Pioneers of Television Returns to PBS January 18th - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-06-2011, 10:38 PM

Link

PBS’ acclaimed “Pioneers of Television” series returns Jan. 18 for a second season, bringing with it the inside stories, remarkable personalities and enduring themes of the early years of television.

The four-part series, to air at 7 p.m., depicts the beginnings of four of the most popular TV genres, including:

Science fiction (Jan. 18)

This episode features storytellers Gene Roddenberry, Irwin Allen and Rod Serling, who created the storylines and characters behind the best-loved futuristic television shows of their time: “Star Trek,” “Lost in Space” and “The Twilight Zone,” respectively. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and other science-fiction stars weigh in.

Westerns (Jan. 25)

This look at the quintessential American cultural identity, Westerns, shows how they filled small screens across the country night after night. It explores Fess Parker’s portrayals of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, James Garner in the TV hit “Maverick,” Linda Evans and Barbara Stanwyck in “The Big Valley.” Also featured are “Gun-smoke,” “Bonanza” and “The Wild Wild West.”

Crime dramas (Feb. 1)

In this genre, creative geniuses emerged in the forms of Jack Webb (“Dragnet”), Desi Arnaz (“The Untouchables”), Bruce Geller (“Mannix” and “Mission: Impossible”), Bill Cosby (“I Spy”) and Angie Dickinson (“Police Woman”). Other actors featured include Barbara Bain and Martin Landau in “Mission: Impossible”; Peter Falk, remembered for “Columbo” by his friends and colleagues; and “The Rockford Files” star James Garner and series creator Stephen J. Cannell.

Local kids’ TV (Feb. 8)

Local children’s programs shaped the childhoods of millions of Americans in television’s early years. Performers such as Willard Scott and William Shatner honed their skills performing on live TV with small budgets and little support. One early talent, Stan Freberg, became a cartoon voice talent and created “Time for Beany.” Other stories feature Muppets creator Jim Henson, actor Chuck McCann (“Puppet Hotel”), Larry Harmon (Bozo the Clown) and Nancy Claster (“Romper Room”).

TV Knowledge Fan · 01-07-2011, 03:21 AM

...are better than the first four. There was an obvious lack of funding and a tendency towards using "public domain" material (and a dependence on excerpts from CBS/VIACOM's library in the "Situation Comedies" segment; "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" highlights were obviously from public domain collections), and recreations of certain moments in the "Game Shows" section [the producers couldn't clear the rights to use key moments from Chuck Barris' "DATING GAME" or 'NEWLYWED GAME"]. They even tried to pass off excerpts from Jack Paar's 1962-'65 prime-time show as being from his "TONIGHT SHOW" in the "Talk/Variety" segment. As you can tell, I was somewhat disappointed at seeing the results on those four programs; they could have been better.

01-06-2011, 10:38 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,381	Pioneers of Television Returns to PBS January 18th Link PBS’ acclaimed “Pioneers of Television” series returns Jan. 18 for a second season, bringing with it the inside stories, remarkable personalities and enduring themes of the early years of television. The four-part series, to air at 7 p.m., depicts the beginnings of four of the most popular TV genres, including: Science fiction (Jan. 18) This episode features storytellers Gene Roddenberry, Irwin Allen and Rod Serling, who created the storylines and characters behind the best-loved futuristic television shows of their time: “Star Trek,” “Lost in Space” and “The Twilight Zone,” respectively. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and other science-fiction stars weigh in. Westerns (Jan. 25) This look at the quintessential American cultural identity, Westerns, shows how they filled small screens across the country night after night. It explores Fess Parker’s portrayals of Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett, James Garner in the TV hit “Maverick,” Linda Evans and Barbara Stanwyck in “The Big Valley.” Also featured are “Gun-smoke,” “Bonanza” and “The Wild Wild West.” Crime dramas (Feb. 1) In this genre, creative geniuses emerged in the forms of Jack Webb (“Dragnet”), Desi Arnaz (“The Untouchables”), Bruce Geller (“Mannix” and “Mission: Impossible”), Bill Cosby (“I Spy”) and Angie Dickinson (“Police Woman”). Other actors featured include Barbara Bain and Martin Landau in “Mission: Impossible”; Peter Falk, remembered for “Columbo” by his friends and colleagues; and “The Rockford Files” star James Garner and series creator Stephen J. Cannell. Local kids’ TV (Feb. 8) Local children’s programs shaped the childhoods of millions of Americans in television’s early years. Performers such as Willard Scott and William Shatner honed their skills performing on live TV with small budgets and little support. One early talent, Stan Freberg, became a cartoon voice talent and created “Time for Beany.” Other stories feature Muppets creator Jim Henson, actor Chuck McCann (“Puppet Hotel”), Larry Harmon (Bozo the Clown) and Nancy Claster (“Romper Room”).
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-07-2011, 03:21 AM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I certainly hope these installments.... ...are better than the first four. There was an obvious lack of funding and a tendency towards using "public domain" material (and a dependence on excerpts from CBS/VIACOM's library in the "Situation Comedies" segment; "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" highlights were obviously from public domain collections), and recreations of certain moments in the "Game Shows" section [the producers couldn't clear the rights to use key moments from Chuck Barris' "DATING GAME" or 'NEWLYWED GAME"]. They even tried to pass off excerpts from Jack Paar's 1962-'65 prime-time show as being from his "TONIGHT SHOW" in the "Talk/Variety" segment. As you can tell, I was somewhat disappointed at seeing the results on those four programs; they could have been better.