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Pioneers of Television Season 4 Episodes

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This four-part documentary looks at some of the programs and stars from the early days of U.S. television. The segment on late night focuses on the vaudevillian origins of the genre and the Tonight Show, with its three early stars: Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. The episode on sitcoms focuses on the contribution of several classics from the 1950s and 60s including The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show and the Dick van Dyke Show. The segment on variety shows focuses first on the Ed Sullivan Show and the hosts ability to book acts that the audience wanted to see. Others include Milton Berle's show, Sis Caesar's Your Show of Shows, Red Skelton, Arthur Godfrey and many others. In the final episode, game shows are the focus. Early game shows had their origins in radio but hit a road block during the game show scandals where it was revealed that contestants were being given the answers to questions. The genre eventually re-established itself and made stars of many of the emcees.

Season 4 Episode Guide

Season 4

6 Episodes 2014 - 2019

Episode 1

Standup to Sitcom

Tue, Apr 15, 201456 mins

From PBS: This star-packed episode features fresh interviews with Jerry Seinfeld, Roseanne Barr, Tim Allen, Ray Romano and Bob Newhart. The program reveals how America's top standup comics made the transition to the sitcom format and includes dozens of clips from "Seinfeld," "Home Improvement," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Roseanne" and more.

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Episode 2

Doctors and Nurses

Tue, Apr 22, 201456 mins

From PBS: From George Clooney on "ER" to Richard Chamberlain on "Dr. Kildare," television's long love affair with doctors and nurses shows no signs of letting up. Noah Wyle, Anthony Edwards, Gloria Reuben and Eriq LaSalle open up about the secrets of "ER"; Howie Mandel, Ed Begley Jr. and Christina Pickles revisit "St. Elsewhere." The episode also features the final interview with Chad Everett of "Medical Center".

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Episode 3

Breaking Barriers

Tue, Apr 29, 201456 mins

From PBS: This episode traces the story of people of color on American television -- including the mid-1960s breakthroughs of African Americans Diahann Carroll ("Julia") and Bill Cosby ("I Spy"). Latino landmarks range from "I Love Lucy" with Desi Arnaz to "Miami Vice" with Edward James Olmos. Also featured are Asian-Americans like George Takei ("Star Trek"), who details his youth spent in a Japanese internment camp.

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Episode 4

Acting Funny

Tue, May 6, 201456 mins

The backstage techniques of comic actors, including Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters and Tina Fey.

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Episode 5

Robin Williams Remembered

Tue, Sep 9, 201453 mins

Celebrating the life of Robin Williams with interviews, tributes and clips from his career.

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Pioneers of Television, Season 4 Episode 5 image

Episode 6

Carol Burnett - A Celebration

Thu, Nov 21, 2019

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