This week's two episodes are all about the costumes and physical comedy, with Sam imagining characters from the Civil War era and Darrin ending up in jail after attending a work event with Aunt Clara. But some much deeper themes are explored here: Where do writers find their inspiration? How do we come to a more nuanced understanding of certain overlooked aspects of our history? And of course, the gaslighting of Gladys Kravitz continues... History Highlights: https://americanindian.si.edu/why-we-serve/topics/civil-war/ https://www.civilwarmed.org/civil-warriors-native-american-soldiers-1861-1865/ https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-civil-war-in-american-memory.htm
Happy October! This week Darrin tries desperately to get the ingredients for a medicine that Samantha needs, and our favorite couple hosts the Tates for a Halloween party. Oh, and Endora turns Darrin into a werewolf? Let spooky season begin... History Highlights: https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-halloween
Please welcome a very special guest, podcast pioneer Kevin T. Porter, as he discusses with us this special episode of Bewitched, the first to feature Paul Lynde as Samantha's Uncle Arthur. Kevin is a comedian and renowned co-host of the Gilmore Guys podcast, included on Time's List of the 100 Greatest Podcasts of All Time, and he currently hosts the Good Christian Fun podcast. We had the best time discussing the life and influence of Paul Lynde; his role as a practical joker on Bewitched; and...Joker Faux a Deux? We are so grateful that you were able to join us for this conversation, Kevin! Find information about all of Kevin's podcasts and links to his social media here: https://www.kevintporter.com/ Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles
Sam and Darrin have a lot on their plates this week, between trying to save their friend Adam from a centuries-old curse to watching the Tates' son while they’re away. We meet Sam's father; Dick York once again proves he is a MASTER of physical comedy - but is Gladys Kravitz once again the true star here? Historical Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_Texas_vs._Arkansas_football_game https://blog.nixonfoundation.org/2022/04/beyond-the-first-pitch/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon
We meet both Gladys Kravitz and Aunt Clara in our first two episodes of Season 2, and we could not be more excited. But Darrin being turned into a chimpanzee AND experiencing pregnancy symptoms? Hopefully it's only up from here! Historical Highlights: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9745905/
Welcome to Season 3 of the Sitcom Studies Podcast! We are kicking off September by beginning one of Marlessa's absolute favorites, an absolute classic during Spooky Season (and year-round) - Bewitched! We focus this introduction on considering some of the show's hidden themes, and Marlessa explains why she chose a Dick York season for our deep dive. Thank you for being along with us for what's sure to be a magical ride!
Please join us in welcoming a very special guest, expert on all things enneagram, Tyler Zach! Tyler is an author, enneagram coach, and founder of the EnneaSummit, a virtual event that brings together experts on the enneagram to share their insights and experiences. You have heard us mention the enneagram many times on this podcast, and we decided that before kicking off Season 3 we wanted to give this personality framework a little more attention. Fellow Friends fan Tyler discusses with us the iconic Friends bottle episode The One Where No One's Ready, and we analyze the types of some other classic sitcom characters as well. We had such fun with this conversation and are so grateful for your time, Tyler! Could we BE any more excited? To learn more about all of Tyler's work and to keep updated about the Fall 2025 EnneaSummit, visit Tyler's website: https://www.tylerzach.com/ Follow Tyler on Instagram: @gospelforenneagram
It's time to bid adieu to the Bunkers and their little corner of the world in Queens. We discuss character enneagram types; rank our favorite episodes; and of course consider how the show evolved towards Archie Bunker's Place. Thank you for sharing Season 2 with us! Foundation Interviews with Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FxgAp96hg0&t=18s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE2_QhV1xcw&t=6s
Welcome to our final deep dive of season 2! You would think these two stories would be as simple as Archie paying a twenty dollar debt and Mike graduating...nope! Find out where we leave the Bunker clan before our season wrap up next week. Those were the days talking about this show with you! History Highlights: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/09/04/a-majority-of-young-adults-in-the-u-s-live-with-their-parents-for-the-first-time-since-the-great-depression/ https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2016/05/24/for-first-time-in-modern-era-living-with-parents-edges-out-other-living-arrangements-for-18-to-34-year-olds/
