This Was A Thing: The Retro Podcast

Some child actors seem like they’re just born to be stars (we’ve all watched that one kid’s audition video for E.T., and if you haven’t, put that in the queue for the weekend). But way back before we got movies like The Goonies, producer Hal Roach had already revolutionized cinema’s approach to incorporating kids in the motion pictures. Instead of just having them be set dressing, or using them as plot devices, why not just make movies in which kids … act like kids?Ray teaches Rob about the Our Gang films and the child stars who made them so iconic; the archetypes that the film series relied upon to create unforgettable characters; how Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer actually terrorized many of his castmates; the lives, and passings, of other notable “Little Rascals” after they left the film series; why getting dinner with Robert Blake might have been hazardous to your health; and whether or not the Our Gang curse is backed up by the evidence.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media. Thank you as always for your support, and if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media! And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have a second, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSOur Gang: Inside the Clubhouse (1984) (Part 1 of 10)

If you’ve listened to some of our previous episodes, you know we love a TV variety show here at “This Was a Thing.” So to celebrate a truly iconic version of that now-defunct performance format, we’re republishing our episode on “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour.” It’s got it all - singing, dancing, American Flags, fake Jan. What’s not to love? And stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!~~~The Bradys are BACK! But this time the whole bunch is singing and dancing! Yes, even Alice.This week, Ray tells Rob all about “The Brady Bunch Variety Hour” a show that may have been panned back in the 70s, but is loved in 2021, and how The Bradys became America’s first franchised family.And don’t worry! You don’t just get Mike, Carol, and the kids! No, no! A slew of A-Listers wanted to come along for the ride! You like Tony Randall? He’ll be there! Donny and Marie? Check! Milton Berle? Oh yes! Charo, Lee Majors and even Farrah Fawcett too? There they all are being groovy with Rip Taylor! If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media. TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaWEBSITESTV Guide’s Worst 50 Shows All Time (#4)BOOKSLove to Love You BradysARTICLESNews Clipping from 1976Retro JunkVISUAL

You know a company’s made it big when its name or brand makes it into everyday vocabulary, and history’s full of great examples. We Google things, we use Kleenex, and how would we cover our boo-boos without Band-Aids? And one camera company’s name became synonomous with capturing a perfect memory - a perfect moment, you might say - so it could be preserved forever. Unfortunately (and ironically), that same company had a lot of trouble preserving itself from going under.Ray teaches Rob about the earliest forms of cameras and how time-consuming the process of photography originally was; how Mr. George Eastman and his company “Kodak” came onto the scene to bring photography to the masses; Kodak’s many innovations in both the form of cameras and the film they used; the Russian monarchs who were also big Kodak fans; why Kodak steered clear of digital photography, even though it helped invent the technology; and how its hesitancy to join the digital revolution was the prime culprit in Kodak’s downfall.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSThe Jazz Singer | “Ain’t Heard Nothin’ Yet” Scene | Warner Bros. EntertainmentRetroland Video: Vintage Kodak Commercials | (1950s - 1990s)Single Marble Rolling Long time10000 Marbles Rolling on a Giant Marble Run _ Part 2ADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee,” “Winter Chimes,” "Pinball Spring 160," and “Mister Exposition”• Kevin MacLeod (

We’re celebrating Labor Day this week by republishing a classic episode from last year all about the television event that became synonymous with not only this holiday, but also its enigmatic (and problematic) host - Mr. Jerry Lewis. Enjoy!---It’s that time of year again - Labor Day Weekend. And we all know the two most important things about that day: it’s the final chance to wear white clothing (thank you, Elle Woods), and it’s also when the nation used to tune into the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual fundraising broadcast, or as it’s better known, the Jerry Lewis Telethon.Rob teaches Ray about Good Jerry and Bad Jerry; the early days of Martin and Lewis, their subsequent break-up, and their unexpected reunion; how Lainie Kazan earned her Actor’s Studio stripes while singing Barry Manilow; Joan Crawford’s questionable poetry choices; and why MDA eventually disassociated itself from the very man who popularized its fundraiser and championed its cause.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSOpening Credits for the MDA TelethonLewis and Martin ReuniteLewis on Female ComicsLewis on RefugeesLewis Uses a Gay Slur“Bad Jerry” (Lewis on Larry King)

