"Checkmate"

UK Airing: November 24, 1967

US Airing: August 17, 1968

The Prisoner appears to have the upper hand as he manages to recruit a team to aid him in his quest to escape. But is a woman who loves him a little too easily the mole in the escape group or is the Prisoner just another pawn in a game he cannot win? John and writer Jim Beard discuss what many consider a quintessential episode of the series and your two hosts agree. There is also a level of humor that we don't often see in the series, but it works.

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Part two of our annual Christmas spectacular begins with the holidays coming to “The Jack Benny Program.” The whole gang is gathering for big party at Jack’s, and there’s lots of laughs, despite some faulty tree lights. Then it’s a week later on “The Great Gildersleeve,” and Gildy doesn’t want to go to the town’s big New Year’s Eve bash if he can’t go with his best gal.

Episodes

The Jack Benny Program

December 24, 1944

“Trimming A Tree”

2:17

The Great Gildersleeve

January 1, 1947

“Big New Year’s Costume Ball”

32:32

"Dance of the Dead"

UK Airing: November 17, 1967

US Airing: July 27, 1968

Normally, we include a brief synopsis of the episode to remind folks what it is we are talking about, but John and writer Jim Beard found themselves hard pressed to determine what exactly the plot was of this story. It appears that this is made up of several story threads that never really seem to come together in a satisfying way. Many argue that The Prisoner was weird for weird's sake and this episode could make a strong case for that.

Comment on this podcast by writing us at thechronicrift@gmail.com or by leaving your thoughts right here on the page.

We begin a month of Christmas episodes with America’s favorite teen-ager, the titular “Archie Andrews.” Archie and Jughead go Christmas shopping. Unbeknownst to them, the rest of the Andrews family and all their friends are also at the department store, resulting in all sorts of predicaments. Then on “Big Town,” Edward J. Pawley replaces Edward G. Robinson as Steve Wilson, crusading managing editor of the Big Town “Illustrated Press.” In tonight’s episode, two refugees from a shattered post-war Europe are welcomed to America from their Displaced Persons camp, but the little immigrant girl gets lost in the big city just before Christmas.

Episodes

Archie Andrews

December 17, 1949

“Christmas Shopping”

1:32

Big Town

December 21, 1948

“Prelude To Christmas”

30:24