About the Series

PIONEERS OF TELEVISION returns to PBS for a third 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.

SEASON THREE EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS

		Funny Ladies This episode includes the first standup comediennes to appear on television, including Joan Rivers and the late Phyllis Diller (whose final interview was for this episode). Funny Ladies also looks at Lucille Ball’s breakthrough on “I Love Lucy” and the sitcom stars who followed, including Mary Tyler Moore, Betty White and Marla Gibbs. Also, television’s most beloved variety star, Carol Burnett, reveals the behind-the-scenes story of her long running show. The episode also includes interviews with contemporary actresses Tina Fey and Margaret Cho. Narrated by Ryan Seacrest. Airs: 1/15/2013
		Primetime Soaps “Dallas” and “Dynasty” kicked off the nighttime soap frenzy in the late 1970s , a phenomenon that continued through the last season of “Knots Landing” in 1993. The episode offers surprising new details about the legendary “Who Shot Jr” episode of Dallas, and reveals the backstage personalities that shaped “Dynasty” and “Knots Landing.” Interviewees in this episode include Larry Hagman, Joan Collins, Linda Evans, Diahann Carroll, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy, Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills. Narrated by Ryan Seacrest. Airs: 1/22/2013
		Superheroes Superheroes crosses many eras: “The Adventures of Superman” in the 1950s, “Batman” in the ’60s, “Wonder Woman” and “The Incredible Hulk” in the ’70s and “The Greatest American Hero” in the ’80s. The episode features in-depth interviews with Adam West, Burt Ward, Julie Newmar, Lynda Carter, Lou Ferrigno, William Katt and others. It also includes comments from Robert Culp about his show “The Greatest American Hero,” recorded just days before he passed away. Narrated by Ryan Seacrest. Airs: 1/29/2013
		Miniseries Miniseries still rank among the top-rated programs in television history. “Roots” was the biggest — interviewees about that groundbreaking series include LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett Jr., Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, John Amos, Georg Stanford Brown and Ed Asner. This episode also considers the very first miniseries, “Rich Man, Poor Man,” as stars Peter Strauss and Susan Blakely offer fresh insights. And all of the key stars from the landmark miniseries “The Thorn Birds” appear, providing surprising commentary about the romance seen by more viewers than any other in TV history. New interviews with Richard Chamberlain, Rachel Ward and Bryan Brown mark the 30th anniversary of one of television’s biggest events. Narrated by Ryan Seacrest. Airs: 2/5/2013

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.

Westerns

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

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.

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”).