The Tom Gulley Show

Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Station Nightclub Fire - Inside One of America’s Deadliest Concert Disasters

The Station Nightclub fire stands as one of the deadliest nightclub fires in American history, claiming 100 lives and injuring hundreds more in just minutes. In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley examines how a routine concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island, turned into a catastrophic disaster—and why its lessons still matter today.

Tom breaks down the chain of events that led to the fire, including the use of indoor pyrotechnics, highly flammable soundproofing foam, overcrowding, and critical failures in fire safety and building code enforcement. The episode explores how panic spread, how exits became bottlenecks, and how small decisions compounded into a tragedy with irreversible consequences.

Beyond the timeline, this discussion looks at the aftermath: the criminal charges, civil lawsuits, changes to fire safety regulations, and the long-term impact on victims, survivors, first responders, and the live music industry. Tom also addresses how the Station Nightclub fire reshaped public awareness around crowd safety, venue responsibility, and emergency preparedness.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in disaster analysis, fire safety, true crime history, public safety failures, or major events that changed American regulations and behavior.

The Tom Gulley Show explores the moments, stories, and systems that shape our world—long after the headlines fade.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Polygraph Test - Can a Machine Really Detect Lies?

The polygraph test has been called a lie detector, a psychological tool, and junk science—sometimes all at once. In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley takes a deep, clear-eyed look at the history, science, and controversy surrounding the polygraph test, from its early use in criminal investigations to its ongoing role in law enforcement, national security, and pop culture.

How does a polygraph actually work? What is it measuring—and what is it not measuring? Why are polygraph results often inadmissible in court, yet still widely used in interrogations, job screenings, and high-profile cases? Tom breaks down the mechanics behind the test, the assumptions it relies on, and the reasons experts remain sharply divided over its reliability.

This episode also explores famous polygraph cases, common myths about beating the test, and the psychological pressure polygraphs can exert regardless of their scientific limits. Along the way, Tom examines whether the polygraph’s real power lies less in detecting lies and more in influencing behavior.

If you’re interested in true crime, criminal psychology, interrogation techniques, forensic science, or the blurred line between science and belief, this conversation cuts through the hype and gets to what the polygraph test can—and cannot—tell us.

The Tom Gulley Show delivers thoughtful, long-form conversations about history, media, culture, and the stories that refuse to go away.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Soap - The Sitcom That Changed Television Forever

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom dives into the wildly influential, boundary-pushing sitcom Soap — the 1977 ABC comedy that redefined what network television could say, show, and satirize. Created by Susan Harris, Soap shattered sitcom conventions with serialized storytelling, sharp political satire, and fearless social commentary that tackled taboo topics long before mainstream TV was ready.

Tom explores how Soap paved the way for modern television comedy, influencing everything from Arrested Development to Desperate Housewives, while also examining the controversy, protests, and network pressure that surrounded the show from day one. From Billy Crystal’s groundbreaking performance to the absurd brilliance of the Tate and Campbell families, this episode breaks down why Soap still matters decades later.

If you love television history, classic sitcoms, or the behind-the-scenes stories of how creative risks reshape pop culture, this is a must-watch conversation.

Topics include:
– Why Soap was considered revolutionary television
– The backlash and cultural panic surrounding the show
– How Soap changed sitcom storytelling forever
– The legacy of Susan Harris and the cast
– Why Soap still feels modern today

The Tom Gulley Show delivers thoughtful, entertaining deep dives into pop culture, media history, and the stories that shaped entertainment as we know it. See episodes of Soap on Tubi here:
https://tubitv.com/series/300007078/soap

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Disappearance of Susan Walsh: A Mystery That Still Haunts New Jersey

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley examines the mysterious disappearance of Susan Walsh, a New Jersey journalist, single mother, and exotic dancer who vanished in 1996 under circumstances that remain deeply troubling and unresolved. Despite an extensive search and years of investigation, Susan Walsh was never found, and her case continues to raise unsettling questions about what really happened in the days leading up to her disappearance.

Tom explores Susan Walsh’s life, her work as a reporter, her personal struggles, and the complex theories surrounding her disappearance — from possible foul play to the controversial speculation that followed her case in the media. The episode also looks at how missing persons cases involving women are often framed, how bias and assumptions can shape investigations, and why Susan’s story still matters nearly three decades later.

This episode of The Tom Gulley Show takes a thoughtful, fact-driven approach to one of New Jersey’s most haunting unsolved cases, focusing on the human story behind the headlines and the unanswered questions that remain.

If you’re interested in true crime, missing persons cases, unsolved mysteries, and in-depth storytelling that treats real people with care and respect, this episode offers a compelling and sobering listen.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout The Tenerife Air Disaster - The Deadliest Aviation Accident in History

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley examines the Tenerife air disaster — the deadliest aviation accident in history — and the extraordinary chain of events that led to the tragic collision of two Boeing 747s on March 27, 1977. With 583 lives lost, the Tenerife disaster permanently changed aviation safety, cockpit communication, and air traffic control procedures around the world.

Tom breaks down what happened at Los Rodeos Airport, including the role of heavy fog, miscommunication, crowded runways, and human factors that turned a routine diversion into catastrophe. The episode explores how this single event reshaped airline training, introduced Crew Resource Management (CRM), and fundamentally altered how pilots and controllers communicate to prevent future disasters.

This episode of The Tom Gulley Show goes beyond the headlines, examining not just the tragedy itself, but the lessons learned — and why the Tenerife air disaster remains one of the most studied events in aviation history.

If you’re interested in aviation history, air disaster investigations, transportation safety, or the real stories behind world-changing moments, this episode offers a clear, respectful, and deeply informative look at one of aviation’s darkest days.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Tom-A-Palooza - Another New Year’s Eve Marathon

Ring in the New Year with Tom-A-Palooza, a special four-hour New Year’s Eve edition of The Tom Gulley Show, as Tom Gulley takes you all the way to midnight with stories, conversation, pop culture, history, and spontaneous moments you can only get live. This extended broadcast is designed as a come-and-go experience, with a link available so viewers can jump in anytime throughout the night and stay as long as they like.

From reflections on the year that was to unexpected tangents, cultural commentary, and classic Tom Gulley storytelling, Tom-A-Palooza is a celebration of conversation, curiosity, and community. Whether you’re watching for five minutes or all four hours, this New Year’s Eve special offers a relaxed, smart, and entertaining way to close out the year and welcome the next one.

Perfect for longtime fans and first-time viewers alike, this episode captures the spirit of The Tom Gulley Show: thoughtful, funny, unscripted, and always engaging.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Peter Lorre - From M to Hollywood Icon

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley explores the extraordinary life and career of Peter Lorre — one of the most distinctive and influential actors in classic Hollywood history. From his chilling breakthrough performance in Fritz Lang’s M to his unforgettable roles in Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, and a long run of genre-defining films, Lorre reshaped what it meant to be a character actor in American cinema.

This episode examines Peter Lorre’s journey from Europe to Hollywood, his collaborations with directors like Fritz Lang and John Huston, his association with Humphrey Bogart, and how his unique voice, presence, and intelligence made him both iconic and misunderstood. Tom also discusses how Lorre became a pop culture legend, the typecasting that followed him, and why his influence still echoes through film, television, and modern storytelling.

If you’re fascinated by classic Hollywood, film noir, Golden Age cinema, or the true stories behind Hollywood legends, this deep dive into Peter Lorre’s life and legacy is essential listening.

The Tom Gulley Show delivers thoughtful, entertaining conversations about pop culture, history, media, and the people who shaped them.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Leon Kennedy - And The Mysteries Of AI

On this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley sits down with the show’s musical director, Leon Kennedy, for a thoughtful and timely conversation about artificial intelligence and its growing influence on music, creativity, and artistic identity. As AI-generated music, songwriting tools, and algorithm-driven creativity become more common, Leon offers a musician’s perspective on what this technological shift really means for artists, audiences, and the future of human expression.

The discussion explores whether artificial intelligence can truly create art, how musicians can adapt without losing authenticity, and where the line exists between innovation and imitation. Leon Kennedy shares insights shaped by years of musical experience, breaking down how technology can be both a powerful tool and a creative challenge in an evolving industry.

From ethical concerns to creative opportunity, this episode examines how AI is reshaping music, performance, and culture — and what it means for the next generation of artists. It’s a smart, grounded conversation about creativity in the age of machines, guided by two voices deeply rooted in storytelling and sound.

Subscribe to The Tom Gulley Show for in-depth conversations about culture, media, creativity, and the ideas shaping our world.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout Barney Miller - Why The NYPD Sitcom Still Matters

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley takes a thoughtful, entertaining look at Barney Miller, the groundbreaking television sitcom that redefined the workplace comedy and quietly became one of the smartest shows in TV history. Set inside a New York City police precinct, Barney Miller used humor, character-driven storytelling, and sharp writing to explore social issues rarely addressed on network television in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Tom examines what made Barney Miller so influential—from Hal Linden’s understated performance as Captain Barney Miller to the unforgettable ensemble cast, minimalist staging, and dialogue-heavy format that trusted the audience to listen. The episode also explores how the series tackled race, politics, bureaucracy, and American life with intelligence and restraint, and why it remains relevant in conversations about television writing and cultural impact today.

Perfect for fans of classic television, TV history, smart sitcoms, and media analysis, this episode offers a deeper appreciation of a show that proved comedy could be quiet, intelligent, and socially aware.

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Lemme Tell Ya ’Bout David Glenn Lewis - A Mystery That Still Defies Explanation

In this episode of The Tom Gulley Show, Tom Gulley examines the strange and unsettling case of David Glenn Lewis, a mystery that has baffled investigators, journalists, and true crime researchers for decades. In 1993, Lewis vanished from his home in Amarillo, Texas under unexplained circumstances—only to be discovered days later thousands of miles away in Yakima, Washington, in a case filled with unanswered questions and troubling coincidences.

Tom walks through the known facts, timelines, and theories surrounding David Glenn Lewis’s disappearance and death, including the cryptic evidence left behind, the lack of clear motive, and the investigative dead ends that continue to fuel speculation. Was it a tragic accident, a deliberate journey, or something far more complex? This episode separates verifiable details from conjecture while exploring why the case remains one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries of the 1990s.

Ideal for fans of true crime, unsolved cases, cold case investigations, and long-form narrative analysis, this episode offers a careful, thoughtful look at a story that still resists easy explanations.

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