The Tom Gulley Show

It’s official — we’ve hit 700 episodes of The Tom Gulley Show! Join host Tom Gulley for a special celebration as we look back at our Top 30 all-time favorite shows.

From deep dives into fascinating history and forgotten television to unforgettable conversations, this milestone episode revisits the best of “things about stuff.” Highlights from the Top 30 include the wild story of Pervitin, the unique 1960s Western A Man Called Shenandoah, plus standout interviews with Jesse P-S of PodAwful, The Reverend Bob Levy, and Hollywood legend Ruta Lee.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just discovered the show, this is the perfect episode to celebrate the mix of pop culture, history, classic TV, true stories, and sharp commentary that defines The Tom Gulley Show.

Things about stuff. Any topic. All topics. Never the same. Always interesting.

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#TomGulleyShow #700Episodes #PodcastMilestone #Top30Shows #Pervitin #AManCalledShenandoah #ClassicTV #PopCulture #PodcastInterview #HistoryPodcast #TrueStories #PodAwful #BobLevy #RutaLee #ThingsAboutStuff

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Mike Ditka wasn’t just a football player or coach—he was Chicago toughness personified. Known as “Iron Mike” and “Da Coach,” the Pro Football Hall of Famer revolutionized the tight end position, became the first tight end inducted into Canton, and led the 1985 Chicago Bears to their only Super Bowl victory.

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we dive deep into the remarkable life and career of Mike Ditka: from his roots in Pennsylvania steel country and standout days at the University of Pittsburgh, to his Rookie of the Year season with the Bears in 1961 (the first 1,000-yard receiving season by a tight end), the 1963 NFL Championship, Super Bowl VI with the Dallas Cowboys as a player, Super Bowl XII as an assistant coach, and the unforgettable Super Bowl XX triumph as head coach of the dominant 1985 Bears.

Discover how Ditka helped redefine the tight end role with elite blocking and receiving, earned five Pro Bowl nods and multiple All-Pro honors, became one of only two people in NFL history to win a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, and left an indelible mark on Chicago sports culture, broadcasting, and pop culture.

Whether you’re a lifelong Bears fan, an NFL history buff, or just love larger-than-life sports icons, this is the ultimate look at the man, the myth, and the legend of Mike Ditka.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into sports legends, pop culture, history, and unforgettable stories on The Tom Gulley Show!

#MikeDitka #IronMike #DaCoach #ChicagoBears #SuperBowlXX #NFLLegend #ProFootballHallOfFame #1985Bears #BearsFootball #NFLHistory #FootballLegend #SuperBowl #TightEnd #Ditka

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Enter the extraordinary life and legacy of General George S. Patton Jr., the legendary American military leader known as “Old Blood and Guts.” From his early days at West Point and pioneering tank warfare in World War I to his brilliant command of U.S. forces in North Africa, Sicily, and the rapid advance of the Third Army across France and into Germany during World War II, Patton remains one of the most audacious and effective battlefield commanders in U.S. history.

Explore his pivotal role in Operation Torch, the invasion of Sicily, the breakout from Normandy, the dramatic relief of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, and his relentless drive that captured vast territory and helped defeat Nazi Germany. Discover the man behind the ivory-handled pistols—his motivational leadership, controversial moments, famous quotes, and enduring impact on modern warfare and military strategy.

Whether you’re a history buff, military enthusiast, or student of leadership, this episode of The Tom Gulley Show delivers deep insights into Patton’s career, tactics, and larger-than-life personality. Subscribe for more in-depth discussions on American heroes, World War II history, and the leaders who shaped the free world. Like, comment, and share if you admire the general who believed in attacking until the job was done!

#GeneralGeorgePatton #GeorgeSPatton #WWII #WorldWarII #MilitaryHistory #Patton #ThirdArmy #BattleOfTheBulge #USArmy #OldBloodAndGuts #TankWarfare #AmericanHistory #Leadership #HistoryPodcast

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Hit the open road with Jim Bronson in this deep dive into the cult classic 1969–1970 NBC adventure-drama series Then Came Bronson. Starring Michael Parks as a disillusioned newspaper reporter who quits his job, buys a Harley-Davidson Sportster, and sets out across America searching for meaning after the suicide of his best friend (played by Martin Sheen), Then Came Bronson remains one of the most poetic and free-spirited shows of its era.On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we explore the pilot film, the single 26-episode season, the iconic “Long Lonesome Highway” theme sung by Michael Parks, the counterculture spirit of the late 1960s, guest stars, stunt work, why the series was canceled, and why it still resonates with motorcycle riders and classic TV fans today. Hang in there — the long lonesome highway is calling.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Michael Parks, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast, or just love underappreciated 1960s television, this episode is for you.

If you enjoyed the ride, please like, subscribe, and ring the notification bell so you never miss another episode of The Tom Gulley Show. Drop a comment below and tell us your favorite Bronson memory or episode!

Watch the pilot episode movie of Then Came Bronson FREE on Internet Archive:
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#ThenCameBronson #MichaelParks #ClassicTV #1960sTV #HarleyDavidson #MotorcycleTV #VintageTelevision #TomGulleyShow #LongLonesomeHighway #CultClassicTV

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Relive the incredible true story of Baby Jessica McClure, the 18-month-old toddler who fell into an abandoned 8-inch-wide well in Midland, Texas, on October 14, 1987. Trapped 22 feet underground for 58 hours without food or water, Jessica’s ordeal became a national media spectacle as rescuers worked around the clock to free her.

On The Tom Gulley Show, we dive deep into this historic rescue that united America. Discover how firefighters, paramedics, oil drillers, and experts drilled a parallel shaft and horizontal tunnel through solid rock to reach her. Hear about the dramatic moments when rescuers heard her singing “Winnie the Pooh,” the heroic efforts of EMT Robert O’Donnell who freed her, and the jubilant moment she was pulled to safety on October 16, 1987—broadcast live on major networks.

This is the full story of “Everybody’s Baby,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, the outpouring of public support, and the lasting impact of one of the most famous rescues in American history.

If you love true crime, historical events, heroic rescues, and 1980s news stories, this episode is for you. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more deep-dive stories on The Tom Gulley Show.

#BabyJessica #JessicaMcClure #BabyJessicaRescue #MidlandTexas #1987Rescue #TrueStory #HistoricalRescue #MiracleRescue #EverybodyIsBaby #TomGulleyShow #TrueCrimeHistory #AmericanHistory #RescueStory #TexasHistory

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On January 1, 1971, the final cigarette commercials aired on American television and radio.

This episode of The Tom Gulley Show looks back at the last day of cigarette advertising in the United States — the landmark Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act signed by President Richard Nixon, the intense final push by tobacco companies during the New Year’s Day bowl games, and the iconic Virginia Slims commercial that became the last cigarette ad ever broadcast during The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Explore how Big Tobacco, once the biggest product advertisers on TV, lost its most powerful marketing platform overnight, the role of the Surgeon General’s reports and the Fairness Doctrine, and how the 1971 ban reshaped both public health and the television industry.

If you enjoy deep dives into American history, media history, and advertising, subscribe and hit the notification bell for more episodes.

#CigaretteAdBan #LastCigaretteAd #TobaccoHistory #TVHistory #1971 #PublicHealth #CigaretteBan #AdvertisingHistory #AmericanHistory #MediaHistory

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Dive into the classic 1960s science fiction series The Invaders on this episode of The Tom Gulley Show!

Starring Roy Thinnes as architect David Vincent, this Quinn Martin production aired on ABC from 1967 to 1968 and became a cult favorite for its tense alien-invasion storyline. After witnessing a UFO landing, Vincent discovers that extraterrestrials are secretly infiltrating Earth—disguising themselves as humans and working to take over from within. With almost no one believing him, he wages a lonely, high-stakes fight against the invaders across 43 episodes.

We explore the show’s paranoid Cold War atmosphere, its influence on later alien-conspiracy stories, memorable guest stars, the unique traits of the Invaders (including that telltale crooked little finger), and why David Vincent remains one of TV’s great sci-fi heroes. Perfect for fans of classic television, 1960s sci-fi, The Outer Limits, The Fugitive, and conspiracy thrillers.

If you love retro science fiction, Quinn Martin productions, or stories of one man standing against impossible odds, this episode is for you.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into classic TV, forgotten favorites, and pop-culture history!

Check out the INCREDIBLE The Invaders Facebook Page, Roy Thinnes Unveiled, The Avengers:
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Watch an episode of The Invaders for FREE on YouTube:
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#TheInvaders #RoyThinnes #ClassicSciFi #1960sTV #AlienInvasion #QuinnMartin #DavidVincent #SciFiTV #CultClassic #RetroTelevision

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Dive into one of the most bizarre and enduring unsolved mysteries in television history — the Max Headroom broadcast signal interruption that rocked Chicago on November 22, 1987.

On that Sunday night, an unidentified person wearing a Max Headroom mask and sunglasses hijacked the signals of two major Chicago stations within two hours. First, the pirate transmission interrupted WGN-TV’s Nine O’Clock News during the sports segment, appearing for about 25–30 seconds with only a loud buzz and no clear audio before engineers regained control. Roughly two hours later, the same masked figure broke into PBS station WTTW during a broadcast of the Doctor Who serial “Horror of Fang Rock.” This longer intrusion lasted about 90 seconds and featured distorted audio, references to sportscaster Chuck Swirsky, Pepsi cans, the Clutch Cargo theme, and a bizarre finale involving a flyswatter spanking.

The hijackers overpowered the stations’ microwave studio-to-transmitter links aimed at antennas atop the John Hancock Center and Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). Despite an FCC investigation and decades of speculation — including theories involving hackers, insiders, or local electronics enthusiasts — the perpetrators were never identified. The statute of limitations has long expired, leaving this classic broadcast signal intrusion a cold case that continues to fascinate true crime fans, tech history enthusiasts, and 1980s nostalgia lovers.

Join this episode of The Tom Gulley Show as we break down the events of that strange night, examine how the signal takeover was technically possible in the analog era, review the investigation, and explore the leading theories and cultural impact of the Max Headroom incident. Was it an elaborate prank, a hacker statement, or something more? The mystery remains unsolved nearly four decades later.

Subscribe for more deep dives into unsolved mysteries, broadcast history, and strange true stories. Like and comment with your theories on who was behind the Max Headroom TV hijacking!

#MaxHeadroom #MaxHeadroomIncident #BroadcastSignalIntrusion #ChicagoTV #UnsolvedMystery #1987 #WGN #WTTW #DoctorWho #TVHijacking #TrueCrime #BroadcastHistory #SignalHijacking #ChicagoHistory #UnsolvedCases

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In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we dive deep into the eternal pop culture debate that has divided Star Trek fans for decades: Captain James T. Kirk or Captain Jean-Luc Picard?

We break down the legendary captains of the USS Enterprise across several crucial key categories, from leadership style and tactical brilliance to diplomatic finesse, scientific curiosity, and yes — their legendary prowess with alien women.

Who commands with pure instinct and swagger? Who relies on intellect, patience, and a perfect cup of Earl Grey? Which captain would you want at the helm when the universe is on the line?

Whether you’re Team Kirk, Team Picard, or still undecided, this fun and thorough comparison will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about Starfleet’s finest.

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#StarTrek #CaptainKirk #CaptainPicard #KirkVsPicard #StarTrekTOS #StarTrekTNG #Trekkie #SciFi #WilliamShatner #PatrickStewart #BestStarfleetCaptain

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Dive deep into the extraordinary life and career of Clint Eastwood, the iconic actor, director, and producer who became a true Hollywood legend. From his breakthrough as the Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns to his unforgettable roles as Dirty Harry and his Oscar-winning masterpieces like Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood has shaped cinema for over six decades.

On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, we explore Eastwood’s journey from Rawhide to directing classics, his unique style behind the camera, his political views, personal life, and the enduring impact of films like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Gran Torino, American Sniper, and more. Discover what makes Clint Eastwood one of the greatest figures in film history.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of westerns, action thrillers, or powerful dramas, this episode delivers insights, stories, and appreciation for the man who made “Go ahead, make my day” immortal.

Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes featuring Hollywood legends, movie deep dives, and entertaining discussions!

#ClintEastwood #DirtyHarry #Unforgiven #HollywoodLegend #ClassicMovies #WesternMovies #MovieDiscussion #FilmHistory #ActorDirector #TheTomGulleyShow

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