Raised on Television

#50. The Bob Newart Show (1977), "Death be my Destiny"

It’s the late ‘70s, baby and nothing screams polyester-clad perfection quite like The Bob Newhart Show. We’re talkin’ shag carpet, wood paneling, and those absolutely criminal suit patterns Dr. Bob wears like a badge of honor. In this episode, we catch up with everyone’s favorite low-key therapist and his neighbor Howard Borden—a.k.a. Major Healey in our hearts—as Howard has a major freak-out mid-flight and is now grounded… emotionally, spiritually, and literally. So who’s gonna help him overcome his fear of flying? Dr. Bob, of course! That is… until Bob has his own brush with the grim reaper, and suddenly we’ve got two grown men dealing with existential dread and airline anxiety—prime ‘70s sitcom fuel, folks. There’s neurosis. There’s denial. There’s a mild, passive-aggressive group therapy session. It’s everything we loved about the decade (not without having to live through gas shortages or the rise of disco. So does this high-flying episode deserve a spot on TV Guide’s all-time list? Or should it stay grounded next to Howard’s carry-on? Smash that play button and let’s find out! And while you’re at it, punch that fifth star and hit “submit” like your love life depends on it—because we’ll love you forever. Cross our leisure suits and hope to fly. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Miniseries Special!

“Tonight, a very special presentation…” Before bingeing was a thing and long before streaming was even a twinkle in the internet’s eye, there was the mighty miniseries, a multi-night television event so important, your parents made popcorn and told you to sit still or go to bed. And this week, we're celebrating the golden age of those limited-run epics that hijacked the weeknight schedule and the cultural conversation. We’re talkin’ mid-70s to 80s mini-series glory, baby. Think: * Roots – The one that changed everything. * Shōgun – Feudal Japan never looked so prime time. * The Thorn Birds – Forbidden love, brooding priests, and confused teenagers across America. * North and South – Civil War, high drama, and more sideburns than should be legal. These weren’t just TV shows… they were EVENTS. People planned dinners around them. VCRs were programmed (badly). And you knew it was serious when the network voice said, “Tonight, on a special presentation of…” So pull up a shag carpet square, cue the synth-heavy score, and join us as we remember the sweeping drama, the wild fashion, and the moments that made us feel fancy because it wasn’t just a regular show, it was a mini-series. Is your favorite epic included? Did we snub your mom’s all-time fave? There’s only one way to find out—hit play. And while you’re at it, give us a rating… because if we were a mini-series, we’d want to be a 5-night ratings juggernaut. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#51. Perry Mason (1966), "The Case of the Deadly Verdict"

This Week on Raised on Television: Perry Mason Loses?! This week, we’re throwing it way back again ... this time to 1966, Season 7 of Perry Mason. The courtroom legend himself finally takes an “L”… sort of. In this rare twist, Perry is actually foiled! Not by the prosecution, not by a surprise witness, but by his own client, who decides to play keep-away with critical evidence. Bad move. Guilty verdict. Cue the dramatic organ sting. But if you think that’s where the story ends, you clearly don’t know Perry Mason. With the ever-capable Della Street and man-of-action Paul Drake at his side, Perry’s not letting a little thing like a conviction stop him from sniffing out the real culprit. This episode turns into a courtroom whodunnit with classic Mason flair. For those of us who grew up dreaming of being lawyers, Perry Mason was the gold standard: cool under pressure, always prepared, and able to break down a witness like it was his superpower. Sadly, real-life lawyering rarely involves dramatic confessions on the stand (trust us). So… does Mason turn the tide? Does his client get a second shot at justice? And more importantly, does this episode earn a spot on TV Guide's list of greats, and if so, is it sitting pretty in the right place? Smash that play button to find out. And hey—if you’re enjoying the ride, toss us some stars. Five would be ideal, but we’ll take as many as you can legally give. 🎙️⚖️⭐ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#52. Gilligan's Island (1966) "The Producer"

Episode 52 – Phil Silvers Takes the Island: Hecuba and Hamlet on Gilligan’s Island We’re marshalling right along to number 56 with a back-to-back Phil Silvers double feature! This week, Silvers swaps out his stripes from The Phil Silvers Show to guest star as egotistical Hollywood producer Harold Hecuba on Gilligan’s Island. After Hecuba’s plane crash-lands on the most conveniently hard-to-find island in the Pacific, he’s not exactly impressed. Not with the survivors (a tour group straight out of central casting), not with their luxurious-for-a-three-hour-cruise wardrobes, and definitely not with the acting chops of the island’s resident movie star. The solution? The castaways stage a musical version of Hamlet, because… obviously. Take a fun detour back to 1966 when TV didn’t have to be prestige to be perfect. Nobody tuned in to Gilligan’s Island for gravitas—we tuned in because it was pure, campy joy. So hit play and join our hosts as they break down why this episode made the cut for TV Guide’s 100 Greatest and whether they think it deserves the honor. And hey—while you're reliving the coconut-fueled chaos, don’t forget to leave us five stars and a review. It helps more than a bamboo transmitter! Visit raisedontelevision.com [http://raisedontelevision.com] to learn more about the legendary Sherwood Schwartz, the mastermind behind the mayhem! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

#53. The Phil Silvers Show (1955) "The Eating Contest"

This week on Raised on Television… It’s 1955, and we’re diving fork-first into one of the earliest sitcom classics: The Phil Silvers Show! In this episode, Company B—perpetual underdogs in everything from inspections to softball—finally sees a glimmer of hope in an unlikely arena: an eating contest. Their secret weapon? The legendary Ed "The Stomach" Honnegan, a man whose appetite is as bottomless as his stomach is boundless. But when Bilko’s involved, you know there’s going to be a twist—or three. Will Company B finally taste victory? Or is this just another classic setup for a spectacular (and hilarious) flameout? Hit play to find out ... and decide for yourself whether this episode earns its place on TV Guide’s 100 Best Episodes of All Time, or if our hosts’ takes left you hungrier for something else. Don’t forget to feed our egos: tap those five stars, leave a quick review, and share us with your fellow classic TV lovers! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.