It's just OK. More like reading (watching) a Dick and Jane book. Pretty basic stuff.
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Pioneers of Television on PBS HD
Pioneers of Television
Premieres Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008. Check Local Listings to see when it is airing on your local PBS station.
Nearly 100 stars from TV's formative years bring their stories to PBS in the revealing 4-part documentary series Pioneers of Television. Each episode melds compelling new HD interviews with irresistible archival clips to offer a fresh take on TV's founding celebrities.
Sitcoms
This episode focuses on the five key sitcoms that shaped the genre: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Make Room for Daddy, The Andy Griffith Show and The Dick Van **** Show.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were both nationally-known performers long before they headlined the most popular sitcom in history. While their personal relationship was rocky, their professional talents were a perfect fit.
Andy Griffith typically avoids TV interviews, but Pioneers of Television producer Steve Boettcher persuaded Griffith to sit for an extended interviewthe result is a rare inside look at the people and techniques that made Griffith's show work. The episode also includes interviews with both Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van ****, who recount their years together on the breakthrough Dick Van **** Show.
Late Night
The distinct contributions and unique personalities of Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson headline this episode. "Johnny always wanted you to do well," Jay Leno recalls, "you'd hear him laughing in the corner with Ed, or he'd poke Ed, or he'd hit the table. And of course, this was a cue to the audience that you were accepted."
This episode features many of the most important figures to emerge on the late-night scene. Merv Griffin gives his last interview before passing away, and Regis Philbin offers revelations about his years as a late night sidekick to Joey Bishop. Dick Cavett and Arsenio Hall provide insight into how their shows broadened the late-night audience. For the first time, Sigourney Weaver offers personal details about her father, Pat, inventor of Tonight and one of the most visionary TV executives ever.
Variety
This episode begins with Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town and Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, and progresses through The Carol Burnett Show, Smothers Brothers and Laugh-in, among others.
Tim Conway and Jonathan Winters tell hilarious stories about their variety show years, and Tommy Smothers reveals new details about the behind-the-scenes story of his own landmark show. Pat Boone offers a compelling first-hand account of the racist policies that made it difficult for him to book African American guests. In the same vein, Tony Orlando reveals the back-story behind his role as the first Hispanic host of a variety series.
Additionally, this episode includes fresh bites from earlier interviews with Milton Berle, Red Skelton and Sid Caesarand there's no shortage of great clips. Standouts include Andy Williams singing "Moon River" and Flip Wilson's Geraldine. As Arsenio Hall says, "You could not dislike Flip Wilson. There was a warmth about him. And he was brilliant the way he created characters; and the characters had lives of their own. We knew about Geraldine's boyfriend and how jealous he wasand those things brought that character to life."
Game Shows
This episode traces one of broadcasting's strongest genres, from its nascent beginnings in radio through its heyday in the late 60s.
Monty Hall recounts his compelling rags-to-riches story, and Betty White remembers her role as the first female emcee. In addition, this episode features rare backstage footage of The Price is Right filmed the very day Bob Barker announced his retirement. Clips for this episode are wide-ranging, and include Phyllis Diller's first TV appearance as a painfully shy contestant on Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life.
Pioneers of Television features dozens of never-before-seen clips, including Johnny Carson performing in his early 20s and lost sitcom footage unseen for five decades. Entertaining and revealing, this series provides an intimate perspective on the individuals and programs that made television history.
Pioneers of Television was produced by Steven J. Boettcher and Michael J. Trinklein.
Premieres Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008. Check Local Listings to see when it is airing on your local PBS station.
Nearly 100 stars from TV's formative years bring their stories to PBS in the revealing 4-part documentary series Pioneers of Television. Each episode melds compelling new HD interviews with irresistible archival clips to offer a fresh take on TV's founding celebrities.
Sitcoms
This episode focuses on the five key sitcoms that shaped the genre: I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, Make Room for Daddy, The Andy Griffith Show and The Dick Van **** Show.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were both nationally-known performers long before they headlined the most popular sitcom in history. While their personal relationship was rocky, their professional talents were a perfect fit.
Andy Griffith typically avoids TV interviews, but Pioneers of Television producer Steve Boettcher persuaded Griffith to sit for an extended interviewthe result is a rare inside look at the people and techniques that made Griffith's show work. The episode also includes interviews with both Mary Tyler Moore and Dick Van ****, who recount their years together on the breakthrough Dick Van **** Show.
Late Night
The distinct contributions and unique personalities of Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson headline this episode. "Johnny always wanted you to do well," Jay Leno recalls, "you'd hear him laughing in the corner with Ed, or he'd poke Ed, or he'd hit the table. And of course, this was a cue to the audience that you were accepted."
