Explore every episode of the podcast Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast

This week join Andrew, Steve, and Jonathan as they hangout, chat, and close out this season's worth of episodes of Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast. They'll probably also talk a little bit about holiday TV programming and make a few New Year's resolutions as well.

An old-school style Inside the Box episode. No guests, just Steve and Jonathan discussing the 1984 pilot episode of the cop show, Hunter (1984-1991) starring Fred Dryer, Stepfanie Kramer, and Brian Dennehy. A mixture of lighthearted poking fun at some of well-worn tropes combined with serious talk that attempts to contextualize the series within the larger issue of representations of police in U.S. culture.

Join as Steve continues his interview with TV producer, Joe Gannon, in part two of this two-part episode about his experiences working with actor Carroll O'Connor on In The Heat of the Night (1988-1995) and how the industry has changed from Gannon's perspective.

Join Steve as he interviews TV producer, Joe Gannon, in part one of this two-part episode about his experiences working with actor Carroll O'Connor and the significant effect O'Connor had on Gannon's career as a producer.

This week join us for a truly Steve-centric episode as Steve Voorhees welcomes longtime CBS Manager of Prime Time Feature Films, Steve Besserman to the program. If you love the nuts-and-bolts of late-20th Century network television practices as Steve Voorhees does, you'll dig this episode. Learn about how the network chose, edited, scheduled, and promoted certain feature films to achieve the highest rating possible. Hear how certain directors would actually get involved with the edits needed for either timing or censorship reasons. Also, hear about the role "made-for-TV-movies" had on the presentation of feature films on TV.

This week join Jonathan in conversation with Dr. Kendall Phillips about his recent book, Kolchak, The Night Stalker, a part of Wayne State University Press's Milestones series. Don't worry, Steve Voorhees is here too to comment on our conversation that includes ideas including: "Where was horror at in the U.S. by the late 1960s / early 1970s?", Kolchak's trio of creatives behind the scenes, Kolchak as an influential gothic investigator, and would Kolchak show up these days on What We Do in the Shadows? Whether you're a longtime Kolchak fan or brand-new to the character, we think there is something here for you during our conversation.

This week join Jonathan and Steve in conversation with fellow academic, David Brokaw to discuss his new book, Monsters on Maple Street: The Twilight Zone and the Postwar American Dream. We discuss the false dichotomy between "good writing" and "bad television" during the 1950s, the psychology of advertising within 1950s culture, the effect Rod Serling's service during World War II had on his later writing, and where Twilight Zone-style social commentary can and can't be found today.

This week join Steve and Jonathan in conversation with television writer and producer, Stan Zimmerman. Listen as Stan talks about writing for the first season of The Golden Girls, writing that VERY famous episode of Roseanne that got the country talking, and what it was like to work for his friend, Amy Sherman-Palladino, writing on Gilmore Girls. Stan also discusses what it takes to make it in a tough industry and how back-in-the-day, writers' rooms weren't as inclusive as you might have expected them to be - particularly on shows with inclusive reputations.

This week join Jonathan and Steve as we commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks by speaking with Dr. Paul Arras (SUNY: Cortland) about his new book, American Television's Live Coverage of the 9/11 Attacks: Journalism on the Screen (Rowman & Littlefield).

Join Jonathan for a short episode that explains the end of this podcast season and what to look forward to in the future and when.

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 be re-done today to address our newest president…

This week join Steve and Jonathan as we usher in the holidays by discussing Christmas TV shows with author and expert, Joanna Wilson. Be sure to check out Joanna's website: http://www.christmastvhistory.com/p/about-joanna-wilson.html for all the information you need about her multiple media appearances, articles, and books on the topic of Christmas on TV!

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 prefer the fish or the steak and join us for a lighthearted episode through one of the most surreal parties ever held on TV.

As a way to pay tribute to recently passed television producer Norman Lear (1922-2023), 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…

This week join Steve in conversation with welcomed returned guest, Dr. Craig Coenen as they discuss the current state of Regional Sports Networks in the U.S.

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 Andrew, Steve, and Jonathan discuss David Sarnoff’s introduction of television for RCA at the 1939 World’s Fair at Flushing Meadows NY. Tune in to listen to this story about hope, the future, and looking for the “World of Tomorrow” during a time between economic depression and the cusp of world war. You might just learn something and have a few laughs along the way. Be sure to check out some of the historical photographs and documents embedded in this episode’s post.

