Oddity Archive
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.
PlayEpisodes
- 112013-07-04
Bicentennial Fever
Because nothing says "Happy 200th, America" like crappy "collectibles", Up With People and bizarre Government films.
- 222013-07-18
Record Ripoffs
Featuring such great (non-)hits from the likes of Hairy Nielsen, BAAB, William Turkey and many, many more! Order today!!!
- 332013-08-01
VHS Vault Vol. 2 (Fashion Videos)
What do you mean Ben is fashion-challenged?
- 442013-08-15
Archive LaserKaraoke Party! (LaserKaraoke)
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).
- 552013-08-29
Number Stations (And Other Radio Oddities)
Covert broadcasts...and how to decode them (your results may vary).
- 662013-09-12
The EAS Zombie Hoax of 2013
Or, as Ben likes to call it, the Max Headroom Incident's annoying, less creative little brother.
- 772013-09-20
8-Tracks (or, The Care & Feeding Of Your 8-Track)
And Ben thought it would just be another cool toy for his collection. How naive...
- 882013-09-26
VHS Vault Vol. 3 (Gambling Videos)
Learn to gamble--Archive style! God help us...
- 992013-10-14
Kiddie Disco Records
Come visit the Archive Children's Disco before it's condemned!
- 10102013-10-24
Halloween Special 2013 (Italian Dance Party/Son of Halloween Riffs)
Forced to discuss his fourth knockoff Disco record in a row, Ben has a slight meltdown.
- 11112013-11-07
Format Wars Vol. 2 (Pre-Betamax)
VHS vs. Beta? How 1977...
- 12122013-11-21
VHS Vault Vol. 4 (VCR Games)
Ben's still having nightmares about being forced to play charades with Rich Little.
- 13132013-12-05
QUBE Interactive TV
An interesting, but (unsurprisingly) failed, early attempt at multimedia interactivity.
- 14142013-12-19
A Bargain Bin Christmas (or, Ben's Holiday Hits!)
Five forgotten holiday albums that will...more than likely remain forgotten.
- 15152014-01-02
Infomercials
Have you ever wanted to make "melons" in real estate? If so, you've come to the right place!
- 16162014-01-16
Industrial Musicals (or, The Archive Sells Out!)
...because salesmen need the comfort of knowing that their product is truly the answer to all problems (consumerist OR existential).
- 17172014-01-23
Educational Film Salute (or, The Stock Footage Special!)
Don't screw with Jam Handy!
- 18182014-02-06
Teknikel Diffikultees (Technical Difficulties)
The Archive is currently experiencing technical difficulties...LOTS of them...and Ben refuses to take responsibility. So there.
- 19192014-02-20
PSA's (or, The More You Know, The Less You Understand)
If V.D. really is for everybody, why don't I have it?
- 20202014-03-06
Interstitials
...because only Ben would be stupid enough to devote an entire regular Archive episode to between-show filler.
- 21212014-03-20
A Tour of the Archive (or, roll up for the Magical, Mysterious Archive Tour)
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.
- 22222014-04-03
More Record Rip-Offs
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!
- 23232014-04-17
Test Cards (and Patterns)
Wait, there's a logic to all this?
- 24242014-05-01
Going Analog
It's time for a few changes in Archiveland.
- 25252014-05-08
Weather Warnings
***THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A ***SEVERE FALSE NOSTALGIA WARNING*** FOR YOUR AREA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE***
- 26262014-05-29
VHS Vault Vol. 5 (Y2K Apocalypse Party!)
Alternate Title: How to Survive an Unprovoked Attack From Your Electric Mixer.
