About the Series

PIONEERS OF TELEVISION returns to PBS for a second season featuring all new stories of the visionaries who shaped a fledgling medium with their creativity, foresight and wisdom.

They were the stars of the small screen in the early years of television, and much of the nation came to a halt whenever their shows aired. They strolled, sprinted, fought, laughed, cried and loved through worlds that took viewers to places past, present and future. As the originators of these innovative television formats, they provided an essential escape for millions of viewers who eagerly waited to watch them each week.

This series once again transports viewers behind the scenes for a revealing look at the inception of four of the most popular genres in television: science fiction, Westerns, crime dramas and local kids' TV. The four new episodes, narrated by Kelsey Grammer, air Tuesdays, January 18-February 8, 8/7c on PBS. An encore presentation of three episodes from the first season of PIONEERS OF TELEVISION, which explore the early years of sitcoms, late night and variety shows, will air Tuesdays, February 15-March 1, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on PBS.

When to Watch

Check the broadcast schedule for times in your area.

Season Two Episode Descriptions

Science Fiction

Pioneers of science-fiction TV including Gene Roddenberry, Rod Serling, Irwin Allen ("Lost in Space"), William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols and other science-fiction stars.
Airs: 1/18/2011

Westerns

TV Western pioneers, including Fess Parker (Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett), James Garner, Linda Evans, Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Conrad and James Arness.
Airs: 1/25/2011

Crime Dramas

Pioneers of TV crime dramas, including Jack Webb ("Dragnet"), Desi Arnaz ("The Untouchables"), Bruce Geller ("Mannix" and "Mission: Impossible"), Bill Cosby, Angie Dickinson, Barbara Bain, Martin Landau, James Garner and Stephen J. Cannell.
Airs: 2/1/2011

Local Kids' TV

Pioneers of local kids' TV including Willard Scott, William Shatner, Stan Freberg, Jim Henson, Larry Harmon ("Bozo") and Nancy Claster ("Romper Room").
Airs: 2/8/2011

Season One Episode Descriptions

Late Night

The late-night escapades of Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson enter primetime in this episode about the formative years of late-night television.
Airs: 2/15/2011

Sitcoms

Rediscover television comedy classics, as this episode focuses on five key sitcoms: "I Love Lucy," "The Honeymooners," "Make Room for Daddy," "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show."
Airs: 2/22/2011

Variety

From Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town" and Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theater" to "The Carol Burnett Show," "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" and "Laugh-in," among others, this episode celebrates the variety show.
Airs: 3/1/2011