This past week, on August 23rd, the world (A.K.A. musical theater nerds) recognized the anniversary of the passing of Oscar Hammerstein II, one of Broadway's most renowned contributors. So to honor Mr. Hammerstein in our own, special ThWAT way, here's Rob's episode all about the age in which Hammerstein ruled supreme: the Golden Age of Musical Theater. Enjoy!

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Long before the barricades of Les Mis arose, before Adele Dazeem defied gravity, and before Mr. Alexander Hamilton took his shot, musical theatre in America had already emerged from one of the most formative and productive periods in theatre history. It only lasted 21 years, but those years gave the public such an expansive slate of shows and groundbreaking performances that it would take a professional historian to summarize in a single podcast episode. Lucky for you, one of our hosts has a career teaching and lecturing about the history of musical theatre!

Penn State's very own Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre, Mr. Rob W. Schneider, teaches Ray all about the Golden Age of American Musical Theater which spanned from 1943 to 1964; how Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma pushed the musical comedy into brand new territory; which musical accomplished the rare feat of winning the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; why Cole Porter had to be on his game when writing for Ethel; Rex Harrison’s backstage drama; and whether the current state of musical theatre qualifies as a “second” Golden Age.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

My Fair Lady “Rehearsal” 1/29/60

Fugue for Tinhorns - Guys and Dolls (1955)

South Pacific - Original Broadway Cast Recording: You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught (Voice)

Everything’s Coming Up Roses

Gypsy: Everything’s Coming Up Roses

Runyonland

Gypsy - Everything’s Coming Up Roses (Karaoke Version)

Lullaby of Broadway - Vintage Sheet Music

“Happy Bee”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

Have you ever tried to build a new habit? Ever find yourself reaching for your phone even when it’s not in your pocket? Ever thought about whether free will actually exists? Yeah, that last one got deep, but that’s just how we roll here at This Was A Thing. Because this week, we’re talking all about a man who devoted his life to studying whether or not humans have a say in how they behave. His conclusion? We’re all pretty much rats pressing levers. 

Daniel teaches Ray and Rob about B.F. Skinner, the psychologist, writer, and inventor whose ideas about free will and shaping behaviors made him famous and infamous; how Skinner bucked the trend of Pavlov and Freud to try to take a quantitative and objective approach to sudying human behavior; Skinner’s belief that pigeons could be the next big thing in missile technology; why Skinner’s book Beyond Freedom and Dignity earned him a spot on Noam Chomsky’s sh*& list; the real origin story of Splinter from TMNT; and how B.F. Skinner continues to influence everything from modern psychology to teaching technologies.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media. 

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Natalie DeSavia

Preschoolers: Box-Bred Babies - TIME

BABY IN A BOX (Article by BF Skinner)

The First Baby Tender

“Skinner Air Crib” Article by Nick Joyce and Cathy Faye

I was not a lab rat | Deborah Skinner Buzan | The Guardian

B. F. Skinner | Department of Psychology

A Science Odyssey: People and Discoveries: B.F. Skinner

B. F. Skinner (1904–1990) | Mount Auburn Cemetery

B. F. Skinner: Biography of the Influential Behaviorist Skinner’s Operant Conditioning: Rewards & Punishments

B.F. Skinner | Biography, Facts, & Contributions | Britannica

100 years of B.F. Skinner

B.F. Skinner: The Man Who Taught Pigeons to Play Ping-Pong and Rats to Pull Levers | Science| Smithsonian Magazine

Operant Conditioning In Psychology: B.F. Skinner Theory

Skinner Box: What Is an Operant Conditioning Chamber?

Classics in the History of Psychology – Skinner (1948) Episode 21: Being BF Skinner’s Daughter: Deborah Buzan Dispels The Myths - Annie Grossman, Dog Trainer

Watch B.F. Skinner: A Fresh Appraisal | Prime Video

Project Pigeon - Wikipedia

Jim’s Best Pranks Against Dwight - The Office US

An Interview with BF Skinner, 1971

B. F. Skinner: A Fresh Appraisal With Murray Sidman, Ph.D.

BF Skinner Foundation - Pigeon Ping Pong Clip

“This Was A Thing” Theme Songs composed by Billy Recce

“Happy Bee” and “Big Rock” • Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

If you’ve ever ordered at a chain restaurant, then you know the homey feeling of knowing you’re about to eat the exact same meal as you could get at any other location. And even though the Golden Arches or a pair of red braids and freckles are some of the most recognizable franchise mascots today, if we flashback to the mid-1900s, then Simple Simon and the Pieman would’ve been just as recognizable as those other icons. Why? Because if you wanted a tasty clam belly, a delicious sundae, or to snag a couple of ZZZs, then there was one only one chain that fit the bill. 

Rob teaches Ray about how the eponymous Mr. Johnson went from owning one small Massachusetts eatery, to running a national network of restaurants and lodges; why we can thank Eugene O’Neill for HoJo’s original boost in popularity; Jacques Pepin’s contribution to the franchise’s legacy; some unexpected controversies at HoJo’s; and how, even after the HoJo’s brand sank into obscurity, it still has a physical and cultural impact in today’s world. 

If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

Howard Johnson’s Commercial 1962

Chef Jacques Pépin on working at Howard Johnson’s and his experiences on the American food scene

HOWARD JOHNSON RESTURANT

1970 Howard Johnson’s Animated Commercial #2

Howard Johnson Restaurants This Is Howard Johnson Today 1988 TV Commercial HD

“Happy Bee” and “Happy Boy End Theme”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

Are you looking for a story that is 100% guaranteed to blow your mind? A true crime tale that'll leave you wondering how crooks got away with it for so long in the first place? Well, hold on to your girdle, because this one's a doozy. It's got everything: insurance scams, fake passports, an undercover sting operation, Israeli really bank accounts, and huge sales on some of the best TVs and VCRs around (sales tax not included). Best of all, you can listen to this story for the low, low price of FREE! Now that price is insane! 

Ray teaches Rob about how a mom-and-pop consumer electronics store went from being a tri-state curiosity to a national sensation; who the real man is behind all those infamous ads; why having a CPA in the family comes in handy when you're committing tax fraud; and why building an empire on a foundation of shady financials and skimming off the top probably isn't the best business model.

If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

WEBSITE

White Collar Fraud

ARTICLES

Mental Floss

New York Times - 1985

New York Times - 2016 (1)

New York Times - 2016 (2)

New Yorker

NJ.com

1987 Crazy Eddie Commercial

Crazy Eddie 'Insane!' Commercial (NY, 1978)

Classic Crazy Eddie Commercial 'Bathroom DooWop' (1977-1979)

Crazy Eddie Commercials and Bloopers 1980's

1972 Crazy Eddie Radio Commercial for Brooklyn store

The Biggest Retail Fraud In American History - Masterminds - Crazy Eddie - Eddie Antar Documentary

Crazy Eddie Fever commercial 1978

Crazy Eddie Antar and His CFO/CPA Cousin Sam Antar Meet for first time in 30 Years

"Happy Bee"

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

We're busy behind the scenes here putting together a whole new batch episodes for the upcoming year, so while we do that, have a tasty, bite-sized treat on us - a chance to listen back to our episode all about the world's favorite mini-oven!

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Happy holidays, listeners! We’ve got a delectable episode for you today, featuring a toy that has been a household staple for more than 60 years and is still going strong. In fact, it would be just the thing if you’re looking for some help with holiday baking, as long as you don’t mind your baked goods being on the miniature side…and possibly losing a finger or two in the process… 

Daniel teaches Ray and Rob about the Easy-Bake Oven’s origins at the renowned toy company Kenner Products; how New York pretzel vendors played an essential role in providing inspiration for the product; all the different ways the word “cookies” can be pronounced; the battle to make a version of the Easy-Bake that wasn’t explicitly marketed for girls; and how this kitchen toy has influenced everyone from amateur bakers to professional chefs and which, despite its ups and downs, remains one of the most fondly remembered toys of all time.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media. 

