For the two of you who still want some MORE Olympic coverage, Harry Bartosiak looks back on some of the finest, and "not so finest" moments from the past 70 years of TV Olympics. Which Olympian looked most like a former political leader? And what was Caitlyn Jenner doing in the 1970s? Plus, Jim looks back on a trifecta of mediocre (to him) shows, but also details (perhaps the only time) Jan Murray got a few laughs! Plus, the comedic talents of Ken Berry, and Jim & Harry end the show with a m...
Aug 11, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In this episode Jim and Harry BOTH confuse a Columbo episode with a Cannon episode. However, anytime Harry can do a Jonathan Harris impersonation, it will be a worthwhile show. Learn the shocking (to Jim anyway) reason Lost In Space was canceled. Plus, a rumored possible comeback by The Five Neat Guys! Plus, a SPECIAL guest star, and a birthday shoutout to the former stand-in for Robby Rist, Phil Keller!
Jul 01, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Jim and Harry invite you to "Come on, Get Happy" as they look back on two big hits from the 70s and 80s. Harry goes "rapid fire" on a spectacular list of "B level" guest starts. Also hear about the most unlikely guest star in Partridge Family history. Plus, unusably bad behavior gets a child actor fired, and learn for one TV show changed the next 40 years of Harry's life!
May 15, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In an episode that is so funny, it made listener Craig C. run his car into a parking bumper (true!), Jim & Harry look back on two ABC hits from the 70s and 80s. Jim talks about the big evolution of Cindy Williams, learn about Andy Kaufman's evil twin, plus the return of "Dead or Alive?" Also, the great Sam Kinison, the great Norm MacDonald and the even greater Tony Danza! Grab your trumpet, put on your tap shoes and join us!
Mar 23, 2024•59 min
Harry carries most of the burden as he explores the treasure trove of diverse programming on PBS in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Learn about many of the British comedies you may have totally forgotten about, hear about the local TV host that Harry still owes a lot of money too, and Harry breaks out ANOTHER spot-on impression. Learn how Delta Burke's fondness for dessert almost got Jim fired from a local TV gig, plus the great Morcambe and Wise with Andrew Preview!
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min
In the start of "Season #4" for Jim & Harry, Harry looks at the "Soap Operas" that were popular for many years, and why they are becoming extinct. Jim quizzes Harry about many "less than spectucular" TV shows from the 1970's & 1980's. Learn how a 30 second commercial got an actress a major network TV show, and hear some the the really famous actors that got their start on daytime TV. Plus, a great performance from "Mister Show Business" Mason Reese!
Feb 19, 2024•53 min
Harry comes loaded with a half dozen top notch impressions as he talks about the origin and successes of the most profitable news program of all time. Find out how taking a swing at a Vice President will get you onto a game show, hear one of the worst TV theme songs of all time, plus the great Jerry Van Dyke!
Oct 24, 2023•56 min
Harry takes a look back at the impressive career of actor and director Bill Bixby. Hear about the "almost impossible to believe" reason My Favorite Martian was canceled. Hear about Robert Goulet's last big gig. Plus, have you been in an accident? Why not call a Hall of Famer? Plus, Harry re-names two popular TV celebrities of the 1980s!
Oct 06, 2023•58 min
In a long overdue EXTRAVAGANZA Harry and Jim share their remembrances of 70 years of The Tonight Show, with the emphasis of the best of them all, Johnny Carson. Harry shares a NEVER BEFORE heard, IN PERSON anecdote about one of the first EVER Tonight broadcasts. Not to be outdone, Jim shares a Doc Severinsen story also known by very few. Plus, Hugh Downs accidentally gets a second career, and music and humor from George Segal and the great John Davidson.
Jun 17, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Jim and Harry are back from a break with some "long lost" but not all that funny video that Lorne Michaels does NOT want you to see! Join them as they hit the trifecta of disaster movies, and Harry brings us a belated Easter present. Also, Harry gives us an encore performance of his top 5 impressions, plus a look at the funniest bit of Joe Piscopo's career!