You know what really makes people want something? Tell them they can’t have it. If your goal is to cast some reverse psychology incantation, you’re golden! But in the 1980s, when a group of concerned parents with close political affiliations (read: married to politicians) wanted musicians to put content warnings on their albums, reverse psychology was not intended. Instead, we got a big ol’ battle between a committee of “Washington Wives” and any musician publishing music with violent or explicit language and themes.Rob teaches Ray about Tipper Gore’s vendetta against explicit music; the founding of the Parents Music Resource Center and its mission to enforce a music rating system; how musicians like Prince and Madonna (and Cyndi Lauper) found their songs on the “Filthy Fifteen”; Frank Zappa being a boss; Dee Snider being even more of a boss; and how issues of censorship continue to be debated today.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSPrince - Let’s Pretend We’re Married1985 Frank Zappa, Donny Osmond, and Kandy Stroud on Nightline With Ted Koppel1986 Tipper Gore InterviewPrince - Darling NikkiDee Snider vs Tipper Gore 1984 - Senate Hearing PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center)Dee Snider’s PMRC Senate Hearing Speech (Full)ADDITIONAL MUSIC &...

We’re giving you all a blast from the past today by republishing one of our favorite bonus episodes from last year. This one’s all about actor Edwin Booth, and features a very special appearance from distinguished guest host Brody Karn, Esquire. Enjoy!In one of the most off the rails of This Was a Thing (Member’s Edition), Rob and Ray learn all about 19th Century actor Edwin Booth. Brody Karn, Esquire, tries to keep the boys on track as Mary Todd Lincoln gets a job at Denny’s, The Booth Family does Hairspray, and Seinfeld tries Shakespeare. If you like what we’re doing, and want to hear more of this type of bonus episode content, please support us on Patreon or subscribe to our membership on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaSPECIAL GUESTBrody Karn

If you’re like most people, you’ll want to find a job you’re pretty good at, you enjoy, doesn’t require a huge amount of work, and also makes you a decent living. And it’s a nice bonus if other people think we’re decent at it, too. As it happens, a tall red-haired comedy writer and performer found that perfect niche for himself: hosting late night TV. But when behind-the-scenes tensions rose and contractual drama ensued, this much-loved, beautifully pompadoured man suddenly found himself on the outs at the very network he’d been loyally hosting for decades - and it’s still unclear who’s exactly to blame…Ray teaches Rob about Conan O’Brien’s history as a comedy writer and performer; his rise to fame after he took up the “Late Night” mantle from beloved host David Letterman; the kooky characters and cameos that endeared Conan to his viewers; Jay Leno’s ascendancy to hosting fame and Conan and his competing claims to NBC’s coveted “Tonight Show” crown; the unexpected appearance of economic correspondent Robert Krulwich; and who was really the “villain” in this whole debacle?If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon or subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!Thank you as always for your support, and if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSFirst Tonight Show 9/27/54Jack Paar’s First introJohnny Carson’s Last Tonight ShowLate Night With David Letterman ThemeTonight Show With Johnny Carson Final Episode - May 22, 1992 (1080p60)Tonight Show With Jay Leno - First Episode - 5/25/92Late Show #1, August 30, 1993, Full,...

Want to learn to be a real actor? Well, if you’re willing to plumb the depths of emotionally devestating experiences from your childhood and past, or living your life in the exact circumstances of your character, then you’re in luck! Doesn’t sound appealing? To most people, those kind of ideas (drawing on memories to inform a performance and “being” your character) is the epitome of what’s known as “method acting.” But in fact, there really isn’t just one “method” - and as it turns out, that idea of an acting method is a relatively recent - and controversial - concept…Rob teaches Ray about the “method” technique of acting, and how the idea of a systematic approach to acting developed; how Konstantin Stanislavski impacted acting education by exploring the intersection of psychology and performing in his theatre work; the different interpretations and teachers who branched off from Stanislavski’s ideas; the many notable actors who have emerged from these acting schools; and whether the “method” or “system” of acting is still considered the gold-standard in modern stage and screen acting.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon or subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSHis Girl Friday (1940) - a Better Offer Scene (1/12) | MovieclipsGone With the Wind (1/6) Movie Clip - Scarlett Meets Rhett (1939) HDA Streetcar Named Desire (5/8) Movie Clip - I’m the King Around Here (1951) HDWhat Is Method acting?Clip of Lee Strasberg Directing Katherine Cortez, 1979Stella Adler: Awake and Dream! From “American Masters”What Is the Meisner Technique: The Repetition Exercise (Part 1)Sanford Meisner Master Class Screener

