Spotlight: The American Idea (Specials)

New Spotlight: The American Idea (Specials)

My latest spotlight is about The American Idea, the umbrella title for a series of ABC specials about the history of America. Three were planned but only two aired, the first in March 1973 and the second in July 1976. Continue Reading →

45th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

Today marks the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing and moonwalk. Read about the original plan for the moonwalk, missing data tapes, and why Canadians were upset about what was on TV. Continue Reading →
Bookshelf: Bridget Loves Bernie

Review: Bridget Loves Bernie

My review of Paul Fairman’s TV tie-in novel Bridget Loves Bernie, from 1972. Continue Reading →

4th of July — 40, 55 and 68 Years Ago

A look at what was on television in prime time on the 4th of July back in 1974, 1959 and 1946. Continue Reading →

June 2014: The Month in Home Media

Barbary Coast (ABC, 1975-1976) and The Chisholms: The Complete TV Series (CBS, 1979; 1980) were released on DVD in June 2014. Also, Warner Archive Instant added The Lieutenant (NBC, 1963-1964) to its streaming service. Continue Reading →

Another FOX Show Cancelled Without Airing an Episode

FOX has cancelled Hieroglyph, a drama planned as a mid-season replacement for the 2014-2015 season, without a single episode airing. Continue Reading →

Commercial TV Turns 73

Happy 73rd birthday, commercial TV. The very first FCC-sanctioned commercial broadcasts took place on Tuesday, July 1st, 1941. Continue Reading →
Kyle MacDonnell: TV's Forgotten Star - Part 2

Kyle MacDonnell: TV’s Forgotten Star – Part 2

The second part of my article on Kyle MacDonnell chronicles her second NBC television series, Girl About Town, sponsored by Bates Fabrics and on the air from September 1948 to June 1949. Continue Reading →