Raised on Television

TV Theme Song ThrowdownIn this special episode of "Raised on Television," our hosts, joined by special guest The Marine from the podcast Bovine Waste, dive into the catchy, nostalgic world of television theme songs. Brace yourself for a musical trip down memory lane as each host reveals their top 10 favorite TV theme songs. From the iconic jingles that defined our childhoods to the tunes that still have us humming in the shower, no stone is left unturned. Will your favorite make the list? Will there be heated debates and surprising choices? Tune in to find out which theme songs reign supreme and which ones get a surprising snub. It's the ultimate earworm edition you won't want to miss!

This week's entry from the 1997 TV Guide Top 100 Episodes of Television is "The Great Vegetable Rebellion" episode of Lost in Space, from February 1968.The Robinson family encounters a planet where all plant life is sentient. Dr. Smith, always charming and putting the needs of others before himself (oh, wait), is transformed into a giant stalk of celery (seems about right) by Tybo, the plant overlord. The Robinsons must find a way to rescue Dr. Smith and escape the planet before they too are turned into plants ... which is exactly why I don't eat vegetables! (But Lord help me if Chickens become sentient!).Join Brian and Stephanie as they marshal through this top-notch episode of television history! And don't forget, next week is the THEME SONG SPECIAL! Each of our hosts, along with our special guest from Bovine Waste, The Marine!, will go through their top 10 theme songs from TV. We're a quarter of the way through the list, so keep plugging away with us!

This week’s entry is a December 30, 1976 episode of the detective comedy, Barney Miller. As the title suggests, hashish plays a starring role as everyone in the squad except the Captain has eaten hash-laced brownies made by Wojo’s girlfriend … nonsense ensues both in the show and in the studio as we are excited to be joined by longtime dear friend Troy Bateman!Join our hosts and special guest as they walk through this classic episode of an overall excellent program!

In this week’s episode of Raised on Television, we dive into a classic episode of The Partridge Family, which comes in at #78 on TV Guide's top list of television episodes. Join us as we explore the adventures of the Partridge family, a group of rock musicians traveling the country in their iconic psychedelic bus. This time, the Partridges find themselves in a unique situation when a booking error sends them to the Firehouse, a new African-American club in Detroit that had eagerly awaited a performance by the Temptations.The club's owners, the Simon brothers, have invested heavily to create a vibrant inner-city "community nightclub" aimed at bringing top acts to the area for an affordable admission fee. With the Temptations booked for their opening night, the Simons' financial future looked bright. However, the mix-up with the Partridges threatens to derail their plans, especially with a ruthless loan shark waiting to seize the club.Despite not being the expected act, the Partridges step in to perform ... Tune in to hear our thoughts on this heartfelt episode, which includes a performance of "Bandala" by the Partridge family. We'll also discuss the impact of this episode, the cultural themes it touches on, and how it reflects the era's social issues.

In this week's episode our hosts review #79 on TV Guide's Top 100 Episodes of Television, Law & Order's, "Sanctuary," the show dives deep into the turbulent waters of racial tension and justice in New York City. The episode opens with the death of young black boy in Harlem by a Jewish driver who alleges he was too scared to stop. Tension rules this episode and if you've never seen this episode or if it;s been a while since you've seen it, we encourage you to stop now, watch, and then hit play.Ultimately, "Sanctuary" stands out not just for its gripping narrative but for its fearless approach to difficult subject matter. It doesn't offer easy answers but instead encourages viewers to engage in critical reflection and dialogue. The episode is a testament to Law & Order's legacy of tackling real-world issues head-on, making it a piece of television history worth discussing and revisiting.This is absolutely a must see, and absolutely should be on this list!

Soooo, we took an unexpected couple weeks off due to a production error. We're back and back on schedule!In this week's episode of Raised on Television, we critique the remarkable 1976 episode "The Interview" from the iconic series M*A*S*H. Our three hosts dive deep into this unique episode, which stands out not only for its content but also for its innovative format and its impact. "The Interview" marks the season four finale and takes a bold departure from the typical sitcom format by adopting a black-and-white documentary style.The episode features real-life war correspondent Clete Roberts as he conducts intimate interviews with the characters of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, capturing their raw and unfiltered thoughts on the Korean War. This stylistic choice adds a layer of authenticity and gravitas, allowing the characters to express themselves in a manner rarely seen in sitcoms of that era.Our discussion highlights how the episode skillfully balances moments of levity with deep, poignant reflections on the horrors of war. We explore the improvisational elements introduced by series creator Larry Gelbart, which added a spontaneous and realistic touch to the characters' responses. The episode's production, which involved actors responding to unexpected questions in character, brought out some of the most genuine and moving performances in the series.We also touch on the historical references and cultural impact of "The Interview," noting its enduring influence on television storytelling. The episode's somber tone and innovative approach have inspired many shows that followed, breaking the mold of traditional sitcoms and paving the way for more experimental formats.Join us as we celebrate what we unanimously consider an excellent and groundbreaking episode of M*A*S*H, reflecting on its legacy and the profound messages it conveys about war, humanity, and the resilience of those who serve.

Welcome to this week’s entry on Raised on Television, where we saddle up and join Bret Maverick in the Maverick classic, "Shady Deal at Sunny Acres." Picture this: Bret Maverick, cooler than a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce, gets swindled out of a hefty sum, but instead of throwing punches, he opts for a rocking chair and some serious thumb-twiddling. Why? Because revenge is a dish best served cool, calm, and calculated.In this episode, we enjoy Bret’s masterclass in laziness—or is it strategic genius?—while his pals, including the sly Samantha Crawford, pull off a con that’s so slick, it would make a snake oil salesman blush. Tune in as we dissect each playful plot twist, celebrate the cheeky dialogue, and reveal why even the background characters deserve a standing ovation.By the end, not only will you learn why "Shady Deal at Sunny Acres" is a gem in TV history, but you might just pick up a few tips on how to outsmart your own arch-nemesis, Hit play and find out why we're happy with this entry being on the TV Guide list (if not agreeable with its relatively low placement). While you're at it, how about you press "follow" so you don't miss any of our episodes, including our upcoming special episode on TV theme songs!

This week’s entry is #82 on the TV Guide list that our hosts have expressed immense admiration for … it’s The Love Boat, the 200th episode. There’s a who’s who of guest stars on this episode but, sadly, no real indication as why this episode is on the list.Hit play and see what this episode is all about - the good, the bad, and the rest of it!

Believe it or not all three of our hosts agree that this episode belongs on the list! This 1958 episode of Have Gun Will Travel is well ahead of its time dealing with issues of racism, human trafficking, and treatment of immigrants. This show also had an interesting path starting out as a television show that shortly after launched a concurrent radio show. The acting, writing, cinematography, directing ... this show truly has the whole package. Hit play and find out all the reasons why everyone agreed about this entry on the 1997 TV Guide list of the 100 Best Episodes of Television.