletes of the day. In a typical episode, Willie Stargell interviews Terry Bradshaw. Then an atypical episode parodies the show buy focusing on legendary bad player, raconteur, announcer, and actor Bob Uecker.
2019-07-1151 minBattle of the Network ShowsGrowing Pains "Thank God It's Friday" and "This Is Your Life"This week, we take a long, hard look two episodes of our Eighties Family Sitcom listener poll winner Growing Pains. In "Thank God It's Friday," Mike faces a tough decision when he finds himself at a cocaine (cocaine?!) party! Then a tonsillectomy sends Ben on a long, strange trip that includes the Skipper and a stunning heel turn by Danny Cooksey! Pull on your favorite pastel baggy sweater and cozy up to your hi-fi for Growing Pains.
2019-07-041h 21Battle of the Network ShowsDonahue "The Clean Up TV Campaign"Is the caller there? Is the caller fed up with filthy TV? Well find out how people felt in 1981 as silver-haired TV talk legend Phil Donahue talks to Pastor John Hurt of the Clean Up TV Campaign and Chicago TV critic Gary Deeb. What shows did 1980s churchgoers find the most offensive? How did the Campaign actually want to clean up TV? What did the studio audience think? Plus which BOTNS favorite does Gary Deeb call a "toilet show"?
2019-06-2757 minBattle of the Network ShowsHardcastle and McCormick "Killer B's"Start your ignition, rev your engine, put the pedal to the metal, and accelerate into a high-octane episode full of high-octane action, high-octane bickering, and high-octane Buddy Ebsen! Our spark plugs are firing on all cylinders as we pull one of those sweet spin aroundy moves and, um, hydroplane into "Hardcastle and McCormick." Yeah, we’re car guys. So what?
2019-06-2052 minBattle of the Network ShowsSuper Station WTBSThis week, we break format to look back at the original cable super station WTBS, including Mike's memories of it as the cool independent channel in Atlanta, Rick's memories of it on cable in Pennsylvania, an overview of its influence on the TV landscape, a discussion of the mercurial Ted Turner, plus talk of the America's Team the Atlanta Braves, wrasslin', and of course the programming from cartoons to WTBS' early attempts at original content. We also check out short-lived sketch comedy show "Tush."
2019-06-131h 08Battle of the Network ShowsCheers "Power Play" and "The Heart is a Lonely Snipehunter"We start season six with one of the all-time greats, exploring the Diane years of "Cheers." First, Sam and Diane finally give in to their feelings, only things take a little longer to get going that Sam hoped. Then Diane meddles on behalf of Frasier, getting him invited on a fishing trip that turns into a snipe hunt for the haughty shrink.
2019-06-061h 16Battle of the Network ShowsTV Shows That Should Have Had Comic BooksBack in the BOTNS era and before, many TV shows had licensed comic book adaptations, but many more didn’t. Rick and Mike pick five each that should have had their own comic, suggest possible details like look and format, and Mike even offers to write some of them! Join us for this mixed media adventure.
2019-03-2833 minBattle of the Network ShowsGolden Girls Mad Libs Volume 1In this week's bonus episode, we play a couple rounds of Golden Girls Mad Libs, combining two of podcasting's biggest trends -- grammar and senior citizens. We learn a little about parts of speech, the girls themselves, and maybe, just maybe ourselves.
2019-02-2817 minBattle of the Network ShowsThat Time We Met Robert PineThis week, we talk about a recent opportunity we had to meet the great Robert Pine, patron saint of Battle of the Network Shows! Then to sweeten the deal, we offer an encore presentation of our "Lowenbrau" episode, featuring one Robert Pine!
2019-02-1440 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Season 5 BATTY AwardsJoin us on the Astral Plane as we celebrate season 5 of Battle of the Network Shows with the Season 5 BATTY Awards! Will classics like MASH, Hill Street Blues, and The Jeffersons run away with the awards, or will a dark horse or two emerge victorious, could a wooden plank win an award, and what's that floating above Rick's head? All this and more on the Season 5 BATTY Awards from the Astral Plane.
