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TuneInVintage Radio For Modern Listeners.
The Good Old Days of Radio Show is a podcast that presents the period of American radio commonly known as “The Golden Age”. During this time, audiences were thrilled by comedy, mystery, suspense, and horror, produced by the some of the greatest writers, directors, composers, and famous stars of the time.
In this show we present the best of these radio shows. Each show is carefully selected by record collector John Tefteller as an outstanding example of this classic art form.
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The Story Behind The Good Old Days of Radio Show.
In 1992, John Tefteller brought the first Good Old Days Of Radio Show to the airwaves on local Southern Oregon station, KOPE-FM. For three hours every Saturday and Sunday night, thousands of listeners of all ages tuned in to hear the show, earning it ‘the highest rated radio program’ in its time slot.
Latest Episode
Thursday May 8, 2025
Episode #385: Comedians On Suspense: Backseat Driver
It’s Fibber McGee and Molly week on the show. But this time rather than their well-known cozy comedy format, the beloved radio couple appears here in a dramatic episode of Suspense titled “Backseat Driver.” Suspense had become known for recruiting comedians, and popular radio comedians in particular, offering them a chance to step out of their rigid stereotypes and do something different. Joining us once again for this series is Dr. Joe Webb, who provides background on the episode involving an average small-town couple facing an armed killer.
Recent Episodes
Tuesday May 6, 2025
Episode #384: Comedians On Suspense: Fibber McGee and Molly
Jim and Marian Jordan, better known as “Fibber McGee and Molly,” are our featured comedy duo this week on the podcast. On Thursday they will appear in an episode from the thriller series, “Suspense.” Today, however, we’re going back a couple of days before that broadcast to hear them on their popular radio series. This episode is centered around Fibber McGee’s excessive talking and habit of interrupting others. The program includes comedic interactions between the characters, such as McGee’s misunderstanding of the term “aqueduct” and a bet made regarding his ability to remain silent.
Thursday May 1, 2025
Episode #383: Comedians On Suspense: A Little Piece Of Rope
Today we present Lucille Ball as you may have never heard her before. Lucille Ball had quite a career play various femme fatales in the movies before becoming the legendary star of the television show “I Love Lucy.” However, here she plays a dark role as a con artist who targets men, and learns that one of her victims may have been a notorious serial killer, setting off a deadly game of cat and mouse. We’re welcoming back “Suspense” expert, Dr. Joe Webb, who provides historical context about the episode’s production and the writer, Virginia Cross.
Tuesday April 29, 2025
Episode #382: Comedians On Suspense: My Favorite Husband
Today we are bringing you Lucille Ball in the pilot series, if you will, to one of TV history’s most blockbuster series, I Love Lucy. My Favorite Husband starred Lucille Ball and her husband who was then played by actor Richard Denning. Denning was slated to make the transition to the I Love Lucy TV series, but Lucille pushed for her real-life husband Desi Arnaz to assume the role. The episode centers on Lucy’s frantic attempts to cash a $500 check she won on a radio game show called “Everybody Wins” within a tight 25-minute window. This comedy episode will lead into Lucille Ball’s appearance on “Suspense,” with our special guest Dr. Joe Webb, on Thursday.
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Meet Your Host
John Tefteller has been collecting vintage radio programs since 1971. He is one of the foremost collectors of records and original radio transcriptions in the world.
John grew up in Southern California, and for decades he scoured flea markers, thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, and private collections for records. Over the past almost 50 years of hunting, John amassed one of the largest private archives of vintage records and radio recordings.