BadAptation Series: A League Of Their Own - The Sitcom (1993) That Was A Show? podcast

22:21

It’s been a while since the last TWAS episode came out, so Brynn, Aaron and Barry have a little chat to check-in with fans…announce the sitcom that will be featured in the next regular episode...and do a little trivia game too! Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

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George & Leo - Starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch 1:17:00

1 year ago1:17:00

1:17:00

George & Leo WAS a show. Bob Newhart played George—which is his actual first name in real life, thus keeping up the tradition of naming every single show he did after himself. George is the owner of a charming little bookshop on the equally charming little island of Martha’s Vineyard. His son Ted, played by Jason Batement, is engaged to be married to Casey, played first by Bess Meyer and then later by Robyn Lively. Casey’s father Leo, played by Judd Hirsch, shows up unexpectedly after being estranged from her for several years. He ran away to work as a magician in Vegas…but actually as a lackey for mobsters, and general ne'er-do-well. He ends up moving into the spare bedroom upstairs above the bookshop. The mild-mannered and uptight George butts heads with the smooth-talking yet shifty Leo, turning them into the perfect ‘odd couple’ for 1997. Brynn, Aaron and Barry try to figure out why this charming little show only lasted one season. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
The Duck Factory - Jim Carrey’s First Major Role! 1:12:01

1 year ago1:12:01

1:12:01

The Duck Factory WAS a show. The year was 1984 and NBC was entering their sitcom golden age. A young cartoonist from the midwest moves to LA to take a job at a decaying old animation studio, mainly known for their show Dippy Duck. That young cartoonist’s name is Skip Tarkenton, and he was played by none other than Jim Carrey in his first major role! Brynn, Aaron and Barry attempt to illustrate why this show may have been erased. They also go off on a lengthy tangent exploring something of iconic significance from the era…the waterbed. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Partners (1995) - Starring Jon Cryer, Tate Donovan and Maria Pitillo 1:20:31

1 year ago1:20:31

1:20:31

Partners WAS a show. This short-lived sitcom is about two young architects in San Francisco, Bob (Jon Cryer) and Owen (Tate Donovan.) Off the top, Owen gets engaged to Alicia (Maria Pitillo), and his best friend Bob competes for attention as something of a third wheel. It’s a fairly standard hangout show about dating and friendship dynamics with vague references to work, but with slightly saltier language because it was on Fox. It’s almost like a West-Coast version of Friends, with a rotating cast of guest stars featuring the likes of Lisa Edelstein, Kathy Griffin and even Jennifer Anniston. Brynn, Aaron and Barry try to draw up a blueprint of why this one didn’t last. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Flying Blind - Starring Téa Leoni and Corey Parker with guest Lisa Kudrow 1:13:45

1 year ago1:13:45

1:13:45

Flying Blind WAS a show. It ran on Fox from September, 1992 to May, 1993, lasting a total of 22 episodes. It’s the story of a relationship between young, uptight and somewhat nebish Neil (Corey Parker) who lives at home with his parents, and the free-wheeling and sexually liberated Alicia (Téa Leoni) who lives with cool New York artist-loft party types. It features cameos from a veritable revolving door of great comedic actors including favourite of the pod Lisa Kudrow. Brynn, Aaron and Barry don their most chic attire, head over to what I can only assume is the meat-packing district, and try to figure out why this party fizzled out. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Badaptation: Uncle Buck (1990) Somehow not starring John Candy! 1:10:18

1 year ago1:10:18

1:10:18

1989 saw the release of one of the most memorable cinematic comedies of all time, the John Hughes classic Uncle Buck starring the incomparable John Candy and Macaulay Culkin. A mere one year later, a sitcom version was released featuring practically none of the original cast. The replacements try their darnedest to replicate the unique charm of the film, which is of course the story of three kids left in the care of their rough-around-the-edges uncle Buck Russell whilst their parents leave town to attend to a family emergency. The show has a premise that has been modified in dark and strange ways to suit the format of an ongoing series. Brynn, Aaron and Barry light up cigars, hop in the old ‘77 Mercury and try to figure out why this version of the heartwarming family story backfired . (Fans of the movie will get that reference!) Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
2023 Holiday Special feat. Family Matters, Soul Man and The Nanny! 1:26:02

2 years ago1:26:02

1:26:02

For the 2023 very special holiday episode, the TWAS team watches Christmas episodes from three classic shows: a very successful show (Family Matters), a failed or forgotten show (Soul Man) and a wild card episode of a show with a particularly unusual format (The Nanny)...and learn more than they ever wanted to know about Stefan Urquelle. Join Brynn, Aaron and Barry as they usher in a nice relaxing holiday season. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Hardball - A show about baseball starring Bruce Greenwood 1:14:21