Life is full of questions: Why are we here? What’s the point? How can I possibly get tickets to see Taylor Swift? But when Californians concerned about declines in milk consumption decided to revamp their marketing approach, they had a different two-word question in mind. And that question became a slogan, which then became a viral sensation that rocketed the ad campaign into public awareness, and is still immediately recognizable more than thirty years later.Rob teaches Ray about the California Milk Processor Board and its hand in creating the viral “Got Milk?” campaign; other beverage ads of that era that inspired the marketing of milk; how Michael Bay created an award-winning ad - about milk - that went viral; how the simple tagline on these ads became an instantly recognizable meme; and whether or not the “Got Milk?” campaign actually accomplished its goal: make people drink more milk!If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreonor subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSOscar Mayer Wiener 1965 Commercial‘Don’t Squeeze the Charmin!’ Commercial (1970)Classic Tootsie Roll Commercial - “How Many Licks”Coca-Cola Classic Ad: ‘Mean’ Joe Greene (Full Version) (1979)Where’s the Beef?Milk Commercial 1985Milk Commercial (1986)1990 Commercials Milk It Does a Body Good 1)Snapple - Wendy the Snapple Lady ’90s Commercials CompilationMountain Dew Tv Commercial Early 90s

Most people would probably say “Yes” immediately if someone agreed to pay them a million dollars for spending time on an island. But what if you had to undergo challenges like eating beetle larvae, and be judged by a jury of your peers in order to get the money? Oh, also, finding a place to poop is not fun. That may not sound like your ideal vacation, but to the first-season contestants on Survivor, that was their reality for the 39-day duration of the show. And to the millions of people who were glued to the screen, they witnessed a seminal moment of television that helped define a genre and has continued to this day.Ray teaches Rob about the first season of Survivor and how its creators and producers, Charlie Parsons and Mark Burnett, made their dream reality show an actual reality; why psychologists are essential to the casting of the show; Ray’s deep love for Mr. Jeff Probst, the show’s legendary host; moments of the first season that have become part of Survivor canon; the strong personalities that made up the show’s original sixteen-person cast; and how Survivor has innovated on its formula since the first season.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon or subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSSue’s Famous Rat and Snake speechSurvivor Borneo Rudy Likes Rich Not in a Homosexual waySurvivor Borneo in 19 Minutes!Survivor 1 Borneo Opening Credits High QualityADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee"• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro,

Hot off the presses! As some of you might know, just last week, the members of SAG-AFTRA - the union which represents TV and film actors - went on strike for the first time in decades. And while we’re not really a current events podcast (see the “Retro Podcast” subtitle), these types of battles over contracts and pay have been going on between producers and actors for as long as studios have existed, and probably even longer. And in one particular battle in 1987, when a famous actress asked for contract changes, she wasn’t fired from any ol’ show - she was pushed out of a sitcom that was literally named after her.Rob teaches Ray about Valerie Harper, her award-winning career, and why she was ignominiously fired from her eponymous sitcom; the clash of comedic sensibilities on “Valerie”; Jason Bateman’s literal role in all this; another rockin’ 80s theme song; and how the fallout from Valerie Harper’s firing and subsequent lawsuit made producers much more cautious about future TV fights with stars.If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon or subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSSong on the Sand (La Da Da Da)Valerie Harper Discusses “Rhoda”’s Wedding- EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORGMe & the Chimp (1972)Valerie (1986–1991) Opening Credits (The Hogan Family)Jodie Sweetin in ValerieValerie Harper Discusses the Series “Valerie” - TelevisionAcademy.com/InterviewsValerie Harper on Letterman, February 13, 1990Hogan Family / Valerie Tv Show (Season 2 clips)The Hogan Family (1991) Ho, Ho, HogansADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND...