Jun 13, 2023•1 hr 6 min
In an "avant garde" and clip filled episode, Jim looks at the very forgettable (to almost everyone but him) TV Show, I'm a Big Girl Now, but also takes a deep dive into the life of the great Danny Thomas. Find out what body part of Danny's daughter Marlo was too small for her to get an acting gig. Plues, Harry cues up some of his "all time best" impersonations as he features some of the most famous TV personalities that continued to work after suffering a stroke, or other tragedies. Plus, anothe...
Mar 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Jim takes a deep dive to tell you the completely unknown story about how The Beverly Hillbillies got their name, and what famous performer never even bothered to cash a check for naming the show. Plus, learn about the greatest vacation destination (coming soon) for classic TV fans of all time! Jim and Harry re-visit some classic radio moments from Decatur, Illinois, and Jim celebrates the death of a famous actor. Plus Harry goes off the deep end, and not only watches, but ENJOYS one of the most ...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In a true "shoot from the hip" episode, Jim and Harry quickly visit game shows that you remember,.......at least a little bit. Learn who wrote the worst series of books since Steve Allen, and hear the comedically tragic story about the time "the fix was in" on a big time game show. Plus, a quick remembrance of the late Adam Rich.
Jan 15, 2023•1 hr 6 min
This is an episode that will make you smile, with a GUARANTEE from the Tandy company! Hear Harry’s, possibly, best impression yet! Also, Jim sings seriously for the first time, and it’s not all that bad! Also, learn the real reason why the shooting star of the Donny and Marie show fizzled so quickly. Plus, Frank Oz, Rodney Allen Rippy, and Mason Reese! With that trifecta, how could any show be better?
Sep 25, 2022•1 hr 1 min
In this INSTANT CLASSIC episode, Jim and Harry go on a very comedic romp through some of the game shows you barely remember, or might never heard of. A dormant volcano erupts $10,000 bills? The most unlikely game show host of all time? A game show that was canceled during the taping? A legendary game show host is nearly EXUCUTED after a broadcast? Strap in for one of the deepest dives yet into The TV Rabbit Hole!
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Jim and Harry look back at one the most iconic and least iconic TV shows of all time. Hear about the iconic actor who filled in for Ward on an episode of Family Feud,, and find out how and why a horribly unfunny comedy managed to stay on the air for six full seasons. Also, Harry features another spot on impersonation, and Harry finally discovers a proper full-time job that Jim is actually qualified for.
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 5 min
This is a classic! It’s an episode that was six months in the making. Harry breaks out many new impressions as the boys look back at a classic show from yesteryear. There is just too much information to detail here in Jim and Harry’s longest episode yet!
Jul 19, 2022•1 hr 39 min
In this episode, the boys welcome a possible new sponsor! Harry unearths some great nuggets about Oprah's romantic history, and works up 2 new impressions. Hear how Jim was actually ON The Oprah Winfrey Show, and learn why Phil Donahue fled Chicago for New York. Also, The Partridge family finds a cousin Oliver, and the greatest song and dance man in the history of daytime TV. Plus, for the youngsters, an appearance by the great Henny Youngman.
May 03, 2022•1 hr 20 min
In an unexpected twist, Jim and Harry BOTH pick true classic TV shows to talk about. There are lots of laughs and clips in this episode, even though Jim gets very confused about which Golden Girl is which. Also, Jim surprises Harry with a game of either/or. Learn which Golden Girls Jim and Harry found attractive, and Suzanne Pleshette gets married off to the wrong man. Hear about Bob's medical issue that almost stopped his TV show,....and everyone loves Betty White, right? WRONG!
Mar 28, 2022•1 hr 13 min
This episode takes more twists and turns than the Road Runner and Wile E Coyote, but it is a rollicking journey through one great, and one not so great TV show. Hear about the four people that were ALMOST Archie Bunker, and learn about Harry's man crush on "The Hoff." Plus, Harry improvises new lyrics to a classic TV show theme.
Mar 14, 2022•58 min
In a long overdue episode filled with several clips, Jim and Harry look back and some of their favorite, and least favorite performers on SNL. Hear the almost never heard story about who was the first person to say f-ck on live TV (it's not who you think), and hear who were almost the 3 permanent hosts for the show. Also, Jim and Harry celebrate their 50 episode milestone by hearing from some of the biggest fans of the podcast. It's a Saturday Night Live EXTRAVAGANZA on Down The TV Rabbit Hole!...
