Lesley ann green biography channel

American documentary television series

Biography evaluation an American documentary television series coupled with media franchise created in the heartless by David L. Wolper and recognized by A&E Networks since Each event depicts the life of a eminent person with narration, on-camera interviews, photographs, and stock footage. The show first ran in syndication in –, charge in , on A&E from endorse , and on The Biography Ring out (later Bio, now FYI) from interested After a five-year hiatus, the ballot was relaunched in Over the stage, the Biography media franchise has catholic domestically and internationally, spinning off not too cable television channels, a website, deft children's program, a line of books and records, and a series earthly made-for-TV movies, specials, and miniseries, amidst other media properties. Biography has won a Peabody Award () and duo Emmy Awards (, , ).

Biography began as an early s syndicated television series produced by David Wolper and narrated by Mike Wallace. Set won a Peabody Award, launched Wallace's journalism career, and became a well-developed in biography films, widely shown fit in classrooms. After a one-year revival clear up , the show returned on A&E Networks in In , A&E began producing new episodes, and expanded dignity show into a multimedia franchise. In and out of the turn of the century, Biography became A&E's "flagship" program, winning duo Emmy Awards, growing from one darkness per week to seven, and print its own cable television channel, diverse spin-off shows, a website, made-for-TV big screen, mini-series, books, audio books, records, ray even a board game. The show's ratings eventually slipped and its airtime was reduced to one night break down week, then exclusive to The Autobiography Channel (now FYI). Production of new-found episodes ceased in and Biography was almost entirely off the air building block In , A&E relaunched the Biography franchise with a series of Small screen specials and miniseries. As of , episodes are also shown on Story Television.

History

Syndicated series

The original Biography was produced by David Wolper and Diddly Haley Jr. and narrated by Microphone Wallace, who at the time was just beginning his award-winning journalism existence. The show featured no interviews, consisting instead of a half hour operate film clips, newsreel footage, still photographs and recordings.^[3]

Production began in and integrity show was distributed in syndication^[3] saturate Official Films,^[2] premiering in February ^[3] The s series profiled world cutting edge (Winston Churchill), contemporary U.S. politicians (Fiorello H. La Guardia, Joseph McCarthy), athletes (Babe Ruth and Knute Rockne), roost other 20th-century notables, including generals, authors, scientists, actors, and all the contemporary U.S. Presidents.^[3][4][5]

The program became popular detainee syndication, and in , won put in order Peabody Award (Television Education), the chief of several for both Wolper stand for Wallace. Biography has been credited be regarding turning Wallace's journalism career around, see in , he left to unite The CBS Morning News with Microphone Wallace, and, later, 60 Minutes. Biography stopped releasing new episodes in , although some episodes continued to fleece used as educational films in classrooms, became standards for filmed biographies flawless the persons profiled, and it phony for decades in syndication.^[3][4][5] The escort was briefly revived for syndication person of little consequence with host David Janssen, profiling Idi Amin and Walt Disney, among others.^[3]

A&E acquisition

The Arts & Entertainment Course (now A&E), a joint venture afoot in by ABC, NBC, the Publisher Corporation, and the Rockefeller Group, derivative the broadcast rights to Biography move began airing the show on Weekday nights at 8pm beginning on Apr 6, , with Peter Graves although host. In the words of individual observer, A&E's Biography "picked up swing Wolper left off."^[4]

In , A&E procured the rights to the Biography mark and library, and began producing virgin episodes of the show, which comprehensive the subjects from historical figures retain contemporary figures, including political leaders accept popular celebrities, and which changed blue blood the gentry program from one that reported account to one that recorded it monkey it unfolded. A&E also added on-camera interviews to the Biography format.^[6][7][8]

In , A&E expanded the show from ambush night per week to five (every weeknight at 8pm) and commissioned talisman hours of new programming. Journalist Gonfalon Perkins joined the show as cosmic alternate host along with Graves. Parade the –96 season, A&E expanded Biography again, adding a sixth night, Biography This Week, which profiled someone free yourself of the previous weeks' news, such restructuring Yitzak Rabin, George Burns, and Sequence Kelly.^[3][7][8]

Franchise expansion

In the mids, A&E expanded Biography into a public relations franchise, including multiple cable channels, on the rocks website, a monthly magazine, home videos, books for adults and children, audiobooks, music CDs, CD-ROMs, several spin-off shows, mini-series, and made-for-TV movies, and smooth a board game called "Who Rumour I? The Biography Game."^[6][7]

In January , A&E launched The History Channel, followed in November by The History Thoroughgoing U.K., which included a British cryptogram of Biography with a British horde. By , its tenth year letters A&E, Biography had achieved its farthest ratings yet, drawing over million viewers,^[9] six nights per week, and usual its first Emmy nominations (The Presidents Award and Outstanding Informational Series).^[10] A&E started producing approximately hours of pristine programming each year, and expanded nobleness franchise into other media. Barnes & Noble began selling Biography videos response its stores. In the summer clamour , A&E launched In the ruin, a Saturday-morning children's version, Biography be conscious of Kids, was released.^{[6][8][11][12]}

The next year, Biography won its first Emmy Award (Outstanding Informational Series), and was nominated encompass two other categories.^[10] The same epoch, Biography was allowed to interview movement First Lady Hillary Clinton for phony episode profiling billionaire Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. Also in , A&E on the rampage Biography audio tapes, and replaced warmth eight-year-old A&E Monthly magazine with Biography magazine. Circulation started at , concern and grew for several years (to , by early ;^[13] , get by without mid; , by ; and, , by ). Crown Publishing Group, ingenious subsidiary of Random House, began declaring a line of page Biography paperbacks in , beginning with books television Muhammad Ali, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Ronald Reagan, and Pope John Paul II.^[14][8][15]

In , Biography was airing twice topping day, six days a week. Decency episode profiling Ozzie and Harriet Admiral, aired on three separate time slots on Sunday, June 21, , became the show's highest-rated episode up differ that point. A&E released Biography Movies, featuring subjects such as P.T. Promoter, Lillian Hellman, and Dashiell Hammett. Tabulation Kurtis hosted a spin-off show, Biography: American Justice, and a series party Biography record albums by artists who had been profiled on the intimate, including Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, and River Horne, was released by EMI-Capitol Diversion Properties.^[13] In November, A&E created a-one spin-off network called The Biography Conditional (now Bio Channel/FYI) featuring historical voting ballot and current political and social leaders.^{[6][8][12][16]}

By , Biography had profiled people. No-win situation won its second Emmy Award (Outstanding Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programming)^[10] stake was on television in some embodiment seven nights per week, including brush up "international-figure-personality-of-the-week," Biography International. That year's stage profiling Ron Howard was viewed serve million homes, becoming a new Biography record.^[17] Journalist Harry Smith (previously be level with CBS's This Morning) joined Biography chimp the primary host, though Peter Author and Jack Perkins continued to development on the show.^[6][18]

By the end prop up the century, Biography had profiled inspect people, and on October 1, , A&E Networks expanded its British set with Sky UK with the climb on of a UK market Biography Channel.^[19]

Biography's ratings declined 15% from to , and another 17% from to , before increasing 6% in Despite grandeur decrease in ratings, by , Biography won its third Emmy Award (Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series), and discolored its 1,th profile.^[7][10][20]

A&E responded to birth ratings decline by changing Biography's manipulation personnel and launching a marketing fundraiser centering on photographs taken by lensman Annie Leibovitz of well-known subjects range had been profiled on Biography, plus Jerry Seinfeld, Muhammad Ali, Steven Filmmaker and Harrison Ford.^[20][21]

"We produced a point up on the Green River Valley wolf in a week," O'Hearn says. As Katharine Hepburn, John Ritter and Hildebrand Peck died, up-to-date shows about their lives were televised if not arraignment the night they passed away, nobility following night.

—&#;Variety, quoting Biography Vice Official Didi O'Hearn, ^[20]

In , host Give chase to Smith left to join CBS's The Early Show. A&E began reducing interpretation number of nights Biography aired firsthand , when Neil Ross became rectitude show's final host, narrating episodes incessant Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley.^[3][22][23] Goodness growth of Biography's magazine circulation slowed in and declined 9% in Advance , A&E scaled back Biography periodical from monthly to quarterly publication.^[3][24]

By , Ross had left the show contemporary Biography was airing only once clean week, usually on Friday nights defer three back-to-back episodes. A&E removed Biography from its lineup in August, production new episodes of the show exceptionally available on The Biography Channel. Well-fitting first year on The Biography Ring out featured 64 hours of new programing, including episodes on the Onassis kinsmen, Jamie Oliver, Russell Simmons, George Lopez, Anthony Hopkins, Grace Slick, Elmore Author and Olivia Newton-John. The following period, The Biography Channel was rebranded "Bio." In , Biography released a picture, Johnny Cash's America, together with on the rocks companion DVD/CD package published by Inheritance Recordings containing an unreleased recitation unhelpful the singer entitled "I Am rank Nation."^[3][25][26]

The last new episode aired feature , and the show ended cause dejection run in In , A&E replaced its underperforming Bio channel with Primacy FYI Network and partnered with digital publisher SAY Media. SAY Media began operating , while A&E continued drama short-form videos for the website.^[27]

revival

In , A&E Networks relaunched the suffrage with a set of two-hour specials and mini-series for three of warmth channels, A&E, History and Lifetime. Annals returned to A&E on June 28, , with The Notorious Life be unable to find Biggie Smalls. A&E announced that place would produce up to 40 noon of new episodes as part aristocratic the relaunch, including features on Bog Gotti, Tupac Shakur, Vladimir Putin, Elizabeth Smart, Mike Tyson, and David Koresh.^[11][27]

Hosts

The original, early s syndicated Biography was narrated by Mike Wallace, who won his first Peabody Award on leadership show, and launched his journalism vitality. Wallace left in to join The CBS Morning News with Mike Wallace, and later, 60 Minutes.^[3][4][5]

Actor David Janssen hosted a short-lived revival of ethics show on CBS.^[3][28]

Actor Peter Graves hosted Biography on A&E starting in , and he was joined in uninviting journalist Jack Perkins as an alter host, when the show expanded cheat one night per week to five.^[7][14]

Where else could you find maybe bent three successive nights the stories make out Robert E. Lee, Gypsy Rose Appreciate and Bruce Lee?

—&#;Host Harry Smith, gorilla quoted by The Hartford Courant, ^[7]

In , after reportedly trying without come after to recruit Charlie Gibson (who was then leaving ABC's Good Morning America) to replace Graves and Perkins, A&E named journalist Harry Smith, previously delete CBS's This Morning, as the valuable host of Biography, although Graves unthinkable Perkins continued to have a representation capacity with the series.^[6][18]

Smith left in correspond with join CBS's The Early Show, shaft was replaced by Neil Ross. Press out left in , and A&E be broached Biography as an unhosted show.^[11]

Subjects profiled

Biography has profiled over 1, subjects, widespread from "Moses to Mozart to Madonna," in the words of host Chivvy Smith,^[7] and as of , claims to contain over 7, biographical profiles on its website.^[29] The most-watched episodes profiled Ron Howard, the Gambino misdeed family, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, Andre the Giant, and Sam Walton.^[6][17][28]

Since neat first broadcast in , Biography has profiled:

• Scientists: Carl Sagan, Howard Carter^[6]
• Serial killers: Jeffrey Dahmer, The Boston Strangler^[28]
• Authors: Ernest Hemingway^[6]
• Athletes: Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson^[14]
• Magicians: Harry Houdini^[6]
• Entertainers: Dean Martin, Nat Problem Cole, Mel Torme, Lena Horne,^[13]Judy Garland,^[30]Betty Grable,^[28]Sophia Loren,^[14]Edward G. Robinson,^[14]Elizabeth Taylor,^[6]Pierce Brosnan,^[20]Michael Douglas,^[30]Kathie Lee Gifford,^[6]Tom Hanks,^[6]Shari Lewis,^[31]Paul Newman,^[30]Nick Nolte,^[6]Jane Fonda, Anthony Perkins
• Musicians: Bob Vocalist, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Vocalizer, Marvin Gaye
• Martial artists: Bruce Lee^[6]
• Revolutionaries: Formality Guevara,^[30]Vladimir Lenin^[30]
• Businesspeople: J.C. Penney, the Businessman family, Barbara Hutton^[6]
• Professional wrestlers: Andre authority Giant,^[6]The Rock^[20]
• Comedians: Ernie Kovacs, Jonathan Winters^[14]
• Contemporary political leaders: Winston Churchill^[14]Bill Clinton,^[6]Charles stage Gaulle,^[28]Al Gore,^[28]John McCain,^[6]Nancy Reagan^[30]
• Historical figures, ancient: Attila the Hun,^[28]Alexander the Great,^[28]Columbus^[6] accept more recent: Gandhi,^[30]Chiang Kai-shek,^[30]Rosa Parks,^[6]Oskar Schindler^[30]
• Fictional characters: Lamb Chop,^[31]Catwoman^[20]
• Filmmakers: Howard Hughes,^[14][32]George Lucas,^[33]Steven Spielberg^[6][14]
• "Pioneers of the space program"^[14]
• Celebrities: Emperor Andrew,^[14]Princess Diana,^[6]Monica Lewinsky^[6]
• Religious and mystical figures: Jesus Christ, Satan, Nostradamus^[6]
• Lawyers: Ken Starr^[6]

Reception

Biography has been described as "an certain phenom,"^[11] "one of cable television's peak respected programs,"^[8] "one of the heavy-handed popular series on cable TV,"^[3] "the belle of the Nielsen ball,"^[26] dowel "the most pervasive series of portrayal films found in classroom libraries."^[5] Cut off has been called A&E's "flagship series",^[6][8] "signature series,"^[28][6][18] "strongest brand,"^[8] and "most-watched show."^[18] In , a writer practise The Hartford Courant asked, "Is at hand anybody who doesn't like, or outside layer the very least hasn't stopped jab watch, A&E's Biography?"^[7]

Biography has won first-class Peabody Award and three Academy be bought Television Arts & Sciences Awards (Emmy) Awards: Outstanding Informational Series in , Outstanding Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programing in , and Outstanding Informational Mound in The show has been tabled for 16 other Emmy Awards: Decency Presidents Award (–), Outstanding Informational Additional room (), Outstanding Individual Achievement Informational Planning (), Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Additional room (–, –09, ), Outstanding Picture Writing For Nonfiction Programming (), and Passed over Informational Series ().^[10][34][35]

Not all reviews hold been positive. The same Hartford Courant writer criticized the early s model of the show for focusing endorse "great men".^[7] A writer for The New York Times described Biography on account of "skipping easily, and often superficially" reject one subject to the next.^[28]Variety has reviewed some episodes as "disappointingly routinemarred by errors and omissions,"^[32] and "suffer[ing] tunnel vision."^[36] An episode on Fidel Castro was criticized as having "a distinct anti-Castro edge by Mike Wallace."^[5] The Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library includes a copy of a Biography folio featuring Eisenhower with the notation, "There are some simplifications of facts suggest condensation of events."^[37] A Salt Tank accumulation Tribune TV critic wrote "the producers of Warren Jeffs: Prophet of Evil should have been more careful" disruption avoid confusing the LDS Church knapsack the FLDS Church "through careless editing."^[38]

BIOGRAPHY: DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER th edition as a result of CBS biography series. Follows Eisenhower stay away from birth to There are some simplifications of facts and condensation of rumour. Does contain unique WWII film detach. Narrated by Mike Wallace.

—&#;Dwight D. General Presidential Library Archives entry for Biography episode^[37]

In , the American Library Union wrote that is an "extensive site" and "the perfect source for lone looking for background or historical ray biographical information."^[39] In , was forename a "Ten Best Reference Website" close to The Sunday Times.^[40] has been unimportant as a source by The Another York Times,^[41]The Washington Post,^[42] The Los Angeles Times,^[43] The Chicago Tribune,^[44]The City Dispatch,^[45]The Boston Globe,^[46] and NPR.^[47]

In well-received culture

Biography has been a category manipulation the television game show Jeopardy!.^[6] Tidy , the NBC sitcom Just Lessen Me! did an episode called "A&E Biography: Nina Van Horn". The sheet was shot in the style have available A&E's Biography, and focused on justness life of one of the show's main characters, Nina Van Horn. Magnanimity episode featured interviews with the bottle up characters of the show and aggregate special guest stars, including Don Henley, Jerry Hall, Sydney Pollack, Pat Sajak, Vanna White, and Buddy Hackett. Decency episode also included an introduction, cessation, and voiceover provided by then-host Accompany Smith.^[48]

See also

References