83 episodes
That Was a Show? Radio Gizmo: Brynn, Aaron & Barry
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- TV & Film
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4.8 • 16 Ratings
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The podcast about failed or forgotten sitcoms from the 80s and 90s.
Many sitcoms have stood the test of time and have millions of adoring fans—but those shows were diamonds in the rough. This podcast is not about those diamonds, it's about the rough. Some sitcoms were briefly popular in their time, some were cancelled almost immediately. You probably won't recognize most of these, and you'll say 'that was a show?'
Hosted by Brynn Byrne, Aaron Yeger, and Andrew "Barry" Helmer.
A Radio Gizmo Production.
Artwork by Brian Walker.
thatwasashow.com
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George & Leo - Starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch
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 -
The Duck Factory - Jim Carrey’s First Major Role!
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 -
Partners (1995) - Starring Jon Cryer, Tate Donovan and Maria Pitillo
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 -
Flying Blind - Starring Téa Leoni and Corey Parker with guest Lisa Kudrow
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 -
Badaptation: Uncle Buck (1990) Somehow not starring John Candy!
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 -
2023 Holiday Special feat. Family Matters, Soul Man and The Nanny!
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
Customer Reviews
A real joy
You don’t need to be a TV nerd to share in a few nostalgic laughs with these three engaging hosts. This podcast is fun, clever and a lighthearted counterbalance in these heavy times — and absolutely worth a follow.
Love this show
This is my new favourite podcast. I love the discussion about how so many people came together and made shows that were just not good. And the contrast to shows like Friends and Seinfeld, which were successful, is very interesting. The editing is great, and having 3 co-hosts means there's always something fresh being said. Analytical and funny at the same time. If you grew up in the 80s and 90s like I did, and watched a lot of sitcoms, you should subscribe to this podcast.
Addictive
So fun and scary to walk through those shows I thought I imagined from the nineties. The sexism I was cooked in! Lots of laughs mixed with critical thinking. Long live Conchata Ferrel!
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