Episode 1
The Max Headroom Incident of 1987
2012-07-05 • 12 min
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.
TV season
2012-07-05
Episode 1
2012-07-05 • 12 min
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.
Episode 2
2012-07-19 • 17 min
An informal (not to mention, loose) history of Civil Defense Broadcasting in the U.S.
Episode 3
2012-08-02 • 15 min
Remember when TV stations used to go off the air late at night? Anyone?
Episode 4
2012-08-16 • 21 min
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.
Episode 5
2012-08-30 • 16 min
The Archive's most infamous episode--for some reason.
Episode 6
2012-09-13 • 16 min
Meet the artists that made the likes of Joan Baez and Pete Seeger fear for their careers.
Episode 7
2012-09-27 • 21 min
VHS or Beta? Laserdisc or CED? What the hell is a CED anyway? These burning questions (amongst others) answered in this episode!
Episode 8
2012-10-11 • 21 min
Join Ben as he launches his own 1-900 number. What could possibly go wrong?
Episode 9
2012-10-25 • 37 min
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.
Episode 10
2012-11-08 • 14 min
An Archive double header: The two most famous occurrences of Broadcast Signal Hijacking (well, save for the Max Headroom Incident) are discussed here.
Episode 11
2012-11-15 • 14 min
The Oddity Archive will now be switching to scrambled mode. Please turn on your (preferably, circa 1984) decoder box now.
Episode 12
2012-11-22 • 19 min
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.
Episode 13
2012-12-06 • 32 min
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.
Episode 14
2012-12-20 • 23 min
All Ben wanted for Christmas was a silent night...
Episode 15
2013-01-03 • 16 min
Ceefax and Keyfax, Nite-Owl and Cable Chuckles, oh my...
Episode 16
2013-01-10 • 13 min
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!).
Episode 17
2013-01-17 • 16 min
Given how much we discuss TV on the Archive, a history lesson seemed in order.
Episode 18
2013-01-31 • 24 min
?segassem lanimilbus tahW ?huH Everyone knows there are no subliminal messages in music...(!slatrom nwod wob ,woN)
Episode 19
2013-02-14 • 26 min
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.
Episode 20
2013-02-28 • 20 min
Temporarily exiled from the big leagues of Internet TV, Ben (again, temporarily) sets up camp at his local Public Access outlet.
Episode 21
2013-03-14 • 16 min
It's the feel-good episode of the year as Ben discusses the (in)famous British Nuclear War preparedness campaign.
Episode 22
2013-03-28 • 17 min
Because you can (apparently) never have enough nukes...
Episode 23
2013-04-11 • 23 min
What is it about end logos and FBI Warnings that scared so many children of the VHS era?
Episode 24
2013-04-25 • 22 min
Can pure rock sound really hard-boil an egg? Of course not. It does make for some wicked "deviled" eggs though.
Episode 25
2013-05-09 • 29 min
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.
Episode 26
2013-05-23 • 22 min
Ever wanted to know the absolute root of the Oddity Archive? Well, it involves a creepy guy in a Hamster costume...