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

“How Easy-Bake Ovens Work” by Nathan Chandler

Easy-Bake Evolution: 50 Years of Cakes, Cookies, and Gender Politics | Collectors Weekly

Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake Oven

“Easy-Bake Oven Gourmet” by David Hoffman

Easy-Bake Oven: Ronald Howes (Toy Stories)

National Easy-Bake Oven Day

Information about the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007)

Original Easy-Bake Oven Patent

Easy-Bake Oven - The Strong National Museum of Play

New Easy-Bake Oven Recall Following Partial Finger Amputation; Consumers Urged to Return Toy Ovens

Easy-Bake Oven enters Toy Hall of Fame

McKenna Pope’s Campaign

McKenna Pope’s Change.org Petition

The Untold History of the Easy-Bake Oven

Easy-Bake Oven Commercial (1963)

Jim’s Red Book: Easy Bake Oven Commercial

Queasy Bake Cookerator “Mud & Crud Cakes” Commercial (2002)

Easy-Bake Oven Recall Retrofit Kit

Easy Bake Oven for Boys: Girl, 13, Helps Transform Easy-Bake Oven Into Unisex Toy

A Cameo Appearance From the Easy-Bake Oven

Easy-Bake Ultimate Oven Commercial (2011)

“Happy Bee” and “Jingle Bells”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

If you turn back the clocks to the early 90s, it would be impossible to avoid all the late night jokes about Vice President Dan Quayle. Likewise, if you followed the 90s TV scene, you couldn't miss the fact that Candice Bergen was raking in the Emmys for her role as the titular Murphy Brown on CBS. So when two media behemoths like that unexpectedly went head-to-head, it was bound to be a battle for the ages...

Rob teaches Ray about Dan Quayle's life and career, and his sudden rise to prominence as the running mate of George H. Dubya Bush; how the Republican decision to focus more heavily on "traditional family values" emerged partly as an attack against Bill and Hillary Clinton; when spelling really does matter; why the V.P.'s condemnation of single mother families in general, and Murphy Brown in particular, brought him such a backlash; and how the outrage stirred up by this clash of cultural titans continues to this day.

If you turn back the clocks to the early 90s, it would be impossible to avoid all the late night jokes about Vice President Dan Quayle. Likewise, if you followed the 90s TV scene, you couldn't miss the fact that Candice Bergen was raking in the Emmys for her role as the titular Murphy Brown on CBS. So when two media behemoths like that unexpectedly went head-to-head, it was bound to be a battle for the ages...

Rob teaches Ray about Dan Quayle's life and career, and his sudden rise to prominence as the running mate of George H. Dubya Bush; how the Republican decision to focus more heavily on "traditional family values" emerged partly as an attack against Bill and Hillary Clinton; when spelling really does matter; why the V.P.'s condemnation of single mother families in general, and Murphy Brown in particular, brought him such a backlash; and how the outrage stirred up by this clash of cultural titans continues to this day.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Natalie DeSavia

“You’re No Jack Kennedy” Clip From Bentsen-Quayle Debate

Murphy Brown on “Family Guy”

