Phoenix Foundation - A Macgyver Podcast

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 4th, 1991 --- MacGyver and an old friend race to an ancient Egyptian artifact against a new Von Leer. MISSION: MacGyver and an old friend named Beth Webb seek out the ancient Eye of Osiris. Unfortunately, they are in competition with a new member of the Von Leer family. This week's highlights include: Tunguska event (History) The Tunguska event was a large explosion that occurred near the Stony Tunguska River, in Yeniseysk Governorate (now Krasnoyarsk Krai), Russia, on the morning of 30 June 1908 (N.S.). The explosion over the sparsely populated Eastern Siberian Taiga flattened 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi) of forest (it caused no known human casualties). The explosion is generally attributed to the mid-air disruption of a superbolide. It is classified as an impact event, even though no impact crater has been found; the object is thought to have disintegrated at an altitude of 5 to 10 kilometres (3 to 6 miles) rather than hit the surface of the Earth. Check out the article on wikipedi

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 21st, 1991 --- MacGyver re-examines an EPA-approved construction site that he believes may cause lasting environmental damage. MISSION: Willis alerts MacGyver to the danger of a proposal Bartlett City development. As they dig deeper, a cover-up unfolds that implicates the children of the lead developer as conspirators. This week's highlights include: Burns Bog (Geography) Burns Bog is an ombrotrophic peat bog located in Delta, British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest raised peat bog and the largest undeveloped urban land mass on the West Coast of the Americas. Burns Bog was originally 10,000–12,000 acres (4,000–4,900 ha) before development. Currently, only 3,500 hectares (8,600 acres) remain of the bog. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_Bog. Watch S6E13: "The Wasteland" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 7th, 1991 --- An assassination at an international sports contest implicates MacGyver as the lead murder suspect. MISSION: After an awkward encounter with his ex-girlfriend at an Olympics rip-off, MacGyver is framed for the murder of the head of the company broadcasting the competition. This week's highlights include: I was wrong. It wasn't a female cellist, it was a male pianist. I also realize now that I shared a link to the Red Letter Media Episode One review only a couple episodes back, so here is the second installment in case you only watched part one. Lifecasting (Art) Lifecasting is the process of creating a three-dimensional copy of a living human body, through the use of molding and casting techniques. In rare cases lifecasting is also practiced on living animals. The most common lifecasts are of torsoes, pregnant bellies, hands, faces, and gentalia and it is possible for an experienced lifecasting practitioner to copy any part of the body. Lifecasting is usually lim

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 17th, 1990 --- When sports memorabilia is stolen from the Coltons, MacGyver uncovers a local counterfeiting ring. MISSION: A ring of counterfeit card makers have their sights on a collection donated by Reggie Jackson and blackmail an aging athlete to steal it for them. MacGyver tracks them down as he attempts to return a box of cards stolen from the Coltons. This week's highlights include: Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (P) Dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) is an in-band telecommunication signaling system using the voice-frequency band over telephone lines between telephone equipment and other communications devices and switching centers. DTMF was first developed in the Bell System in the United States, and became known under the trademark Touch-Tone for use in push-button telephones supplied to telephone customers, starting in 1963. DTMF is standardized by ITU-T Recommendation Q.23. It is also known in the UK as MF4. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 3rd, 1990 --- MacGyver visits a small town plagued by suspicious alien sightings and helps a struggling family MISSION: After a close encounter with an alleged alien ship, MacGyver meets the child of a family seeking otherworldly assistance for their very real problems. He begins investigating the visitors and runs into trouble with the local law. This week's highlights include: Here is a link to the MacGyver Project interviews with Musser, Gaze, and Eriksen. Uranium (Chemistry) Uranium is a chemical element with symbol U and atomic number 92. It is a silvery-white metal in the actinide series of the periodic table. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons. Uranium is weakly radioactive because all its isotopes are unstable (with half-lives of the six naturally known isotopes, uranium-233 to uranium-238, varying between 69 years and 4.5 billion years). The most common isotopes in natural uranium are uranium-238 (which has 146 neutrons and