This episode features many of the most important figures to emerge on the late-night scene. Merv Griffin gives his last interview before passing away, and Regis Philbin offers revelations about his years as a late night sidekick to Joey Bishop. Dick Cavett and Arsenio Hall provide insight into how their shows broadened the late-night audience. For the first time, Sigourney Weaver offers personal details about her father, Pat, inventor of Tonight and one of the most visionary TV executives ever.
Variety
This episode begins with Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town and Milton Berle's Texaco Star Theater, and progresses through The Carol Burnett Show, Smothers Brothers and Laugh-in, among others.
Tim Conway and Jonathan Winters tell hilarious stories about their variety show years, and Tommy Smothers reveals new details about the behind-the-scenes story of his own landmark show. Pat Boone offers a compelling first-hand account of the racist policies that made it difficult for him to book African American guests. In the same vein, Tony Orlando reveals the back-story behind his role as the first Hispanic host of a variety series.
Additionally, this episode includes fresh bites from earlier interviews with Milton Berle, Red Skelton and Sid Caesarand there's no shortage of great clips. Standouts include Andy Williams singing "Moon River" and Flip Wilson's Geraldine. As Arsenio Hall says, "You could not dislike Flip Wilson. There was a warmth about him. And he was brilliant the way he created characters; and the characters had lives of their own. We knew about Geraldine's boyfriend and how jealous he wasand those things brought that character to life."
Game Shows
This episode traces one of broadcasting's strongest genres, from its nascent beginnings in radio through its heyday in the late 60s.
Monty Hall recounts his compelling rags-to-riches story, and Betty White remembers her role as the first female emcee. In addition, this episode features rare backstage footage of The Price is Right filmed the very day Bob Barker announced his retirement. Clips for this episode are wide-ranging, and include Phyllis Diller's first TV appearance as a painfully shy contestant on Groucho Marx's You Bet Your Life.
Pioneers of Television features dozens of never-before-seen clips, including Johnny Carson performing in his early 20s and lost sitcom footage unseen for five decades. Entertaining and revealing, this series provides an intimate perspective on the individuals and programs that made television history.
Pioneers of Television was produced by Steven J. Boettcher and Michael J. Trinklein.
1 - 20 of 55 Posts
^ May depend on your age! For me it's been a great series....reminded me of some of the show I used to watch a long time ago.
I haven't seen some of these actors or personalities in a while, so the changes in them over the years has been surprising (though not unexpected).
I've expecially enjoyed remembering how much was done LIVE back then. However, we've come a long way. I'm sure one day in the future they will remember the classics of today such as "Watch Me Open Suitcases for Money" and "How Stupid Are You Compared to a Fifth Grader" with equal nostaligia.
I haven't seen some of these actors or personalities in a while, so the changes in them over the years has been surprising (though not unexpected).
I've expecially enjoyed remembering how much was done LIVE back then. However, we've come a long way. I'm sure one day in the future they will remember the classics of today such as "Watch Me Open Suitcases for Money" and "How Stupid Are You Compared to a Fifth Grader" with equal nostaligia.
the mama's family skit with tim conway telling the story of the siamese elephants is friggin hilarious !!!!
Yeah, what ever happened to Betsy Palmer? I was surprised when they talked about Jeopardy they didn't mention Art Fleming as the original host. Of course he has been dead about 10 years but still. They showed him about 5 secs and then jumped to the next show. After watching the segment on Hollywood Squares I have come to conclusion I miss it. Not the later versions with Whoppee and Tom Bergeron, but the original with Peter Marshall. Those nasty boys Paul Lynde and Charlie Weaver!! Those were the days!
Quote:
Originally Posted by petergaryr /forum/post/12912811
^ May depend on your age! For me it's been a great series....reminded me of some of the show I used to watch a long time ago.
Yeah, what ever happened to Betsy Palmer? I was surprised when they talked about Jeopardy they didn't mention Art Fleming as the original host. Of course he has been dead about 10 years but still. They showed him about 5 secs and then jumped to the next show. After watching the segment on Hollywood Squares I have come to conclusion I miss it. Not the later versions with Whoppee and Tom Bergeron, but the original with Peter Marshall. Those nasty boys Paul Lynde and Charlie Weaver!! Those were the days!
During the "Variety" episode, I was surprised that they didn't even so much as mention Dean Martin or Jackie Gleason's shows, which were extremely popular, yet they spent ample time yakking about "The Tony Orlando and Dawn" show of all things!
But then, after I thought about it, I remembered that those two shows (and it's stars) were practically centered around the alcohol culture, and it was PBS after all.
But then, after I thought about it, I remembered that those two shows (and it's stars) were practically centered around the alcohol culture, and it was PBS after all.
I missed the first part, Sitcoms. but caught the other 3. I also discovered that I had missed a previous incarnation called "Pioneers of Primetime" which I gather was a similar deal but focussed on the primetime shows in general rather than a specific genre.
I was considering buying the DVDs... but I'm hoping they will release some HD versions of shows like this. All the clips don't really matter, since they are from old and in some cases poor quality film/video... but all the new interviews are in HD as well as more recent show clips.
I was considering buying the DVDs... but I'm hoping they will release some HD versions of shows like this. All the clips don't really matter, since they are from old and in some cases poor quality film/video... but all the new interviews are in HD as well as more recent show clips.
I'm barely old enough to remember the last few years of Carson (Leno hosted more than Carson then), but I still found the series interesting. Especially the late-night and sitcom episodes.
In one of the episodes that spent a lot time talking about Jackie Gleason and both The Honeymooners and his variety show. You're right about Dean Martin and yeah, was was up about Tony Orlando and Dawn - I don't remember that show ever being that "big."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski /forum/post/12915215
During the "Variety" episode, I was surprised that they didn't even so much as mention Dean Martin or Jackie Gleason's shows, which were extremely popular, yet they spent ample time yakking about "The Tony Orlando and Dawn" show of all things!
But then, after I thought about it, I remembered that those two shows (and it's stars) were practically centered around the alcohol culture, and it was PBS after all.
In one of the episodes that spent a lot time talking about Jackie Gleason and both The Honeymooners and his variety show. You're right about Dean Martin and yeah, was was up about Tony Orlando and Dawn - I don't remember that show ever being that "big."
It would be great to watch this if my PBS HD channel hadn't suddenly disappeared overnight. As if it didn't exist. No marker, no channel, nothing. It was there yesterday and now it's gone. Comcast Essex NJ.
I'd pick even Sonny and Cher over Tony Orlando and Dawn...
I didn't tune in, though. Was there any mention of Ed Sullivan or Lawrence Welk?
Quote:
Originally Posted by larrude /forum/post/12917766
In one of the episodes that spent a lot time talking about Jackie Gleason and both The Honeymooners and his variety show. You're right about Dean Martin and yeah, was was up about Tony Orlando and Dawn - I don't remember that show ever being that "big."
I'd pick even Sonny and Cher over Tony Orlando and Dawn...
I didn't tune in, though. Was there any mention of Ed Sullivan or Lawrence Welk?
I think the show is being driven by what has-beens are still around to give interviews. Interesting that Orlando insisted that he was unfamiliar with the fundamentals of television even though he had been in the entertainment industry since the early 60's.
And they didn't mention that 70's variety show spawned one of the most controversial television shows that's still on the air today: Saturday Night Live. The show still has essentially the same variety format it had in 1975.
This show is all about celebrating the early golden years of television and it's ignoring how these shows inspired many of the shows we have today, not to mention shows in the 80's and 90's. It's almost as if they're saying at some point these old television shows became irrelevant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski /forum/post/12915215
During the "Variety" episode, I was surprised that they didn't even so much as mention Dean Martin or Jackie Gleason's shows, which were extremely popular, yet they spent ample time yakking about "The Tony Orlando and Dawn" show of all things!
I think the show is being driven by what has-beens are still around to give interviews. Interesting that Orlando insisted that he was unfamiliar with the fundamentals of television even though he had been in the entertainment industry since the early 60's.
And they didn't mention that 70's variety show spawned one of the most controversial television shows that's still on the air today: Saturday Night Live. The show still has essentially the same variety format it had in 1975.
This show is all about celebrating the early golden years of television and it's ignoring how these shows inspired many of the shows we have today, not to mention shows in the 80's and 90's. It's almost as if they're saying at some point these old television shows became irrelevant.
I still found the series interesting.
Oh you mean Lawhuns Velke!
The show sure had a crazy broadcast history. It was local for five years, then networked for almost twenty years, then syndicated for another ten, then rerun on PBS. But I don't know if L.W. would be considered a "pioneer" in television since his show wasn't ground braking in any way that I know of.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NetworkTV /forum/post/12918398
Did I stutter, or was I just hard to understand in the middle of the finger pop?![]()
Oh you mean Lawhuns Velke!
The show sure had a crazy broadcast history. It was local for five years, then networked for almost twenty years, then syndicated for another ten, then rerun on PBS. But I don't know if L.W. would be considered a "pioneer" in television since his show wasn't ground braking in any way that I know of.
Oh, but it was. He was one of the few folks who insisted on quality sound while everyone else was saying "who cares what it sounds like when it's going to be sent through a 3" speaker?". While most shows barely miced anything but the singers, he had his sound guy micing individual instruments in order to get a full range mix that sounds even better today than it ever did before. He understood that there might come a time when folks could really hear it the way it was meant to be. In the meantime, his studio audiences enjoyed it. He was right up there with Desi Arnaz (who used a three camera film setup for quality and speed of production) and Walt Disney for taking the extra step beyond what was necessary to get programming on the air.
In addition, there were plenty of people who tuned into that show - and little else.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scowl /forum/post/12918611
Oh you mean Lawhuns Velke!
The show sure had a crazy broadcast history. It was local for five years, then networked for almost twenty years, then syndicated for another ten, then rerun on PBS. But I don't know if L.W. would be considered a "pioneer" in television since his show wasn't ground braking in any way that I know of.
Oh, but it was. He was one of the few folks who insisted on quality sound while everyone else was saying "who cares what it sounds like when it's going to be sent through a 3" speaker?". While most shows barely miced anything but the singers, he had his sound guy micing individual instruments in order to get a full range mix that sounds even better today than it ever did before. He understood that there might come a time when folks could really hear it the way it was meant to be. In the meantime, his studio audiences enjoyed it. He was right up there with Desi Arnaz (who used a three camera film setup for quality and speed of production) and Walt Disney for taking the extra step beyond what was necessary to get programming on the air.
In addition, there were plenty of people who tuned into that show - and little else.
These were all technical innovations. Unfortunately this show only covers programming innovations. I don't think the sitcom episode even mentioned three film camera setups.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NetworkTV /forum/post/12918706
Oh, but it was. He was one of the few folks who insisted on quality sound while everyone else was saying "who cares what it sounds like when it's going to be sent through a 3" speaker?". While most shows barely miced anything but the singers, he had his sound guy micing individual instruments in order to get a full range mix that sounds even better today than it ever did before. He understood that there might come a time when folks could really hear it the way it was meant to be. In the meantime, his studio audiences enjoyed it. He was right up there with Desi Arnaz (who used a three camera film setup for quality and speed of production) and Walt Disney for taking the extra step beyond what was necessary to get programming on the air.
These were all technical innovations. Unfortunately this show only covers programming innovations. I don't think the sitcom episode even mentioned three film camera setups.
Well, in the case of the various Lucy shows, the innovation wasn't a three camera setup - a lot of productions did that. It was using three film cameras, each rolling stock separately that was the innovation. Before that, TV cameras were used and "recordings" were made with a kinetoscopes - essentilly a film camera pointed at a TV. Desi's way preserved quality and is the reason those various shows not only saw a large amount of syndication value over the years, but are able to be remastered in HD. It was more expensive, but the savings was made up by the ability to turn around scenes verses single camera shoots. It also helped keep the audience warmed up by not having them wait for reversals.
As a TV tech, a show that discusses the technical side would be way more interesting to me than the content side. Besides, there have been plenty of retrospective shows about groundbreaking shows. No one ever really talks about what it was like to actually create the content with all the oddball and limited equipment out there back in the early days.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scowl /forum/post/12919031
These were all technical innovations. Unfortunately this show only covers programming innovations. I don't think the sitcom episode even mentioned three film camera setups.
Well, in the case of the various Lucy shows, the innovation wasn't a three camera setup - a lot of productions did that. It was using three film cameras, each rolling stock separately that was the innovation. Before that, TV cameras were used and "recordings" were made with a kinetoscopes - essentilly a film camera pointed at a TV. Desi's way preserved quality and is the reason those various shows not only saw a large amount of syndication value over the years, but are able to be remastered in HD. It was more expensive, but the savings was made up by the ability to turn around scenes verses single camera shoots. It also helped keep the audience warmed up by not having them wait for reversals.
As a TV tech, a show that discusses the technical side would be way more interesting to me than the content side. Besides, there have been plenty of retrospective shows about groundbreaking shows. No one ever really talks about what it was like to actually create the content with all the oddball and limited equipment out there back in the early days.
I was surprised and disappointed that Dick Clark wasn't even mentioned in any of the areas covered. He certainly was a pioneer of TV and definitely belonged in the series.
1 - 20 of 55 Posts
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