Oddity Archive

Jul 5, 2012 · 12m

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.

Jul 19, 2012 · 17m

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

Aug 2, 2012 · 15m

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

Aug 16, 2012 · 21m

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.

Aug 30, 2012 · 16m

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

Sep 13, 2012 · 16m

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

Sep 27, 2012 · 21m

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

Oct 11, 2012 · 21m

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

Oct 25, 2012 · 37m

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.

Nov 8, 2012 · 14m

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

Nov 15, 2012 · 14m

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

Nov 22, 2012 · 19m

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.

Dec 6, 2012 · 32m

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.

Dec 20, 2012 · 23m

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

Jan 3, 2013 · 16m

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

Jan 10, 2013 · 13m

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!).

Jan 17, 2013 · 16m

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

Jan 31, 2013 · 24m

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

Feb 14, 2013 · 26m

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.

Feb 28, 2013 · 20m

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

Mar 14, 2013 · 16m

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

Mar 28, 2013 · 17m

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

Apr 11, 2013 · 23m

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

Apr 25, 2013 · 22m

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

May 9, 2013 · 29m

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.

May 23, 2013 · 22m

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