Oddity Archive

Aired 2012-07-05

On the night of Sunday, November 22nd, 1987, a mysterious figure in a Max Headroom mask hijacked two Chicago TV stations. Spoiler alert: The perpetrators were never found.

Aired 2012-07-19

An informal (not to mention, loose) history of Civil Defense Broadcasting in the U.S.

Aired 2012-08-02

Remember when TV stations used to go off the air late at night? Anyone?

Aired 2012-08-16

Interested in seeing a clown so laid-back, he forgets he's on camera? Now about a Hawaiian teen idol with a pen fetish? Maybe an American Bandstand ripoff with an evil spirit hosting? If you answered yes to any of these questions, watch this episode--then seek immediate professional help.

Aired 2012-08-30

The Archive's most infamous episode--for some reason.

Aired 2012-09-13

Meet the artists that made the likes of Joan Baez and Pete Seeger fear for their careers.

Aired 2012-09-27

VHS or Beta? Laserdisc or CED? What the hell is a CED anyway? These burning questions (amongst others) answered in this episode!

Aired 2012-10-11

Join Ben as he launches his own 1-900 number. What could possibly go wrong?

Aired 2012-10-25

We still get a lot of flack for this episode (did you really think there were 37 minutes of odd VHS endings out there?). Nonetheless, it's still a favorite.

Aired 2012-11-08

An Archive double header: The two most famous occurrences of Broadcast Signal Hijacking (well, save for the Max Headroom Incident) are discussed here.

Aired 2012-11-15

The Oddity Archive will now be switching to scrambled mode. Please turn on your (preferably, circa 1984) decoder box now.

Aired 2012-11-22

Because we always like to go the extra mile (at least, when it's convenient), the Archive tackles TWO lists of the worst of the (19)90's: The top 4 Trendy Turkeys and the top 4 Technological Turkeys of the (again, 19)90's.

Aired 2012-12-06

The 13th episode is a very unlucky one for Ben as he discusses some (all too often, rather off) U.S. Kiddie Show hosts from the early 1950's through the late 1990's.

Aired 2012-12-20

All Ben wanted for Christmas was a silent night...

Aired 2013-01-03

Ceefax and Keyfax, Nite-Owl and Cable Chuckles, oh my...

Aired 2013-01-10

It's movie day at the Archive! Unfortunately, due to copyright issues, you're not invited. But, at least you can join us for an intermission reel (conveniently containing all Public Domain footage!).

Aired 2013-01-17

Given how much we discuss TV on the Archive, a history lesson seemed in order.

Aired 2013-01-31

?segassem lanimilbus tahW ?huH Everyone knows there are no subliminal messages in music...(!slatrom nwod wob ,woN)

Aired 2013-02-14

Join Ben as he discusses some of the Dating Services of the 1980's to present. And, if you're good, maybe Ben will let you join him in his own quest for a date.

Aired 2013-02-28

Temporarily exiled from the big leagues of Internet TV, Ben (again, temporarily) sets up camp at his local Public Access outlet.

Aired 2013-03-14

It's the feel-good episode of the year as Ben discusses the (in)famous British Nuclear War preparedness campaign.

Aired 2013-03-28

Because you can (apparently) never have enough nukes...

Aired 2013-04-11

What is it about end logos and FBI Warnings that scared so many children of the VHS era?

Aired 2013-04-25

Can pure rock sound really hard-boil an egg? Of course not. It does make for some wicked "deviled" eggs though.

Aired 2013-05-09

Things have gotten so dire at The Archive that Ben's been forced to take a "real" job. Join him as he takes a look at his potential employers' training videos.

Aired 2013-05-23

Ever wanted to know the absolute root of the Oddity Archive? Well, it involves a creepy guy in a Hamster costume...