Inspired by a real Jeopardy episode's jokey category title, this week Jonathan and Steve discuss a hypothetical: what if The DuMont Network had survived past 1956? What would the channel have presented? Would we associate the NFL and DuMont like peanut and jelly? If it did survive for decades, what would its streaming service be showing us today?

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 network.

This week join Jonathan as he discusses a famous example of politicians using television for marathon "sales" pitches (for themselves) - Thomas E. Dewey's 1950 usage of the then-new medium of television.

This week join Steve as he leads Jonathan through a discussion of representations of The Myth of the Lost Cause on 1960s U.S. television. Shows discussed include: Dennis the Menace, Rawhide, The Twilight Zone, The Americans, and The Rebel.

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 the junction of 1960s ratings, demographics, and the network's interpretation of Marshall McLuhan.

This week join Jonathan for a short topic on television female protagonists and when they've led or co-starred in a show that also featured a prominent vehicle. More importantly, why aren't there more examples?

Two years later, Dr. Emil Steiner (Rowan University) returns to the program to discuss binge-watching with Jonathan and Steve. Whereas last time we primarily discussed sports documentaries, this time it is today's popular mode of viewership, binge-watching - which is also the subject of Dr. Steiner's new book Binge TV: The Rise and Impact of the Viewing Revolution (McFarland).

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].

On this week's mini-episode Jonathan discusses the current state of podcasts and how it connects to the pre-history of radio over one-hundred years ago.

Join us as Steve and Jonathan continue their conversation with Dr. Craig Coenen about the 1978 NBC mini-series Holocaust: The Story of the Family Weiss. Where does the mini-series fall within the context of Americans' understanding of the Jewish Holocaust? How was the mini-series received? How does the late-1970s network context of big, prestige mini-series play into its creation? All this and a lot more in Part 01 of this two-part podcast story.

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.

Join Jonathan as he weighs in on the recent argument that gained social media attention regarding how Martin Short is perceived by audiences.

Join Steve and Jonathan in conversation with Dr. Craig Coenen about the 1978 NBC mini-series Holocaust: The Story of the Family Weiss. Where does the mini-series fall within the context of Americans' understanding of the Jewish Holocaust? How was the mini-series received? How does the late-1970s network context of big, prestige mini-series play into its creation? All this and a lot more in Part 01 of this two-part podcast story.

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.

Tune-in and listen to a brief history of the Time-Life Music line of releases and hear Jonathan's theory about how and why we got to one of the best Time-Life Music releases - if you consider the TV commercial - CLASSICAL THUNDER!

Join us for the first episode of our brand new season! Jonathan and Steve sit down to discuss the prevalence of NFL high-scoring games and ask what role media has played in this current and evolving situation. They also provide historical context both for the game and the league's relationship to TV and other media.

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.

Jonathan discusses the current Hollywood labor strike and attempts to contextualize it through a historical lens.

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.

How the heck did a 1950s comedy legend get a shot at usurping Johnny Carson some 23 years AFTER his career peak? Join Jonathan as he discusses the three incarnations of The Jerry Lewis Show and in particular the June 1984 5-episode test-run for the third, and final, incarnation.

This week join Steve as he drags Andrew kicking and screaming into the 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Monkee Special, while Jonathan attempts to deconstruct all the deep thoughts flying around the pianos and gorillas.

Join Jonathan for an infamous TV show from 1969 that really should just be famous for being innovative, clever, surreal, with the good intention of trying to speak some truth to power. It is a short introduction / interpretation of Turn On! Episode 2.

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. ;)

Jonathan plays catch...up with the idea of the 1970s's The Bionic Dog. Join Jonathan as he discusses the silly wonderfulness that was this spin-off idea.

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.

It is all about the tension between the old and the new in today's mini-episode. Join Jonathan as he discusses three recent history-focused TV programs: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Paramount+, 2022-present), Call Me Kate (Netflix, 2023), and Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators (Netflix, 2023).

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?

Join Jonathan for a new mini-episode where he discusses procrastination, "summer guilt", the Peter Jackson Beatles documentary, and teases a late 1980's TV special discovered via YouTube.

This week join Steve, Andrew, and Jonathan as they discuss children's television show host and PBS all-star, Fred Rogers as a counter-cultural figure. Can we view his choices regarding race and sexual preference as revolutionary? Pragmatic? or did he simply NOT do enough? Join us as we attempt to unwrap the relationship between Mr. Rogers, social issues, and his own personal spirituality.

In preparation of our brand new Fall season of NEW episodes, join Jonathan for a new, short (16 min.) mini-episode to find out about all the new ideas and goals we have planned for the new season.

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.

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.

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.