Experimental Television, Test Films, Pilots and Trial Series, 1925 through 1995


Book Description

Test films, pilots, trial series, limited runs, summer tryouts--by whatever name, televison networks have produced thousands of experimental shows that never made it into the regular line-up. Some were actually shown, but failed to gain an audience; many others never even made it on the air. This work includes more than 3,000 experimental television programs, both aired and unaired, that almost became a series. Entries include length, network, air date (if appropriate), a fact-filled plot synopsis, cast, guest stars, producer, director, writer, and music coordinator. Fully indexed.




Internet Children's Television Series, 1997-2015


Book Description

Created around the world and available only on the web, internet "television" series are independently produced, mostly low budget shows that often feature talented but unknown performers. Typically financed through crowd-funding, they are filmed with borrowed equipment and volunteer casts and crews, and viewers find them through word of mouth or by chance. The fifth in a series focusing on the largely undocumented world of internet TV, this book covers 573 children's series created for viewers 3 to 14. The genre includes a broad range of cartoons, CGI, live-action comedies and puppetry. Alphabetical entries provide websites, dates, casts, credits, episode lists and storylines.




Internet Comedy Television Series, 1997-2015


Book Description

Created around the world and available only on the web, Internet "television" series are independently produced, mostly low budget shows that often feature talented but unknown performers. Typically financed through crowd-funding, they are filmed with borrowed equipment and volunteer casts and crews, and viewers find them through word of mouth or by chance. The fourth in a series covering Internet TV, this book takes a comprehensive look at 1,121 comedy series produced exclusively for online audiences. Alphabetical entries provide websites, dates, casts, credits, episode lists and storylines.




Encyclopedia of Television Shows


Book Description

This is a supplement to the author's Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925-2010. It covers 1,612 series broadcast between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. Major networks--ABC, CBS, the CW, Fox and NBC--are covered along with many cable channels, such as AMC, Disney, Nickelodeon, Bravo, Lifetime, Discovery, TNT, Comedy Central and History Channel. Alphabetical entries provide storylines, casts, networks and running dates. A performer index is included.




Filmed Television Drama, 1952-1958


Book Description

This work examines the change from live to filmed television dramas during the period 1952-1958 and the characteristics and programs that are most associated with filmed television drama. Along with many technical changes that had to be made in the industry in order to convert live television to filmed television came an interesting social one. The American society in general was developing a growing interest in the lives of ordinary people, and television moved with them, offering more programs that concentrated on the middle and lower classes. Because of the inherent qualities of filming, television began to feature more documentary-like realism, began to broaden its interpretation of traditional romantic escapism to include more outer space and supernatural science fiction, began to better fulfill materialistic desires through well-designed, enjoyable commercials, and began to offer the best dramas and most popular personalities, often leading viewers to greater self-appreciation and richer lives. This work focuses on the important anthology programs and specials that were on the air from 1952 to 1958 such as Kraft Television Theatre, Philco Television Playhouse, and The Hallmark Hall of Fame, filmed serials like Colgate Theatre, Amos 'n' Andy, and I Love Lucy, and the challenges of converting from live to filmed television drama.




Internet Lesbian and Gay Television Series, 1996-2014


Book Description

Created around the world and available only on the Web, internet "television" series are independently produced, mostly low budget shows that often feature talented but unknown performers. Typically financed through crowd-funding, they are filmed with borrowed equipment and volunteer casts and crews, and viewers find them through word of mouth or by chance. The third of five volumes on Internet TV series, this book covers 335 alphabetically arranged gay and lesbian programs, 1996-2014, giving casts, credits, story lines, episode descriptions, websites, dates and commentary. A complete index lists program titles and headings for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and drag queen shows.




Internet Drama and Mystery Television Series, 1996-2014


Book Description

Created around the world and available only on the Web, internet "television" series are independently produced, mostly low budget shows that often feature talented but unknown performers. Typically financed through online crowd-funding, they are produced with borrowed equipment and volunteer casts and crews, and viewers find them through word of mouth or by chance. The second in a first-ever set of books cataloging Internet television series, this volume covers in depth the drama and mystery genres, with detailed entries on 405 shows from 1996 through July 2014. In addition to casts, credits and story lines, each entry provides a website, commentary and episode descriptions. Index of performers and personnel are included.




Internet Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Television Series, 1998-2013


Book Description

This is the first ever compilation on Internet television and provides details of 405 programs from 1998 to 2013. Each entry contains the storyline, descriptive episode listings, cast and crew lists, the official website and comments. An index of personnel and programs concludes the book. From Barry the Demon Hunter to Time Traveling Lesbian to Hamilton Carver, Zombie P.I., it is a previously undocumented entertainment medium that is just now coming into focus. Forty-eight photos accompany the text.




Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters


Book Description

Any episode of a crime or mystery series involves some or all of the following: the perpetration of a crime; its investigation; the analytical process which involves the determination of the villain; the arrest and trial of the culprit; and the handing out of the appropriate punishment. Such series involving the exploits of a wide variety of courageous heroes and heroines were very popular during the 1950s, and they featured a host of actors and actresses, including famous television detectives (e.g., Raymond Burr), those famous in other genres (e.g., Boris Karloff, Charles Bronson), and over 250 other players with recurring roles. This reference work lists every player who had a regular role in a crime or mystery series during the early era of television. All covered series offered live or filmed episodes of a crime or mystery nature, and all were shown on American television. All series had either regular stars or a recognizable host. Entries cover the player's real name, family information and education; how the player originally broke into show business; the player's career preceding the series; and his or her marriage, children, death date, and film and television credits. Appendices provide a catalog of American mystery series and a list of regular mystery series players whose roles began after December 31, 1959.




Live Television Drama, 1946-1951


Book Description

The "live era" or "golden age"of television drama originating from New York, 1946 through 1951, was an exciting time of creative and commercial accomplishment. This is a complete history and reference guide to the live dramas that aired during those six years. Extensive coverage is given to the NBC anthologies Kraft Television Theatre and Philco Television Playhouse, and the CBS anthologies Ford Theater and Studio One, as well as to "he competitors"--the 28 new anthologies that appeared in the prime time schedule during 1950 and 1951. Appendices comprehensively list the day-by-day program logs for BBC, CBS and NBC dramas from 1946 through 1951.