Bill & Hillary Clinton Interview Clip

Dan Quayle’s Comments Against Murphy Brown in San Francisco

Murphy Brown Response to Quayle’s Comments

Candace Bergen Reflecting on Conflict with Dan Quayle

1. Knott, Stephen, et al. “George H. W. Bush: Campaigns and Elections.” Miller Center, 1 Aug. 2017, millercenter.org/president/bush/campaigns-and-elections.
2. “The Republicans: The Quyale Quagmire.” Internet Archive: Wayback Machine, archive.org/web/.
3. “Bush Wanted Quayle Off ’92 Ticket but Refused to Push Him, Book Says.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 1994, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994–10–16-mn-51115-story.html.
4. “Valuing Families: Opinion: The Harvard Crimson.” Opinion | The Harvard Crimson, www.thecrimson.com/article/1993/4/27/valuing-families-pbobn-monday-night-of/.
5. Chavez, Tim. “DQ-TV Is Now on the Air.” The Oklahoman, Oklahoman, 31 May 1992, www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1992/05/31/dq-tv-is-now-on-the-air/62491590007/.
6. Gajanan, Mahita. “How the Original ‘Murphy Brown’ Caused Controversy.” Time, Time, 27 Sept. 2018, time.com/5405100/murphy-brown-cultural-importance-reboot/.
7. Fortin, Jacey. “That Time ‘Murphy Brown’ and Dan Quayle Topped the Front Page.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 Jan. 2018, www.nytimes.com/2018/01/26/arts/television/murphy-brown-dan-quayle.html.
8. Murphy Brown, Motherhood, and “Family Values” - Jstor Daily. daily.jstor.org/murphy-brown-motherhood-and-family-values/.
9. Alan Carter Updated May 15, 1992 at 04:00 AM EDT. “’Murphy Brown’ Interview.” EW.com, ew.com/article/1992/05/15/murphy-brown-interview/.
10. Weinraub, Bernard. “The Talk of Hollywood; after Months of Political Attack, the ‘Cultural Elite’ Fires Back.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Sept. 1992, www.nytimes.com/1992/09/01/arts/talk-hollywood-after-months-political-attack-cultural-elite-fires-back.html.
11. BuzzFeed News, and ErikaNeddenien. “We Tracked down the Kid Vice President Dan Quayle Made Misspell ‘Potato.’” BuzzFeed News, BuzzFeed News, 12 Sept. 2019, www.buzzfeednews.com/article/buzzfeednews/dan-quayle-potato-spelling.
12. “Hollins Digital Commons.” Site, digitalcommons.hollins.edu/.

“This Was A Thing” Theme Songs composed by Billy Recce

“Happy Bee”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

If you’ve ever fallen into the YouTube rabbit hole of corporate training videos, then you’re our kind of listener. We could (and probably should) do a whole episode just about the glorious world of schlocky and cheesy company-produced entertainment intended to get employees the information they need - and with style! And as America prepared to enter World War II, hundreds of thousands of troops needed to quickly learn essential topics about everything from Japanese fighter planes to the perks of being an airman. What better way to teach them than to show them a movie?

Ray teaches Rob and Daniel about the origin of a special unit of the U.S. armed forces dedicated solely to producing films to help instruct and entertain the troops of WWII; how big names like Jimmy Stewart, Clark Gable, and even future president Ronald Reagan all got involved with these films; why the animation department became an essential part of illustrating concepts to troops; how “Little Rascals” producer Hal Roach played a pivotal role in the story of this regiment; and the prolific output of this unit that made it one of the most talked-about entertainment of its day.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media. 

Thank you as always for your support, and if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media! And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have a second, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Natalie DeSavia

