The Classic Television Reference


Book Description

Containing personal interviews and photographs of classic television stars such as Lucille Ball, Ed Sullivan, Dick Clark, Tim Conway, Ed McMahon, Buddy Ebson, Jack Lord, Eva Gabor, Eddie Albert, Don Knotts, Sonny and Cher, Johnny Cash, Burg Reynolds, Barbara Walters, Bill Bixby, Jack Klugmann, Merv Griffin, Jim Nabors, Robert Young, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo), and includes sports stars such as Bud Wilkinson, Chris Schankel and others, THE CLASSIC TELEVISION REFERENCE is a delightful stroll down Memory Lane and a behind-the-scenes look at Classic TV shows, Classic TV stars and the business behind them.




The Early Shows


Book Description

The history of American television is finally written. The shows your grandparents chose as their favorites during the dawn of network television inspired the series of today. The genesis of genres began with The Laytons; Barney Blake, Police Reporter; Off the Record; The Dennis James Carnival; Meet the Press; The Original Amateur Hour; Texaco Star Theater; Toast of the Town; Candid Camera; Kukla, Fran and Ollie; Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts; Hopalong Cassidy; Mama; The Lone Ranger; The Life of Riley. Arthur Godfrey, Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan, Jack Carter, Jackie Gleason, Gertrude Berg, Jack Lemmon, Boris Karloff, Mike Wallace, and Perry Como stand out among the stars of groundbreaking series that premiered in the 1940s. Each are categorized along with descriptions of most episodes of the Top 300 comedies, dramas, variety shows, and game shows. Classic television series. The roots of today's reboots. Index. Illustrated. About the author: Richard Irvin's other works include Forgotten Laughs: An Episode Guide to 150 TV Sitcoms You Probably Never Saw, and Spinning Laughter: Profiles of 111 Proposed Spin-offs and Sequels that Never Became a Series.




Classic Television: the Stories Behind Your Favorite Television Shows and Stars


Book Description

This 4- volume series covers everything you ever wanted to know about your favorite television shows. In addition to learning the stories about the shows and the stars who made them come to life, you'll learn about behind-the-scenes details. Enjoy articles about television theme composers, set designers, costume staff, and the writers who bring the show to life. You'll also find articles on a variety of topics such as shows about dentists or advertising professionals or the best episodes about rainy days, bowling, or US presidents. This book is a must-read if you love classic television or trivia.




The Early Shows


Book Description

The history of American television is finally written. The shows your grandparents chose as their favorites during the dawn of network television inspired the series of today. The genesis of genres began with The Laytons; Barney Blake, Police Reporter; Off the Record; The Dennis James Carnival; Meet the Press; The Original Amateur Hour; Texaco Star Theater; Toast of the Town; Candid Camera; Kukla, Fran and Ollie; Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts; Hopalong Cassidy; Mama; The Lone Ranger; The Life of Riley. Arthur Godfrey, Milton Berle, Ed Sullivan, Jack Carter, Jackie Gleason, Gertrude Berg, Jack Lemmon, Boris Karloff, Mike Wallace, and Perry Como stand out among the stars of groundbreaking series that premiered in the 1940s. Each are categorized along with descriptions of most episodes of the Top 300 comedies, dramas, variety shows, and game shows. Classic television series. The roots of today's reboots. Index. Illustrated. About the author: Richard Irvin's other works include Forgotten Laughs: An Episode Guide to 150 TV Sitcoms You Probably Never Saw, and Spinning Laughter: Profiles of 111 Proposed Spin-offs and Sequels that Never Became a Series.




The TV Tidbits Classic Television Book of Lists


Book Description

ENJOY THESE UNIQUE LISTS, PACKED WITH TV TRIVIA AND TIDBITS ON SUCH TOPICS AS: TV REPLACEMENTS * All-TIME FEMALE SITCOM EPISODE CHAMPS * STATUES HONORING CLASSIC TV * MOST REGULAR ROLES IN PRIME TIME * TV'S TOP MOMENTS * THE LONGEST-RUNNING SHOWS * STAR TREK MEMORIES * IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME * LIVE-ACTION SHOWS THAT WERE ANIMATED * SUPERMAN AND LOIS ON TV * EMMY ESSENTIALS * AND MORE!




Cheers TV Show: A Comprehensive Reference


Book Description

Cheers TV Show: A Comprehensive Reference is authored by a sitcom expert who penned the most comprehensive reference book that has ever been written about the show. This definitive guide is the best resource for any fan who is intrigued and enthralled by one of the all-time classic television situation comedies. The contents have been thoroughly researched and all 275 episodes meticulously analyzed to develop an unabridged, credible reference source. Individual chapters are devoted to biographies of the cast (Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Kirstie Alley, Kelsey Grammar, Woody Harrelson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Bebe Neuwirth, Nicholas Colasanto) and narratives of their respective characters (Sam Malone, Diane Chambers, Rebecca Howe, Frasier Crane, Woody Boyd, Carla Tortelli-LeBec, Norm Peterson, Cliff Clavin, Lilith Sternin-Crane, Coach) to provide a thoughtful examination of their persona. Additional chapters are committed to a biography of the show from its inception through the series finale, and a narrative of the fictional Cheers bar, including bar regulars and memorable patrons (Robin Colcord, John Hill, Eddie LeBec, Nick Tortelli, Kelly Gaines, Melville’s, Gary’s Olde Towne Tavern, Bull & Finch Pub). Another section offers a detailed description of each Cheers episode in chronological order based on airing dates from 1982 to 1993. The summaries contain technical credits, episode writers, directors, and guest actors (with highlights of significant movie and television credits). The final chapter provides a listing of the Emmy nominations and awards earned over the show's eleven-year span of television dominance. In sum, this book is the most extensive analysis of Cheers available on the market. No other source is more complete, accurate, or extensive. Photos included.




The Old-Time Television Trivia Book


Book Description

Do you think you know EVERYTHING about television, kid? Remember when Television was all about The Texaco Star Theatre, Your Show of Shows, and The Honeymooners? Trivia expert Mel Simons remembers. Mel, known as one of the world's most renowned collectors of old-time radio shows has also amassed a major collection of old-time television shows. Author of the successful The Old-Time Radio Trivia Book, Mel Simons has now penned The Old-Time Television Trivia Book. Mel has been entertaining audiences for years with his Golden Days of Television, as well as his Golden Days of Radio presentation. He has also created such video shows as The Big Bands, The Great Entertainers, The Golden Days of Rock & Roll, Strictly Sinatra, and The World's Most Generous Cheapskate, Jack Benny. He does a one-man show as well: The Life and Songs of Al Jolson, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor and George M. Cohan. Mel, who also entertains as a humorist and accordionist, lives and is a radio personality in Boston.




TV Genres


Book Description

This book fills a need. It will be used by scholars and revered by undergraduates doing papers. It is a highly desirable acquisition for libraries of all types. Choice [an] essential purchase for universityand most college libraries as well as large public libraries. Reference Books Bulletin




The TV Tidbits Classic Television Trivia Quiz Book


Book Description

How much do you know about your favorite shows? What was Lucy Ricardo's maiden name? What did The Beverly Hillbillies call their swimming pool? Name all six Brady Bunch kids. What was Steve Austin's job before he became The Six Million Dollar Man? What did J.R.'s initials stand for on Dallas? Why did Angelique turn Barnabas into a vampire on Dark Shadows? More than 1,000 questions about the shows you love!