Battle of the Network Shows

We round out season 13 by taking a look at the Peanuts non-holiday TV specials. Most folks have fond memories of the holiday specials, but do they remember ones about camp, decathalons, school, motocross, and more? We give special attention to It's an Adventure, Charlie Brown, an hour-long special made up of shorter pieces adapted from the comics, including "The Kite-eating Tree" and the classic "Sack." Don't be a blockhead and pass up on this episode. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #peanuts #charliebrown #snoopy  

3/5/26 • 70:20

In the early 1970s, a fictional family became a fictional band, which became a real phenomenon. For a while the Partridge Family ruled the hearts and minds of teeny boppers across the country with a mix of music and laidback family comedy, and David Cassidy became a worldwide sensation. In the fictional world of the Partridges, young Danny reads an article that praises him above the others, and he decides he needs to become a "single act." Does his plan succeed? Does it make any sense? Is he ready for the big time all on his own? In the real world, does the show hold up? Are we starting to confuse ourselves? Find out on this week's Battle of the Network Shows. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #partridgefamily #davidcassidy  

2/26/26 • 56:29

For this season's Retro Retro episode, we asked listeners to vote on one of three suspense anthologies, and they overwhelmingly selected Alfred Hitchcock Presents. The original half-hour version aired for seven seasons around the time Hitchock was also making classic films like North By Northwest, Vertigo, and Psycho. Besides lending his name and likeness to the show, he starred in intro and outro segments and even directed some episodes, including the one we discuss here "Breakdown" in which a cold businessman played by the great Joseph Cotten takes a fateful drive. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #sixties #fifties #alfredhitchcock #alfredhitchcockpresents  

2/19/26 • 52:07

With the Big Game and the Big International Sporting Competition in the air, we thought it would be a good time to revisit the truest form of competition known to humankind--the game show! In this season two episode, we dive into the world of game shows with a look at the syndicated "Face the Music" and NBC's fast-paced "$ale of the Century." Plus, an all-new TV Guide Game! Will one of us go home with a radar range?! Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #gameshows    

2/12/26 • 75:27

Far be it from us to hop on a hype train, but with a new Muppet Show special arriving soon, we figured it might be a good time to revisit our season one episode about the TV classic. Featuring guest and human Muppet Steve Martin (at the height of Steve Martin mania), the episode breaks the Muppet Show's usual format but still provides plenty of variety-style comedy and music and Muppet-style absurdity. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #themuppetshow #muppetshow #muppets #stevemartin  

2/5/26 • 46:54

In Too Close For Comfort, the great Ted Knight played cartoonist Henry Rush. He and his wife Muriel (and eventually baby Andrew) lived upstairs, and their two adult daughters Jackie and Sara lived in an apartment downstairs. After a few seasons, Sara's friend and Henry's nemesis Monroe moved into the attic. They all lived on ABC for three seasons, then moved into first-run syndication. All along, fans watched for a deep but humorous study of family dynamics in eighties America. Nahhh! They watched to see Ted Knight lose his cool at Monroe's bumbling and some attractive women...but mostly the former. In season 4 episode "Goodbye, Mr. Chip," Monroe borrows a computer. Henry wants nothing to do with it...until he finds out he could win some money on horse racing. Guess what happens next! Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #eighties #sitcoms #toocloseforcomfort #tedknight  

1/29/26 • 64:51

Just in time for their centennial, this week, we talk about the Harlem Globetrottres. Like Doug Henning from earlier this season, the Globetrotters seemed to be all over TV in the seventies and early eighties. From ABC's Wide World of Sports to guest appearances, two cartoons and a Saturday-morning variety show, the Globetrotters brought their special brand of basketball and entertainment to audiences across the country--all while literally trotting the globe as ambassadors for the game. We take in an overview of this period and dip back into their history to celebrate the team and some of its personalities. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #harlemglobetrotters #baskettball    

