TV History – Inside the Box: The TV History Podcast

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).

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 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 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].

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.

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).

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.