Best Classictv Podcasts (2025)

1
The Big Girl 35:31

8h ago35:31

35:31

Original Release Date: September 8, 2007 Joe Friday and Ben Romero hunt for a suspect identified as a beautiful woman who hitches rides with men, then robs and beats them. Original Air Date: February 9, 1950 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a do…

1
Carol Lynley, Carroll Baker, and the dueling Jean Harlow biopics of 1965 23:13

6h ago23:13

23:13

TVC 694.1: Ed welcomes back Tom Lisanti, renowned historian of sixties cinema, and the author of such books as Carol Lynley: Her Film & TV Career in Thrillers, Fantasy and Suspense and Ryan’s Hope: An Oral History of Daytime’s Groundbreaking Soap. Tom’s recent books include Dueling Harlows: The Race to Bring the Actress’s Life to the Silver Screen,…

1
Dueling Harlows by Tom Lisanti 8:34

6h ago8:34

8:34

TVC 694.2: Tom Lisanti, author of Dueling Harlows: The Race to Bring the Actress’s Life to the Silver Screen, talks to Ed about his forthcoming oral history of the brief period in which the daytime soap Another World (NBC, 1964-1999) expanded from sixty minutes in length to ninety minutes.By Ed Robertson

1
Harry O in San Diego 22:13

6h ago22:13

22:13

TVC 694.5: Part 2 of a conversation that began two programs ago with Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, co-authors of The Harry O Viewing Companion: History and Episodes of the Classic Detective Series, a deep dive into the making of Harry O (ABC, 1974-1976), the short-lived but fondly remembered private eye series starring David Janssen, Henry Darrow,…

1
The Allure of Harry O 14:02

7h ago14:02

14:02

TVC 694.6: Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, co-authors of The Harry O Viewing Companion: History and Episodes of the Classic Detective Series, talk to Ed about the various reasons why Harry O was canceled in the spring of 1976, despite holding its own in the ratings; the contributions of producer Jerry Thorpe and director Richard Lang; and why part o…

1
Jack Webb on the Bob Hope Show 35:13

3h ago35:13

35:13

Original Release Date: September 1, 2007 Joe Friday and his partner Detective Hope are on the trail of a killer in this Jello-filled episode. Original Air Date: February 4, 1953 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box…

1
The Child Killers 31:32

7d ago31:32

31:32

Original Release Date: August 25, 2007 Friday and Romero search for the murderer of two young girls. Disclaimer: “Ladies and Gentlemen, this program is for you, not your children. The subject is of vital importance to you as parents. This is the story of a vicious man” Original Air Date: February 2, 1950 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdet…

1
The Watercolour Artistry of Loretta Swit 25:05

4d ago25:05

25:05

TVC 693.1: From January 2017: Emmy Award-winning actress Loretta Swit joins Ed for a conversation about her lifelong interest in watercolor painting, her “proprietary relationship” with wildlife, her vast stage career (including her then-recent portrayal of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt), and, of course, a few questions about M*A*S*H. Loretta…

1
Loretta Swit's "Proprietary Relationship" with Wildlife 22:22

4d ago22:22

22:22

TVC 693.2: Part 2 of our January 2017 conversation with Loretta Swit about her lifelong interest in watercolor painting, her “proprietary relationship” with wildlife, her vast stage career (including her then-recent portrayal of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt), and a few questions about M*A*S*H, including Loretta's deep respect for real-life n…

1
Loretta Swit, Margaret Houlihan, and Eleanor Roosevelt 16:28

4d ago16:28

16:28

TVC 693.3: Part 3 of our January 2017 conversation with Loretta Swit, including questions about her vast stage career (including her then-recent portrayal of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt) and the close-knit, almost theatre-like camaraderie between Loretta and her fellow cast members on M*A*S*H. Also in this segment: A quote from actor Jamie …

1
A Walk in the Park with Loretta Swit 24:05

4d ago24:05

24:05

TVC 693.4: From February 2019: Ed, Tony, and Donna accompany Emmy Award-winning actress, artist and animal rights activist Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H, SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit) on a walk through Central Park as she discusses her efforts on behalf of all animals; her support of our veterans; how she keeps hers…

1
A Walk in the Park with Loretta Swit, Part 2 24:15

4d ago24:15

24:15

TVC 693.5: Part 2 of a conversation that originally aired in February 2019 in which Ed, Tony, and Donna accompany Loretta Swit (M*A*S*H, SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit) on a walk through Central Park. Also in this segment: A quote from JoAnne Worley, president of Actors and Others for Animals, that lauds Loret…

