About

Mission Statement

Television Obscurities is dedicated to studying and exploring the history of television in the United States, with a particular emphasis on short-lived television shows and other forgotten aspects of the television industry. It is my personal belief that our television history is a history of us. Over the decades, television shaped our society while also being influenced by changes within society.

My focus has always been broadcast television, primarily network prime time programming but also daytime and late night, as well as syndicated programs aired on network affiliates and independent stations. That means you won’t find much information about cable television here.

About The Site

Television Obscurities celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2018. An early version of the website went live in November 2002 but the current incarnation dates back to June 11th, 2003. The Television Obscurities blog was created in November 2008. A two-part history of the site written in June 2013 can be found here and here.

About Me

My name is Robert Jay and I love television. I love watching television, reading about television, and writing about television. I was born in the mid-1980s, so the vast majority of the TV shows I write aired decades before I was born. I was in high school when I started Television Obscurities and have since finished college and graduate school.

I am currently an independent researcher, amateur historian, and writer. I previously worked as a moving image archivist at a television station for more than four years.

Acknowledgements

Television Obscurities wouldn’t be here without the support of so many people, including family and friends who have provided feedback, encouragement, and support over the years. I thank them all. I am also deeply indebted to my good friend Scott Savage for designing a website for Television Obscurities used from 2006 to 2013.

The Television Obscurities logo is based on a piece of clipart created by dinhochiz. It uses the Patua One font from Google Fonts.