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Where to watch
Not available to stream in US
Synopsis
The Oddity Archive is a web series that revolves around the "cultural dustbin", especially as it pertains to media. The Archive also functions as an actual archive of sorts, with a modest collection of off-air Betamax and VHS recordings (about 400 total as of June, 2014). There's also a decent collection of ephemeral video, "ripoff" and "drugstore" LP's/cassettes/8-tracks, as well as (working) obsolete technology.
Themes
Episodes
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- E1 The Max Headroom Incident of 1987Next upJul 5, 2012 · 12 min
Synopsis
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.
- E2 Emergency Broadcast SaluteJul 19, 2012 · 17 min
Synopsis
An informal (not to mention, loose) history of Civil Defense Broadcasting in the U.S.
- E3 TV Sign-offsAug 2, 2012 · 15 min
Synopsis
Remember when TV stations used to go off the air late at night? Anyone?
- E4 Local TV SpecialAug 16, 2012 · 21 min
Synopsis
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.
- E5 American EXXXtacy (and other C-band nastiness)Aug 30, 2012 · 16 min
Synopsis
The Archive's most infamous episode--for some reason.
- E6 Conservative Folk MusicSep 13, 2012 · 16 min
Synopsis
Meet the artists that made the likes of Joan Baez and Pete Seeger fear for their careers.
- E7 Format WarsSep 27, 2012 · 21 min
Synopsis
VHS or Beta? Laserdisc or CED? What the hell is a CED anyway? These burning questions (amongst others) answered in this episode!
- E8 1-900-ARCHIVEOct 11, 2012 · 21 min
Synopsis
Join Ben as he launches his own 1-900 number. What could possibly go wrong?
- E9 Halloween Special 2012 (Strange VHS Endings)Oct 25, 2012 · 37 min
Synopsis
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.
- E10 Captain Midnight / VrillonNov 8, 2012 · 14 min
Synopsis
An Archive double header: The two most famous occurrences of Broadcast Signal Hijacking (well, save for the Max Headroom Incident) are discussed here.
- E11 Pay TV (but not Cable or Satellite)Nov 15, 2012 · 14 min
Synopsis
The Oddity Archive will now be switching to scrambled mode. Please turn on your (preferably, circa 1984) decoder box now.
- E12 Top (Thanksgiving) Turkeys of the (19)90'sNov 22, 2012 · 19 min
Synopsis
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.
- E13 Local TV vol. 2 (Kiddie Show Hosts)Dec 6, 2012 · 32 min
Synopsis
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.
- E14 Christmas Special (A Fair Use Christmas)Dec 20, 2012 · 23 min
Synopsis
All Ben wanted for Christmas was a silent night...
- E15 Teletext Heaven (or Hell)Jan 3, 2013 · 16 min
Synopsis
Ceefax and Keyfax, Nite-Owl and Cable Chuckles, oh my...
- E16 IntermissionJan 10, 2013 · 13 min
Synopsis
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!).
- E17 Prehistoric TelevisionJan 17, 2013 · 16 min
Synopsis
Given how much we discuss TV on the Archive, a history lesson seemed in order.
- E18 gniksaM sdrawkcaB (Backwards Masking)Jan 31, 2013 · 24 min
Synopsis
?segassem lanimilbus tahW ?huH Everyone knows there are no subliminal messages in music...(!slatrom nwod wob ,woN)
- E19 Valentine's Day Special (Dating Services)Feb 14, 2013 · 26 min
Synopsis
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.
- E20 Local TV vol. 3 (Public Access)Feb 28, 2013 · 20 min
Synopsis
Temporarily exiled from the big leagues of Internet TV, Ben (again, temporarily) sets up camp at his local Public Access outlet.
- E21 Protect & SurviveMar 14, 2013 · 16 min
Synopsis
It's the feel-good episode of the year as Ben discusses the (in)famous British Nuclear War preparedness campaign.
- E22 Duck & CoverMar 28, 2013 · 17 min
Synopsis
Because you can (apparently) never have enough nukes...
- E23 Scary Logos (and other Nostalgic Video Terrors)Apr 11, 2013 · 23 min
Synopsis
What is it about end logos and FBI Warnings that scared so many children of the VHS era?
- E24 Hell's Bells (The Dangers of Rock and Roll)Apr 25, 2013 · 22 min
Synopsis
Can pure rock sound really hard-boil an egg? Of course not. It does make for some wicked "deviled" eggs though.
- E25 Employee Training VideosMay 9, 2013 · 29 min
Synopsis
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.
- E26 VHS Vault vol. 1 (Amvest Video)May 23, 2013 · 22 min
Synopsis
Ever wanted to know the absolute root of the Oddity Archive? Well, it involves a creepy guy in a Hamster costume...
Cast & crew
Created by Ben Minnotte
Videos
Trailers
Images · 2