2019-01-311h 54Battle of the Network ShowsSaturday Night Live with Ray CharlesSeason 5 draws to a close with Saturday Night Live and the Not Ready for Primetime Players. Ray Charles serves as host and musical guest, making for a unique episode, and we get into the value of SNL then, later, and even now, and we even attempt a couple impressions of impressions. Also, thanks to our listeners for voting for this one.
2019-01-031h 10Battle of the Network ShowsWhen Things Were Rotten and Best of the WestThis week, we take a look at two forgotten sitcoms, the Mel Brooks Robin Hood spoof “When Things Were Rotten” and early eighties oater “Best of the West.” Along the way, we meet some old friends, encounter another take on Who’s on First, and get into a heated exchange about “Alias.”
2018-12-2757 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Meet DraculaLong before cinematic shared universes were a thing, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, shared rotating weeks of "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries," and met each other on screen in a series of crossovers. They also met Dracula! Or maybe someone pretending to be Dracula! Suspects include Paul Williams, Lorne Green, and the mayor of Transylvania.
2018-12-201h 21Battle of the Network ShowsThe Jeffersons "A Case of Black and White" and "The House That George Built" After George airs his feelings about mixed marriages, he has to engage in full-on farce to save a business deal. Years later, a near-death experience leads him to open a museum...about himself.
2018-12-131h 02Battle of the Network ShowsHill Street Blues "Spotlight on Rico"This week, we delve into the gritty, chaotic, groundbreaking Hill Street Blues. We hit all the important topics: the large cast of character actors, the serialized storytelling, the classic theme song, and the mustaches. Guest stars include Dennis Franz, Jonathan Banks, a robot, and Sonny Crockett?!
2018-12-061h 14Battle of the Network ShowsBJ and the Bear "Cain's Cruiser"Trucker B.J. McKay and his best pal Bear, a chimp, face off with Sheriff Cain and his supercar...designed and built by one Erin Gray. We dig deep into this one, speculate on its role as the possible secret origin of Knight Rider, and pitch our own trucker show Truckstop Lawyer.
2018-11-291h 09Battle of the Network ShowsThe Waltons "The Thanksgiving Story"After your Thanksgiving feast, gather round the radio for a BOTNS-style Thanksgiving with The Waltons. This one has everything you'd want from Thanksgiving: family, turkey hunting, romance, moonshine, a pageant, test taking, and a major head injury. Plus, we speculate on the comics in John-Boy's self-published regional newspaper.
2018-11-221h 08Battle of the Network ShowsCharlie's Angels "Lady Killer"In a perfect BOTNS-era plot, Charlie's Angels (original class) go undercover at "men's" magazine "Feline" to stop a murderer from killing more centerfolds. Jill (Farrah Fawcett) might even have to become a centerfold! Guest stars include BATTY award winner Hugh O'Brian and the great Alan Fudge!
2018-11-1557 minBattle of the Network ShowsHee HawOur listeners voted again, and we listened. Pick and grin with us as we discuss two episodes of country variety classic "Hee Haw," featuring Freddy Fender, Melba Montgomery, Johnny Cash, and La Costa. Crank up the laugh track, let the banjo licks fly, and don't let the fence hit you on the way out. Plus, we hear an extra-special "Hee Haw" story from one our listeners.
2018-11-081h 22Battle of the Network ShowsDr. StrangeWhen a giant puppet head and Lucille Bluth try to break down the barriers between dimensions, only one man has the prescription and mustache to stop them--Dr. Strange, Sorcerer Supreme.
2018-11-011h 07Battle of the Network ShowsHalloween is Grinch NightListen to us yammer and yack about this lost gem of the small screen. The Grinch and Halloween? Has anyone ever seen such a scene?! We give you the why, the where, the Who, the when, and maybe if you're lucky the to what extent! Let's have a good time, let's make a good rhyme, let's have a little fright but try to keep it light, for Halloween is Grinch Night!
