Mining the Archive Mondays – Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast

This week Jonathan, Steve, and Andrew attend the All-Star Party for Ronald "Dutch" Reagan. Do you like barely warmed over jokes? Do you love generic sound stages in Burbank? Want to see Sinatra struggle through a song that should be an easy home run? Want to see a group of aged genuine Hollywood stars pretend Reagan was a star? Well, rent your tux, call your driver, let us know whether you'd prefe...

This week join Steve, Jonathan, and Andrew as they discuss the pros and cons of increased regionalization of sports TV networks, and their histories.

In this episode 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 legacy upon others' later attempts at establishing a fourth ne...

his week Steve, Andrew and Jonathan discuss the thinking behind CBS's 1960s Rural Purge. Why did it happen? What types of content followed it? What does "the great man of history" have to do with it all? Was that the last time rural depictions ever graced the Tiffany network? So, give up your city livin', grab a pitchfork, and don't mind Uncle Joe (he's just movin' kinda slow) and join us down at...

This week join Steve, Andrew, and Jonathan as they delve into one of Steve's favorite subjects - the flow of TV. We discuss Raymond Williams, the traditional TV programming grid, the effect of DVRs, and the resurgence of in-program product placement. Plus, what the heck does Andy Griffith have to do with it all? [clue - Steve knows].

This week join Andrew, Jonathan, and Steve as Andrew leads a deep dive discussion into the history of The History Channel. The guys discuss how programming on the channel has changed, who owns the channel, and what strategies they've employed to stay relevant to capture advertiser dollars. If you like History, history, or the history of History, you'll dig this episode.

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 was at least thought about as another technology to be harnessed during the war effort. We also discuss how the rudimentary uses of TV in the immediate post-war era is surprisingly similar to how we use it today.

This week join Jonathan, Andrew, and Steve for a discussion of the AFL of the 1960s and how TV allowed the AFL to come - THIS CLOSE - to toppling the NFL. Also in this lengthier episode, listen as the guys discuss the "marriage" of US football and television and what that means for how we understand the sport today.

This week join Andrew and Jonathan as they give you the hard sell on the history of TV pitchmen. We go a little into the history of salesmanship on television, the self-imposed and government regulations, and each of us discuss our favorite local and infomercial-based pitchmen. Be sure to act now; operators are standing by and supplies ARE limited.

This week join Steve, Andrew, and Jonathan as they provide a brief overview of television pilots and attempt to pitch one another some pilots that REALLY deserve a second chance. Come join the fun. ;)