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 19th, 1990 --- MacGyver learns about the use of unsafe pesticides and intends to set the record straight. MISSION: When MacGyver gets arrested defending protesters, they explain that the owners of a big farm have been using unsafe pesticides and the employees have been paying the price. MacGyver intends to investigate the allegations on his own. This week's highlights include: I dare you not to watch all of these. Thalidomide (Drug) Thalidomide sold under the brand names Immunoprin, among others, is an immunomodulatory drug and the prototype of the thalidomide class of drugs. Today, thalidomide is used mainly as a treatment of certain cancers (multiple myeloma) and of a complication of leprosy. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide. Watch S6E9: "Bitter Harvest" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 12th, 1990 --- MacGyver heads back to the wild west to face his fear of commitment head on. MISSION: MacGyver has a brief disagreement with girlfriend Maria and is suddenly confronted by the many women in his life. In a day dream of the wild west, MacGyver must rescue the same women from a gang of outlaws. This week's highlights include: The two greatest banjo solos played simultaneously! Here is a 3d representation of a magnetic field. Snake oil (Schemery) Snake oil, originally a fraudulent liniment without snake extract, has come to refer to any product with questionable or unverifiable quality or benefit. By extension, a snake oil salesman is someone who knowingly sells fraudulent goods or who is themselves a fraud, quack, or charlatan. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil. Watch S6E8: "MacGyver's Women" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 5th, 1990 --- Harry's Will sends MacGyver and friends on a cameo-infested adventure all throughout the city. MISSION: Harry's bizarrely specific will sends MacGyver and an assorted cast of characters on a mad mad mad mad quest for some stolen jewels. This week's highlights include: Koopalings (Videogames) The Koopalings (コクッパ Kokuppa?) (also known as Bowser's minions (クッパの手下 Kuppa no Teshita?) in Japan and Europe) or 7 Bowser Team (クッパ7人衆 Kuppa Nana Ninshū?) in Japan) are a group of seven fictional, childlike characters in the Mario video game franchise by Nintendo. Their individual names are Iggy, Larry, Lemmy, Ludwig, Morton, Roy, and Wendy. Originally depicted as the children of the series antagonist Bowser, they first appeared as boss characters in the 1988 game Super Mario Bros. 3. They have since appeared in subsequent Super Mario games and spin-off Mario titles. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koopalings. Watch S6E7: "Harry's Will" on

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 29th, 1990 --- A villain from MacGyver's past makes a dramatic return and orchestrates a city-wide panic. MISSION: Dr. Zito is back and crazier than ever. This time he breaks out of police custody and sets his riddler-esque traps all over the city. This week's highlights include: Zachitniki (Film) Zaschitniki (In Russian: «Защитники»; The Defenders or The Guardians) is a Russian neo-noir superhero film directed by Armenian director Sarik Andreasyan and starring Sebastien Sisak, Anton Pampuchniy, Sanzhar Madiev, Alina Lanina, Valeria Shkirando and Stanislav Shirin. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaschitniki. Watch S6E6: "Lesson in Evil" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 22nd, 1990 --- MacGyver helps to reunite an old man with his beautiful estranged granddaughter... or so he thinks MISSION: In reuniting supposed long lost family members separated by the Berlin wall, he uncovers a whole conspiracy involving a stockpile of stolen gold. Classic Uncle Fester gambit. This week's highlights include: Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog (Comedy) Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog is a character puppet puppeteered and voiced by Robert Smigel, best known for mocking celebrities. Triumph was identified in the early appearances as a Yugoslavian Mountain Hound, hence his distinct Eastern European accent. As his name indicates, Triumph's comedic style is almost exclusively insult comedy. Triumph often puffs a cigar, which usually falls out of his mouth when he starts talking. He debuted in 1997 on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien and also appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien from time to time, as well as the short-lived TV Funhouse, TBS's Conan, and Adult S