2018-10-2546 minBattle of the Network ShowsMASH: TuttleWe start season 5 with a true classic--MASH! To give supplies to a local orphanage, Hawkeye invents Captain Tuttle, but his best laid plans turn into a madcap scramble when Burns wants to meet the mysterious Tuttle.
2018-10-181h 07Battle of the Network ShowsThe Fame Game Four: Shooting for .500After a crushing defeat in the last Fame Game, Mike returns to the hot seat to see if he can guess another BOTNS-era performer, personality, or character and get his record up to 2-2, plus an astounding amount of "Caroline in the City" discussion.
2018-10-1113 minBattle of the Network ShowsReboots, Remakes, and Returns: Magnum P.I.Following up on a recent bonus episode, we take a little time to discuss the pilot of the Magnum P.I. remake. Mike saw it, Rick didn't, so he asks some questions, and Mike offers some answers about the most important topics: mustaches, mustaches, and mustaches.
2018-10-0413 minBattle of the Network ShowsSeason 4 BATTY Awards: BATTYs in SpaceLive on data tapes from Theta Station, it's the Season Four BATTYs...in...space! Join the stars in the stars as they vie for the most prestigious awards this side of Neptune! Ooh and even ahh at the latest high-fashion jumpsuits! Thrill at the competition of space push ball! Learn lessons about camping in space with Barry White! Most of all, root for your favorite stars in your favorite categories like best performance by a non-human, best episode, and of course best facial hair!
2018-09-201h 51Battle of the Network ShowsReboots, Remakes, and ReturnsAfter recent announcements of possible ALF and Facts of Life reboots, we asked members of our Facebook group what reboots, remakes, or returns of seventies or eighties shows they'd like to see. We break those down and offer a few suggestions of our own, plus a tale of Ray Liotta.
2018-09-0632 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Fame Game 3Can you solve the identity of this week's mysterious BOTNS-era individual before Mike does? With Turtle Wax and his reputation on the line, will Mike even solve it? Find out on the Fame Game!
2018-08-3011 minBattle of the Network ShowsList-o-rama: Kids, Tykes, Moppets, and UrchinsNothing quite says a show has grown long in the tooth quite like the addition of a new "cute" kid. Groan along, as we break down the worst of the worst from the seventies and eighties
2018-08-2334 minBattle of the Network ShowsTV Guide Game: Wednesday, January 14, 1987The TV Guide game returns as Rick dives into his vast collection of vintage TV Guide issues and tries to guess what shows Mike would have watched. This time, we go back to January, 14, 1987, and find out what Mike and Richmond, Virginia, might have watched. Keep an ear out for past BOTNS favorites Tom Selleck and Connie Sellecca.
2018-08-1623 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe A-Team "Showdown"In our EXPLOSIVE season finale, the one-and-only A-TEAM SPRINGS into ACTION to help a struggling wild west show against...THE A-TEAM?! This one has it all: FIST FIGHTS, DISGUISES, MILITARY STOOGES, NONLETHAL VIOLENCE, BILL LUCKING, AND WEAPONIZED TAFFY!
2018-08-021h 06Battle of the Network ShowsBarney Miller "Werewolf"The listeners voted again, and we listened again and discuss workplace sitcom Barney Miller. With half the NYPD out with swine flu, the overworked detectives of the 12th precinct have to contend with no coffee, shots, old people, and a werewolf! Plus, we work Marvel Comics superheroes and movie monsters into the conversation.
2018-07-261h 00Battle of the Network ShowsPopeye Meets the Man Who Hated LaughterThis week, we delve into the weird 1972 animated special "Popeye Meets the Man Who Hated Laughter," which takes Popeye and adds most of his King Features comic strip cohorts, including Blondie and Dagwood, Beetle Bailey, Hi and Lois, Quincy, Snuffy Smith, Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Steve Canyon, and more! Popeye does impressions, Olive flirts with Steve, a number of characters eat a lot of food, and a Dagwood sandwich saves the day! It might not get any weirder than this.
