Adjusting with our Antennas
What was watched and the way it was watched on TV has presented a significant impact on the medium's influcence over time. Join the lifelong television enthusiast identified as the frequency BAF in a journey through various decades of that medium where the reception came from the antenna. The episodes cover shows, genres, personalities and how not just antennas but how audiences have received them through the airwaves over time.
Produced by Benjamin Fronczek
Our Theme Song: Good Ol Days - 2024 Remaster by Beat Mekanik is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.
Episodes
39 episodes
When Television Entered Another Dimension
The 1950s brought science fiction to television, but in October of 1959 a new program took elements of that genre to another level with a new anthology titled "The Twilight Zone." Created, produced, and narrated by Rod Serling this program expl...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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31:18
From the Mountain to the Prairie
The 1970s were a changing time for television bringing in a mix of new sitcoms and variety shows involving satire and social issues along with new trends and images in action shows and crime dramas. As the curtain closed on the era of western-b...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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24:36
The Games Experiened Around the World
No, it's not an Olympic year and half a year away from one. But the purpose of having an Olympic Games sustains through time. BAF admits that in starting the podcast in 2024 he neglected last year's summer games in lieu of prepping introductory...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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23:06
Watching the Spies
In this bonus coverage, BAF peeks into the television shows of the 1960s decade that centered on espionage. Inspired by the release of the early James Bond films, spy-themeed programs began their mission with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. an...
Subscriber Episode
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Season 2
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18:49
The Opening Theme: Going But Not Forgotten?
BAF explores a nostalgic subject for many when it comes to television programs - the opening theme. The early programs focused on the announcement of the show and its primary sponsor(s) but over time has helped introduce the setting and charact...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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25:26
Serving Up Tennis On Television
With this year's Wimbledon Grand Slam Tournament in the books and looking ahead to this year's U.S. Open , BAF explores the history and impact of tennis on television from its roots in the 20th Century. Loc, a well-received guest from last seas...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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46:48
Seasons Start, Seasons End, Seasons Change
The evolution of television programming was greatly influenced by the structure of the television season. BAF explores how it started out in experimental forms with early programming before eventually developing a fall through spring-summer mod...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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17:35
Putting the “Breaks” on the Air
Commerical breaks that is! BAF explores televison advertising from its earliest days and how it has evolved and changed. From its earliest days of sponsors promoting cigarette smoking to anti-drug public service announcements. From the earlier ...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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40:06
The Late Night Legacy on Saturday Night
BAF continues his exploration of changing comedy-variety shows with a look back at Saturday Night Live. Now in its 50th Season, the legendary sketch based program followed the a new wave of parody and issue-oriented comedy shows that c...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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45:48
The Changing Nature of Variety in the 60s and 70s
As Saturday Night Live celebrates 50 years, BAF explores comedy-variety sketch shows that aired in the 10 years before it premiered. Such programs themeed their content around current events of the day, popular culture, and parodies of...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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34:05
Subscriber Bonus Coverage: On the Job, On the Air: For the Defense...
As additional testimony to what was presented in the episode On the Job, On the Air: In the Criminal Justice System, BAF investigates more law enforcement officials outside the positions of police detective and prosecuting attorneys. I...
Subscriber Episode
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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17:44
Subscriber Bonus Coverage: On the Job, On the Air: In the Criminal Justice System...
After taking a look through the lens of the "Law & Order" setup (police investigators and prosecuting attorneys, BAF looks at the private investigation component. Some notable examples occured between the 1960s-80s decades with Mannix, ...
Subscriber Episode
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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18:19
Subscriber Bonus Coverage: The Sunday That Became More Super
A value to members of The Prime Time Players: Hear bonus content of the latest released episode that covers the evolution and emergence of America's championship game with further details on how it came to be named the Super Bowl, some...
Subscriber Episode
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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28:02
How March Became Mad on the Air
With the entrance of March comes the excitiement and anticipation of the annual NCAA College Basketball Tournament, Teams qualify, brackets are formed, and eventually a national champion is declared. But of all those who compete on the court, t...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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56:30
A New Path for Network TV
During the late 1980s, segments of a new television network started budding then blossoming into the regular lineup of shows. Before FOX television became a larger enterprise it worked its way into antenna television with some unique programs. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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43:41
On the Job, On the Air: In the Criminal Justice System...
One of television longest running and most popular crime dramas is Law & Order, and it has given the genre a whole new meaning not to mention to concept of branding off into other series. Before it came to be though, the television...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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45:10
The Sunday That Became More Super
It's more than just a championship game and BAF explores why. It doesn't need a seven-game series, home field advantage, or a dominating superstar athlete. With a blend of exciting play, diverse commercials, and engaging performance, the Super ...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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28:14
It's Just a Game...or More?
The game show has been a major player in television history throughout the many decades not just in terms of longetivity of the genre but the shows themselves. Even the most early ones starting with Truth or Consequences and You Be...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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35:42
The Early Realities of TV
Reality TV is more popular than ever but it is nothing new. It was there from the beginning of full TV schedules, and BAF explores the precursor shows such as Candid Camera and People are Funny that introduced the comedy of pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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25:18
Television Rings in the New Year
The changing of the calendar year - While an occurrence ages old, the presence of television heightened it by bringing many in different locations together for the annual celebration. Without the early music brought into househoulds by Guy Lomb...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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32:44
Television Yuletide
The spirit of Chirstmas has arrived in many forms but none have been so dynamic and influentual into the households of American families as the programming of television. The holiday episodes of regularly occuring shows showcased the many moods...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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19:38
On the Job, On the Air: School in Session
Whether it is those who teach or those who learn, the school setting represented a signficant television community of characters. Schools have been shown in various shows but specific ones used the setting as a centerpiece. BAF welcomes back Ea...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:03:30
On the Job, On the Air: Those in the Media
In the continuing series On the Job, On the Air BAF explores shows that centered on the ficitious media and how some interacted with reality and issues of the day. Specifically noted is Mary Tyler Moore's portrayal of the more independ...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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33:49
A Station Break to Review and Update
We interrupt this podcast to bring you a recap and some special updates. This episode presents a brief yet informative review for current, new, and prospective listeners alike as BAF summarizes past episodes with a couple of new annoucements. S...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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10:34
On the Job, On the Air: In Venues of Hospitality
BAF continues his exploration into workplace settings on television through the decades. This episode travels to hosptality venues such as the 1970s Phoenix diner in Alice and the 1980s Boston bar Cheers. It hits the high seas...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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48:52