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 8th, 1990 --- Lisa Woodman makes her final appearance, this time as an intoxicated accessory to murder MISSION: Lisa tries and fails to cover up a drinking problem while MacGyver and the local police investigate a murder that took place in a home she recently broke into with friends. This week's highlights include: Bling Ring (Crime) The Bling Ring (also known as Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch, The Burglar Bunch, and the Hollywood Hills Burglars) were a group of convicted thieves consisting of eight teenagers and young adults based in and around Calabasas, California. They burgled the homes of several celebrities over a period believed to have been between October 2008 through August 2009. Their activities resulted in the theft of about $3 million in cash and belongings. Much of the stolen property belonged to Paris Hilton, whose house had been burgled several times, though over fifty homes were reportedly targeted for potential burglary. Check out the article on wikipedia: https:

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 1st, 1990 --- A gun with a tragic past re-enters circulation; MacGyver must end its killing spree. MISSION: A drug addict sells a piece of his father's gun collection and it is immediately put to use. MacGyver follows the trail to get the gun out of the wrong hands and off the streets for good. This week's highlights include: Nick Sweedo's Jerry Wasserman interview... The Rifle (Book) The Rifle is a 1995 novel by American writer Gary Paulsen. The novel is a work of historical fiction, written for a young adult audience. The story focuses on the history of a rifle crafted prior to the American Revolution, and on the lives of its various owners until the present day. Although Paulsen romanticizes the creation and the uniqueness of the rifle, the novel provides a sober reminder the importance of handling guns responsibly. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rifle. Watch S6E3: "The Gun" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 24th, 1990 --- MacGyver saves the life of an enemy soldier and tries to earn his captor's friendship. MISSION: MacGyver finds himself the hostage of an enemy combatant. Rather than plan an escape, MacGyver does his best to keep his kidnapper alive as Stockholm syndrome slowly takes hold. This week's highlights include:   Here is that JonTron review of "A Talking Cat!?!" we mentioned. Battle Royale (Film) Battle Royale (バトル・ロワイアル Batoru Rowaiaru?) is a 2000 Japanese action thriller film adapted from the 1999 novel of the same name by Koushun Takami. It is the final film directed by Kinji Fukasaku, the screenplay written by his son Kenta, and stars Takeshi Kitano. The film tells the story of Shuya Nanahara, a junior high-school student who is struggling with the suicide of his father and who is forced by the government to compete in a deadly game where the students in his class must fight to the death, with only the sole survivor being allowed to live. Check out the article on

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 17th, 1990 --- A militant anti-drug gang sets off targeted bombs around town occasionally killing innocent bystanders. MISSION: A covert team of corporate terrorists plan to take down all the companies who contribute to their local drug problem. MacGyver must bring these wannabe Robin Hoods to justice. This week's highlights include: Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation (Television) Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation is an American live-action television series produced by Saban Entertainment, which ran on the Fox Kids network from 1997 to 1998 based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles published by Mirage Studios. As of September 16, 2011, the series is currently distributed by Saban Brands, as Saban has recently regained the rights to the show from Disney. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja_Turtles:_The_Next_Mutation. Watch S6E1: "Tough Boys" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 30th, 1990 --- MacGyver and Harry simultaneously enter a near-death state and visit relatives in the afterlife. MISSION: The boat to the afterlife receives a couple new passengers when MacGyver lands in a coma after a fall and Harry suffers a sudden heart attack. Will MacGyver survive this episode of a show he starred in two more seasons of? This week's highlights include: Styx (Mythology) In Greek mythology, Styx (/stɪks/; Ancient Greek: Στύξ [stýkʰs])[citation needed] is a deity and a river that forms the boundary between Earth and the Underworld (the domain often called Hades, which also is the name of its ruler). The rivers Styx, Phlegethon, Acheron, Lethe, and Cocytus all converge at the center of the underworld on a great marsh, which sometimes is also called the Styx. According to Herodotus, the river Styx originates near Feneos. Styx is also a goddess with prehistoric roots in Greek mythology as a daughter of Tethys, after whom the river is named and because of whom it had

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 16th, 1990 --- The testimony of a parakeet is somehow admitted into a high profile murder trial. MISSION: MacGyver breaks every rule in jurydom to embarrass a defense attorney and solve the case on his own. A surprise witness to the murder is summoned in the form of a old lady's parakeet. This week's highlights include: Jury sequestration (Law) Jury sequestration is the isolation of a jury to avoid accidental or deliberate tainting. Although sequestration is rare, publicity surrounding a trial and interested parties may interfere with juror objectivity; a judge may order that a jury be sequestered in order to prevent others from tampering with members of the jury through undue persuasion, threats, or bribes. This occurred most notably during the O.J. Simpson trial. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_sequestration. Watch S5E20: "Rush to Judgement" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 9th, 1990 --- Lisa Woodman returns and is promptly kidnapped by steel workers demanding their jobs back. MISSION: MacGyver must rescue his old friend Lisa Woods; this time from a team of men her father had a hand in laying off. This week's highlights include: Couldn't find a link to Norm's police sketch artist bit, but it's from this episode. Leverage (Finance) In finance, leverage (sometimes referred to as gearing in the United Kingdom and Australia) is any technique to multiply gains and losses. Most often it involves buying more of an asset by using borrowed funds, with the belief that the income from the asset or asset price appreciation will be more than the cost of borrowing. Almost always this involves the risk that borrowing costs will be larger than the income from the asset, or that the value of the asset will fall, leading to incurred losses. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leverage_(finance). Watch S5E19: "Hearts of Steel" on CBS's

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 19th, 1990 --- A long lost violin sends MacGyver and a friend on an adventure across town. MISSION: When MacGyver is clipped by a negligent driver, she offers him a ride. What follows is a French new wave meandering around town in search of a centuries old violin with an impressive price tag. This week's highlights include: RAS syndrome (P) RAS syndrome (short for "redundant acronym syndrome syndrome") refers to the use of one or more of the words that make up an acronym in conjunction with the abbreviated form, thus in effect repeating one or more words. Two common examples are "PIN number" (the "N" in PIN stands for "number") and "ATM machine" (the "M" in ATM stands for "machine"). Other names for the phenomenon include PNS syndrome ("PIN number syndrome syndrome", which expands to "personal identification number number syndrome syndrome") or RAP phrases ("redundant acronym phrase phrases") Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAS_syndrome. Watch

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 26th, 1990 --- A submarine cloaking device is stolen, coincidentally the inventor's dating a shady submarine salesman. MISSION: The ERMA cloaking device was intended to hide police from drug dealers, but the opposite may be the case now that the device has been stolen. MacGyver must infiltrate the den of thieves as new crowd favorite character Dexter the nerd. This week's highlights include: Cloaking device (Technology) A cloaking device is a theoretical or fictional stealth technology that can cause objects, such as spaceships or individuals, to be partially or wholly invisible to parts of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. However, over the entire spectrum, a cloaked object scatters more than an uncloaked object. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloaking_device. Watch S5E16: "Deep Cover" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 19th, 1990 --- A deaf horse spells big bucks for a mobster planning to cheat the races MISSION: When a good friend of MacGyver's is killed, his daughter suspects foul play. Now, Mac, Pete, and Jack must con a conman into a murder confession and out of a large sum of stolen money. This week's highlights include: Eddie Deezen (Actor) Edward Harry "Eddie" Deezen (born March 6, 1957) is an American comedian, actor, and voice actor best known for his bit parts as nerd characters in 1970s and 1980s films such as Grease, Grease 2, Midnight Madness, 1941 and WarGames, as well as for larger and starring roles in a number of independent cult films, including Surf II: The End of the Trilogy, Mob Boss, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Beverly Hills Vamp and Teenage Exorcist. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Deezen. Watch S5E16: "Jenny's Chance" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.