You are not going to f#$%ing believe this: we have another Hollywood-themed episode for you! This time, though, we’re moving past the Hollywood Blacklist and looking at a different kind of censorship: the movie ratings system. That’s right, we’re doing a deep dive into who exactly is behind that four capital letter organization you see next to each rating, and why we’re stuck with the system we’ve got. So buckle in and get ready, because s*&%’s about to get crazy here at This Was A Thing.Rob teaches Ray about the origins of art censorship across the globe, and the different approaches countries have taken over the centuries; how the United States decided that motion pictures needed a similar kind of oversight; the infamous Hayes code, and the man behind it; why the church actually disapproved of certain parts of the government intervention; Ray’s favorite Steven Spielberg and MPAA story; and how ratings continue to impact a film’s commercial success, despite claims to the contrary.If you like what we're doing, please support us on Patreon or subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message at our website!TEAM Ray HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSPre Code HollywoodFiring Line With William F. Buckley Jr.: Censorship and the Production CodeWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Full MovieWho’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf - Getting Angry, Baby?Girl on a Motorcycle 1968 TrailerThis Film Is Not Yet Rated Part 1Trumbo (2015) - Writing for the King Brothers Scene (3/10) | MovieclipsHenry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986) - Trailer Hd 1080pX Rating Press Conference at Mpaa - Silverlight...

Happy Fourth of July, dear listeners! Since this day is typically all about celebrating independence, we thought we'd throw a little controversy into the mix (classic This Was A Thing) by revisiting an episode of America's history where a select group of people was targeted by the U.S. government for suspicions of communist associations and beliefs. And one community at the center of this suspicion was Tinseltown itself - Hollywood. Rob teaches Ray about the Hollywood blacklists and why studio heads like Walt Disney and Louis B. Mayer accused notable writers and directors of inserting communism into their screenplays; how ten men became the face of the resistance standing up to the studios; Ronald Regan's opinion on the matter; the consequences paid for pushing back against these attacks; the betrayals and backstabbing occurring on all sides; and whether "blacklisting" still exists today.And to celebrate the holiday, we’re releasing the extended, ad-free version of today’s episode, which we make for our Patreon supporters and Apple Podcast subscribers, for everyone! If you like what you hear, please consider supporting us on Patreon or signing up for our subscription option in the Apple Podcasts app. Thank you!TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSHollywood ‘Red’ Probe, HUAC Hearings Begin 1947/10/20 - YouTube1947 Walt Disney Testifies at HUAC - YouTubeLouis B Mayer HUAC Testimony, 1947 - YouTubeHerbert Biberman HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947 - YouTubeRing Lardner, Jr., one of the “Hollywood 10,” on testifying before HUAC - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG - YouTubeHoward Lawson HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947 - YouTubeSam Ornitz HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947 - YouTubeDalton Trumbo HUAC Testimony Excerpt, 1947 - YouTubeThe Hollywood Ten (1950) - YouTubeYouTube

Please note: this episode contains content and discussion about the death of an infant and child kidnappings.Charles Lindbergh may have earned himself the nickname “Lucky Lindy” and captivated the world with his record-setting solo flight from New York to Paris, but sadly, he may be best remembered for the tragedy that befell him and his family in 1932. And while the nation mourned Lindbergh’s child, little did they know that the controversy around this case would continue for decades to come. In fact, the investigation itself would set a precedent for how, and whether, celebrities should be allowed to exercise influence over police proceedings.Rob teaches Ray about the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh Junior, the mysterious ransom request made by the kidnapper, and the terrible discovery of the child’s body only a couple of months later; the man imprisoned for and charged with the crime of the kidnapping, Bruno Hauptmann; the evidence provided to secure Hauptmann’s execution; Lindbergh’s personal involvement in the investigation of his child’s abduction; and why questions about this case and its outcome have persisted over the past century.If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSThe Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping CaseWhere Baby Lindbergh Was Found (1932)The Lindbergh Kidnapping - Reel 1 (1930–1939)1935 Trial of Bruno HauptmannLindbergh Baby Case Aka the Lindbergh Kidnapping - Reel 2Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping/ Bruno Hauptmann Trial, 1932–35ADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee” and "Bad Idea (Clean)”• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and

