Video: Pioneers of Television
The four-part series examines the people who left their imprint on sitcoms, late-night, variety and game shows in the early days of the medium. The program features interviews with legendary stars, including Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Art Linkletter, Andy Griffith, Betty White, Phyllis Diller, Jim Nabors, Marlo Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Ed McMahon and Merv Griffin. Using never-before-seen images and showcasing timeless clips, the documentary examines the entertainers that provided the classic scenes that still amuse us today.
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Pioneers of Television | Stephen J. Cannell on how to make a hit TV show | PBS (#203)
Stephen J. Cannell discusses his formula for television success. 00:59
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Tribute to James Garner | PBS (#202)
James Garner is nominated for the Career Achievement Award at the TCA (Television Critics Association) Awards ceremony July 31. His two hit series are all-time favorites: "Maverick" and "Rockford... 01:12
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Art Linkletter on the ad-lib that got him in trouble | PBS
Art Linkletter was one of TV's most popular hosts. He famously hated scripts, and improvised almost everything--including commercials. Here he tells the story of an extemporaneous commercial he... 01:02
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Pioneers of Television | Betty White forgets her lines on live TV | PBS
Betty White on how she and co-star Del Moore both forgot their lines on live TV in the early 1950s. Betty's sitcom "Life With Elizabeth" actually pre-dates "I Love Lucy." 01:07
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Pioneers of Television | Betty White on the early days of television | PBS
Betty White started on TV nearly 60 years ago, with a 5-hour DAILY live show in Los Angeles.... and then a sitcom that pre-dates "I Love Lucy." Here's Betty talking about those early days. (From the... 00:31
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Pioneers of Television | Robert Culp on Casting Bill Cosby in ISpy | PBS
Robert Culp on how Bill Cosby-- his co-star on "I Spy"-- broke television's color barrier. Never before had an African-American man and white man been portrayed as friends and equals. 00:36
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Fess Parker and Ed Ames on Davy Crockett vs Daniel Boone | PBS
Fess Parker and (co-star) Ed Ames on the transition from the Davy Crockett TV series to the similar (but different!) Daniel Boone series. Many worried the public wouldn't want to see Parker in... 00:39
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Pioneers of Television | Phyllis Diller on "The Ed Sullivan Show" | PBS (#103)
Comedienne Phyllis Diller describes how she ran into trouble on the "The Ed Sullivan Show." 01:43
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Phyllis Diller's TV Debut | PBS (#103)
Listen to Phyllis Diller comment on her first-ever television appearance on You Bet Your Life, with Groucho Marx. To see more on Phyllis Diller tune in to PIONEERS OF TELEVISION premiering on... 01:16
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Pioneers of Television | Johnathan Winters on Performing with Dean Martin | PBS (#103)
Comedian Johnathan Winters recalls a favorite skit he performed with fellow comedian Dean Martin. 02:41
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Tim Conway on "Turn On" | PBS (#104)
In this Web-only clip Tim Conway details the shortest-lived series ever, "Turn On" which was cancelled while the first episode was still on-the-air. To see more on Tim Conway tune in to PIONEERS OF... 01:38
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Florence Henderson | PBS (#101)
In this Web-only clip Florence Henderson talks about an unexpected event during a live television appearance. To see more on Florence Henderson tune in to PIONEERS OF TELEVISION premiering on... 01:16
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PIONEERS OF TELEVISION | Betty White's First Sitcom, "Life with Elizabeth" | PBS (#101)
In this Web-only clip from the PIONEERS OF TELEVISION Betty White talks about being the first woman ever to produce a sitcom—even before Lucille Ball. To learn more about PIONEERS OF TELEVISION... 03:35
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Pioneers of Television | Betty White's Favorite Late Night Skit | PBS (#102)
Actress Betty White describes performing a favorite skit with Johnny Carson and what happens when everything goes wrong on live television. 02:00
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Pioneers of Television | Dick Cavett on Meeting Johnny Carson | PBS (#102)
Comedian Dick Cavett recalls meeting a young Johnny Carson on the set of his television show in Omaha, Nebraska. 02:53
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