Rating: 
Summary: a solid reference guide
Review: Although Brooks & Marsh don't cover as many series as Alex McNeil's <em>Total Television</em>, they make up for it by providing much more detail on the series they do cover. If you're not so much a fan of daytime TV, get this book. Otherwise, I think you will want both.
Rating:
Summary: Best Reference Book for a TV Junkie
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Very good book on TV shows
Review: As a young (29) person who is still building a collection of classic TV shows, I found this book a very valuable tool. I don't like it that it says 'to present' in the title, because it seems like a ... trick to have people buy it once it's outdated. Anyway, I'm going to comment first on what the book has, and the on the flaws. The book comes with a list of more than 5,500 TV series. Each entry includes original and last air dates, cast and a synopsis, and often interesting notes. It also comes with the primetime schedules for all networks since 1947, a list of Emmy winner, and several rankings (top-rated programs, longest-running series, top 100 series, etc. The index is good, too.
The flaws: Information is not always accurate. I'd like to say this is occasional, but I have spotted several mistakes, and well, I haven't watched all 5500 series, as you can imagine. If I found like 5-6 mistakes in 30 series I really checked (even watched the tapes to make sure), I wonder what the real ratio is. Also, there's missing shows (mostly from HBO and/or the last year, which probably means they didn't put a lot of work in updating the book). Still, I think this is a great book to buy for TV fans. However, the information it contains can be easily found on the web (the list of Emmy winners, or information about shows, etc are freely available), so for the casual person who just wants to check a specific fact, it's probably not worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: The Single Best TV Reference Work Today and Tomorrow
Review: Brooks and Marsh have compiled what is far and away the best reference book for prime time television. Each entry includes the genre, the dates of first and last broadcast, the broadcast history of the show as to times and days of the week, and the cast members (hosts or regulars for reality programming). Then there is a description of the program, the length of which depends on how long that particular program aired. Clearly, the basics are covered in this compilation. My guess is that sooner or later they are going to have to come out with a CD-Rom edition or they are going to have to do two volumes. The other strengths of this volume are the introductory essay "A Short History of Network Television" and the Appendixes which provide Prime Time Schedules, Emmy Award Winners, Top-Rated Programs by Season, Longest-Running Series, The Top 100 Series of All Time, Prime Time Series Reunion Telecasts, Series Airing in Prime Time on More Than One Network, Prime Time Spinoffs, Prime Time Series Based on Movies, Prime Time Network TV Series that Also Aired on Network Radio, and Hit Theme Songs from Series. The Index of Personalities and Performers allows you to track your favorites from series to series throughout the history of the tube. In regards to their introductory examination of the trends in programming that have created specific eras in prime time, I would argue that Brooks and Marsh jumped the gun a little bit on characterizing the 1990s as the Ear of Choice. Certainly that is where we are now, but for the first part of that decade I think that network programming was dominated by female oriented programs. The Nielsen Top 10 included "Roseanne," "Murphy Brown," "The Golden Girls," "Designing Women," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Grace Under Fire" at some point during that period. Even shows will male stars-such as "Home Improvement" and "Coach"-presented ironic portraits of the traditional macho male. By presenting traditional males in explicit comic and inherently negative ways, even these shows work into the feminist perspective. Clearly women as the dominate audience for television were being courted by such shows and I think that constitutes a distinct era for Brooks and Marsh to include. Note: If you are looking for a book that covers daytime programming, then Alex O'Neill's "Total Television" is where you want to start.
Rating:
Summary: The most complete source of TV trivia -- Loaded with facts!
Review: From the very beginnings of television in America, every prime time program ever aired is listed in this fantastic research book! Whether you forgot the name of The Lone Ranger's sidekick or wondered what different actors played Mr. Wilson on "Dennis The Menace", this book has those and thousands of other facts. Thinking back about the shows I loved as a kid can now be enhanced by actually getting all of my vague guesses "right". -- I've settled many bets with this book! I'm convinced that any tv enthusiast (whether into the classics or today's programs) will get a lot of mileage out of this incredible resource book. This edition (the 7th) covers programs aired between 1946 and 1999. "Will & Grace" aren't in yet, but "Dharma & Greg" are. If there ever is "nothing on tv", snuggle up with this entertaining book and read up on the tv shows you love. The best 20 bucks I ever spent!
Rating:
Summary: A book to make Homer drool
Review: I already have two earlier editions of this TV bible and had to have this new one. It's more than worth the money. I'll read this one cover to cover as soon as I can bestill my beating heart. I've checked out the write-ups for newer shows such as Buffy -- the authors have proven that they're still in top form. This edition even includes a trivia section, which I will attempt after reading the 1500 or so pages of television history. A must-have for anyone who watches TV.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant.
Review: I borrowed the book from a friend and he had a difficult time getting it back. I had a lot of laughs reflecting on the many hours of viewing pleasure I have had over the years and I must say it brought back many fond memories. I loved it so much I had to have my own copy.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put it Down
Review: I first received this book (4th edition, I think) as a Christmas present from my brother back in '88. I enjoyed this book so much, I couldn't put it down. With this book, I can find out when these shows aired, what time they were on, what days they aired, and even what network they were originally shown on. I can even find out what was on the fall TV schedule for a particular year. I always look forward to finding new entries and updates for current shows in future editions. I currently have four editions of this book.
Rating:
Summary: Gets better all the time :-)
Review: I have been purchasing this book ever since the 1st edition in May of 79. While it's true typoes are made and other mistakes occur, they aren't serious ones, and are usually remedied by the next issue 3 years later. In addition, Brooks and Marsh include new info on old shows at times. For example, the 7th edition is the first to identify Wrangler Jane from F Troop's middle and last name "Jane Angelica Thrift". A must have for every tv fan.
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever printed. A must have!
Review: I have three editions of this, I upgrade about every 5-10 years. Just want to say that this is a required reference for trivila, facts, solving crossward puzzles, and most of all, settling arguments at the office, home, or other work place. Along with Leonard Maltin's movie book, it is all one needs to watch TV correctly.
|
