Oddity Archive

Jul 5, 2012

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.

Jul 19, 2012

An informal (not to mention, loose) history of Civil Defense Broadcasting in the U.S.

Aug 2, 2012

Remember when TV stations used to go off the air late at night? Anyone?

Aug 16, 2012

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.

Aug 30, 2012

The Archive's most infamous episode--for some reason.

Sep 13, 2012

Meet the artists that made the likes of Joan Baez and Pete Seeger fear for their careers.

Sep 27, 2012

VHS or Beta? Laserdisc or CED? What the hell is a CED anyway? These burning questions (amongst others) answered in this episode!

Oct 11, 2012

Join Ben as he launches his own 1-900 number. What could possibly go wrong?

Oct 25, 2012

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.

Nov 8, 2012

An Archive double header: The two most famous occurrences of Broadcast Signal Hijacking (well, save for the Max Headroom Incident) are discussed here.

Nov 15, 2012

The Oddity Archive will now be switching to scrambled mode. Please turn on your (preferably, circa 1984) decoder box now.

Nov 22, 2012

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.

Dec 6, 2012

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.

Dec 20, 2012

All Ben wanted for Christmas was a silent night...

Jan 3, 2013

Ceefax and Keyfax, Nite-Owl and Cable Chuckles, oh my...

Jan 10, 2013

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!).

Jan 17, 2013

Given how much we discuss TV on the Archive, a history lesson seemed in order.

Jan 31, 2013

?segassem lanimilbus tahW ?huH Everyone knows there are no subliminal messages in music...(!slatrom nwod wob ,woN)

Feb 14, 2013

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.

Feb 28, 2013

Temporarily exiled from the big leagues of Internet TV, Ben (again, temporarily) sets up camp at his local Public Access outlet.

Mar 14, 2013

It's the feel-good episode of the year as Ben discusses the (in)famous British Nuclear War preparedness campaign.

Mar 28, 2013

Because you can (apparently) never have enough nukes...

Apr 11, 2013

What is it about end logos and FBI Warnings that scared so many children of the VHS era?

Apr 25, 2013

Can pure rock sound really hard-boil an egg? Of course not. It does make for some wicked "deviled" eggs though.

May 9, 2013

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.

May 23, 2013

Ever wanted to know the absolute root of the Oddity Archive? Well, it involves a creepy guy in a Hamster costume...

Jul 4, 2013

Because nothing says "Happy 200th, America" like crappy "collectibles", Up With People and bizarre Government films.

Jul 18, 2013

Featuring such great (non-)hits from the likes of Hairy Nielsen, BAAB, William Turkey and many, many more! Order today!!!

Aug 1, 2013

What do you mean Ben is fashion-challenged?

Aug 15, 2013

Seeing as the Archive somehow managed to hit the 30 episode mark, it seemed like a good time to throw a nice, little (tax-deductible) party. Plus, Ben sings a viewer poll-selected song (a move that was instantly regretted by all who voted).

Aug 29, 2013

Covert broadcasts...and how to decode them (your results may vary).

Sep 12, 2013

Or, as Ben likes to call it, the Max Headroom Incident's annoying, less creative little brother.

Sep 20, 2013

And Ben thought it would just be another cool toy for his collection. How naive...

Sep 26, 2013

Learn to gamble--Archive style! God help us...

Oct 14, 2013

Come visit the Archive Children's Disco before it's condemned!

Oct 24, 2013

Forced to discuss his fourth knockoff Disco record in a row, Ben has a slight meltdown.

Nov 7, 2013

VHS vs. Beta? How 1977...

Nov 21, 2013

Ben's still having nightmares about being forced to play charades with Rich Little.

Dec 5, 2013

An interesting, but (unsurprisingly) failed, early attempt at multimedia interactivity.

Dec 19, 2013

Five forgotten holiday albums that will...more than likely remain forgotten.

Jan 2, 2014

Have you ever wanted to make "melons" in real estate? If so, you've come to the right place!

Jan 16, 2014

...because salesmen need the comfort of knowing that their product is truly the answer to all problems (consumerist OR existential).

Jan 23, 2014

Don't screw with Jam Handy!

