PODCAST · arts
Can't Turn it Off
by Mike Hanks
Do you enjoy a good story, with a side of observation? Join host Mike Hanks as he shares stories about the interesting world around him. His goal is to share a story so compelling that you Can't Turn It Off.
Episodes
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96 - Strange Days Indeed Vol. 7 -- The Dolly Parton story
The host is back with more hiatus nonsense, including fond memories of the Minnesota State Fair and a not-so-fond memory of the state fair, involving Dolly Parton.
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095 - The Torkelsons
Didn't season 7 come to a close a few months ago? You are correct, but that didn't stop the host from taking a look back at a show that failed, twice, despite NBC's extraordinary effort to find success.
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094 - Hiatus Spectacular 21: Brain invasion
Have you ever listened to the Brain Invaders podcast? The producer is a co-host of that show, and both the producer and his co-host join this show for a roundtable discussion related to failed television. We drop some knowledge, and a little misinformation when it comes to the history of "ALF,"…
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093 - Police Squad! (In color)
The first of several potential season finale episodes of the podcast looks back at a failed television show from the 1980s. It failed, unquestionably, and spawned box office gold that continued to pay dividends in 2025. Beyond a look back at a wacky sitcom that failed to find a sizeable audience,...
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092 - Relativity
Season 7 of the podcast has featured a deep dive into failed television, all of which has fallen under the broad umbrella of comedy. That ends today, with a deep dive into a failed network drama that debuted nearly 29 years ago and was forgotten after its 17-episode run. Forgotten by most, but…
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091 - The Michael Richards Show
How does the actor behind a beloved TV character such as Seinfeld's Cosmo Kramer fail to dazzle a television audience as the star of his own NBC sitcom? It wasn't hard, as it turned out, and Michael Richards proved it during the fall of 2000. The host examines how he did it. And after...
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090 - The Brady Bunch Hour
During the early 1970s, a simple show about the merger of two half-families spawned characters that have lived on for generations. The host looks back at several ways a lovely lady, three very lovely girls and four men, living all together, have touched the lives of millions of Americans. And…
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089 - Pink Lady and Jeff
The 1970s were a splendid time for television, at least it seemed like it at the time. In the spirit of all that was entertainment during the '70s, NBC introduced us to Pink Lady in 1980, and brought Jeff along for the ride. Who were they and why is their TV show frequently cited among the worst…
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088 - Blansky's Beauties
What did a group of Las Vegas showgirls have to do with the Fonz, Mr. C and the rest of the Happy Days gang? That's the beauty of a short-lived, unspectacular sitcom that most people couldn't name if their Final Jeopardy lives depended upon it. And rightfully so. But it's an impressive display of...
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087 - Some of My Best Friends
Was it a show ahead of its time, a show that was just too offensive or a show that was too progressive for its network? Perhaps it was all of those things, or maybe it was just a victim of the wrong place and the wrong time. The host looks at a 2001 sitcom that should have had more success than…
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086 - The Grubbs
Turn back the clock to 2002, the geniuses at Fox Broadcasting had found a worthy successor to one of their early sitcom successes, "Married with Children." Or had they? They filmed eight episodes of a show they went on to cancel before you were able to see one of them. And what pairs better with…
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085 - The Jake Effect
This time around, we turn back the clock to either 2006 or 2002, depending upon your perspective, as we look at a television series that never aired on network TV, despite seven intentions for it to do so. And just as important, the host commemorates the career of a retiring game show host.
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084 - 704 Hauser
Season 7 of the podcast is underway. The format is a bit different than past seasons, and the host is still learning how to cram 10 pounds of podcast into a five-pound sack. The podcast team will smooth out the edges soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy a visit to a mostly forgotten piece of…
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083 - Hiatus Spectacular 20
This is it, the long-awaited end of the longest season of Can't Turn it Off. After a few minutes of chat between the host and Brad Farrell, two nerds who love a forgotten, short-lived '80s sitcom starring Jason Bateman, the host closes out the season with a monologue sharing a footnote from his...
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082 - Hiatus Spectacular 19
Another holiday season is upon us, and in the spirit of the holidays, the host will share fond memories of a game show legend who passed away not so long ago, and would have turned 100 years old this month. And then it's onto new content with past guests. In this case, we revisit our…
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081 - Hiatus Spectacular 18
What better way to close out the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States than with a monologue from the host of the podcast, sending out sincere thanks to a variety of folks. And to top it off, enjoy more colorful conversation with a season 6 guest who will favor us with a few of his...
