On this episode of Splittin’ the Atom, host Jen Brien first sits down with acclaimed media scholar Professor Robert J. Thompson (Syracuse University’s Trustee Professor of Television and Popular Culture) to explore the rise, dominance, and decline of network television. Thompson unpacks the golden age of the big three networks, the cultural glue of prime-time programming, and how streaming has permanently reshaped the TV landscape.

After Thompson’s deep-dive, things take a turn when Andy Dick—comedian, actor, and unapologetic provocateur—joins the conversation as a special guest. Andy brings his offbeat humor and unfiltered perspective on how Hollywood, sitcom culture, and network television have evolved (and sometimes unraveled) over the decades. The result: a fascinating mix of media analysis and unpredictable comedy you won’t hear anywhere else.