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The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946-Present
This guide to every program shown on nighttime network television between 1946 and 1978 features information on each program's broadcasting history, cast, and plot and contains daily program schedules
848 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
34 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Tim Brooks
23 books6 followersTim Brooks is a former network television executive and the author of several award-winning books on media, including the best-selling Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Syracuse University, he directed consumer research at NBC, USA Network, the Sci-Fi Channel (which he helped launch) and Lifetime Television. Concurrently he has been writing for many years about odd and interesting corners of our media world, including TV shows forgotten by writers but remembered by viewers, African-Americans in the earliest years of the recording industry, and most recently the fascinating history of college radio in the U.S.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 9, 2010
(This review is for the ninth edition)
In many ways, this book automatically deserves five stars. Herein you will find a listing for every American television series which aired since that very first TV season in 1946. The listings contain cast and airdate information, as well as a synopsis, which varies in size, and sometimes notes on the production. Clearly, this is a labour of love for these two very devoted authors, and it shows in their dedication.
Without sounding too negative about their great work, however, there are a few things that I found frustrating:
1) Obviously they had to make a distinction between what qualifies as a "TV series". There has to be an arbitrary line, of course, and so various syndicated series miss out, which is fine. However, sometimes it gets a bit silly: for instance, the sequel miniseries "North and South II" is included but not the original one, due to the number of weeks each aired. Again, I understand that without drawing a line, the guys would never be able to finish the book, but there are certain situations such as this one, where the reader feels as if a little leeway would've been helpful.
2) Sometimes there are errors in plot details, or lazy descriptions. Again, I don't think is really a flaw: undoubtedly there are some shows which the authors don't watch, or didn't watch closely, and details get missed when reading guides to programs. But perhaps now that the book is in its ninth edition, they could branch out and incorporate further proof-readers with knowledge of additional programs?
3) The plot summaries vary greatly in size, but by no measurable standard. Obviously no one among us can say which shows are more "important" or "better". However, there are instances where I am gobsmacked by the half-page synopsis for a fascinating show, and then further awed when I read the two-page detailed summary of a show that is largely forgotten. For instance, David E. Kelley's "Boston Legal" is considerably less examined than "Boston Public", a series I'm sure most critics would call inferior, and which undeniably had a less public persona throughout its run. (Even if you hate both of them, no one can deny that the casting woes, meta-referential intricacies and gradual change in tone toward passionate liberal discourse on a weekly basis, must merit some further consideration of "Legal"?) Again, I am aware that the authors have subjective tastes themselves, but as experts in the field, they must be aware of the impact individual shows had on the television landscape.
4) And finally, the big one for me: the authors don't seem certain about whether they're including behind-the-scenes information or not, which is to the book's great detriment. With some shows of course - "It's About Time", for instance - it's inevitable that you include discussion, since the series' entire format changed midway through the run. But occasional entries will spend half the discussion on audience response or behind-the-scenes info, while other series won't so much as waste a sentence on critical reaction. If the authors were aiming to write an encyclopedia of television plots, that's all well and good, yet they do often wander into behind-the-scenes discussion, so clearly they're not against the idea. Any TV fan will be able to pick out many shows where the entry could've spent less time discussing a minor romantic subplot and devoted that space to information about changing viewer tastes/casting dilemmas/series legacy, etc.
So, in spite of that laundry list, I advocate this book very strongly. With the exception of the final point, the others are all minor stylistic details which don't get in the way of the marvel that is this work. In this day and age, that a book can still hold so much more information than any website is impressive. Many is a night when, in researching one show, I have stumbled upon three or four others on the same page which I've never heard of. This is a treasure trove, and I sincerely hope it continues to be updated in the future. Only true TV fans could create such a work. (Guys? If you're thinking of retiring, give me a call!)
In many ways, this book automatically deserves five stars. Herein you will find a listing for every American television series which aired since that very first TV season in 1946. The listings contain cast and airdate information, as well as a synopsis, which varies in size, and sometimes notes on the production. Clearly, this is a labour of love for these two very devoted authors, and it shows in their dedication.
Without sounding too negative about their great work, however, there are a few things that I found frustrating:
1) Obviously they had to make a distinction between what qualifies as a "TV series". There has to be an arbitrary line, of course, and so various syndicated series miss out, which is fine. However, sometimes it gets a bit silly: for instance, the sequel miniseries "North and South II" is included but not the original one, due to the number of weeks each aired. Again, I understand that without drawing a line, the guys would never be able to finish the book, but there are certain situations such as this one, where the reader feels as if a little leeway would've been helpful.
2) Sometimes there are errors in plot details, or lazy descriptions. Again, I don't think is really a flaw: undoubtedly there are some shows which the authors don't watch, or didn't watch closely, and details get missed when reading guides to programs. But perhaps now that the book is in its ninth edition, they could branch out and incorporate further proof-readers with knowledge of additional programs?
3) The plot summaries vary greatly in size, but by no measurable standard. Obviously no one among us can say which shows are more "important" or "better". However, there are instances where I am gobsmacked by the half-page synopsis for a fascinating show, and then further awed when I read the two-page detailed summary of a show that is largely forgotten. For instance, David E. Kelley's "Boston Legal" is considerably less examined than "Boston Public", a series I'm sure most critics would call inferior, and which undeniably had a less public persona throughout its run. (Even if you hate both of them, no one can deny that the casting woes, meta-referential intricacies and gradual change in tone toward passionate liberal discourse on a weekly basis, must merit some further consideration of "Legal"?) Again, I am aware that the authors have subjective tastes themselves, but as experts in the field, they must be aware of the impact individual shows had on the television landscape.
4) And finally, the big one for me: the authors don't seem certain about whether they're including behind-the-scenes information or not, which is to the book's great detriment. With some shows of course - "It's About Time", for instance - it's inevitable that you include discussion, since the series' entire format changed midway through the run. But occasional entries will spend half the discussion on audience response or behind-the-scenes info, while other series won't so much as waste a sentence on critical reaction. If the authors were aiming to write an encyclopedia of television plots, that's all well and good, yet they do often wander into behind-the-scenes discussion, so clearly they're not against the idea. Any TV fan will be able to pick out many shows where the entry could've spent less time discussing a minor romantic subplot and devoted that space to information about changing viewer tastes/casting dilemmas/series legacy, etc.
So, in spite of that laundry list, I advocate this book very strongly. With the exception of the final point, the others are all minor stylistic details which don't get in the way of the marvel that is this work. In this day and age, that a book can still hold so much more information than any website is impressive. Many is a night when, in researching one show, I have stumbled upon three or four others on the same page which I've never heard of. This is a treasure trove, and I sincerely hope it continues to be updated in the future. Only true TV fans could create such a work. (Guys? If you're thinking of retiring, give me a call!)
February 20, 2014
Best Reference Book for a TV Junkie
Anyone who grew up in 70s and 80s watching TV shows can not forget the amount of entertainment and enjoyment, week after week, the TV shows brought them and their families right in their living room. It is obvious for many of us to relate to the characters of our favorite shows. I loved both comedies and dramas and I have long list of favorites. After all these years still many of us like to read about the shows we once enjoyed so much; even tiny details such as what day of the week Three's Company aired on ABC, and what time? What was the show line up for that day on ABC and what were the competitors shows (CBS and NBC). Who won Emmy for best actor for comedy in 1980, etc? Such questions jump on us and we need a book to provide such information. This book by Brooks and Marsh serve that purpose; it is a wealth of information for a small price. This comprehensive guide lists every program alphabetically and includes a complete broadcast history, cast, and engaging plot summary- along with exciting behind-the-scenes stories about the shows and the stars. In short this book has almost everything you ever want to know about your favorite TV shows. I highly recommend this to everyone who has interest in TV shows.
Anyone who grew up in 70s and 80s watching TV shows can not forget the amount of entertainment and enjoyment, week after week, the TV shows brought them and their families right in their living room. It is obvious for many of us to relate to the characters of our favorite shows. I loved both comedies and dramas and I have long list of favorites. After all these years still many of us like to read about the shows we once enjoyed so much; even tiny details such as what day of the week Three's Company aired on ABC, and what time? What was the show line up for that day on ABC and what were the competitors shows (CBS and NBC). Who won Emmy for best actor for comedy in 1980, etc? Such questions jump on us and we need a book to provide such information. This book by Brooks and Marsh serve that purpose; it is a wealth of information for a small price. This comprehensive guide lists every program alphabetically and includes a complete broadcast history, cast, and engaging plot summary- along with exciting behind-the-scenes stories about the shows and the stars. In short this book has almost everything you ever want to know about your favorite TV shows. I highly recommend this to everyone who has interest in TV shows.
September 28, 2018
... the "present", in this case, being 1979.
A nice reference work and fun reminder of my misspent youth. I actually read it, cover to cover (a daunting task) and came away with a new understanding of the history of television - a history dominated by a seemingly endless supply of bad ideas and lame executions but also overlooked gems.
A nice reference work and fun reminder of my misspent youth. I actually read it, cover to cover (a daunting task) and came away with a new understanding of the history of television - a history dominated by a seemingly endless supply of bad ideas and lame executions but also overlooked gems.
April 30, 2008
This is the best book ever written about primetime TV shows from 1946 to present. Great for research, Trivia or just fun reading. I have been through this book at least 5 times in the past 4 years and try to get the newest edityion out every few years!
July 3, 2010
this one wins all kinds of trivia games.
March 14, 2017
"M*A*S*H" goes off the air in 1983.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2022
Review originally published July 2004
It is almost de rigueur for librarians to tout the evils of television compared to the benefits of reading. As librarians, and as parents and grandparents, we may not-so-discreetly suggest that a child turn off that electronic mind-waster, open a book, and use his or her imagination.
And yet, I always feel a slight tug of hypocrisy when I get on the "TV=bad/books=good" bandwagon since, as a front-line baby boomer, I was ecstatic when our family got its first television. No matter that we got only one station and that the reception was lousy. I was hooked. Is it a boast or an embarrassment to say that even today I can usually hum the melody and rattle off the words to commercials from 40-year-old TV shows? (Do you know what LSMFT means?)
Anyway, I have the perfect temporary solution to the read-or-watch conundrum. We just received the latest edition of The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. You can read about those great old TV shows and thus participate in the best of both worlds!
Want to know what TV shows were spin-offs from other shows? What were the theme songs from your favorite shows from the 60s? What were the longest running series? What TV shows also aired on the radio? Want to verify the name of the actors in your favorite shows? Need some help remembering just what your favorite shows were? This is the book for you.
This is a reference book in a very user-friendly format. Undoubtedly, much of the information in it can be found on the Internet, but not in such an organized, fun-to-read way. Plus, it has a terrific appendix with the kind of trivia questions (and answers) we boomers love. What did Jim Anderson do for a living on Father Knows Best? Where did Ida Morgenstern live? Who played Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke? What was Maxwell Smart’s agent number on Get Smart?
Back when I was young and a million dollars went a lot further than it does today, there was a show I thought was the best. It was called, helpfully, The Millionaire, and I daydreamed about eccentric multibillionaire, Mr. John Beresford Tipton, sending his agent, Michael Anthony, to present me with that cashier’s check for one million dollars.
Well, Mr. Anthony never came, but just reading about that wonderful old series makes me feel wealthy. Chances are you, too, will find that this is one reference book that will jog your memory, make you wistful, and help you to enjoy those reruns even more!
Find similar titles within our catalog.
It is almost de rigueur for librarians to tout the evils of television compared to the benefits of reading. As librarians, and as parents and grandparents, we may not-so-discreetly suggest that a child turn off that electronic mind-waster, open a book, and use his or her imagination.
And yet, I always feel a slight tug of hypocrisy when I get on the "TV=bad/books=good" bandwagon since, as a front-line baby boomer, I was ecstatic when our family got its first television. No matter that we got only one station and that the reception was lousy. I was hooked. Is it a boast or an embarrassment to say that even today I can usually hum the melody and rattle off the words to commercials from 40-year-old TV shows? (Do you know what LSMFT means?)
Anyway, I have the perfect temporary solution to the read-or-watch conundrum. We just received the latest edition of The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. You can read about those great old TV shows and thus participate in the best of both worlds!
Want to know what TV shows were spin-offs from other shows? What were the theme songs from your favorite shows from the 60s? What were the longest running series? What TV shows also aired on the radio? Want to verify the name of the actors in your favorite shows? Need some help remembering just what your favorite shows were? This is the book for you.
This is a reference book in a very user-friendly format. Undoubtedly, much of the information in it can be found on the Internet, but not in such an organized, fun-to-read way. Plus, it has a terrific appendix with the kind of trivia questions (and answers) we boomers love. What did Jim Anderson do for a living on Father Knows Best? Where did Ida Morgenstern live? Who played Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke? What was Maxwell Smart’s agent number on Get Smart?
Back when I was young and a million dollars went a lot further than it does today, there was a show I thought was the best. It was called, helpfully, The Millionaire, and I daydreamed about eccentric multibillionaire, Mr. John Beresford Tipton, sending his agent, Michael Anthony, to present me with that cashier’s check for one million dollars.
Well, Mr. Anthony never came, but just reading about that wonderful old series makes me feel wealthy. Chances are you, too, will find that this is one reference book that will jog your memory, make you wistful, and help you to enjoy those reruns even more!
Find similar titles within our catalog.
July 8, 2018
A great resource for skimming and scanning if you are wanting to find your favorite series - or you could go the long way and read the text piece by piece. I do wish that there would be an update though, I believe the latest update was 2007, and there are whole new genres of TV that have been unearthed since the latest publication.
January 1, 2025
This book is the Bible 2. It includes every single TV show that has ever been on, sorted by title, airdate, network, production company, timeslot, whether Laurie Metcalf has been on it, how racist it is, if it is funny, and if it is related to dinosaurs. I spent three hundred hours reading this book cover to cover and I learned some things about what life is like.
September 23, 2021
A great precursor to the IMDb.
Read
January 9, 2022I borrowed an older copy--hardcover & published in 1979--from my aunt. Reference books are my favorite thing and this is no exception.
August 17, 2025
very informative and concise
February 12, 2013
This descriptive review was written in February 2013, but was based on the 1979 edition of this book. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946-Present is an amazingly comprehensive guide to all the prime-time television shows from 1946 to 1978. For each show, it provides telecast dates, a broadcast history, a cast list, and a descriptive narrative about the show. It also provides prime-time TV schedules for each year, a list of Emmy award winners for each year, a list of top-rated programs for each year, a list of the longest running TV series, a list of hit songs from television, and an index of personalities and performers. It is a fun reference book on those old TV shows that some of us are old enough to care about. Oh, and there are updated editions of this book that cover TV shows into the 2000s.
February 20, 2013
I've got about 3 copies of this book & I love it more with every update. I'm a huge TV fan, so any book dealing with facts about it is just what I need. I wouldn't say I've read it cover to cover, but probably a larger portion than most people. Air dates, short descriptions (Now I know all about L.A. Law!), past network schedules & now a lot more cable shows are included. Considering how cable is now a bigger deal than the big four, this book just became more relevant. I know I could probably look all this up online, but trust me the book is better.
June 29, 2021
When I was a kid and had no interest in reading I begged my mom to buy this book so I could learn about every network show that ever aired on television. It came in handy a few years later when my history teacher told us his favorite TV show was the 1950s show Richard Diamond, Private Eye with David Janssen. I used this book as a reference to give an oral report about the show and it's short life. These days I create TV and I spend more time reading books.
November 22, 2017
I have the 6th edition, which came out after the 94-95 TV season. Before the internet, a valuable reference guide. Even a little better than IMDb because it has the fall prime time grid to see what shows were opposite each other in the beginning of the fall season. Sometimes before the VCR you had to make a choice, Buck Rogers or Mork & Mindy...
May 16, 2010
I've read this over a long stretch - fascinating look at TV over time in several different ways (and a great bathroom book!).
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews