Battle of the Network Shows

We give our diagnosis of Medical Center, a mid-70s version of that TV staple, the medical drama. Erstwhile and well-dressed Dr. Gannon (Chad Everett) wants to do his job and help a young woman (Meredith Baxter), but she believes in her faith healer husband David (BOTNS fav. and ex-evangelist Marjoe Gortner!). David's father Harmon urges them to have faith...and keep the machine going...but will medicine or faith ultimately save the day? Find out this and more, but mostly listen to us talk about ~MARGOE~!

The holidays mean holiday specials--or they used to--and we present second one. Tommy Smothers plays nonconformist Ted E. Bear in "The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas." While the rest of bear society hibernates, Ted wants to stay awake and go to Christmas. Does his dream come true, or does he succumb to the norms of bear society and biology? We get to the bottom of this and risk the ire of the Big Bear lobby by blowing the roof off its secret plans. Listen if you dare!

This week, we discuss one-season wonder "Voyagers!" Time traveler Phineas Bogg (Jon-Erik Hexum) and 12-year-old Jeffrey (the ubiquitous Meeno Peluce) try to set history straight in a rollicking adventure that features Cleopatra, Babe Ruth, Sir Isaac Newton, and Lucky Luciano! What brings these disparate figures together, how will the Voyagers turn the light from red to green, and how do we manage to squeeze Harold Lloyd into it? Find it all in a book--er, on Battle of the Network Shows!

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

This week, we discuss an episode of NBC's The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder from its final year. Tom sits down with BOTNS returning star Ricky Schroder. Iggy Pop performs three songs, bleeds a little, and chats with Tom. Plus "economist" Jerome Smith warns of impending 1980s doom, and "poet" Dorothy Greene-Pepper talks about loooove while Tom just tries to talk. Sit back, fire up a podtini, and chortle along with a broadcast legend (Tom, not us).

Cool, cool, cool! Master of cool Michael Knight gets into a spot of trouble when his cool talking car K.I.T.T. gets car amnesia and wanders into the wilderness. Luckily for them, cool kid Doug (Jason Bateman) finds K.I.T.T. Oh, and some dudes are trying to blow up a dam or something.

With the Justice League movie arriving in theaters, we sell out again, this time talking about the animated and friendly adventures of the Justice League from 1977 in The All-new Super Friends Hour. Yes, you get Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and even Aquaman, but you also get Robin, the Wonder Twins Zan and Jana and their space monkey Gleek, and Native American hero Apache Chief! Plus safety and health tips, craft segments, and the hard-to-beat Decoder. Also, the Secret Four, an escaped tiger, time travelers, and giant cobras! Holy buffets, Batman! What didn't they include?

This week, we look at The Sandbaggers, a classic British espionage series from the late seventies. Action takes a backseat to palace intrigue and political maneuvering as Director of Operations Neil Burnside (Roy Marsden) tries to rescue his primary operative from a hijacked plane. One of us compares this one to the prestige dramas of today, plus we offer "startling" evidence about the whereabouts of missing and presumed dead show creator Ian Mackintosh. NOTE: "Startling" means completely made up.

Celebrity Bowling: seventies celebrities strive to strike in a modified and slightly confusing version of the Sport of Kings! Leslie Nielsen and Susan Saint James face off against Angie Dickinson and Lloyd Bridges. What's not to love? You can almost smell cigarettes and fried food from here, and you never know who might stop by (hint--an Oscar winner!) We picked the wrong week to stop using our Amana Radar Range.

This week, we tackle not one but two episodes the zaniest of zany comedies Three's Company and try to decide once and for all: Roper or Furley. In "Ground Rules," Jack, Janet, and Chrissy try to establish some rules for alone or alone-with-someone time in the apartment, and Jack has a man-to-man discussion with Mr. Roper about "building shelves." In "Double Trouble," Jack has to convince Furley that he has a macho twin brother named Austin. Wait till Furley tries to throw a party...for both of them!

In our season three premiere, we tackle the ABC light drama Eight is Enough and its season two finale "Who's on First?" Daughter Joanie needs help putting on a show to raise money for orphans, Nicholas gets put out when no one believes he was abducted by UFOs, Tom gets fed up when Nicholas won't commit to Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?" routine, and everyone piles on David when he won't lend his "star power" to the show. Magic, comedy, music, and more! Will David come through? Did Nicholas get abducted by Aliens? Who is on first? (Yes.) We won't spoil the magic in this description, but we will say this is an historic episode for Eight is Enough! Find shown notes and more at our web site.

The 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!

For our season two finale, we finally take a look at perhaps the ultimate example of the Battle of the Network Shows era, our namesake, Battle of the Network Stars. In this first-ever Battle from 1976, Robert Conrad, Telly Savalas, and Gabe Kaplan lead teams from NBC, CBS, and ABC in athletic competitions for bragging rights and a sizeable prize. Celebrities, Howard Cosell, controversy, swimsuits, short shorts, Speedos, mustaches, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat! This one has it all!

This week, we dive into the world of game shows with a look at the syndicated "Face the Music" and NBC's fast-paced "$ale of the Century." Plus, an all-new TV Guide Game! Will one of us go home with a brand-new car?!

In this episode, we take another look at the animated toy tie-in phenomenon of the mid eighties with the granddaddy of them all He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. Skeletor's "friend" Monteague, a toad-like wizard, unleashes Hannibal and Black Beard on Eternia in a plot to recruit He-Man into his army and, um, take over the universe or something. Listen. He drank a bunch of martinis with his pinky before he hatched the plan. He probably doesn't even understand it. Will Monteague prevail (doubtful)? Will Orko annoy us (probable)? Will we get to the bottom of Skeletor's anatomy (doubtful, but we'll try)? Plus, a band-new game: PICK YOUR PINE.

This week in a crass attempt to cash in on the Wonder Woman movie, we take a look at the 1970s TV show and Lynda Carter's definitive performance as the Amazon princess. This one features some of our favorite discussion topics: superheroes, seventies fashion, unique guest stars, and disco. Wonder Woman has to stop an espionage ring using telepathy to steal state secrets, but she also has to survive going to a disco.

In 1978, aliens walked among us in the form of Robin Williams in his breakout role as Mork from Ork. In "Mixed Emotions," a little encouragement and a kiss from Mindy (Pam Dawber) release Mork's emotions all at once. They overwhelm in a flurry of comic activity. We discuss this and more, including the complexities of Orkan anatomy, the shape of Jay Thomas' face, and Conrads.

This week, we introduce you to one of the shows that inspired the podcast. In Search, private security agents use a high-tech approach to solve problems. "The Murrow Disappearance" features Hugh O'Brian, one of three rotating lead actors, as suave, unflappable Hugh Lockwood plus a crew of technicians led by the grouchy Burgess Meredith and the sassy Angel Tompkins. Plus, we say the word "cool," like, 300 times.

This week, we look at two episodes of classic eighties sitcom Silver Spoons. First, Ricky (Ricky Schroder) struggles to fit in at his new school and deal with a bully named Ox. Ricky's dad Edward (Joel Higgins) doesn't help matters by hiring a bodyguard for Ricky...Mr. T (Mr. T). After a different incident, Ox sues Ricky, and Ricky requests a jury of his peers--kids. Plus, the BOTNS return of Erin Gray and the BOTNS debut of Leonard Lightfoot!

Loyal listener Amy recommended this Saturday-morning drama about an Army-trained German shepherd on the run for a crime he didn't commit! Kristy McNichol guests as a girl who takes in Joe against her father's wishes. Plus, "What We'd Like to See"!

Tickets to the world premiere and after party for Mr. Burt Reynolds' latest movie land the Golden Girls in exactly the wrong place--jail...for prostitution. Will they get out in time to meet Burt and the rest of the Burt Pack? Will Rose ever get over losing Butter Queen? Will Burt lead a game of Win, Lose, or Draw? It all depends on the kindness of Sophia! Uh-oh.

This 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.

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!

Season two begins with a look at a special two-part Diff'rent Strokes. The time has arrived for Mr. Drummond to officially adopt Arnold and Willis, but a con man played by the great Whitman Mayo (Sanford and Son's Grady) has different ideas. What will happen, how does Mrs. Garrett feel about all of this, and--more importantly--what's the bathroom situation in the Drummond household?!

