About this season
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.
Episodes (26)
1. U-Matic (or, How I Spent My Summer)
Aired 10 July 2014 • 24 min
So much for taking a break...
2. The Great Archive Treasure Hunt
Aired 24 July 2014 • 35 min
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.
3. Return of the Son of Record Rip-Offs (or, Record Rip-offs, vol. 3)
Aired 7 August 2014 • 36 min
We've only just begun...to hurt.
4. Macrovision (and one other nostalgic copy-protection hassle)
Aired 21 August 2014 • 15 min
Copying this video may cause your computer to randomly burst into flames. The Archive assumes no liability.
5. LaserKaraoke Vol. 2 (Aqua Net Edition)
Aired 4 September 2014 • 53 min
Is there really such a thing as too much LaserKaraoke? Let's find out with this special double (if not triple) length episode!
6. Laserdiscs (and their children)
Aired 18 September 2014 • 24 min
For all the time we've spent with this format, a full look at it (and its offshoots) seemed only natural.
7. Copy-Protection Vol. 2 (Odds and Ends)
Aired 2 October 2014 • 19 min
WARNING: This episode is coated in a new, ultra high-tech substance that may cause colorful sparks to emit from your computer. Also, <<
8. Shortwave DX-ing (or, Shortwave for Rank Amateurs)
Aired 16 October 2014 • 20 min
The most headache-inducing Archive episode to date. Guaranteed.
9. Hallmark Presents: The Sounds of Halloween
Aired 23 October 2014 • 15 min
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.
10. Halloween Special 2014 (Archive Wares: Rejuvenique Facial System)
Aired 30 October 2014 • 27 min
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".
11. Local TV Vol. 4 (Local Commercials)
Aired 13 November 2014 • 29 min
Well, that only took a year-and-a-half to follow through with another Local TV installment. No, this wasn't painful at all.
12. Oddity Archive's Greatest Misses
Aired 27 November 2014 • 16 min
Ben reviews the Archive (and then the world imploded).
13. Public Domain VHS Distributors (An Incomplete Overview)
Aired 11 December 2014 • 26 min
And welcome to the Oddity Archive, the show that isn't afraid to piss off VHS fetishists.
14. Christmas Special 2014 (Santa Claus IS Watching You!)
Aired 23 December 2014 • 28 min
This episode is dedicated to----you, Amber.
15. Future Oddities (Benny-boy Predicts)
Aired 31 December 2014 • 14 min
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).
16. 1-900 ARCHIVE Vol. 2 (Operators Aren't Standing By!)
Aired 15 January 2015 • 25 min
You asked, we gave. $683.43 will now be added to your next phone bill.
17. VHS Vault Vol. 6: How's Your Sex Life? (Valentine's Day Special 2015)
Aired 12 February 2015 • 24 min
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.
18. The DuMont Network
Aired 29 January 2015 • 35 min
Maybe all those DuMont jokes in all the 50's-centric Archive episodes will make sense now. Maybe.
19. Video Games (A Non-Gamer's Perspective)
Aired 26 February 2015 • 46 min
Q: y u no duvide gams? A: Because I'm not that kind of girl--er, wait. Did you mean "Video Games"? I guess...
20. Audiocassette-Based Board Games
Aired 12 March 2015 • 20 min
Because, you know, VIDEOcassette board games went so well...
21. Electronic Talking Oddity Archive! (Electronic Talking Board Games)
Aired 26 March 2015 • 32 min
How many times do I have to tell you, China Cabinet? The money is NOT in the fishtank!
22. Record Ripoffs Vol. 4 (For Vinyl Fetishists Only)
Aired 9 April 2015 • 35 min
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"...
23. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer
Aired 23 April 2015 • 32 min
An (unintentional) almost-three years in the making...
24. Philips CD-i (Compact Disc Interactive)
Aired 7 May 2015 • 37 min
It's a computer! It's a home video unit! It's a video game console! It's...a little underdeveloped.
25. WebTV (and one other early internet/tv crossover)
Aired 21 May 2015 • 15 min
boxes Boxes. BOXES!!!
26. The Death of Analog TV
Aired 4 June 2015 • 24 min
The Archive has been deemed obsolete. Irony noted.