1/22/26 • 51:21

In our second episode ever, we talked about CBS MTM high scool basketball drama The White Shadow, and we share it again for no particular reason. In "The Death of me Yet?" (Season 2, episode 22) the Carver High basketball team tries to win the city championships while grieving the loss of one of their own and worrying whether Coach Reeves will leave Carver for a job at a fancy college. Also, What We'd Like to See! Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #thewhiteshadow #basketball  

1/15/26 • 47:26

At a time when Superman made us believe a man could fly, the Hulk rampaged across American TVs, Wonder Woman dazzled audiences, and even Doctor Strange and Captain America starred in TV movies, one of comics' greatest heroes also swung his way onto the airwaves--Spider-Man! In a short-lived, often rescheduled TV series, Nicholas Hammond starred as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, and while the translation lacks in many areas, it has a certain charm. The season one episode "Night of the Clones" comes closest to capturing elements from the comics from a grumpy J. Jonah Jameson to weird science and Spidey facing off with Spidey! Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #spiderman #amazingspiderman #marvel #clones  

1/8/26 • 71:51

This week, we take a special look at the early days of Home Box Office, better known as HBO. Long before The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, and all those other shows, Home Box Office started as a gamble during the fledgling days of the cable TV industry with a smattering of movies, hockey, basketball, comedy specials, concerts, and polka competitions. As it expanded, the movies got better, boxing and Wimbledon became their go-to sports, the comedians and concerts grew bigger, and polka danced away. We follow the timeline to around 1985 and give special attention to HBO originals like Not Necessarily the News, HBO Magazine, and Yesteryear, as well as the documentary Some Called them Freaks. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #hbo #homeboxoffice  

1/1/26 • 65:45

For a lot of us growing up, the holidays meant one thing above all others...TOYS...and for those of us glued to our TVs, nothing stoked the desire for those toys more than the TOY COMMERCIALS (except the half-hour cartoons based on those toys, which of course were really ads, but let's not talk about that)! What better way to celebrate the holiday season and Christmas day than to highlight some of our favorite toy commercials? After you've unwrapped your socks and gift cards and retro TV DVD sets and filled up on eggnog and fruitcake, join us for a little more holiday fun. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #toycommercials #toys  

12/25/25 • 31:03

In the short-lived British-produced Zoo Gang, an international cast plays a group of French Resistance fighters reuniting after 28 years in the Riviera. They use their espionage skills and friendship to take down bad guys and earn some money for a good cause. In the first episode, they have a target in their sights--the man who sold them out to the Germans. Oh, and Paul McCartney has something to do with all this, too. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #british #espionage #adventure #paulmccartney  

12/18/25 • 57:58

On short-lived sitcom "That's My Mama," barber Clifton lives with his mama and gets into hijinks with his best friend Earl, and in the episode "The Witness," Earl moves in with Clifton and Mama after testifying against criminal Croaker Connelly. If he's not careful, Mama will kill him before Croaker does. Plus Ted Lange and Gordon Jump! Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #sitcom #thatsmymama  

12/11/25 • 51:07

While we recover from all the delicious Thanksgiving Mulligan Stew, enjoy this special encore presentation of our episode about The Love Boat. As usual, you get a heaping helping of of guest stars, including Maureen McCormick, the late Bobby Sherman, Vicki Lawrence, DVP, Vernee Watson, and the great Scatman Crothers! We'll be back next week with a brand-new episode. Hoo-whee! Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #loveboat #scatmancrothers  

12/4/25 • 76:29

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we whip an episode about Mulligan Stew, the little-remembered but perhaps oft-seen early seventies show about healthy eating habits. Most of the kids of Mulligan Stew fall prey to the easy appeal of the Flim-Flam Man's fad diets, and only Mulligan and Wilbur can save them. Along the way, they sing some songs and teach us such vaulable lessons as 4-4-3-2, VITAMIN D FOR HEALTHY BONES AND TEETH, and meat comes from hogs! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #educationaltv #nutrition   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