Mar 07, 2022•1 hr 20 min
In an episode filled with fun, Jim surprises Harry with one of his favorite shows of all time. Many names are dropped in this broadcast spiced with liberal doses of humor. Jim sets a production record with comedy "drop ins" and we get a very healthy dose of Harry's twin brother, Junior Samples. Plus, a classic "jump the shark" moment, and the great Jerry Reed!
Feb 12, 2022•48 min
In an instant classic episode, Harry tells us who Ryan Seacrest pushed into the sewer, and who really killed radio. Plus, Batman dances, and you don't have to call him Ray. You could call him Jay. Or you could call him Johnson. And MTV plays plays New Orleans Jazz (maybe).
Feb 06, 2022•56 min
In the first episode of 2022, Jim and Harry visit the comedy Mount Rushmore of Full House, and simultaneously visit the musical Mount Rushmore of John Stamos. Find out what Bob Saget had in common with Bill Cosby and Bryant Gumbel, plus hear about the most famous horrible Hollywood artists of all time. Learn how meddling network executives found another way to mess up a hit TV show and find out what famous Hollywood fat guy was ALMOST Mork from Ork! Plus, Harry Caray, Jack Carter, and the first ...
Jan 20, 2022•1 hr 8 min
In an episode guaranteed to bring a smile to your face, Harry looks at a television institution, American Bandstand. Hear how Dick Clark may have weaseled his way into the gig, and how Dean Martin's wife Jeannie was responsible for the Dean Martin roasts. Learn exactly how much money Dick Clark paid Jim to appear on one of his television programs. Plus, Jim gets stiffed by Jeff Ross, and hilarious stuff from Rich Little and Foster Brooks!
Dec 11, 2021•1 hr 5 min
In an episode that comes truly comes full circle, learn about who was almost Maxwell Smart, hear one of the greatest guest star lineups of all time, and Control hires their first openly gay agent! Learn what Roger Ebert and Ted Kennedy had in common (other than weight), a “hilarious” riddle from yesteryear, and more Marty Allen!
Dec 10, 2021•54 min
In a "by request" episode for listener Dan, Jim takes a look at TV's most befuddled detective, the great Peter Falk as Columbo. Go down the Rabbit Hole and reminisce about some of the most memorable episodes. Harry not only introduces a Peter Falk impression, but follows it up with a spot on Walter Cronkite. Hear about how "Uncle Walter" enjoyed talking to puppets, learn about the trio of most unlikely guest stars on Columbo, and Dan Rather gets beat up (for the first time.)
Dec 01, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Harry was so excited about recording this podcast, he pulled out his special microphone that he only uses when he records his commercials for the Monster Truck rally! In this episode, the two "most gentlemanly" podcasters go way back to re-visit many of the shows they watched on Saturday mornings. Jim and Harry go rapid fire and shoot from the hip about the good, the bad, and the ugly about Saturday morning TV. Hear about many tales of near plagiarism, and learn what may be the true key to getti...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 12 min
It's an EXTRAVAGANZA! Jim and Harry look back on one of the classic shows that still stands the test of time. Harry lives up to his reputation as the "Fred Travalena of Arlington Heights" and puts on an amazing display of memory regarding the history of SCTV. Jim makes a contribution as 'master editor" with a great assortment of audio clips from some of your favorite SCTV skits. Learn the amazingly odd broadcast history of SCTV, and how their most famous sketch was almost never seen in The Unite...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Harry goes for The Daily Double of early (and mediocre) Reality TV, while Jim has a huge ulterior motive in choosing his show for this episode. Forget Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra and Jack Carter,....Jim introduces you to the REAL greatest entertainer of all time. Hear how Jim Syoen won $10,000 and was given one of the most prestigious awards in The State of Florida. Plus, Harry debates about who was the real mega-talent, John Davidson or Skip Stephenson? Plus (grown up) Alyssa Milano's "growth" spu...
Oct 06, 2021•43 min