1
The Big Man, Part Two 31:36

8d ago31:36

31:36

Original Release Date: August 18, 2007 Joe Friday and Ben Romero close in on the Pacific’s top drug distributor, Original Air Date: January 19, 1950 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Ta…

1
The Big Man, Part One 30:28

10d ago30:28

30:28

Original Release Date: August 11, 2007 Joe Friday goes undercover to catch one of the biggest drug dealers on the West Coast. Original Air Date: January 12, 1950 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, I…

1
The Origins of Harry O 22:39

11d ago22:39

22:39

TVC 692.1: Ed welcomes Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, co-authors of The Harry O Viewing Companion: History and Episodes of the Classic Detective Series, a new book that not only takes a deep dive into the making of Harry O (ABC, 1974-1976), the short-lived but fondly remembered private eye series starring David Janssen, Henry Darrow, and Anthony Ze…

1
Why Harry O Had More Soul Than Any Other TV Detective Series 23:11

11d ago23:11

23:11

TVC 692.2: Steve Aldous and Gary Gillies, co-authors of The Harry O Viewing Companion: History and Episodes of the Classic Detective Series, talk to Ed about why Harry O has more in common with the Lew Archer novels by Russ MacDonald than the Raymond Chandler novels featuring Philip Marlowe or the Dashiell Hammett novels with Sam Spade; how David J…

1
Dean Butler, Michael Douglas, and The Streets of San Francisco 22:12

11d ago22:12

22:12

TVC 692.4: A return visit by Dean Butler, the actor known around the world to three generations to television viewers as Almanzo Wilder, Laura Ingalls’ husband on Little House on the Prairie. Among other topics this segment, Dean and Ed discuss the forthcoming Netflix reimaging of Little House; Dean’s early experiences working as an extra (then, la…

1
Dean Butler, David Feherty, and Larry David 19:03

14d ago19:03

19:03

TVC 692.5: Dean Butler talks to Ed about how the documentary films of Ken Burns served as a major inspiration when Dean transitioned from acting to production; how Dean’s connection with producer/director Keith Allo led to Dean producing the award-winning NBC Golf Channel talk show Feherty, hosted by former golf professional David Feherty; and the …

1
The Big Escape 32:07

14d ago32:07

32:07

Original Release Date: August 4, 2007 When one of Joe Friday’s army buddies is arrested for Armed Robbery and cooperates in catching the other robber, Friday tries to help him on the path to reform in prison, but finds himself tasked with bringing him in when he escapes. Original Air Date: January 5, 1950 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatde…

1
The Flowerland Roof Murders 34:15

18d ago34:15

34:15

Original Release Date: July 28, 2007 Joe Friday and Ben Romero are after a gang of robbers. Original Air Date: December 29, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715 Take the listener surv…

1
The Fugitive, Mary Tyler Moore, and Other Famous Finales 26:03

18d ago26:03

26:03

TVC 691.1: Part 2 of a conversation that began last week with Harry Castleman and Walter J. Podrazik, co-authors of Watching TV: American Television Season by Season, a sweeping look at the history of television, from its early inception in 1944 through the present day, that not only takes you behind the scenes of every prime time season and prime …

1
1965 and the Dawn of the Second Season 18:01

18d ago18:01

18:01

TVC 691.2: Harry Castleman and Walter J. Podrazik, co-authors of Watching TV: American Television Season by Season, talk to Ed about the 1965-1966 television season, a landmark year that not only saw the premiere of many series that are still considered classics (including Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie, Green Acres, and The FBI), but the start of t…

1
Miles, Morale, and Memories: Bob Hope and WWII 12:33

18d ago12:33

12:33

TVC 691.3: Ed welcomes Tim Gray, award-winning documentary filmmaker, founder of The World War II Foundation, and the producer and director of Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II, a new documentary about Bob Hope and his dedication to entertaining the troops of World War II. Narrated by Gary Sinise, the documentary features insigh…

1
Bob Hope: The Very First Stand-up Comedian 22:08

21d ago22:08

22:08

TVC 691.4: Tim Gray, producer and director of Miles, Morale and Memories: Bob Hope and World War II, talks to Ed about the many ways in which Gary Sinise can be considered the “Bob Hope of our generation”; how Hope often ran through his monologue with his wife, Dolores, before he performed it in front of our troops; and why, in many respects, Hope …

1
.22 Rifle for Christmas 38:17

22d ago38:17

38:17

Original Release Date: July 21, 2007 A young boy disappears with a newly discovered Christmas present. A .22 rifle and a box of shells. Original Air Date: December 22, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 1591…