Calling Dick Tracy! Calling Dick Tracy! This Was A Thing has a mystery only a seasoned, hard-boiled comic strip detective can solve: why did a movie based on such a popular character, whose story stretches all the way from the 1930s through the late 20th century, fail to make a splash at the box office even though it featured a cotillion of celebrities? Well, call up the Retouchables and grab your trenchcoat, because this one’s a doozy…Rob teaches Ray about the cartoonist Chester Gould’s most iconic creation, Dick Tracy; the highly problematic stereotypes that Gould’s comic strip and its cartoon adaptation contained; why the original Superman movie revived interest in putting Tracy on the big screen; the convoluted path Warren Beatty took to secure the film rights for Dick Tracy, and how he subsequently went on to direct and star in the infamous cinematic adaptation; the who’s who of Hollywood celebs featured in the movie; and why a film that was relatively well-reviewed and received by fans has never had any sort of resurgence in popular culture like other cult favorites. If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSSiskel & Ebert - Dick Tracy (1990)Dick Tracy SpecialDick Tracy: Behind the Badge (Tv Special, 1990)Al Pacino Hilarious Rant Scene (Dick Tracy)Madonna: Sooner or Later (Dick Tracy Footage)ADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee”• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

Roll out the VCR and pull up a folding chair, because it’s time for a good ol’ PSA. That’s right, we’re going old-school this week at This Was a Thing, and rewinding to a more innocent time when the classrooms were full of happiness, juice boxes, and policemen leading improvisation exercises where you pretended to sell drugs to your friends. Rob teaches Ray about Drug Abuse Resistance Education, a.k.a. D.A.R.E., and how it grew from a small pilot program in L.A. schools to a multi-million dollar, tax-funded behemoth taught to kids across the country; why Rob takes issue with Nancy Reagan’s famous three-line slogan; Ray’s memories from his own D.A.R.E. experience; the controversy that erupted after when studies demonstrated that D.A.R.E.’s methods might actually be counterproductive; Rob’s favorite celebrity anti-drug PSAs; the program’s iconic merch; and what D.A.R.E.’s fall from prominence tells us about the United States’s changing opinion about drug education.If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSReefer Madness Original Trailer - 1936 (Not the Full film)Helen Hunt , Just Say “No”! (Or, “Mad About Crank”)“Just Say No” Nancy Reagan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB4rVJsy8z8)Nancy Reagan on Diff’rent StrokesDare commercial12:21:1992 D a R E on Channel 6 NewsNewcomerstown Elementary 1985 D.A.R.E. ProgramNews of the Death of John Belushi 1982Len Bias: News Report of His Death: June 19, 1986A Very Special Episode | Punky Brewster - Just Say No1987 Classic “Brain Frying Pan” + “From You!” Drug PSAs Tv CommercialPee Wee Herman Talks About Crack Cocaine - PSA

Whether it’s insider trading or nepo babies, people usually have an issue with others using exclusive privileges for personal gain. But in the world of sports betting, profiting from inside information isn't just frowned upon - for officials, it’s actually illegal. And yet that didn’t stop a certain NBA referee from doing just that, and causing one of the biggest scandals yet in the basketball league's history.Ray teaches Rob about NBA referee Tim Donaghy and his illicit gambling scheme; how Jimmy Battista and his group of professional gamblers known as “The Animals” found out about Donaghy’s thrift, and used it for their own gain; why Ray is glad he’s never gotten into gambling; how the FBI eventually caught on to Donaghy’s and Battista’s machinations; and why the NBA’s response to the accusations against Tim Donaghy may have indicated that it wasn’t just Tim who was part of some fishy business… If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSInside the Gambling Ring of Nba Referee Tim DonaghyPacers / Pistons Brawl (2004) OriginalRon Artest 2010 Nba Finals Post-Championship Interview (HD)Referee Tim Donaghy Explains Why He Bet on Nba GamesNBA’s David Stern Talks to the WSJ’s Lee HawkinsThis Was A Thing 1.06 - The 1919 World Series Scandal; Or The Rise of Judge Kenesaw Mountain LandisKurtis Blow - Basketball (Official Music Video)La Lakers Rap - Just Say No!ADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee,” “Wah Game Loop,” and “Porch Blues”• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro,