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080 - Hiatus Spectacular 17
The end of season 6 is underway, a season delayed thanks to both striking writers and actors. But the team perseveres, and this week we bring you bonus content from two women who were featured during season 6. You'll hear from them after you hear the host boast and brag. And stumble once or…
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079 - Hiatus Spectacular 16
Not long ago, the podcast featured Erin Dietrich, a Minnesota woman who had a unique experience. The podcast is on its hiatus, so that means more from Erin, right? Not exactly, but we will learn more about her adventure as the hiatus begins. And we learn about it after we find out why the host...
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078 - Erin Dietrich
A Minnesota woman and her husband accomplished something few people do. She recalls their adventure after the producer tries to figure out what they did. Confused? You won't be after the next episode of Can't Turn it Off.
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077 - Phil Huston
Plenty of people switch careers during their life, and our guest is one of them. Radio broadcasting today is far different than it was in the 1980s, and Phil Huston was part of that '80s scene, working for two prominent Minneapolis pop music stations. He reminisces about those days with the…
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076 - Crystal Zhao
Is this a Jeopardy podcast!? No, it's not, but this is the fourth time the host has interviewed a Jeopardy! contestant. in our season of celebrating Minnesota, where this podcast originates, we chat with a recent Jeopardy champion who didn't grow up here, but is investing part of her Jeopardy!...
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075 - Izzy Presley
It has been more than a year since our last chat with the podcast's annual guest, and the latest conversation goes off the rails a bit, but it was a lot of fun for both parties. A lot has changed since we last talked with Izzy, and this episode is very different from every interview we've ever…
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074 - Strange Days Indeed Vol. 6 — Halloween
As children across the United States, and presumably elsewhere around the world, prepare for an evening of trick-or-treating, the host recalls his modest childhood fascination with the wacky world of haunted houses, and his adult experiences with the many entities that have haunted the greater...
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073 - Aaron Wallace
It's 2022, and a Minnesota man dedicates a lot of time and effort to his blog, which focuses on two unrelated subjects. It's the latter of the two that has entertained the Can't Turn it Off host in recent years. And if you've ever reminisced about yesteryear in the town or city where you grew up,...
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072 - Ron "Boogiemonster" Gerber
The hiatus is over and the host returns with an interview featuring his new favorite radio show host. Yes, it's a radio show, not a podcast, but you don't have to dust off the old boom box to dial up the correct FM frequency, of course. You'll learn more than you ever imagined about the music of...
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071 – Sandy Ann Perez Photography
The host has been following a Minneapolis-based photographer for about a year. In this episode of the podcast, he learns about the inspiration, methods and process involved in capturing her distinct, memorable images. And he does so without ever asking about the photography equipment she employs....
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070 – John Sherman
The host welcomes his colleague, a longtime high school sports reporter, to the podcast. Yes, the colleague has many stories he could tell about his five decades covering boys and girls high school soccer, basketball and hockey. But those aren't the stories the host is most interested in.
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069 – It's Your Move
Season 6 of the podcast begins with a deep dive into that failed 1980s sitcom the host never forgot, and talked about in episode 68. The host isn't the only person who remembers the show fondly, the foremost authority on the show joins the podcast to discuss the sometimes-brilliant sitcom known…
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068 - Hiatus Spectacular 15
It's the season finale, really. Unless it's not. It's time to move forward with season 6, but not before a brief visit with our buddy Izzy Presley, who surprised the host with a recent Twitter revelation. But first, the host gets overly excited about a TV show you've never heard of, and spends…
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067 – Hiatus Spectacular 14
As the hiatus nears its conclusion, this episode features a new story from season 5 guest Jeff Walker, who reminisces about his first trip to Vegas. Following Jeff, the host shares a few tidbits about past guests.
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066 - Hiatus Spectacular 13
After a holiday hiatus following the close of season 5, the host returns with something you've never heard him do in any previous episode of the podcast. But first, it's story time. The host recalls his unexpected Halloween evening, spent in Las Vegas.
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065 - Comic Book Expo
The podcast has had a longstanding invitation to take the show on the road, specifically to Bloomington, Minnesota, for a comic book show. As a podcast that has occasionally called upon the world of comic books for source material, it seemed like a logical destination. Don't read comic books? It...
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064 – Izzy Presley
You never know what the podcast's annual guest is up to in Hollyweird, unless you follow him on a social media platform via @realizzypresley. This year's chat includes discussion of a new gig our buddy has landed. And we close with the story of a very Izzy road trip.
