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BAF explores space...at least how television has approached space missions in real life as opposed to science fiction. Triggered by the space race and early orbits by Alan Shepard and John Glenn, the 1960s presented the first images in space including the highly watched moon landing of Apollo 11 in 1969. New developments filled the 1980s decade, with the introduction of women into space but also the loss of the first civilian teacher in the tragic explosion of the 1986 Challenger. BAF analyzes how these launch events evolved with time, technology, and greater exposure through media to the masses.

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In an all listener preview of this subscriber-based bonus coverage, BAF peeks into the television shows of the 1960s decade that centered on espionage. Inspired by the release of the early James Bond films, spy-themeed programs began their mission with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and continued with Get Smart, I Spy, and the sustaining Mission: Impossible. Many of these shows went beyond what was seen on the television screen and BAF explores the mark they made and how many are still remembered and relaunched in recent times. 

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With the approach of the America's semiquincentennial (250 years), BAF takes a look back at the Bicentennial celebration in 1976 and the role televison played not just that on Sunday, July 4th of that year but months even years before. 

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With all the different types of programming the television brought, fund raising played a part and so entered the telethon. Addressing many charitable causes including medical research, support for arts and culture, and hunger relief, BAF explores how the televised appeal to masses began.

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In the 1950s, awards shows started being televised. Beginning with the Academy Awards (or Oscars) and continuing with the Emmys, Grammys, and ultimately Tonys these programs celebrating achievement in Cinema, Television, Music, and Stage laid the groundwork. BAF welcomes back James Lott, Jr. of JLJ Media, who has produced and hosted several podcasts of the history of awards shows in addition to great stories of the Hollywood scene, movies, and television. The discussion centers on how different awards shows emerged and how television played a part in capturing memorable, trend-changing, and sometimes unprecedented  moments an d the many personalities involved.

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Revisiting bonus coverage through The Prime Time Players introduced last year, BAF presents special bonus content from last year's Super Bowl history episode that covers the evolution and emergence of America's championship game. The episode includes further details on how it came to be named the Super Bowl, some game highlights through the years, the importance of Budweiser and other significant commercialsl, early halftime show perfomers following the change in format of the early 1990s, and different versions of lead-out programming.

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The soap commercials first from the radio then television aired during daytime hours, eventually forming a genre known as soap opera and extending into Prime Time. BAF interviews podcaster James Lott, Jr. of JLJ Media, tapping into Lott's extensive knowledge of the genre and how it has shaped television drama over the decades in the way shows were presented, characters and the actors who portrayed them were received, and viewers watched them often awaiting weeks even months for plot resolution. 

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With the NFL season in full grind and approaching the playoffs, BAF looks at the Dallas Cowboys and the highly visible impact and history of their popularity on the air. He is joined by longtime Cowboys fan, Kaete, who represents a solid example of how television connects loyal followers outside of Texas. Topics of discussion center on how annual Thanksgiving appearances and active player, coach, and other personnel presence beyond the field have contributed to the brand "America's Team." 

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Parades are a longtime occasion to celebrate and honor. BAF explores how the presence of television has heightened the experience. This involves eliminating the factor of traveling the distance to see the spectacle, bringing amazing views close up through camera angles to see floats, inflatables, and performances plus hearing commentary from favorite on-air personalities. It all started in 1948 with the first national telecast of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade bringing enjoyment and pop culture to American households over a national holiday. This annual telecast led the way to others that promote recreational and political events. With the 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the horizon take a look back to its time on the air. 

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The 1950s brought science fiction to television, but in October of 1959 a new program took elements of that genre to another level with a new anthology titled "The Twilight Zone." Created, produced, and narrated by Rod Serling this program explored different situations each episode involving space, time, the mysterious and unknown, and twists inolving humanity as well. Past guest Krysti joins BAF on an exploration of past episodes of "The Twilight Zone" and the overall show's impact over time. 

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