Forbidden Channels: The Truth They Hide from TV Guide

by Penny Stallings

Uncovers the rumors, scandals, and secrets of television stars, and covers their feuds, early roles, and tabloid headlines

Genres: Nonfiction

222 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[TrumanCoyote · Rating 3 out of 5]

In truth, this book isn't anywhere near as titillating as the subtitle seems to promise. Most everything here I'd already heard before.

[William Razavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title promises that this will be a real scandal rag (I'm sure the popularity of Kenneth Anger's Hollywood Babylon played into the marketing) but this is more of a gentle overview of television history. If you're looking for real dirt you'll have to dig it up on your own and there's plenty to be found. What's interesting here is that this is a good first draft look at the way television operated in the days when there was still a distinction between different kinds of stars (and when going from film to TV was a genuine demotion or end of career move).
It's fun to look at some of the pronouncements here about television as many of them have become obsolete ideas now that television is both widescreen and high definition. Times really have changed.
And of course, streaming has come along and changed all of that yet again. This book, coming in 1991 really is a last look at what was.
And in terms of covering some of that history it has some rare photos (the author notes that unlike film, television didn't produce much in the way of print promo photos until later in the game so a good chunk of early television is not only lost media but has very little in the way of other visual record of its existence.).
The snarky tone keeps things lively so it's actually a fun read with a lot of cool b/w photos and occasionally a really good analysis of the medium. Worth taking a look at.