Phoenix Foundation - A Macgyver Podcast

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 27th, 1989 --- MacGyver helps to avoid booby traps and recover Soviet gold from a decades-old crash site MISSION: Phoenix Foundation is contracted to investigate the 50-year-old crash site of a plane loaded with Russian gold bullion. Step one, is defusing the traps left behind by the original crew. This week's highlights include: SPECIAL GUEST: DAVID ENGELBACH! David Engelbach, screenwriter for this episode of MacGyver, was kind enough to share some time with us to discuss how the whole thing came about. Check out that other interview with Mr. Engelbach that I mentioned here. When Worlds Collide (Powerman 5000 song) "When Worlds Collide" is a song by the band Powerman 5000 from their album Tonight the Stars Revolt!. The song is virtually always the last song to be played at concerts. It is one of the band's most well-known songs and has been used in the video games Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw, and in the 2000 film Little Nicky. It is also used as the entrance

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 27th, 1989 --- MacGyver rescues a teen prostitute from a tragic future and an equally depressing and abusive past. MISSION: When a teen propositions Pete at a technology convention, MacGyver makes it his business to learn her situation and help steer her out of it. Things get more complicated when her abusive father shows up to take her home. This week's highlights include: National Runaway Safeline (Service) The National Runaway Safeline (also known as NRS or 1-800-RUNAWAY; formerly known as National Runaway Switchboard) is the national communications system designated by the United States federal government for runaway and homeless youth, their parents and families, teens in crisis, and others who might benefit from its services. It is confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental, non-directive, and free. The hotline number is 1-800-RUNAWAY. Calls are answered every day of the year, 24 hours a day. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Runaway_

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 27th, 1989 --- MacGyver is traumatized by a harsh lesson on the state of racism in America MISSION: MacGyver attempts to show a troubled African American youth how the deck is not stacked against him. He fails miserably. This week's highlights include: Do yourself a favor and track this one down. Columbian necktie (Crime) A Colombian necktie (Spanish: corbata colombiana or corte corbata) was a form of post-mortem mutilation consisting of a deep incision under the victim's chin, through which the tongue is pulled out and left hanging down in grisly resemblance to a necktie. A male victim's genitals are sometimes also severed and put in the mouth. It originated in Colombia during the period of political violence known as La Violencia, as a method of psychological warfare, meant to scare and intimidate. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombian_necktie. Watch S4E12: "The Challenge" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of thi

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 20th, 1989 --- MacGyver must rescue a recently divorced co-worker's kidnapped son from her jerk ex-husband's crime family. MISSION: On the eve of a finalized divorce, young Tommy Giordano is kidnapped by his father and swept out of the country by a mafia patriarch on the run. Together with Tommy's mother, MacGyver must steal back the child before a clash of mafia families puts Tommy in danger. This week's highlights include: Some news on the theatrical remake of Stephen King's It. Child custody (Law) Child custody and legal guardianship are legal terms which are used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the child to make decisions and the parent's duty to care for the child. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_custody. Watch S4E11: "The Battle of Tommy Giordano" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 13th, 1989 --- Mac and Pete hunt for a potential mole at Phoenix looking to sell intelligence MISSION: Phoenix Foundation finds themselves at the mercy of a mole when top secret information is stolen and offered to a nefarious big spender. This week's highlights include: Microdot (Technology) A microdot is text or an image substantially reduced in size onto a small disc to prevent detection by unintended recipients. Microdots are normally circular and around one millimeter in diameter but can be made into different shapes and sizes and made from various materials such as polyester or metal. The name comes from the fact that the microdots have often been about the size and shape of a typographical dot, such as a period or the tittle of a lowercase i or j. Microdots are, fundamentally, a steganographic approach to message protection. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microdot. Watch S4E10: "Fraternity of Thieves" on CBS's website or check the a

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 6th, 1989 --- Penny scores the lead in a musical; someone wants her to break a leg MISSION: MacGyver shows up to cheer on Penny in her musical debut, but when a string of accidents befall the cast, the hunt begins for the mastermind behind the scenes. This week's highlights include: Here's that Joan of Ark short film (The Truth Wears Sideburns) from Clone High which we quoted liberally. Acrostic (Poetry) An acrostic is a poem (or other form of writing) in which the first letter (or syllable, or word) of each line (or paragraph, or other recurring feature in the text) spells out a word or a message. The word comes from the French acrostiche from post-classical Latin acrostichis, from Koine Greek ἀκροστιχίς, from Ancient Greek ἄκρος "highest, topmost" and στίχος "verse"). As a form of constrained writing, an acrostic can be used as a mnemonic device to aid memory retrieval. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic. Watch S4E9: "Cleo Rocks"