Here at This Was A Thing, we’re no fashionistas (although Ray would argue otherwise), but even with our limited knowledge, it’s hard to avoid noticing the current trend of tapered, tighter clothes. But in the early 1900s, a garment rose to popularity that shunned that trend toward tightness, boasting extra fabric and a looser fit. More than that, this particular clothing item became so identified with certain groups that its name was used when describing a notable riot in the 1940s that was emblematic of social tensions of that time, and involved United States servicemen, the Latin-X and Mexican-American community and a mysterious, unsolved murder…Ray teaches Rob about the 1943 Zoot Suit Riots which occurred 80 years ago this week, and the events which precipitated so much violence and unrest; how London’s “drape suit” traveled across the pond, got a name change, and was sported by celebrities from Cab Calloway to Frank Sinatra; the 1990s swing revival that brought back both the music and clothing of that era (and produced some famous earworms); and why these riots provide one of the earliest examples of clothing styles becoming synonomous with cultural tensions between different social and ethnic groups.If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSCherry Poppin’ Daddies - Zoot Suit Riot (Full Length Mp3 + Lyrics)A Zoot Suit (For My Sunday Gal) ~ Bob Crosby & His Orchestra (1942)Cab Calloway - Minnie the MoocherThe Who - Zoot SuitRoyal Crown Revue - Hey PachucoADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee” and “Private Eye”• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

In honor of pride month, this week is a special episode focused on the franchise that began life as a landmark French boulevard stage comedy, and was then adapted into acclaimed films and musical. And even though the love story at the center of the story was between two men, it has captured the hearts of audiences from all sexual orientations. It also answers the age old question: what happens when you put the composer of Hello Dolly!, the director of West Side Story, and Edna Turnlad in a room together? The answer: Broadway magic.Rob teaches Ray about the history of Jean Poiret’s play La Cage Aux Folles and its many adaptations; how competing producers (including ThWAT favorite Allan Carr) fought to secure the chance to both film and musicalize La Cage; Jerry Herman’s hummable, Tony-winning score and the anthem it provided the gay rights movement; Nathan Lane’s breakout movie performance; and all the ways in which this property has been and continues to be celebrated by audiences across the world.If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSMike Wallace The Homosexuals 1967 - YouTubeLa Cage Aux Folles (1979) movie review - Sneak Previews with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel - YouTubeEpiphany - George Hearn (1982) - YouTubeLa Cage aux Folles 2 TrailerLa Cage aux Folles 3 Trailer"Color and Light" from Sunday in the Park with GeorgeColumbo Pilot Episode - “Prescription Murder” costarring Gene Barry - Clips - YouTubeI Am What I Am - YouTubeSong on the Sand (La Da Da Da) - YouTubeI Am What I Am - Official Gay Anthem For The World - Gloria Gaynor - YouTubeThe Best of Times - YouTube

When a neighborhood in Niagra Falls is named "Love Canal," you might think it would be a perfect place for a weekend get-away, or an idyllic spot to raise one’s family. Tragically, as its residents discovered in 1978, a chemical company had already put this area to use as a dumping site for highly toxic chemicals - which they then covered up, literally and figuratively. But it couldn’t, and didn’t, stay buried forever, and once the citizens actually learned about the horrific compounds stored in the very soil they lived on, there was only one thing to do: get out as soon as humanly possible.Rob teaches Ray about any terrible history of Love Canal, New York, where deadly chemicals were discovered and identified as the cause of persistent health and safety issues that were afflicting the adults and children of the community; why the United States government originally allowed the Hooker Chemical Company to use the area as a dumpsite before it was populated; how this catastrophe impacted local and national politics; how Hooker managed to sell off the contaminated area; and how the story of Love Canal provided a tragic example to the entire nation about the dangers of industrial waste and its impact on those living near it. If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon or on Apple Podcasts.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSThe Love Canal Disaster: Toxic Waste in the Neighborhood | Retro Report | the New York TimesLove Canal TRAGEDY..PT 1 of 3Abc News Close-Up: The Killing Ground (1979)Love Canal Tragedy (Part 2 of 3)ADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee”• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro