When The WB launched in January 1995 it's initial block of programming focused on comedy with four new sitcoms including The Wayans Brothers. But it wasn't comedy that would come to define the short lived television network. Instead The WB became known as the home of the teen drama. Over the next two episode we look back at some of the most iconic teen dramas ever seen on television. From Seventh Heaven and Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Dawson's Creek and Charmed, this is the story of The WB.

Sources for this episode include:

Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of The WB and UPN

By Susanne Daniels and Cynthia Littleton

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Instagram: @that90spodcast

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca

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Canada's Kurt Browning made history at the 1988 World Figure Skating Championships when he became the first person to successfully land a quadruple jump in competition.

He went on to dominate men's figure skating into the 1990s, winning a record breaking four world titles, including three in a row from 1989 to 1991.

On this episode Kurt Browning joins us to talk about his amazing career and what it was like to be a superstar skater in the 90s.

Guest Info:

Kurt Browning Stars On Ice

Instagram: @kb. on.ice

X: @KurtBrowning

SHOW INFO:

Show Info: 

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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When Tupac Shakur was gunned down in September 1996 it ended his short but monumental career as a rapper and actor. But his death did not stop his popularity and influence from continuing to grow.

In this episode of History of the 90s we’re looking back at the extraordinary life and career of one of the most influential and controversial figures in hip-hop history.

Guest Info:

Ian Steaman, award-winning screenwriter and former music industry executive

www.iansteaman.com

Instagram: @ian.steaman

SHOW INFO:

Show Info: 

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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This year marks 35 years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison and apartheid was dismantled in South Africa.

To mark the anniversary we are revisiting an episode that looks at some of aspects of the anti-apartheid struggle that you might not know: pirate radio and protest songs.

Pirate radio was a weapon used by the African National Congress to inspire black South Africans and to counter propaganda and misinformation by the apartheid government. While protest songs performed by western musicians played a pivotal role in raising awareness in the rest of the world about the injustices in South Africa.

Songs mentioned in episode:

Biko, by Peter Gabriel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVpsM3YAgw

Free Nelson Mandela, by The Special AKA https://youtu.be/FmKiq0mQd8c?si=5J-EdHYYZU4rbusW

Sun City, by Artists United Against Apartheid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BIvf-ZlJNc

Guest Info:

Sekibakiba Peter Lekgoathi (Ph.D.)

Associate Professor of History

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

SHOW INFO:

Show Info: 

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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It’s a summer night in 1998. Vienna, Austria. And petty thief Daniel Blanchard is about to carry out the heist of a lifetime. Stealing a crown jewel. The last remaining diamond Sisi Star.

His plan? A daring night-time parachute jump.

Daniel is no ordinary thief. His heists are ingenious, meticulously planned; his escapes from the law defy belief. And Daniel knows that if he can get his hands on the star, it will launch him into the criminal big-leagues.

Daniel’s exploits unleash a relentless game of cat-and-mouse, as police track him across continents yet vanishes from their grasp. 

What he doesn’t know is that the Sisi Star has a history. A dark history. Its original owner, the legendary Empress Elisabeth of Austria, used it to carve her own legacy of absolute beauty and power. That pursuit drove her to her very limits. 

And now Daniel’s fate is fixed to that same star. But how long can Sisi’s star stay lucky for Daniel? 

This is A Most Audacious Heist – it’s the story of a master thief, an intercontinental manhunt, and the jewel that changes everything.

Contact:

Facebook: @BlanchardHouseStories

Instagram: @BlanchardHouseStories

X (formerly Twitter): @BlanchardTweets

Blanchard House website: blanchard-house.com

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During the 1990s TV’s approach to LGBTQ+ characters underwent a dramatic transformation.

Groundbreaking storylines on numerous shows including My So Called Life, Roseanne, Ellen and Will and Grace played a crucial role in increasing queer representation on television.

On this Episode of History of the ‘90s we look back at some of the characters and shows that helped bring more queer content into the mainstream.

GUEST INFO:

Stephen Tropiano, Professor and Program Director of Ithaca College’s JB Pendleton Center in Los Angeles. Author of The Prime Time Closet: A History of Gays and Lesbians on TV

Ron Becker, Professor of Media and Communication and Strategic Communication at Miami University. Author of Gay TV and Straight America

SHOW INFO:

Show Info: 

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TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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Tennis in the 1990s was dominated by several young and talented players who helped usher in a new era on both the men’s and women’s tours.

In this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the flashy, style of Andre Agassi and his highly talented rival Pete Sampras who faced off in one of the greatest tennis rivalries ever. As well as the equally exciting rivalry between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles which came to a premature and tragic conclusion.

Guest Info:

Tony Hagen, co-host of the Gay Tennis Podcast

www.thegaytennispodcast.com

Instagram: @thegaytennisopod

Show Info: 

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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There are some years when it seems like the world has gone a bit mad and 1995 was one of those years. Deadly terrorist attacks in the US and Japan shocked the world, while an assassination in Israel ended any hope for peace in the middle east. Meantime, high profile murder trials fascinated the public in Los Angeles and Toronto and Quebec came within a hair of separating from Canada. In this episode of History of the 90s we’re taking a look back at those stories and several others as we count down ten of the most memorable events of 1995.

(And sometimes words aren’t enough here’s the link to watch Bill Gates and Steve Balmer dancing at the Windows 95 Launch party: https://youtu.be/lLPAUHdyjRI?si=ar2zY1FEYzM50-V9 )

Show Info: 

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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The holiday season is upon us and one questions is always present.

Have you been naughty or nice? Depending on your answer you'll either be rewarded or you'll find a much more frightening fate will be upon you, and no, it's not a lump of coal.

For centuries, disobedient children in Austria and other Alpine countries have faced a truly terrifying Christmas consequence for their misbehavior — a dreaded visit from Krampus.

If you've misbehaved Krampus can be heard before he can be seen which makes him even more frightening.

The joyful sound of sleigh bells will be replaced by something far more sinister: the menacing clanking of rusty chains accompanied by the eerie tinkling of cowbells.

So be good for goodness sake because Krampus is coming to town.

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In the 1990s four Canadian women dominated the charts, each with their own style and type of music. On this episode of History of the 90s we continue looking back at the era as we dig into the musical journeys of Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morisette.   

Guest Info: 

Andrea Warner, author of "We Oughta Know: How Celine, Shania, Alanis and Sarah Ruled the 90s and Changed Music and co-host of the Pop This! podcast. 

Show Info: 

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast 

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca 

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In the 1990s four Canadian women dominated the charts, each with their own style and type of music. Over the next two episodes of History of the 90s, we are looking back at their journeys to fame and success in a male dominated industry. These are the stories of Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette.

Guest Info:

Andrea Warner, author of "We Oughta Know: How Celine, Shania, Alanis and Sarah Ruled the 90s and Changed Music and co-host of the Pop This! podcast.

Show Info:

Instagram: @that90spodcast  

TikTok: @90spodcast

Email: 90s@curiouscast.ca

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