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 23rd, 1989 --- Mac and Jack team up to track down Jack's estranged mother, a predictably wanted fugitive MISSION: Jack Dalton gets clues in the mail sending him on a path to finding his mother. As Jack and his mother approach a reunion, it becomes clear his mother is pushing him away to keep Jack clear of the mess she's gotten herself into. This week's highlights include:   Did I hear you right? Did I hear you saying that you're gonna make a copy of a game without paying? Midnight Run (Film) Midnight Run is a 1988 American action comedy film directed by Martin Brest and starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano and Philip Baker Hall play supporting roles. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Run. Watch S4E8: "Ma Dalton" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 16th, 1989 --- MacGyver teams up with the local police to track down a brainwashed escaped convict MISSION: MacGyver tries to convince the LAPD to adopt his new invention for busting down doors when he is swept into an investigation tracking down an escaped serial killer who seems to be operating under the control of a fellow prisoner and criminal mastermind. This week's highlights include: Here's that chat with Stephen Downing from the MacGyver Project. Valhalla (Religion) In Norse mythology, Valhalla (from Old Norse Valhöll "hall of the slain") is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those who die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja's field Fólkvangr. In Valhalla, the dead join the masses of those who have died in combat known as Einherjar, as well as various legendary Germanic heroes and kings, as they prepare to aid Odin during the events of Ragnar

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 9th, 1989 --- Pete's mandatory recertification boot camp is interrupted by smugglers and a downed DEA plane MISSION: MacGyver must run Pete through a gauntlet to keep him certified for field work, but their trek through MacGyver Land is quickly sidetracked when the wreckage of a DEA surveillance plane indicates trouble in the area. This week's highlights include: Here's that link to the MacGyver Project interview with Dale Wilson. Here is the insane synopsis Richard mentioned that has since been removed from imdb. Since this episode was recorded, it has been implied by various news outlets that the MacGyver reboot series will be premiering in the fall of this year, Friday's at 8pm on CBS. ReBoot (Television) ReBoot is a Canadian-American CGI-animated action-adventure television series that originally aired from 1994 to 2001. It was produced by Vancouver-based production company Mainframe Entertainment, Alliance Communications, BLT Productions. The animated series was created

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 12th, 1988 --- MacGyver fills in for an injured racer to prove the feasibility of a plastic engine MISSION: When a plastic engine exhibition is sabotaged, MacGyver and Pete are in a race against time and nitrous to find who is at fault. This week's highlights include: MacGyver Project's interview with actor Jerry Wasserman. G. Gordon Liddy (Historical figure) George Gordon Battle Liddy (born November 30, 1930), better known as G. Gordon Liddy, is a retired American lawyer who is best known as the chief operative in the White House Plumbers unit that existed from July–September 1971, during Richard Nixon's presidency. He was convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and illegal wiretapping for his role in the Watergate scandal. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Gordon_Liddy. Watch S4E5: "Collision Course" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 5th, 1988 --- MacGyver hitches a ride with Jack to rescue Pete from some Central American revolutionaries MISSION: When Pete's solo mission gets him captured, it is up to Mac and Jack (posing as weapons dealers) to smuggle Pete and a nun out of a revolutionary camp. This week's highlights include: GBU-44/B Viper Strike (Weapon) The GBU-44/B Viper Strike glide bomb is a GPS-aided laser-guided variant of the Northrop Grumman Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) munition which originally had a combination acoustic and infrared homing seeker. The system was initially intended for use from UAVs, and it has also been integrated with the Lockheed AC-130 gunship, giving that aircraft a precision stand-off capability. The Viper Strike is now produced by MBDA. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GBU-44/B_Viper_Strike. Watch S4E4: "On A Wing And A Prayer" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 28th, 1988 --- MacGyver protects an Amish community threatened by eminent domain when a Baby Jessica situation unfolds MISSION: After a brutal accident, MacGyver is saved by an Amish community whose settlement blocks the construction of a planned interchange. After a few clashes with the construction crew, an emergency forces the teams to work together. This week's highlights include: Spoiler Alert: Maximus has hover powers. Jessica McClure (Celebrity) Jessica McClure Morales (born March 26, 1986) became famous at the age of 18 months after falling into a well in her aunt's backyard in Midland, Texas, on October 14, 1987. Between that day and October 16, rescuers worked nonstop for 58 hours to free her from the eight-inch (20 cm) well casing 22 feet (6.7 m) below the ground. The story gained worldwide attention (leading to some criticism as a media circus), and later became the subject of a 1989 television movie Everybody's Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure on ABC. As presente

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 21st, 1988 --- MacGyver reunites with some old friends to dig up a time capsule from their childhood. MISSION: A tragedy from MacGyver's past is revisited when he and friends dig up a time capsule in their hometown. The friends must team up to diffuse a new threat involving guns, drugs, and their children. This week's highlights include:   Young MacGyver graduates from hand guns to nuclear weapons. Assassination of William McKinley (History) The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, was shot and fatally wounded on September 6, 1901, inside the Temple of Music on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley was shaking hands with the public when he was shot by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. The President died on September 14 from gangrene caused by the bullet wounds. McKinley became the third American president to be assassinated, following Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and James A. Garfield in 1881. Check out the article on wikipedia: https:

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 31st, 1988 --- Penny Parker inherits her aunt's haunted mansion but MacGyver aint afraid of no ghosts. MISSION: Penny Parker enlists MacGyver's help tracking down her loony aunt's mansion on Halloween night. Right away it's clear there is more going on in this small town than meets the eye and MacGyver the cynic sets out disproving all the paranormal disturbances. This week's highlights include: You like a the juice? Aberthau House (Residence) Aberthau House (previously known as Rear House) is a spacious heritage mansion in Tudor Revival style, located at the intersection of West 2nd Avenue and Trimble Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, which currently serves as a facility of the neighbourhood’s community centre. Situated on the highlands of the Point Grey neighbourhood, it overlooks English Bay, the Gulf of Georgia, and the City of Vancouver. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberthau_House. Watch S4E1: "The Secret of Parker House" on CB

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 9th, 1988 --- MacGyver protects the young heir to an international shipping company after his estranged grandfather's assassination MISSION: When a shipping magnate is assassinated, a competing company sets their targets on his defenseless grandson in an effort to force a profitable merger. This week's highlights include: Typo in the opening credits (possibly confusing Luke Chung with S2E4's "Wish Child" Paul Chen). Acupressure (Alternative medicine) Acupressure [from Latin acus "needle" (see acuity) + pressure (n.)] is an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through "meridians" in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupressure. Watch S3E20: "Murderers' Sky" on CBS's

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 2nd, 1988 --- After a near(?)-death experience, MacGyver interrupts an illegal poaching plot to win back an ex-girlfriend. MISSION: MacGyver visits an old flame, hoping to rekindle things, only to find her romantically involved and fending of poachers on a nature reserve. This week's highlights include: Distributor cap (Automotive) A distributor cap is used in an automobile's engine to cover the distributor and its internal rotor. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributor. Watch S3E19: "The Endangered" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 18th, 1988 --- Mac and Jack play father to a baby caught up in a counterfeiting scheme MISSION: When it's mother is forced into hiding by counterfeiters, a young baby is left in Jack Dalton's care. MacGyver, Jack, and Pete do their best to solve the funny money problem while keeping the kid safe. This week's highlights include: Money laundering (Crime) Money laundering is the process of transforming the proceeds of crime into ostensibly legitimate money or other assets. However, in a number of legal and regulatory systems, the term money laundering has become conflated with other forms of financial crime, and sometimes used more generally to include misuse of the financial system (involving things such as securities, digital currencies, credit cards, and traditional currency), including terrorism financing and evasion of international sanctions. Most anti-money laundering laws openly conflate money laundering (which is concerned with source of funds) with terrorism financing (which

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 28th, 1988 --- Finally someone ropes Dalton into a treasure hunt, seeking out a legendary Native American artifact MISSION: Jack's elderly Native American roommate sets him on a quest to locate the legendary Mask of the Wolf, and is subsequently kidnapped. Jack recruits MacGyver to rescue the "old man." This week's highlights include: Pictorgram (Language) A pictogram, also called a pictogramme, pictograph, or simply picto, and in computer usage an icon, is an ideogram that conveys its meaning through its pictorial resemblance to a physical object. Pictographs are often used in writing and graphic systems in which the characters are to a considerable extent pictorial in appearance. A pictogram may also be used in subjects such as leisure, tourism and geography. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictogram. Watch S3E17: "Mask of the Wolf" on CBS's website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 14th, 1988 --- MacGyver must convince the witness to an illegal chemical dump to testify in court MISSION: An illegal chemical dump kills the dog of Vietnam vet "Earthquake" Toberman. MacGyver recruits Earthquake to present what he has seen in court, but his military past calls his testimony into question. This week's highlights include: Cesium + Water = Big Explosion The Secret World of Alex Mack (Television) The Secret World of Alex Mack is an American television series that ran on Nickelodeon from October 8, 1994 to January 15, 1998, replacing Clarissa Explains It All on the SNICK line-up. It also aired on YTV in Canada, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom and NHK in Japan, and was a staple in the children's weekday line-up for much of the mid-to-late 1990s on the ABC. Repeats of the series aired in 2003 on The N, but it was soon replaced there. The series was produced by Thomas Lynch and John Lynch of Lynch Entertainment, produced by RHI Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and N

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 7th, 1988 --- MacGyver is blinded by love when he refuses to play ball with corrupt developers MISSION: After turning down bribes and ignoring death threats, MacGyver finds himself in the crosshairs of an assassin turned girlfriend. This week's highlights include: Watch this scene to understand this week's MacGruber references. Ericofon (Communication) The Ericofon is a one-piece plastic telephone created by the Ericsson Company of Sweden and marketed through the second half of the 20th century. It was the first commercially marketed telephone to incorporate the dial and handset into a single unit. Because of its styling and its influence on future telephone design, the Ericofon is considered one of the most significant industrial designs of the 20th century.It is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In Sweden, the Ericofon is known as the cobra telephone for its resemblance to a coiled snake.   Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.o