2018-07-191h 02Battle of the Network ShowsLate Night with David Letterman "Camping with Barry White"For many of us who grew up in the eighties, one name defines late night--Dave--and this week, we focus on the "Camping with Barry White," episode, which features Jacqueline Bisset, the television debut of Bobcat Goldthwait, and of course...camping with Barry White. Awww, yeah.
2018-07-121h 02Battle of the Network ShowsThe Great 50th Episode 5K Star Race and Boulder Wrap PartyTo celebrate 50th Full Episode, we do something unprecedented and revisit a show--CHiPs! Just as we return to he well, do the men and women of the CHP when they deal with an annoying kid, humorous thieves played by likable character actors, and lots and lots of celebrities! Boulders, push ball, stars, Uncle Miltie, and more!
2018-07-051h 07Battle of the Network ShowsThe Fame Game 2Join Rick, Mike, plus Bobby and the BOTNS Orchestra for another thrilling round of The Fame Game! Will Mike guess this week's mystery celebrity or go down swinging? Find out on The Fame Game!
2018-05-0313 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Fame Game 1In The Fame Game, Rick puts Mike on the hot seat and challenges him to identify a BOTNS-era celebrity based on a series of clues. Will Mike rise to the challenge or fail miserably? Find out in The Fame Game!
2018-04-1915 minBattle of the Network ShowsList-o-rama: Favorite TV ChefsThe Internet loves lists, and we've added another one. Mike and Rick each pick their 5 top TV chefs and cooks from the seventies and eighties--real or fictional--plus a few honorable mentions.
2018-04-1227 minBattle of the Network ShowsWhat We Saw: Ball FourJust in time for Major League Baseball opening day, we revisit another What We Want to See segment now that we've seen it. This time, Mike saw an episode of "Ball Four," the baseball sitcom based on Jim Bouton's book of the same name. Will the players really spend "A Quiet Day at the Iroquois Hotel"? Will their antics live up to the real ones Bouton described in his book? Will that one guy ever go to the bathroom? Find out on What We Saw!
2018-03-2936 minBattle of the Network ShowsPick Your Pine: DVP EditionIn this bonus minisode, we play a very special round of everybody’s favorite Robert Pine based game Pick Your Pine as Rick tries to guess what episode of CHiPs Robert Pine and our man Dick Van Patten appeared in together!
2018-03-2216 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Love Boat Game: "The Man In the Iron Shorts, Victims, Heavens to Betsy"We head back out to sea for a new game, The Love Boat Game, where Mike challenges to Rick to figure out which guest stars played which roles. For our maiden voyage, we look at Season 6, episode 10, "The Man In the Iron Shorts, Victims, Heavens to Betsy," featuring Janine Turner, Ruth Warrick, Laurence Lau, and a man called Pine.
2018-03-1514 minBattle of the Network ShowsPick Your Pine: Anne MearaIn this bonus minisode, we play another round of everybody’s favorite Robert Pine based game Pick Your Pine. This time, Rick tries to guess what show from the BOTNS era featured both Robert Pine and the great Anne Meara.
2018-03-0809 minBattle of the Network ShowsWhat We Saw: Year At the TopIn this bonus minisode, we discuss seeing a show we once wanted to see, Year At the Top. Greg Evigan and Paul Shaffer sell their souls to rock and roll with help from Mickey Rooney! Mike saw an episode, Rick has a lot of questions, and Mike has some surprising answers.
2018-03-0131 minBattle of the Network ShowsThe Love Boat "Winner Take Love, The Congressman Was Indiscreet, Isaac's History Lesson"All aboard The Love Boat for our season 3 finale. In this fascinating, timely, yet very much of its time episode: Marcia Brady competes in a beauty contest and contends with a jealous boyfriend (Bobby Sherman); our man DVP (Dick Van Patten) plays a disgraced politician courted by Mama (Vicki Lawrence) for the wrong reasons; and Isaac (Ted Lange) learns about his people from an unlikely source. Plus, Rick argues that The Love Boat is the quintessential TV show, and we try to figure out what Gopher does.
