82 episodes
That Was a Show? Radio Gizmo: Brynn, Aaron & Barry
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- TV & Film
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4.5 • 8 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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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 -
Hardball - A show about baseball starring Bruce Greenwood
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
Customer Reviews
Two words: The Charmings
Omg! Someone else who is human and exists knows this show other than me. I havent checked for an ep on Small Wonder or Its a Living yet, but if I die and go to syndication heaven, I will be happy to have found others who enjoy retro pop culture, and dissecting it, along with the intricacies of the six degrees of (friends) separation, like who wrote this, who created that - it really is something else. I came upon this gem of a show after (semi-randomly) searching “John Larroquette” on spotify (as I am in a bingefest of “Night Court” at the present moment), and who knew Blossom’s Dad helped create his solo venture. This podcast is the best mix of all things 80s/90s tv. And the Jason Bateman show! Lets not forget that! He was like Zack Morris before there was one. Thank you, super cool trio, for your insights and hilarity! Its like being back at my performing arts high school where we would sit and pontificate about movies, musicals, the peeps behind the scenes and on the stage. Really good work! This should be required listening for film students!
What Even Are These Shows?
We are huuuuge fans of obscure, weird, funny, nostalgic anything - so to hear about all these shows we didn’t even know existed have us hooked to looking them up and watching online!
Funny premise, and great execution
The hosts all watch episodes from a long-dead sitcom, and then discuss it afterwards. Their discussions are funny and on point, and even with sitcoms I haven't seen, I love hearing their recaps.
All around recommended!
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