11/27/25 • 46:09

Things get iffy between everyone's favorite single-mom roommates Kate and Allie when Kate's demanding college friend moves in for an extended stay. Allie tries to handle it with aplomb because she's "just great!" Plus, a cool T-shirt and a lively guest star turn as a bartender, so get yourself some authentic New York bread and deli, pop on your headphones, and remember just when you think you're all by yourself you're not. #podcast #tv #retrotv #sitcoms #eighties #kateandallie #susanstjames #janecurtin #breadanddeli   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

11/20/25 • 67:09

We've talked about a lot of great shows over the course of the podcast, and sometimes, we've mentioned great lineups that dominated a particular night and era or even single season. This week, we go more in depth with a completely subjective list of the top 10 greatest TV lineups of the BOTNS era. Using strict criteria, Rick compled this list, and he justifies his choices. Mike pipes in with his two cents. Expect a few suprises and maybe even a controversy or two along the way. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #lineups #schedules #greatestlineups   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

11/13/25 • 44:08

New from the BOTNS Games Lab: The Celebrity Height Game! Mike has to guess if the celebrity heights listed in one Rick's vintage books match the "official" heights listed on IMDB! Can you get this kind of action anywhere else? Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #games #celebrityheights  

11/6/25 • 23:59

In the seventies and early eighties, magic had a face, and that face had a big mustache. It also had long hair and wore sparkly versions of hippie clothes and had assistants in hot pants. That face appeared on Broadway in two magic-themed musicals and all over TV from talk shows to the Muppet Show to a series of successful specials on NBC. That face had a name--Doug Henning. He invited audiences to believe in illusions and wonder and joy. In his second World of Magic special, he invited Michael Landon, Joey Heatheron, and Ricky Jay along for the fun, and we talk about it all on Battle of the Network Shows! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #magic #illusions #doughenning   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE    

10/30/25 • 65:06

What's the opposite of an all-time classic? The Girl, The Gold Watch, and Everything might provide the answer. Ths syndicated TV movie from 1980 stars Robert Hays (Airplane!) as its amiable if hapless hero, who inherits a gold watch and a lot of trouble from his eccentric uncle. He also gets involved with Pam Dawber (Mork & Mindy) after the worst meet-cute in film history. Other recognizable faces round out the cast, but can they salavage this one? Unlikely. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #eighties #tvmovie #roberthays #pamdawber  

10/23/25 • 54:48

We open our 13th season in the Windy City with an all-time classic, The Bob Newhart Show. In "Mister Emily Hartley," psychologist Bob Hartley reluctantly takes an IQ test only to learn he has a lower IQ than his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette). Attending the Chicago High IQ Club dance as Emily's plus-one only confirms his feelings of inferiority as he suffers indignity after indignity. We discuss this along iwth the show's high-level consistency, stellar cast, and questionable fashions. Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE   #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #thebobnewhartshow #bobnewhart #sitcoms #mtm  

10/16/25 • 65:36

Get ready for the biggest night in retro TV podcasting, the Season 12 BATTY Awards! Actors clash with actors, duos duel with duos, mustaches face off with eyebrows all for the chance to win a coveted BATTY Award! We have some all-time classic shows like All in the Family and Sesame Street up against each other. We also have Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous and TV's Blooper's and Practical Jokes. Will the Quinn Martin shows cancel each other out? Will Donny and Marie cancel each other out? Will someone finally become a BEGOT, and who will win the Robert Pine Genius Award? Tune in, download, and find out! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #battyawards #awardshows   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