“Winning Your Wings" With Jimmy Stewart

Military Film Bloopers U.S. Army First Motion Picture Unit 58324

“This Was A Thing” Theme Songs composed by Billy Recce

“Happy Bee”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

With heat waves hitting all over, it’s hot as H-E-double hockey sticks - so what could be better than revisiting a classic episode about an iconic rock album that when it debuted in 1977 was just as hot as the crazy temperatures we’re getting? Strap into your cycle and enjoy!

~~~

We’ve covered our fair share of musicians and music-adjacent topics on This Was a Thing, and we’ll probably cover plenty more in the future. But when it comes to the Venn Diagram of musical theatre, rock-and-roll, and cover art that includes apocalyptic motorcycles, there’s only one album that should come to mind. That’s because there was only one Meatloaf, only one Jim Steinman, and only one Bat Out of Hell. (Well, three, technically, but who’s counting.)

Ray teaches Rob about the genesis of this epic, 7-track, 46-minute rock-and-roll experience; how Meatloaf’s and Jim’s musical theatre roots brought them together; what Rob and Ray wouldn’t do for love; why this album owes its initial popularity to our neighbors up North and our friends across the pond; when a motorcycle is not a motorcycle; and why, despite how experimental and out-there it was, Bat Out of Hell remains one of the the best-selling and most beloved creations of its time.

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media. 

Thank you as always for your support, and if you have any thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to send us a message on social media! And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have a second, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

Meatloaf - Bat Out Of Hell (Classic Album)

Todd Rundgren - Bang The Drum All Day

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Jim Steinman talks about ‘Bat Out of Hell’

Bat Out of Hell

Bat Out of Hell Motorcycle Guitar Track RIP Jim Steinman and Meatloaf!

Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell

Jim Steinman talks about ‘You Took the Words…’

Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)

Jim Steinman talks about ‘All Revved Up…’

Meat Loaf - Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad

Todd Rundgren / Meatloaf making of bat out of hell

Paradise By the Dashboard Light

For Crying Out Loud

Jim Steinman talks about ‘For Crying Out Loud’

You Took The Words Right Out of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night)

Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (Official Lyric Video)

Bonnie Tyler - I Need a Hero (Lyrics)

I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)

Fight Club (1999) Big Bob scene HD

OFFICIAL TRAILER | Bat Out of Hell The Musical

Meatloaf Interview Meeting Jim Steinman

Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul

Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf | Karaoke Version | KaraFun

“Happy Bee”

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

This week, we’re celebrating a very important birthday here at This Was A Thing. No, not that one involving declarations of independence and tea taxes (although we do love spilling tea) - this July 3rd would have been the 111th birthday of Dorothy Kilgallen, one of the most recognized reporters and celebrities of the early 20th century. But in addition to a life filled with notable accomplishments, what might have made Dorothy most remembered in the history books was her death - because it happened in a very strange and unexpected manner…

Rob teaches Ray and Daniel about the life, career, and mysterious death of journalist and TV personality Dorothy Kilgallen; her popular column all about Broadway’s happenings on and offstage; Dorothy’s long-running gig as a celebrity panelist on the game show “What’s My Line?”; Dorothy’s reporting on politics and crime; why she took an interest in the assassination of John F. Kennedy and her interviews with Jack Ruby; the suspicious circumstances around Dorothy’s sudden death; and why people are still trying to answer the question: did Dorothy Kilgallen really die, or was she killed for knowing too much?

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Natalie DeSavia

Person to Person - Dorothy Kilgallen & Dick Kollmar (1956)

My Top 10 Dorothy Kilgallen’s Moments on What’s My line

“What’s My Line?” - Tribute to Dorothy Kilgallen

“This Was A Thing” Theme Songs composed by Billy Recce

“Happy Bee” and "George Street Shuffle"

• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro

We’re giving you all a blast from the past and a peek behind the member's curtain by republishing one of our favorite Patreon bonus episodes of all time (Rob’s especially fond of the fact that Nathan Lane makes a showing). This one’s all about actor Edwin Booth, and features a very special appearance from distinguished guest host Brody Karn, Esquire. And if you like what you hear, you can get access to this and our entire collection of bonus episodes by supporting the show on Patreon or subscribing to the Apple Podcast members edition called “And Another Thing.” Now, on with the show!

In one of the most off the rails of This Was a Thing (Member’s Edition), Rob and Ray learn all about 19th Century actor Edwin Booth. Brody Karn, Esquire, tries to keep the boys on track as Mary Todd Lincoln gets a job at Denny’s, The Booth Family does Hairspray, and Seinfeld tries Shakespeare. 

If you like what we’re doing, please support us on Patreon, or you can subscribe to our bonus content on Apple Podcasts. And we’d love to find even more listeners, so if you have time, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And if you have any other thoughts or feedback you’d like to share with us, we’d love to hear from you - feel free to email us or send us a message on social media.

Ray Hebel

Robert W. Schneider

Mark Schroeder

Billy Recce

Daniel Schwartzberg

Gabe Crawford

Natalie DeSavia

Brody Karn