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063 – Strange Days Indeed Vol. 5 — Las Vegas
The Las Vegas version of Strange Days Indeed introduces us to characters whose peculiar actions leave the host wondering what the story was behind those moments when strangers crossed paths. The host's interactions, direct and indirect, raise questions that may never be answered, and most likely...
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062 - Strange Days Indeed Vol. 4
What do Free Blockbuster, Jeopardy!, a baby named Robbie and a possible drug addict in Las Vegas have to do with each other? Even the host would admit, not a thing.
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061 - Free Blockbuster
Jimi and Alison Nguyen are Minnesota's first ambassadors of the Free Blockbuster movement. They'll explain what it is and why they're a part of it. If you remember anything about the once mighty Blockbuster video rental chain, you'll enjoy hearing about how they're making Free Blockbuster happen…
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60 - Sam Novak
This season's second interview occurred while the host and producer were in Las Vegas earlier this month. You don't need to know anything about Sam Novak, or care about what he does, in order to enjoy our interview with him. Thoughtful and articulate only scratch the surface. This man should have...
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059 - Jeff Walker
This season's first interview features a Canadian who affirms what the host knows, and doesn't know, about his neighbors to the north. And we learn a few things about how the state of Canadian radio is similar to its U.S. counterpart in 2021. The host concludes the podcast with his opening...
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058 – Elmer Sherwin
Here comes another story the host is surprised he hadn't heard until recently. Elmer Sherwin won a lot of money in 1989, but that's not what makes his story so fascinating. His story, and an unrelated tale of woe, follow an addendum to episode 57, and the story of another of the host's once-lost...
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057 – Carl Ferris
It's not the music of Carl Ferris that intrigues the podcast host, it's how and why he performs it, nightly, for thousands of people. Carl's story follows recollections of how the host met, and reconnected with, one of his friends.
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056 - Jahna Steele
Season 5 of the podcast begins with a long, sorted tale from the host's past, inspired by the recent misadventures of his friend. From there, it's a tribute to the Las Vegas showgirl, including a former showgirl whose story the host had never heard until a few months ago.
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055 - Hiatus Spectacular 12
Two factors changed plans for the final spectacular of season 4. The end result still includes a visit with a past guest, but it also includes a tribute to a game show host who died earlier this season.
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054 - Hiatus Spectacular 11
The hiatus continues, and this spectacular offers a fun fact, a major announcement, new questions for a past guest and a Halloween nod to Highrise Joe.
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053 - Hiatus Spectacular 10
It's a little of this, and a little of that as the season 4 bonus content begins. You'll hear new content from perennial guest Izzy Presley, learn about a new, convenient discovery the host has made involving Highrise Joe, (the subject of episode 45,) and enjoy the host and producer's modern day...
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052 - Jeanne Calment
It's the season 4 finale, and the host is lazy, so he glosses over the history of a French woman who lived longer than you will. But not before he revisits his recent trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin, and shares a tidbit he has since learned about his beloved Madeline Island. And what does Vanna White...
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051 - Meggie Kwait
Hundreds of people appear as contestants on TV's "Jeopardy!" every year. So why was Meggie Kwait's appearance so memorable? The host will explain as he learns many fascinating details about her road to, and appearance on, the game show.
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50 - Bayfield Wisconsin
In this episode, the host shares his fascination with island living, based upon a short vacation getaway to Wisconsin. And then he reminisces about a lost weekend to that same vacation destination, 29 years ago.
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049 - April Pease
The host has a personal connection to a woman he has never met, and he discusses her complex story in this episode of the podcast. And how does a woman from Texas, whom neither the host nor April have met, figure into April's story? To read more about April, visit bit.ly/aprilpease.
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048 - Izzy Presley
The podcast's only annual guest returns for season 4 and discusses how current events are affecting him and those who live and work in Hollyweird.
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047 – Wonderhussy
A Nevada adventurer who likes to explore the desert outside of her Las Vegas home may surprise you with a story or two from her past.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Do you enjoy a good story, with a side of observation? Join host Mike Hanks as he shares stories about the interesting world around him. His goal is to share a story so compelling that you Can't Turn It Off.
HOSTED BY
Mike Hanks
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Can't Turn it Off have?
Can't Turn it Off currently has 97 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Can't Turn it Off about?
Do you enjoy a good story, with a side of observation? Join host Mike Hanks as he shares stories about the interesting world around him. His goal is to share a story so compelling that you Can't Turn It Off.
How often does Can't Turn it Off release new episodes?
Can't Turn it Off has 97 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Can't Turn it Off?
You can listen to Can't Turn it Off on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Can't Turn it Off?
Can't Turn it Off is created and hosted by Mike Hanks.
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