Feb 6, 2014

The Archive is currently experiencing technical difficulties...LOTS of them...and Ben refuses to take responsibility. So there.

Feb 20, 2014

If V.D. really is for everybody, why don't I have it?

Mar 6, 2014

...because only Ben would be stupid enough to devote an entire regular Archive episode to between-show filler.

Mar 20, 2014

Alternate Title: Why Ben should never make a full "behind-the-scenes" episode. Alternate Title #2: Ben stammers for 38 minutes. Alternate Title #3: Why Ben will never get a date.

Apr 3, 2014

The Archive gathers together all your favorite '70's hits--then realizes that the major labels, the RIAA, etc. would have our nuts in a sling over it. More ripoff records it is then! All 70's edition!

Apr 17, 2014

Wait, there's a logic to all this?

May 1, 2014

It's time for a few changes in Archiveland.

May 8, 2014

***THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A ***SEVERE FALSE NOSTALGIA WARNING*** FOR YOUR AREA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE***

May 29, 2014

Alternate Title: How to Survive an Unprovoked Attack From Your Electric Mixer.

Jul 10, 2014

So much for taking a break...

Jul 24, 2014

Another existential crisis in Archive-land? Get your head out of your ass, Benny boy! NOTE: If viewing this episode on a Pioneer VP-1000 unit (Serial #'s: 12467-21804), please turn your frame display function to the ON position.

Aug 7, 2014

We've only just begun...to hurt.

Aug 21, 2014

Copying this video may cause your computer to randomly burst into flames. The Archive assumes no liability.

Sep 4, 2014

Is there really such a thing as too much LaserKaraoke? Let's find out with this special double (if not triple) length episode!

Sep 18, 2014

For all the time we've spent with this format, a full look at it (and its offshoots) seemed only natural.

Oct 2, 2014

WARNING: This episode is coated in a new, ultra high-tech substance that may cause colorful sparks to emit from your computer. Also, <<

Oct 16, 2014

The most headache-inducing Archive episode to date. Guaranteed.

Oct 23, 2014

This year's (apparently now requisite) Halloween album review. This was actually meant to be just a minisode, but it ran really long. Consider it a "bonus" Archive episode.

Oct 30, 2014

Test-driving a new, potential recurring concept, "Archive Wares". The idea is to look at items from the golden age of infomercials ('80's through early 2000's) and their ads and/or tutorial videos. Given that it's Halloween, it seemed only natural to discuss the most nightmare-inducting product sold via infomercials: the "Rejuvenique Facial Toning System".

Nov 13, 2014

Well, that only took a year-and-a-half to follow through with another Local TV installment. No, this wasn't painful at all.

Nov 27, 2014

Ben reviews the Archive (and then the world imploded).

Dec 11, 2014

And welcome to the Oddity Archive, the show that isn't afraid to piss off VHS fetishists.

Dec 23, 2014

This episode is dedicated to----you, Amber.

Dec 31, 2014

After being asked all year about what Ben thinks the next generation of oddities will be, a New Year's special seemed to be in order (somehow).

Jan 15, 2015

You asked, we gave. $683.43 will now be added to your next phone bill.

Feb 12, 2015

Ladies' man that Ben and Ed are, they didn't really need this. This is really for all the lonely folks (especially the guys) that watch the Archive.

Jan 29, 2015

Maybe all those DuMont jokes in all the 50's-centric Archive episodes will make sense now. Maybe.

Feb 26, 2015

Q: y u no duvide gams? A: Because I'm not that kind of girl--er, wait. Did you mean "Video Games"? I guess...

Mar 12, 2015

Because, you know, VIDEOcassette board games went so well...

Mar 26, 2015

How many times do I have to tell you, China Cabinet? The money is NOT in the fishtank!

Apr 9, 2015

Every now and then we get to thinkin' you'd like to hear somethin' from us done nice and easy. Well, lemme tell ya, we don't do NOTHIN' "nice and easy"...

Apr 23, 2015

An (unintentional) almost-three years in the making...

May 7, 2015

It's a computer! It's a home video unit! It's a video game console! It's...a little underdeveloped.