We feel that both of these episodes could do with a renaming, but as always they leave us with many questions to discuss. Will no one show Gloria a bit of compassion when she has the flu? How would Archie and Mike have enjoyed the fishing trip they don't get to go on? And is Gloria truly suffering from depression? History Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Nader
We are delighted to meet Jenny in these episodes and so sorry for the chaos that ensues just because Louise is trying to celebrate her son and his new fiancé. But the situation gives us some hilarious moments to talk about, so we're not complaining. Especially since these episodes give Marlessa the chance to reference not one but TWO classics: Of Mice and Men and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. History Highlights: https://www.nps.gov/articles/disabilityhistoryearlytreatment.htm https://www.nps.gov/articles/disabilityhistoryrightsmovement.htm
We're not sure about the titles of these two episodes, but we're so glad they both give us the chance to dive a bit deeper into Archie's character. We get to see Mr. Quigley and Jo again, and we meet another character Joe from Archie's past. Most importantly, though, Marlessa takes on Historian duties this week! :) History Highlights: https://history.blog.fordham.edu/?p=296 https://fordhamobserver.com/23420/london/walking-in-the-footsteps-of-the-original-queen-b/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EGzHsye71c&feature=youtu.be https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970s_energy_crisis https://www.history.com/articles/energy-crisis
We are joined for our second Side Quest episode by our dear friend Megan Tisdall, and we're discussing all things sitcom weddings! The vows, the dresses, the things that go wrong - we hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording! Marlessa's Picks M*A*S*H 5.25 Margaret's Marriage Modern Family 5.23-24 The Wedding Megan's Picks Brooklyn Nine Nine 5.22 Jake & Amy Friends 10.12 The One with Phoebe's Wedding Katie's Picks The Big Bang Theory 11.24 The Bow Tie Asymmetry I Dream of Jeannie 5.11 The Wedding
We're quite frustrated with Mike this week...is this becoming a trend? It all takes a back seat, however, to seeing our favorite lady Edith deal with a serious health scare. We are so glad to see how her family and neighbors care for her when she is so in need of others' compassion and understanding. History Highlights: https://www.healthline.com/health/history-of-breast-cancer#research-milestones
Between being robbed, cursed with the malocchio, and forced to play pool with Irene Lorenzo, this has not been Archie's week. But we are in complete agreement that in both episodes, he gets what's coming to him. History Highlights: https://www.nyc.gov/html/media/totweb/taxioftomorrow_history_earlyyears.html https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2022/07/taxi-a-history-of-the-new-york-taxi-cab.html
While these were not our two favorite episodes of the season, we still found so much to discuss here: nostalgia, anniversary trips...and two very different sides of Archie? And push those insecurities aside, Gloria - we love you with or without the wig! History Highlights: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g3471/most-popular-hairstyles-of-all-time/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wallace
Please join us in thanking today's guest, Ryan Lintelman, who is the Entertainment Collection Curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington, DC! We discuss not only the religious humor and Archie storylines at the heart of these two episodes, but also some behind the scenes stories of how curators at the Museum work to preserve the history surrounding some of our favorite sitcoms. We are so grateful for your time, Ryan! History Highlights: https://www.gothamcenter.org/blog/catholicchurch-suburbanexpansion-zy4la-cerc4-ezwep-hsfs3s-rnyg3-tm6kl-anff2-8hdc3-el4s7-lryac-drjjr Learn more about the National Museum of American History! https://americanhistory.si.edu/ https://americanhistory.si.edu/about/centers/archives https://profiles.si.edu/display/nLintelmanR6102009 Instagram: @amhistorymuseum https://www.facebook.com/americanhistory/
Here's hoping no technology issues prevent you from listening today because we have two incredibly funny and thought-provoking episodes to discuss. A group therapy game brings a lot of emotion out from under the surface; we find a refreshingly open and honest Edith; and...where is Archie? Historical Highlights: https://www.computerhistory.org/timeline/computers/
Today we say goodbye to Henry Jefferson but hello to another Jefferson family member, and we're a little excited... History Highlights: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling_in_the_United_States
It seems that nothing will make Archie happy this week, whether that's finding a guest or a new statue in his home. Of course, we're going to delve in a bit further and figure out what's behind it all. History Highlights: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20151119-the-shocking-story-of-the-kiss https://www.seegreatart.art/new-york-in-the-70s-a-tale-of-two-cities/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_Rodin