2018-01-111h 16Battle of the Network ShowsWrestling "Saturday Night's Main Event"Rick fulfills a podcast dream to talk about professional wrestling, and Mike plays along. This episode of "Saturday Night's Main Event" features staples like Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Rowdy Roddy Piper, plus Jesse Ventura providing very colorful color commentary. Expect action, expect yelling, expect something resembling comedy. Oh, and did we mention the wedding?
2018-01-041h 08Battle of the Network ShowsTaxi "The Great Race"Rick and Mike discuss a classic sitcom, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Alex and Louie in a taxi race, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Andy Kaufman doesn't do much in this one, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Nardo might have to date Louie, eww, eww, eww, eww
2017-12-071h 02
Battle of the Network ShowsSeason Two BATTY AwardsThe special blue ribbon nominating panel has convened and issued its nominations for the season two BATTY Awards. Now Rick and Mike have to decide the winners in categories including Best Show, Best Episode, Outstanding Conrad, Best Performance by a Youth, and of course Best Facial Hair/Mustache! Plus, the first ever GENIUS Award!
2017-09-141h 37Battle of the Network ShowsReal PeopleThis week, we talk about early reality show Real People, featuring hosts Sarah Purcell, Skip Stephenson, Byron Allen, Bill Rafferty, and Peter Billingsley plus a whole bunch of real people. Topics in the the show include arm wrestling, rodeos, and guppies. Topics in the podcast include Byron Allen's interviewing skills, a live "mishap" in Sarah Purcell's later career, and the show's attitude towards Peter Billingsley. We also confirm whether or not Rick and Mike are, in fact, real people.
2017-04-2055 minBattle of the Network ShowsMagnum P.I. "J. Digger Doyle"Quintessential eighties private investigator Thomas Magnum (Tom Selleck) might have met his match in J. Digger Doyle (TV's Erin Gray), but what kind of match--romantic, professional, nefarious, or all three? He also has to protect Robin Masters (voice of Orson Welles), navigate his prickly relationship with Higgins (Jonathan Hillerman), and negotiate with pals T.C. (Roger Mosley) and Rick (Larry Manetti). All in a day's work for a man and his 'stache!
2017-04-131h 11Battle of the Network ShowsSeason One BATTY AwardsThe glitz, the glamour, the guffaws! Rick and Mike roll out the red carpet, welcome the stars, and paint the town as they take a look back at season one with the first ever Batty Awards! Who will win? Only they and a random number generator know, but you can find out in this episode! Plus, an UPDATE on season two.
2017-01-261h 15Battle of the Network ShowsFamily Ties "Say Uncle"Things get boozy this week as we discuss the classic Family Ties episode "Say Uncle" (Season 2, Episode 14) Alex (Michael J. Fox) and Keaton family can't wait for a visit from Uncle Ned (Tom Hanks) until they discover he's become an alcoholic. Rick and Mike reveal their lack of knowledge about AA and vanilla extract. Plus, we examine three of Bruce "Bruno" Willis' Seagram's Golden Wine Coolers commercials. So much star power, so much booze. Drinking game: drink a bottle of vanilla extract every time we mention vanilla extract.
2016-10-201h 03
Battle of the Network ShowsThe Incredible Hulk "747"Join Rick and Mike as they discuss The Incredible Hulk "747," (Season 1, Episode 7). Thrill at actor reunions, giant cups of coffee, King Tut, 1970s airline travel, and a giant green man flying an airliner! Also, The TV Guide Game!
2016-09-2153 minBattle of the Network ShowsPrimetime Preview SpecialJust like the days of old when the TV networks offered a star-studded sneak peek into their new seasons, hosts Rick and Mike introduce you to Battle of the Network Shows--minus the stars. Plus, a special preview of Episode 1: The Incredible Hulk "747."
2016-09-1618 min