2 years ago1:14:21

1:14:21

Hardball WAS a show. This baseball themed workplace sitcom aired on Fox in the fall of 1994 and centred around the exploits of the fictional American League team The Pioneers. Sitting on the bench for this one were some actors who’d go on to be some real heavy hitters themselves, like Bruce Greenwood, Mike Starr, Phill Lewis, Joe Rogan and Steve “Kenny Bania” Hytner. Join Brynn, Aaron and Barry as they bunt, hit a homer, run the bases and…uh some other baseball stuff. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Going Places - A show about TV writers starring Alan Ruck and Heather Locklear 1:16:45

2 years ago1:16:45

1:16:45

Going Places WAS a show. In fact, it was part of ABC’s famous TGIF lineup during the 1990 to 1991 season, and lasted just 19 episodes. It was about two brothers from Chicago who move to LA to take jobs as TV comedy writers, and move into a house owned by the show’s producer. Also living with them are two women who also write for the show. Hijinks ensue? Going Places stood out as a workplace comedy for adults, as compared to the more typically family-oriented shows in the Friday night block like Full House and Family Matters, the mainstays of TGIF. Brynn, Aaron and Barry get in an old convertible, drive down to LA and run out onto the beach at sunset…which will make sense once you listen to the episode! Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Soul Man - Dan Aykroyd is a Blues-Playing Motorcycle-Riding Priest 1:16:25

2 years ago1:16:25

1:16:25

Soul Man WAS a show. It ran from April 15, 1997 to May 26, 1998 for a total of 25 episodes. Starring official Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, it’s the story of Mike Weber, a widowed Episcopal priest and single father of four children in Royal Oak, Michigan. It takes place in the Home Improvement Sitcom Universe due to crossover episodes featuring Al Borland, and also features occasional guest appearances from the one and only John Goodman as Mike Weber’s old friend. Brynn, Aaron and Barry are eager to see if this classic piece of nostalgia can still carry a tune. Comin' to ya on a dusty road; Good lovin' I got a truck load; And when you get it you got something; So don't worry cause I'm coming…I'm a soul man, I'm a soul man, I'm a soul man, I'm a soul man… Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Boston Common - A college hangout show that is only nominally about Boston 1:21:55

2 years ago1:21:55

1:21:55

1996 was a solid year for hangout shows about Gen-Xers. Boston Common is about Boyd and Wyleen Pritchett, a brother and sister from Virginia (played by Anthony Clark and Hedy Burress) who move to Boston. It lasted two years and 32 episodes. Wyleen’s there to attend college, and Boyd is just driving her there as a favour. The twist is that he stays because he meets Joy Byrnes (played by Traylor Howard) and also randomly gets offered a handyman job at the school. Basically he has nothing else going on. So he moves in with his sister—as in they literally share a one room bachelor apartment. Brynn, Aaron and Barry hit the books for an intense study session to figure out why this show flunked out. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Badaptation: Harry and the Hendersons (1991) Starring Bruce Davison and Molly Cheek 1:08:19

2 years ago1:08:19

1:08:19

1987 saw the release of the Academy Award winning film Harry and the Hendersons. That Oscar was for makeup and hairstyling, which makes sense when you consider that the star of the story is in fact a bigfoot. It was adapted into a sitcom a mere four years later. Both were produced by Amblin Entertainment, best known as the Spielberg-helmed production company responsible for another 1980s family-meets-fantasy-creature-drama E.T. The Extra Terrestrial…the image of which is right in their logo. This very Hairy show replaced John Lithgow and Melinda Dillon with Bruce Davison and Molly Cheek, as the parents of a family who happen upon a friendly bigfoot and adopt him into their family. Brynn, Aaron and Barry go on a hike in the Pacific Northwest and try to determine if Harry’s ‘feets’ are in fact…too big. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
Network Promo - Teaser for the next episode! 2:28

2 years ago2:28

2:28

The next episode of That Was a Show? is coming October 1st. Listen to this fun Radio Gizmo network promo to find out what it is!

1
Liz Night Part 1 - Fran Drescher Loses Elizabeth Taylor’s Pearls 47:33

2 years ago47:33

47:33

On February 26, 1996 CBS pulled off quite possibly the greatest crossover marketing stunt in sitcom history with “Liz Night.” Four different prime time shows featured an ongoing stunt plot with Elizabeth Taylor and a lost black pearl necklace that she needs to promote her new fragrance. The story kicked off with the first show in the lineup—The Nanny. Brynn and Aaron watch the episode and try not to lose the thread. They first discovered this phenomenon by accident during TWAS episode 59 about the show High Society, which is where the missing pearls are finally found. Visit our website! thatwasashow.com Follow us on Instagram @thatwasashow Merch: redbubble.com/people/thatwasashow Hosted by: Brynn Byrne @brynnabyrne Aaron Yeger @aaronyeger Andrew “Barry” Helmer @andrewhelmer Podcast logo and artwork by Brian Walker @briguywalker…

1
My Two Dads - Paul Reiser’s first show 1:21:37

2 years ago1:21:37