3/13/25 • 129:26

It took us 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 seasons, but we finally found our way to Sesame Street, episode 900 to be specific, "Sing-along in Bert and Ernie's Bathroom." The title says it all, and if it missed something, Bert's eyebrow has us covered. Help us wrap up the season in style with Bert, Ernie, David, Bob, Gordon, Maria, Big Bird, the Count, and Grover plus appearances by Kermit, Cookie Monster, and Luis in disguise. How do you spell fun and educational? B-O-T-N-S! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #sesamestreet# #bertandernie #kermitthefrog #grover #cookiemonster #bigbird #singalong Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE      

11/28/24 • 64:13

For the second time this season, we explore the gritty world of Quinn Martin Productions with The Streets of San Francisco. In season one episode "The Takers," Karl Malden and Michael Douglas hit those very streets to discover who killed two young women in their own apartment. Was it jealous ex and airline pilot Rex Riley, their former roommate, the building manager, the little jewelry salesman, or someone else? Expect more twists and turns than Lombard Street in "The Takers"! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #streetsofsanfrancisco #quinnmartin #karlmalden #michaeldouglas Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

11/21/24 • 71:24

This week, we travel across the pond and into the far-flung future of cult classic UK sci-fi show Blake's 7, where a rag-tag group of former criminals turned rebels tries to take down the evil Federation. In the series two episode "Pressure Point," they return home to Earth to take down the Federaton's computer control system...Control! The plan doesn't go as planned for them or the Federation, and one of our heroes...dies! It's adventure at standard by 10 on this week's Battle of the Network Shows! #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #scifi #blakes7 #brittv #telly Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

11/14/24 • 79:25

For this bonus episode, Rick used a set of strict criteria to compile a list of 10 forgotten shows from the BOTNS era. Instead of short-lived shows, though, he chose long-running, relatively successful shows that have little to no home video, streaming, or syndication presence these days. Join us to find out the 10 "winners" and to see if any of your favorite shows made the list. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #forgottenshows #list   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

11/7/24 • 27:06

For this season's Retro Retro episode, we head back to Gilligan's Island! News comes in on the radio that Mr. Howell has been rescued, which comes as a surprise to the castaways, especially Mr. Howell! The real Howell whips the castaways into a frenzy to get him home to stop the imposter Howell from spending his money and, to a far lesser extent, ruining his reputation. Things get weirder when the imposter washes up on the island. #podcast #tv #retrotv #sixties #gilligansisland   Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

10/31/24 • 66:47

The mid-eighties saw the rise of blooper-mania, and nothing exemplified that more than TV's Bloopers and Practical Jokes, starring Dick Clark and BOTNS semi-regular Ed McMahon! If you've never seen the show, don't be fooled by the title, though. It's really TV's Bloopers, Commercial Compilations, Comedy Bits, Dance Montages, and Practical Jokes! Also appearing in this episode Nancy and Phil McKeon and Dr. Joyce Brothers. #podcast #tv #retrotv #eighties #bloopers #practicaljokes #tvsbloopersandpracticaljokes #dickclark #edmcmahon #nancymckeon #phimckeon #drjoycebrothers  Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

10/24/24 • 62:48

Things get rough for Chico and the Man when THE Man tells them Chico can't live in the Man's van. Also, they go to a diner and crack some jokes. #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #chicoandtheman #freddieprinze #jackalbertson #sitcom Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

10/17/24 • 68:01

In the seventies and eighties, two stars of screen and stage also graced our televisions in long-running ad campaigns, offering their advice and years of wisdom to to America. Nancy Walker played Rosie the Bounty paper towels lady, and Jan Miner played Madge the Palmolive dish soap lady. In this bonus game, Mike quizzes Rick on their careers and lives outside of those ad campaigns. Who worked with the Village People? Who once played Della Street? Who appeared in a terrible movie with nearly every actor in Hollywood? #podcast #tv #retrotv #seventies #eighties #games #nancywalker #janminer #bounty #palmolive Read full show notes and more at https://www.battleofthenetworkshows.com/ Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/371670863237699 Support the show by buying merch at http://tee.pub/lic/FM0uOqq3xzE  

10/10/24 • 13:23