1
Garbage Chute Murders 35:26

25d ago35:26

35:26

Original Release Date: July 14, 2007 Joe Friday and Ben Romero search for a killer with an unusual method of entry Original Air Date: December 15, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715…

1
James DuMont of Unit 234 12:04

25d ago12:04

12:04

TVC 690.1: Ed welcomes back film and television actor James DuMont (The Righteous Gemstones, American Sports Story, The Butler). One of the busiest performers in and out of Hollywood, James can currently be seen opposite Don Johnson, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Jack Huston in Unit 234, the new thriller directed by Andy Tennant that is currently available…

1
James DuMont of The Righteous Gemstones 22:44

25d ago22:44

22:44

TVC 690.2: James DuMont talks to Ed about working opposite Don Johnson in the new action thriller Unit 234; his approach to playing the detective who prosecuted fallen NFL superstar Aaron Hernandez in American Sports Story; and the joy of working alongside his son, actor Kelton DuMont, on The Righteous Gemstones. Unit 234 is now available for viewi…

1
The Story of American Television 20:24

25d ago20:24

20:24

TVC 690.3: Ed welcomes back Harry Castleman and Walter J. Podrazik, co-authors of Watching TV: American Television Season by Season, a sweeping look at the history of television from 1944 through the present day, from its early inception as a passive activity to its current form as a multi-tiered experience. Recently updated and re-released as a fo…

1
Jack Gould, Michael Nesmith, and the early influencers of TV 17:37

25d ago17:37

17:37

TVC 690.4: Harry Castleman and Walter J. Podrazik, co-authors of Watching TV: American Television Season by Season, talk to Ed about how the phenomenon of “time shifting” for TV viewers began long before the era of streaming; why Jack Gould, television critic for the New York Times during the 1950s and ’60s, can be considered one of the first “infl…

1
Jade Thumb Rings 33:19

30d ago33:19

33:19

Original Release Date: July 7, 2007 A Chinese man is beaten after buying two jade thumb rings. Joe and Ben must find the thief and their only witness is a six year old with an overactive imagination. Original Air Date: December 8, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.gre…

1
James Vickers 34:40

1M ago34:40

34:40

Original Release Date: July 2, 2007 Joe and Ben are on the trail of a gang of criminals and need to catch them before they kill again. Original Air Date: September 17, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 1591…

1
The Death of Kate Manx 21:52

1M ago21:52

21:52

TVC 689.1: Part 2 of a conversation that began two programs ago with Dore Page, author of Leslie Stevens Goes to Hollywood: Daystar Productions, Kate Manx and the Making of Private Property, a deep dive into the life and career of the maverick television writer and producer best known as the creator of The Outer Limits that particularly focuses on …

1
Leslie Stevens, Stoney Burke, and Quinn Martin Productions 19:20

1M ago19:20

19:20

TVC 689.2: Dore Page, author of Leslie Stevens Goes to Hollywood: Daystar Productions, Kate Manx and the Making of Private Property, talks to Ed and guest co-host Chuck Harter about Stoney Burke (ABC, 1962-1963), the “art house” look at the lives of 20th-century rodeo riders starring Jack Lord, Bruce Dern, and Warren Oates and produced by Leslie St…

1
Happy Birthday, Ruta Lee 22:14

1M ago22:14

22:14

TVC 689.3: Ed welcomes back singer, actress, and philanthropist Ruta Lee (High Rollers, Witness for the Prosecution, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Consider Your Ass Kissed). Ruta will celebrate her ninetieth birthday this coming Friday, May 30 with an evening of song and stories at the Debbie Reynolds Main Stage at the historic El Portal Theatre…

1
Ruta Lee, The Rat Pack, and Witness for the Prosecution 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

TVC 689.4: Entertainment legend Ruta Lee talks to Ed about how she landed her role in Witness for the Prosecution after producer Arthur Hornblow Jr. spotted her in the audience at a Frank Sinatra concert; why it’s important to recognize those moments in life when a benefit happens, and to be grateful for that benefit; the story of Dean Martin’s pla…

1
The Spring Street Gang 31:15

1M ago31:15

31:15

Original Release Date: June 30, 2007 Joe and Ben try and tie down a gang of youth to a series of thefts and robberies, while a shady soda fountain owner comes under suspicion as a fence for the stolen merchandise. Original Air Date: December 1, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http…

51
Mother-In-Law Murder 34:43

1M ago34:43

34:43

Original Release Date: June 23, 2007 A clear cut case of a woman murdering her mother-in-law to hide an affair falls apart, leaving Joe and Ben to search for the real killer. Original Air Date: November 24, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail …

1
Why Wink Martindale was a "never give up" guy 23:08

1M ago23:08

23:08

TVC 688.1: TV Confidential remembers longtime radio host, author, recording artist, and game show legend Wink Martindale (Gambit, Debt, Tic Tac Dough, Winking at Life, “Deck of Cards”) with a special program-length tribute to the man who became synonymous with the words “emcee” and “host.” Wink Martindale passed away on Tuesday, Apr. 15, 2025 at th…

1
Wink Martindale and the Longevity of Tic Tac Dough 21:57

1M ago21:57

21:57

TVC 688.2: Steve Beverly, retired professor of broadcast journalism at Union University in Jackson, TN (the hometown of Wink Martindale), game show historian, and the host of Steve Beverly’s TV Classics, talks to Ed about how Wink never lost sights of his roots in Jackson, TN; how the success of the Martindale version of Tic Tac Dough in the 1970s …

1
The "performance energy" of Wink Martindale 13:15

1M ago13:15

13:15

TVC 688.3: Longtime television announcer Randy West joins Ed as TV Confidential continues its special program-length tribute to game show legend Wink Martindale. Randy was Wink’s announcer on five game shows for the Family Channel, including Trivial Pursuit, Boggle, and Jumble. Among other topics in this segment, Randy mentions what he believes are…

1
Why Wink Martindale was a great orator 24:34

1M ago24:34

24:34

TVC 688.4: Randy West, Wink Martindale’s announcer on five game shows for the Family Channel, talks to Ed about Wink’s career as a spoken-word recording artists (including “Deck of Cards,” “Heavenly Child,” and “I Stand for Everyone”). He also shares a funny story about Wink and Mary Steck, the cue card lady on Trivial Pursuit, that gives you a win…

1
Wink Martindale, "Deck of Cards," and Tic Tac Dough 20:45

1M ago20:45

20:45

TV Confidential continues its program-length tribute to Wink Martindale by bringing you an encore presentation of Wink's appearance on our program in December 2018. Topics this segment include how Wink taught himself how to become an announcer when he was a kid by reading ads from Life magazine aloud; the back story of "Deck of Cards," the spoken w…

1
Wink Martindale on meeting Elvis for the first time in 1954 17:10

1M ago17:10

17:10

From December 2018: Wink Martindale talks to Ed about why game shows remain a popular form of entertainment on television; the importance of matching the right host with the right game format; how Wink happened to be at radio station WHBQ in Memphis, TN on the night of July 8, 1954, when deejay Dewey Phillips played an Elvis Presley record ("That's…

51
Truck Hijackers 34:35

1M ago34:35

34:35

Original Release Date: June 16, 2007 Friday and Romero are on the trail of hijackers who have made off with more than $80,000 in merchandise. Original Air Date: October 1, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box …

51
Brick Bat Slayer 34:00

2M ago34:00

34:00

Original Release Date: June 9, 2007 Joe and Ben are on the trail of a killer who uses red bricks to kill his victims. Original Air Date: September 24, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.‘ Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 8…

1
Dore Page, author of Leslie Stevens Goes to Hollywood 16:16

2M ago16:16

16:16

TVC 687.1: Ed and guest co-host Chuck Harter welcome Dore Page, author of Leslie Stevens Goes to Hollywood: Daystar Productions, Kate Manx and the Making of Private Property, a deep dive into the life and career of Leslie Stevens—the maverick television writer and producer whom most of us know best as the creator of The Outer Limits—that particular…

1
The Tragic Life of Kate Manx 17:18

2M ago17:18

17:18

TVC 687.2: Dore Page, author of Leslie Stevens Goes to Hollywood: Daystar Productions, Kate Manx and the Making of Private Property, talks to Ed and guest co-host Chuck Harter about the fragile mix of ambition, frustration, and insecurity that comprised the psyche of actress Kate Manx, and the extent to which depression may have factored into the c…

1
Why Glenn Ford enjoyed starring in Cade's County 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

TVC 687.3: Peter Ford, son of screen legends Glenn Ford and Eleanor Powell and the author of Glenn Ford: A Life, talks to Ed about how his dad used his star power to hire directors and actors on Cade’s County (CBS, 1971-1972) with whom he’d worked before, including George Marshall, Leo Penn, Edgar Buchanan, Barbara Rush, and Broderick Crawford; how…

51
The Sullivan Kidnapping 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

Original Release Date: May 27, 2007 Joe and Ben try and catch a kidnapper known as The Wolf. Dedicated to the memory of Sgt. Lee Newbill of the Moscow (ID) Police Department who died in the line of duty: May 19, 2007. Original Air Date: September 10, 1949 Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net Support the show on a one-time basis a…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Classictv Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen