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IMDbPro

Pioneers of Television

  • TV Series
  • 2008–20192008–2019
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 55m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
231
YOUR RATING
Pioneers of Television (2008)
Pioneers Of Television
Play trailer2:37
3 Videos
47 Photos
  • Documentary
  • History
A documentary series focusing on the legends that helped launched TV and left lasting impression on sitcoms, talk shows, variety shows and game shows in television's early years.A documentary series focusing on the legends that helped launched TV and left lasting impression on sitcoms, talk shows, variety shows and game shows in television's early years.A documentary series focusing on the legends that helped launched TV and left lasting impression on sitcoms, talk shows, variety shows and game shows in television's early years.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
231
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Dick Van Dyke
    • Phyllis Diller
    • Betty White
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Dick Van Dyke
    • Phyllis Diller
    • Betty White
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 3User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 3 nominations total

    Episodes18

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos3

    Pioneers Of Television
    Trailer 2:37
    Pioneers Of Television
    Pioneers Of Television: Season 4
    Trailer 0:31
    Pioneers Of Television: Season 4
    Pioneers Of Television: Robin Williams Remembered
    Trailer 0:30
    Pioneers Of Television: Robin Williams Remembered

    Photos47

    Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Diahann Carroll in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Jerry Seinfeld in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Adam West in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Robin Williams in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Carol Burnett in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Jonathan Winters and Tom Smothers in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Jackie Gleason and Art Carney in Pioneers of Television (2008)
    Lucille Ball in Pioneers of Television (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dick Van Dyke
    Dick Van Dyke
    • Self…
    6 episodes6 eps • 2008–2019
    Phyllis Diller
    Phyllis Diller
    • Self
    6 episodes6 eps • 2008–2019
    Betty White
    Betty White
    • Self…
    6 episodes6 eps • 2008–2019
    Florence Henderson
    Florence Henderson
    • Self
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2014
    Tim Conway
    Tim Conway
    • Self…
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2019
    Benjamin Bratt
    Benjamin Bratt
    • Narrator
    Robert Culp
    Robert Culp
    • Self
    4 episodes4 eps • 2011–2014
    Martin Landau
    Martin Landau
    • Self
    4 episodes4 eps • 2011–2014
    Kelsey Grammer
    Kelsey Grammer
    • Narrator
    Ryan Seacrest
    Ryan Seacrest
    • Narrator
    Bill Cosby
    Bill Cosby
    • Self…
    4 episodes4 eps • 2011–2014
    Adam West
    Adam West
    • Self…
    4 episodes4 eps • 2011–2013
    Jimmie Walker
    Jimmie Walker
    • Self
    4 episodes4 eps • 2013–2014
    Cloris Leachman
    Cloris Leachman
    • Self
    5 episodes5 eps • 2011–2019
    Carol Burnett
    Carol Burnett
    • Self…
    5 episodes5 eps • 2008–2019
    Jonathan Winters
    Jonathan Winters
    • Self…
    4 episodes4 eps • 2008–2014
    Barbara Eden
    Barbara Eden
    • Self…
    4 episodes4 eps • 2008–2019
    Vicki Lawrence
    Vicki Lawrence
    • Self…
    4 episodes4 eps • 2008–2019
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Season 1 Episode 1 includes Andy Griffith's last-ever interview.
    • Connections
      Spoofed in The Doctor J & Dangerous Dave Dog & Pony Show: Kidnapping Story Part Two (2016)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Top review
    3/10
    Worth it for the clips. Otherwise a disappointment
    This comment refers specifically to the "Late Night" segment of the mini-series.

    The narration contains several glaring moments of very bad writing and is overly "Burnsian" in its slow, serious delivery. The omission of David Letterman among the interviewees leaves one wondering whether he refused or someone had an ax to grind. The parade of past guests as interviewees also suffers from missing figures, particularly those who were regulars on Carson's show.

    The show also fails to give the viewer much insight into the off camera personalities of its subjects. We learn (?) that Carson was a shy, private person and that if you didn't hear from him you were doing a good job and that if you did hear from him it was likely to be unvarnished opinion. At this late date can we not get deeper?

    Overall, a disappointment; it should have been better.
    helpful•12
    15
    • MixMaven
    • Jan 11, 2008

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 2, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Pioneers of Television PBS (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Pioneros de la televisión
    • Production company
      • Boettcher/Trinklein Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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