The Encyclopedia of 20th Century American Television

Rating:
Summary: Total TV for the baby boomer generation
Review: As a baby-boomer I've always had an interest in television. I mean, in my case it's pretty much all I remember. Two reviews I read intrigued me and so I bought a copy of THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN TELEVISION.
David M. Lisa in his Library Journal review of Feb. 15, 2003 said: "Nearly three years ago, Facts on File published Lackmann's excellent THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN RADIO: An A-Z Guide to Radio from Jack Benny to Howard Stern. Its companion volume is just as valuable, in addition to being fun to read and use. Similar in scope and format to its predecessor, AMERICAN TELEVISION presents more than 1000 capsule descriptions of all major network and syndicated television series from 1947 through 2000, with entries for primary television personalities also included. The attention to detail that characterized AMERICAN RADIO is evident here as well, with listings of broadcast schedules, network information, and show trivia included in each description. In addition, Lackmann offers two excellent appendixes: a listing of the top-rated programs from 1952 to 1999 (divided by television season and including yearly ratings for each program) and Emmy Award winners from 1948 to 1999. Black and white photographs accompany the major entries, and the book's index makes it easy to find your favorite program or personality. Alex McNeil's TOTAL TELEVISION has a similar setup but only goes up to 1995, and while Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh's THE COMPLETE DIRECTORY OF PRIME TIME NETWORK AND CABLE TV SHOWS, 7th ed. covers cable, unlike Lackmann's book, it cuts off at 1998. Overall then AMERICAN TELEVISION is the most current, concise, and affordable work available on the subject. This important reference will be used by public and academic libraries for many years and is highly recommended."
Mark van Lummel, described the contents of this book in his review which was included in his list of newly released reference books. He said: "This survey encyclopedia, covers popular broadcast television shows and specials from 1945 to 2000. Standard appendixes of yearly top-rated programs and annual Emmy awards are included, along with a thorough index. The majority of entries are for programs and actors. Each program entry includes a description of the show, times the show aired, complete cast listings and notable guest stars, and the occasional interesting fact. Biographical entries include dates of birth and death, along with actor's television credits. Any significant acting work done outside of television is also mentioned. All entries are enhanced with excellent cross-references to related shows and actors. Coverage of special television events and programs is also included, but not extensive. While the author includes his criteria for selection, there are a few surprises in the actors and programs selected for inclusion." van Lummel also said, "Within its own limits, THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN TELEVISION is well written and easy to access".....and..."this encyclopedia may be considered an adequate addition for libraries that do not own other reference works on television programming history."

Rating:
Summary: A concise and useful reference book
Review: I can only find three things to fault with this book: it is riddled with errors; its entries are arbitrary and incomplete; and the indexing, where accurate, is inconsistent. Other than that, I must admit it has some redeeming features: the cover is attractively designed, the text is legible and it is printed on good quality paper. That about sums up the positives.

A complete list of the book's errors would constitute a fair-sized work in itself. Some of them are factual, e.g. that Don Adams was the cartoon voice of "Underdog." (While Adams did do another voice on that series for one season, the title character's was that of Wally Cox.) Many are inconsistencies: for example, in the entry for actor Gene Barry, it states that his "Burke's Law" character was a secret agent, while the entry for the series has it correctly, that he was an LAPD captain; for another, in the "Barney Miller" cast, Linda Lavin is listed as portraying a doctor, but the entry for Lavin has it right, that her character was a detective. And, while an author or compiler of a reference work is entitled to set the parameters for what that work will cover, it is unacceptable to then proceed to violate one's own rules. Lackmann does that here, repeatedly. While series are supposedly limited to those which lasted at least one full season, there are entries for those which did not meet this condition, but others are omitted which did, such successful series as "Laredo" and "Movin' On" (The latter is mentioned in the entry for Frank Converse, but even here there is an error: Converse is listed as the star of the series, when he actually took second billing to Claude Akins.) I also question the author's criteria for what personalities should be included. For example, why does actor Gardner McKay, who had one successful series before retiring early, rate three paragraphs, while such prolific, familiar and well-respected performers as Akins, Neville Brand and Frank Gorshin are mentioned only in passing, if at all?

The greatest error of omission, however, is in limiting the inclusions to productions from ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and WB(!). This ignores the numerous quality and innovative (to use one of the author's favorite words) programs from the Dumont network, which was a major player in the early days of the medium. Since the book is not entitled "Encyclopedia of *Late* 20th Century American Television," Dumont's output should have been included, at least more than just "Captain Video."

The writing is banal. (In addition to overusing certain terms, such as the aforementioned "innovative," the author apparently does not know the difference between "reportedly" and "purportedly" or between "descent" and "nationality."). Some statements are almost hilarious, for example that an actress's death was ignored by her fans of 50 years before; how many of them were still around to notice? The illustrations, nearly all publicity stills and studio portraits, add nothing to the book. All but one are from the author's own collection, which admittedly makes it easier to gain permissions.

Not recommended, in case you were still wondering.

Rating:
Summary: A SHODDY LOOK AT THE BOOB TUBE
Review: Readers tuning into Ron Lackmann's oversized paperback might find themselves tuning out. Before the show is over. Most of the entries are nothing more than cursory summaries. There are blatant omissions. Where, for example, is Liza Minnelli's body of TV work? Julie Harris'? Why does "Northern Exposure" --- an unimportant hit of the '90s --- gets more play than "The Judy Garland Show --- an important flop of the '60s? Such approaches are quixotic. Items are not cross-indexed; to find, say, Shirley Booth, you have to look up "Hazel." Hail us a "Taxi." Fast.

Rating:
Summary: A concise and useful reference book
Review: This is a wonderful, concise and helpful general reference souce for anyone researching the major television shows and stars of the past century. Unlike other books on the subject, The Encyclopedia of American Television, is easy to read, gives only the important highlights of each show and major personality and is a very attractive looking book. The photographs in the book are nostalgic and provocative. The back of the book has lists of the top twenty shows of the 20th Century, as well as Emmy winners. I think this book would be most useful to school aged children and adults who are interested in an overview of television and its major stars of the past century.

Rating:
Summary: Total TV for the baby boomer generation
Review: What a massive task, to review and include all the television shows from the beginning through 2000. Our first TV entered our home in '50 and has been a fixture ever since. So, to read the sketches for so many of the shows that have been available for this vast period has been a real treat. This book will serve as a useful reference for anyone researching the "vast wasteland" and/or is just looking back on their own history. You will like this book.

Rating:
Summary: Massive task well executed
Review: What a massive task, to review and include all the television shows from the beginning through 2000. Our first TV entered our home in '50 and has been a fixture ever since. So, to read the sketches for so many of the shows that have been available for this vast period has been a real treat. This book will serve as a useful reference for anyone researching the "vast wasteland" and/or is just looking back on their own history. You will like this book.