The 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.

In our first ever Holiday Special, we try to unpack the complex mythos of Rankin-Bass' The Leprechauns' Christmas Gold, then make a heartwarming visit to the Keane family in A Family Circus Christmas. Plus a holiday-themed "TV Guide Game." A note to our listeners loyal and new. This marks the end of season one, but we'll return in January with a look back on season one and details on season two. Stay tuned and happy holidays!

This week, we look at a two-part episode of late '70s, early '80s feel-good show CHiPs and posit the idea that it might be the quintessential show of the era. In just two hours, John (Larry Wilcox) and Ponch (Erik Estrada have to help out a troubled rock star and his manager, stop a duo bent on sparking car accidents, foil a roller-skating gang of thieves, keep a roller-skating kid on the right side of the rink, and most importantly recruit stars for a charity roller disco! Can they do any of it? How many cars will crash? How many stars will show? How many stars will crash? Plus, the return of not one but two BOTNS favorites!

This week, we discuss The Facts of Life...the TV show. In "Starstruck," number-one Jermaine Jackson fan Tootie gets a chance to meet him, but in order to do so, she'll have to let down her friends. Will it be worth it, and will he accept her papier mache likeness of him? Then in "The Four Musketeers," cramped quarters and temperature and water issues lead to conflict between the girls. Will they go their separate ways, or will Mrs. Garrett find a way to broker peace with a twinkle in her eye and a warble in her voice?

This week, we take a look at one of the quintessential 1980s toy tie-in cartoons G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. In "Twenty Questions," pesky journalist Hector Ramirez weasels his way onto the Joe base to expose the truth behind the elite military team's operation and waste of taxpayer dollars. How will the Joes deal with this new threat? By pawning him off on Shipwreck of course! Also, one of us says something stupid. Yooooo Joe!

This week, we look at bona fide classic The Muppet Show. Special Guest Steve Martin shows up only to learn of a scheduling SNAFU. The Muppets have also planned on holding open auditions. Don't worry, though, a miffed Steve finds a way to get in on the act in between singing vegetables, aliens, rivals for our favorites, a surprise dance routine, a human cannonball, and more!

This week, we probably take a look at what might be the definitive 1970s docuseries In Search Of. Through diligent research, authoritative interviews, and on-site camerawork, host Leonard Nimoy and crew dig deep into the mysteries of Amelia Earhart and the Loch Ness Monster and come up with--well, you be the judge. In all probability, we might offer are own opinions. Also, "What We'd Like To See!"

Listener Andrew Reinhard requested we discuss this two-part episode of The Six Million Dollar Man that terrified him as a child...and haunts him to this day. Can the Bionic Man defeat a crashed Russian Venus probe bent on destroying Wyoming? Can we get through the final climactic Bionic Man in helicopter vs. Death Probe scene? What do we think of the Bionic Man's mustache? We can give you the answers because we have the technology!

This week, we make the argument for the greatest beer commercial--and one of the greatest commercials--ever made. Robert Pine, Michael Moriarty, a guy who looks like Jim Valvano, and a guy possibly named Frank shill for Lowenbrau and encapsulate an era of America in 30 glorious seconds, and we talk about it for 30 glorious minutes! Plus the TV Guide Game. Drinking game: drink a bottleo'lowenbrau every time we say, "Dolan."

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.

That lovable, furry, cat-eating alien ALF sits in for Johnny in the extra-long "Tonight, Tonight" (Season 3, Episode 4). Joining ALF, Ed McMahon, Tommy Newsom and the Tonight Show Orchestra, plus guests Pope John Paul II, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Joan Embery from the San Diego Zoo. Plus the TV Guide Game!

This time, we hold our noses and dive deep into Happy Days "American Musical" (Season 8, Episode 22). The latter day Happy Days gang celebrates America's immigrant history through elaborate musical daydream sequences. Also, the TV Guide Game.

This week, we discuss Episode 22 of Season 2 of The White Shadow "The Death of me Yet?" The Carver High basketball team tries to win the city championships while grieving the loss of one of their own and worrying whether Coach Reeves will leave Carver for a job at a fancy college. Also, What We'd Like to See!

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!

Just 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."