Pioneers of Television

The origins of the variety genre are traced, 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. Interviews featured: Carol Burnett, Pat Boone, Tony Orlando, Sid Caesar, Florence Henderson, Jim Nabors, Jerry Stiller, Andy Williams, Red Skelton and Milton Berle.

Trace the journey of people of color featured in American television — trailblazers including Diahann Carroll (Julia), Desi Arnaz (I Love Lucy), Edward James Olmos (Miami Vice), and George Takei (Star Trek). Additional perspectives are captured in interviews with Leslie Uggams and Whoopi Goldberg.

A look at the classic whodunits The Untouchables and Mannix; innovative dramas like Mission Impossible; and breakthrough series like Angie Dickinson’s Police Woman and Stephanie Powers’ The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. Interviews include: Angie Dickinson, Peter Graves, Martin Landau, Barbara Bain, Robert Culp, Stephanie Powers, Mike Connors, Stephen J. Cannell.

A nighttime soap frenzy kicks off in the 1980s with Dallas, and Dynasty and the long-running Knots Landing. Sometimes forgotten is the genre’s antecedent: 1964‘s Peyton Place, starring Mia Farrow and Ryan O’Neal. Featured interviews: Larry Hagman, Joan Collins, Patrick Duffy, Linda Evans, Diahann Carroll, Linda Gray, Charlene Tilton, Michelle Lee, Joan Van Ark, and Donna Mills.

Go behind the curtain to reveal the techniques of America’s favorite comedic actors. The manic improvisational styles of Robin Williams and his comic predecessor Jonathan Winters provides a fascinating contrast to Tina Fey's measured, highly prepared approach. Featured interviews include: Robin Williams, Tina Fey, Jonathan Winters, Dick Van Dyke, Jimmie Walker, and Cloris Leachman.

The contributions of late night hosts Johnny Carson, Steve Allen, and Jack Paar are featured. Merv Griffin emerges as a key player, Dick Cavett and Arsenio Hall discuss their years in the mix, and Regis Philbin offers revelations about his years as a late night sidekick to Joey Bishop. Sigourney Weaver offers personal details about her father Pat — the creator of "The Tonight Show."