May 21, 2015

boxes Boxes. BOXES!!!

Jun 4, 2015

The Archive has been deemed obsolete. Irony noted.

Jul 16, 2015

The Archive is back on YouTube! But, not without (desperately) seeking out some alternatives in the meantime.

Jul 30, 2015

Today's burning question: Is it pronounced "stare-eo" or "steer-eo"?

Aug 13, 2015

Naughty words WITHOUT Oddity Archive® – 22 Naughty words WITH Oddity Archive® – 21

Aug 27, 2015

The 3rd annual Archive LaserKaraoke Party is on (sort of)!

Sep 10, 2015

Breaker for a short-short. This is the Oddity Archive. What's yer handle, good buddy?

Sep 24, 2015

Oddity Archive®: Also available for birthday parties, weddings and bar mitzvahs.

Oct 8, 2015

Recently, we came into a small jackpot of Pickwick albums. Given this label's long-standing history with the Archive, it only seemed appropriate to devote an entire episode to the king of all "drugstore" labels.

Oct 22, 2015

Oddity Archive: Now in high-pile carpetvision!

Nov 5, 2015

VCR Ephemera, or, Oddity Archive for beginners.

Nov 19, 2015

I got a message from the Action Max. “I’m crappy. Hope you’re crappy, too.”

Dec 3, 2015

You wanted a history lesson, you got a history lesson. Hope you don't mind a really, really long slideshow.

Dec 17, 2015

Some of you aren't singing. Don't think I can't tell.

Dec 31, 2015

The donations were multiplying like, well, rabbits. I figured y'all were trying to tell me something. (Did I really just type "y'all"? Heaven help me.)

Jan 7, 2016

Movies pressed on records? Should've waited for the 21st century (the hipsters would love it).

Jan 21, 2016

Lots of effort for little (or no) reward? Sounds about right for the Archive.

Feb 4, 2016

The Oddity Archive® keeps you up to date with what’s hot—as long as the system doesn’t crash—again.

Feb 18, 2016

Dramamine? Check. Airsick bag? Check. My confidence? Nope.

Mar 3, 2016

...or, Ben vs. Another Expensive Hobby or, Ben cures the hams or, Ben was already a total ham. Why make it worse?

Mar 17, 2016

The Oddity Archive® strives to provide the best and latest in home theater tune-ups. They still make laserdiscs, right?

Mar 31, 2016

The most risque episode of the Archive since...the last one.

Apr 14, 2016

The Archive attempts to preserve some (intentionally) disposable culture. It was inevitable.

Apr 28, 2016

It’s the 100th episode of the Archive and the expectations are high. Guess we better do something good and commercial.

May 12, 2016

Can you really become “techno-hip” all because of a computer chip?

May 26, 2016

It’s been a long and difficult season. Let’s end it with something fun (if I can figure out how to assemble these toys, that is).

Jul 7, 2016

A little success, a little failure, a little intrigue, a little frustration. In other words, your standard between-season break for Ben.

Jul 21, 2016

…dragging the Record Ripoff concept kicking and screaming out of the 70’s. What the hell was I thinking?!?

Aug 4, 2016

Have your credit cards handy because we're about to launch our own Home-Shopping-type channel! What could possibly go wrong?

Aug 18, 2016

Crank it up and sing along! The madness will naturally follow.

Sep 1, 2016

Oddity Archive®: Now in ULTRA lo-fi!

Sep 15, 2016

Oddity Archive: Your home for absurd, costly and borderline-useless “broadcast” experiments since 2015!

Sep 29, 2016

…because I haven’t REALLY opened myself up to mass criticism for a long time now.

Oct 13, 2016

The Archive takes it to the max--the Betamax, that is.

Oct 27, 2016

This is your Civil Defense announcer speaking (er, typing) with a VERY important message. But first, this nearly 27-minute Oddity Archive episode. NOTE: Yes, I’m well aware that the LP’s discussed in the video have nothing to do with the Conelrad broadcasting stuff—just humor me, will ya?

Nov 10, 2016

…because as we all know, learning is most fun with famous people.

Nov 24, 2016

Another Thanksgiving episode? Must be time to unload some more proverbial turkeys (now more cynically than ever)!

Dec 8, 2016

The second (and hopefully final) installment in the Archive’s “Idiot’s Guide” how-to series.

Dec 22, 2016

The most deep-hurtingest Christmas ever!

Jan 5, 2017

Looking at the Interactive Program Guide’s especially awkward adolescence.

Jan 19, 2017

Bargain Bennie is having his all-time biggest sale on local (and regional) TV commercials! Get ‘em before they’re gone!

Feb 2, 2017

‘Tis the season for love—and love gone down the garbage disposer.

Feb 16, 2017

Crank up the Fisher-Price turntable!

Mar 2, 2017

It’s (100% showtune-free) Musical March (read: Audio Geek March, “Musical March” is just a lot catchier) in Archiveland! Let’s kick it off with a little reevaluation of a format that I’ve bashed in the past.

Mar 16, 2017

Oddity Archive®: Now with new Superlife® coating!

Mar 30, 2017

And welcome to the Oddity Archive…the show that rapidly contracts and expands—but clearly not rapidly enough.

Apr 13, 2017

A mere 5 years in the making! You’d never know it though…

Apr 27, 2017

No, this isn’t about those 100 million (or more) copies of “Titanic” and “Jerry Maguire”—useless as they are.

May 11, 2017

With all this talk of so-called “mobile devices” these days, it seemed worth taking a look into.

May 25, 2017

And welcome to the Oddity Ar-ar-ar-ar-ar-arc-arch-(SLAP)-Archive!

Jul 6, 2017

12 inches of Archivian goodness!

Jul 20, 2017

What’cha doin’ on your rump? Hopefully, you’re watching this episode!

Aug 3, 2017

A King-sized episode for a King-sized anniversary. Of course, we can't play any actual Elvis, so let's look at some of the cash-ins based around the man.

Aug 17, 2017

A cooking show—Archive style.

Aug 31, 2017

New from Sing Alone Video!

Sep 14, 2017

I was burning incense on not-quite vinyl (while listening to Playtapes) before you were. Take that, hipsters.

Sep 28, 2017

This offer will expire without notice! Order now!

Oct 12, 2017

A double (if not triple) dose of failure.  You know you love it.

Oct 26, 2017

The scariest (in the existentialist sense, at least) Archive Halloween to date!

Nov 9, 2017

Let’s reminisce about the great bully/child abductor epidemic of the ‘90’s.

Nov 22, 2017

The Archive returns to its deepest roots (largely because it was convenient).

Dec 7, 2017

Oddity Archive® Vinyl: Now 50% lighter and with 50% more foreign debris!

Dec 21, 2017

Broken equipment, bad records and loopy videos—in other words, your standard Archive Christmas.

Jan 4, 2018

No fees! No contracts! No service! Dial 1-800 ARCHIVE and save 0%!

Jan 18, 2018

More hissy (and at times, indecipherable) goodness from the deepest, darkest depths of the Archive.

Feb 1, 2018

Bring your earplugs! And, no, this isn’t false modesty—these recordings are pretty harsh (in every meaning of the word).

Feb 15, 2018

This is what happens when Benny-boy’s control-freak tendencies get the best of him. Honestly, it’s not too terrible. Shame the product is mediocre.

Mar 1, 2018

The Archive sets sail for the United Kingdom in search of some unusual computer storage and sharing methods—we weren’t disappointed.

Mar 15, 2018

No Billy Joel songs were harmed in the making of this episode.

Mar 29, 2018

These talking pictures will never catch on…come to think of it, these didn’t.

Apr 12, 2018

Funny how a little kiddie music, a little commercialism and a heaping helping of Easy Listening stewed in someone’s garage for 40+ years equals such a lovely sonic bouquet.

Apr 26, 2018

Finally! An Archive episode with true A E S T H E T I C S!

May 10, 2018

…because the first reel-to-reel worked so well.

May 24, 2018

The Archive is getting ready to leave Beautiful Downtown Aurora. Better look at some of our local stuff before we go.

Jun 7, 2018

Let’s close our Beautiful Downtown Aurora years without any tears (maybe).

Jul 26, 2018

Archive HQ Version 2.0. Was it worth it?

Aug 9, 2018

Aug 23, 2018

By (inexplicably) popular demand, the Rock N’ Roll equivalent to “American Movie” rolls on.

Sep 6, 2018

Attempting to realize a viewer’s vision of an old-school, drive-in theater—at home.

Sep 20, 2018

We haven't had a good roast in awhile, have we?

Oct 4, 2018

More 8 frames-per-second at 1,800 revolutions-per-minute goodness from the darkest pits of the Archive!

Oct 18, 2018

Well, I kinda killed the Archive’s old LaserKaraoke machine…and I’d been threatening to upgrade the main Laserdisc player. Upgrade time!

Oct 31, 2018

IT’S BA-ACK!

Nov 15, 2018

The future of the common audiocassette is (er, was) here!

Nov 29, 2018

Another fragrant bouquet of dusty, musty, moldy slabs of wax!

Dec 13, 2018

The Archive finally acquires some genuine off-air U.K. tapes…complete with some genuine U.K. mold (er, mould).

Dec 20, 2018

Some Christmas oddities (and one not-so-oddity) with a real bang to them!

Jan 17, 2019

New year, old hindrances…

Feb 7, 2019

Let us take another dip into the well of televised municipal culture…

Feb 21, 2019

Our trucks are currently scouring your neighborhood with sophisticated equipment to detect anyone watching our show illegally. Don’t you dare question how we do it. Punks.

Mar 7, 2019

A massive dose of hissy, sticky goodness that should never be degaussed after midnight!

Mar 21, 2019

A genuine(ly twisted) labor of love from your friends at the Oddity Archive®.

Apr 4, 2019

Search Frame 30609. Then, add in 29,000. Then, multiply by .84. Then, write down your findings (in order). You are now ready to begin watching this episode of Oddity Archive.

Apr 18, 2019

Like in sports, sometimes musicians need a rebuilding season. I promise, it starts resembling "real" music this time…

May 2, 2019

About a year ago, I came across a pair of unmarked, somewhat damaged 8mm films. Since they both needed some repair, it seemed like a good time for an educational OA episode.

May 16, 2019

In the name of commercial appeal, the Archive cheapens itself to toilet humor.

May 30, 2019

Recorded not-live at the fabulous Archive Theatre!

Jul 11, 2019

Ben gets far more than he bargained for…and it was hardly a bargain.

Jul 25, 2019

A special limited addition—because we don’t think this’ll sell too well.

Aug 8, 2019

Oddity Archive®: On the cutting edge of amateur, home recording (as of 1965).

Aug 22, 2019

A banquet of oversaturated and generation-lossy goodness from the Archive! Fill-in-the-blankwave fans will love it.

Sep 5, 2019

…and the jackpot goes up to 178…episodes, that is!

Sep 19, 2019

Our seventh annual marathon of soft rock and mullets…lots and lots of mullets.

Oct 3, 2019

…or, Ben enters the Loss Prevention Protection Program.

Oct 17, 2019

Another batch of (no more than) 7.5ips goodness…straight from the hea-a-a-arrt.

Oct 31, 2019

It takes a LOT of sacrifice to maintain the Archive…

Nov 14, 2019

Getting the History of Home Video train back on track with the first great (albeit rather dull) camcorder format.

Nov 28, 2019

Guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days…er, weeks…er, months…er, years after viewing!

Dec 19, 2019

Would you please make welcome to the Archive…tap-dancing Christmas trees, teddy bears that can wipe out entire armies and…Dennis.

Jan 1, 2020

Saying goodbye to the decade that brought us selfies, Alexa, and fidget spinners…and not a minute too soon.

Jan 16, 2020

A history lesson so big, it’s gonna have to be its own subseries.

Jan 30, 2020

Please silence your phones, mobile devices and other electronics…actually don’t. You won’t be able to hear this episode otherwise.

Feb 13, 2020

It’s a love obsession at the Archive!

Feb 27, 2020

We interrupt this episode of Oddity Archive to bring you…a bunch of other interruptions.

Mar 12, 2020

Time to leave the ol’ cassette 4-tracker behind…

Mar 26, 2020

Apr 9, 2020

A springtime-fresh bouquet of ferric (or chrome) goodness!

Apr 23, 2020

Oddity Archive®: Now in our exclusive EP (Endless Play) Mode!

May 7, 2020

…or, the Archive’s idea of nocturnal delight.

May 21, 2020

Some shows were pre-destined to land in the dumpster or collide with the ol’ bulk eraser…here are five of them that have (at least) somewhat cheated fate.

Jun 4, 2020

…or, how an unlikely hit album launched an even more unlikely tidal wave of cash-ins and imitators. In a way, it’s the perfect Archivism.

Jul 16, 2020

Well, my (working) Summer Vacation turned into a (working) Summer Staycation…

Jul 30, 2020

Featuring some of the genuine leg ends of Rock N’ Roll!

Aug 20, 2020

A film made especially for the occasion by Swedish documentarian Hans Krullitzer.

Sep 3, 2020

Either the all-time most beautiful or most psychedelic episode of the Archive…we’re not sure.

Sep 17, 2020

It’s not just VHS…it’s SUPER VHS!

Oct 1, 2020

Just when you thought the Archive couldn’t possibly get any more tacky…

Oct 15, 2020

Looking at a trio of (slightly misguided) discs touting Pioneer Laserdiscs and Home Theater gear…

Oct 29, 2020

Life has gotten so tangled lately. As such, let’s roll things back to the absolute (commercial) basics of Halloween…

Nov 12, 2020

You’re not getting older. Just crazier…

Nov 26, 2020

Spending Thanksgiving with some prime, succulent, deep cuts of…the Archive.

Dec 10, 2020

With (backhanded, insincere) apologies to Hunter S. Thompson: Film Preservation is a cruel and shallow nitrate ditch, a long celluloid hallway where good films rot. That’s just the negative side.

Dec 24, 2020

It’s a Vinyl and VHS Christmas! It’s not anywhere near as cool as it sounds…

Jan 7, 2021

Myasthenia is better than Yourasthenia. So there.

Jan 21, 2021

…or, how Bing Crosby’s golf game launched a technological revolution.

Feb 4, 2021

Benny-boy’s unintentional swan song…or is it?

Feb 18, 2021

Uh-oh. Benny-boy's playing preservationist again...

Mar 4, 2021

Mar 25, 2021

Oddity Archive®: Where the thrills are cheap as radio, and radio is cheap as thrills…

Apr 8, 2021

The Oddity Archiveland Service (OAS) has issued a WEATHER WARNING…warning.

Apr 22, 2021

Teletext: Not just for Europeans anymore! Well, not really…

May 6, 2021

…well, listen now to what the Archive says!* *Apologies to The Byrds

May 20, 2021

A serious dissertation on the dangers of workplace stress and how to cope with it…using pure silliness.

Jun 3, 2021

All good things must come to an end…or must they?

Jul 22, 2021

...because cassettes are for poseurs.

Aug 12, 2021

Some of the most grody tunes we’ve ever covered fer sure, fer sure.

Aug 26, 2021

Let us take an all-night flight to remember why USA once was “America’s Favorite Cable Network”…

Sep 16, 2021

Whatdaya do when you’ve had your fill of analog media? Start hittin’ the ones and zeros…

Sep 29, 2021

Benny-boy celebrates the first annual Silent Movie Day by…talking at great length about the silents. Nobody ever accused him of being sharp…

Oct 14, 2021

As of this posting, we’re right on the edge of the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the DVD. Guess it’s finally ripe for Archivedom…

Oct 28, 2021

“Benny & The Bot”…coming this fall to KLAK…whether Ben likes it or not. NOTE: Just consider this a 20-minute art film.

Nov 11, 2021

Benny the Script Doctor makes a housecall regarding some bad sitcoms.

Nov 25, 2021

10 ads (or series thereof) selected by viewers. Any turkeys in this Thanksgiving episode are purely coincidental.

Dec 9, 2021

Ah, the good, old days. Back when owning a 16mm film or recording something off the TV could get you a visit from the Feds. Good times…

Dec 23, 2021

Archivisms roasting on an open fire…

Jan 13, 2022

Hey buddy, wanna hear my (horribly impractical) mixtape?

Jan 27, 2022

100% pure, shameless, unfettered nostalgia, courtesy of the Oddity Archive®

Feb 10, 2022

Learn all about the fine art of meeting Ben!

Feb 24, 2022

Vinyl Potpourri is back! It’s a (1,885 second) miracle!

Mar 10, 2022

A solid-state tuner is recommended for the viewing of this OA episode…in some way we haven’t figured out yet.

Mar 24, 2022

Another (belated) salute to the bottom of the Mom-and-Pop video rental store barrel!

Apr 7, 2022

It’s time for the New $25,000 Pyramid…scheme.

Apr 21, 2022

Times are changing and KLAK-AM needs to keep up. As such, let’s look at some gimmicks (stunts) used by other radio stations to plug their new formats…

May 5, 2022

Taking a leisurely, country stroll through the (cowpie-laden) great audiovisual pasture…

May 26, 2022

Oddity Archive®: Now available in 64kbps mp3!

Jun 9, 2022

Four months, three countries, two-hundred-plus dollars all in the name of…meh. Or, what Dolby was to cassette, CX was (supposed to be) for vinyl.

Jul 21, 2022

…or, the OA’s (slightly-belated) 10th Anniversary Special.

Aug 11, 2022

The Archive finally presents some 100%-pure, down-home musical manure!

Aug 25, 2022

This episode is dedicated to those that say we don’t do TV stuff anymore. Maybe we shouldn’t…

Sep 8, 2022

Slim Whitman? Blech. Boxcar Willie? Poseur. Only the original TV album guru will do.

Sep 29, 2022

Just how close are we to seeing what moviegoers saw in the 1920’s? In these two cases, as it turns out, not very.

Oct 13, 2022

We’re all goin’ on a…(quiet, mellow) Autumn Holiday…

Oct 27, 2022

Watch horror films, keep Archiveland strong, keep Benny-boy (in)sane.

Nov 10, 2022

It’s a friend! It’s a companion! It’s a lifestyle! It’s…supremely annoying…

Nov 24, 2022

After 10 years, I guess it’s time for the inevitable “Greatest Hits” package…

Dec 8, 2022

Super Oddity Archive®: Now with 50% MORE image than Standard Oddity Archive®! Which is 95% LESS image than HD Oddity Archive®…

Dec 22, 2022

Christmas wrapping is so lame—we’re into Christmas Rapping around here!

Jan 12, 2023

…because (as we know) what works for 90 minutes once will ALWAYS work for 30 minutes on a regular basis.

Jan 26, 2023

Snowbound. Let’s sleep in today…and tomorrow…and the day after…and the day after that…

Feb 16, 2023

The new & improved Oddity Archive®! Now cracks those pesky filberts!

Mar 2, 2023

A true horror show—just not in the way you’d expect.

Mar 16, 2023

Finally (partially) fulfilling that long wished-for Archivism—beavers—specifically, disco beavers.

Mar 30, 2023

You won’t believe your CD-I’s!!!

Apr 13, 2023

The Archive drops some MAD flava in your ear…

Apr 27, 2023

Don’t let THE MAN bring you down. That’s what Oddity Archive® is for…

May 11, 2023

Pourin’ one out (er, unraveling a tape) for our vidiot homies…

May 25, 2023

The OA celebrates Memorial Day with some genuine WTF from the AFN (AFRTS). Presented on the DL of course, ‘cause we gotta think OPSEC.

Jun 8, 2023

Ever wonder what it would’ve been like if Rube Goldberg designed a VCR? Neither did I.

Jun 15, 2023

You’re in for a “great” time! Would you believe “good” time? How ‘bout “adequate” time?

Jul 27, 2023

Quite possibly the ultimate “headphone” episode of OA…for realsies this time.

Aug 17, 2023

The Archive finds itself caught in a celluloid jam…

Aug 31, 2023

The Archive does a little home video archaeology…

Sep 14, 2023

Time to fill up on bratwurst and get down to that fonky, fonky, meut-sick!

Sep 28, 2023

Public Domain stuff, VHS, weird music, surrealist humor--your Oddity Archive® bingo card should be 80% full from this one episode alone!

Oct 31, 2023

Everybody loves a trilogy…and here’s the last piece of it.

Nov 16, 2023

Even the comedy gods (and goddesses) have their off days…

Nov 23, 2023

You’ve heard of turkey coma, right? This one’ll give you Archive coma.

Dec 7, 2023

Learn all about the ins and out of SCMPF (Simply Can’t Muster Proper Functionality) for your newfangled VCR thing!

Dec 21, 2023

‘Twas a few days before Christmas and all through the Archive/A Benny-boy was stirring, to madness he’ll drive…

Jan 11, 2024

An episode that’ll make you want to yell “TB-Yes”!

Feb 8, 2024

Today’s Oddity Archive® may be taped (analog only) for classroom use until December 31, 2024. After December 31, 2024, all copies must be wiped or destroyed…and don’t think we don’t have the means of finding out if you didn’t.

Mar 7, 2024

Oddity Archive® lights up your TV’s* with the ads that please!** *A computer screen will also suffice. **As long as your expectations are suitably low.

Apr 4, 2024

The chocolate and peanut butter of the Archive, together at last in the same episode!

May 2, 2024

The episode where cardboard boxes and BoxCars collide…at last!

Jun 6, 2024

Hey, you said you wanted more Oddity Archive…After Dark. Be careful what you wish for.

Jul 25, 2024

“Fun” Project. “Fun” Time.* *According to the uber-cheap DIY FM transmitter I bought.

Aug 29, 2024

Record Ripoffs gets back to its roots…man.

Sep 29, 2024

Let’s get real! Surreal, that is… (er, sur-reel?)

Oct 31, 2024

When this episode was first released, it was an (actual) off-air copy. Thing is, a lot of detail was lost in the microbroadcast. As such, here’s what an “in-house feed” of the proceedings looked like.

Nov 28, 2024

A 8-course feast of Vertical Helical Schlock for your Thanksgiving!

Dec 19, 2024

Four stereotypically inedible fruitcakes…and one semi-digestible one for your holiday.

Feb 13, 2025

Let’s celebrate comedy on cable TV…with only the barest minimum of humor.

Apr 18, 2025

It’s new! It’s today! It’s now! It’s…recycled.

Jul 10, 2025

This is it. My own personal “ground zero” for Archivedom…

Oct 9, 2025

Consider this a “soft-launch” of Season 14 of OA. I’m finally off the sidelines and…things are as dusty as ever.

Oct 30, 2025

KLAK has had to take on a few advertisers*. Tough times, ya know… *Yes, YouTube, this is a joke. This is NOT a sponsored video.

Nov 27, 2025

The OA equivalent of popcorn, pretzel sticks and jellybeans as a Thanksgiving feast…

Dec 23, 2025

The Archive serves up some true Christmas Hams…with a side of Duck A La Wronge.

Jan 22, 2026

The Archive takes the high road…to a dead-end.

Feb 5, 2026

…because three hours a night of late 80’s primetime TV lameness just wasn’t enough!

Feb 19, 2026

Well, it’s Oscar season. Let’s pretend current Hollywood doesn’t exist.

Mar 5, 2026

Another round of classic local TV bliss delivered in easy-to-digest 30-second bites…

Mar 26, 2026

Yes, teenaged Benny-boy managed to blindly stumble into the “digital music revolution” circa Y2K. No, he did NOT turn into a cyberpunk warrior—he just became a prematurely grouchy old man.

Apr 16, 2026

It’s the 300th “regular” OA episode. Let’s make some noise…albeit not necessarily PLEASANT noise.

Apr 30, 2026

Time to get lucky! In the financial sense, that is…

May 14, 2026

The first OA episode to be THX-certified! Ten Hungry Xylophones, that is.

May 28, 2026

When one more day…turns into four years.

Jun 11, 2026

Corporate shuffling at its most entertaining!* *Your mileage may vary.