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Performers' Television Credits, 1948-2000

Name: Performers' Television Credits, 1948-2000
Author: David Inman
ISBN: 9780786411733

by David Inman

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Overview

This enormous, oversize, three-volume reference of performers' television credits (United States) is for serious researchers and writers who cannot afford not to have the most complete information available anywhere. The data begin in 1948, with the advent of serious network television broadcasting, and go through May 31, 2000, the end of the 1999–2000 TV season. Death information is included up to the end of 2000.

Included are persons appearing on dramatic and comedy programs, made-for-TV movies and miniseries, game and quiz shows, performance-oriented talk shows and variety shows. For logical reasons, persons who appeared on shows with very little performance activity are excluded (award shows, sporting events, parades, news broadcasts, and reality programming are examples).

A performer's birthplace, birth date and date of death are listed (where possible), along with information about his or her best-known television roles, Emmy Awards won, descriptions of memorable career moments, appearances on soap operas, talk, game and variety shows. As a bonus, information is provided on actors' best-known writing, directing and producing credits.

Author Biography: Since 1981 David M. Inman has been the author of "The Incredible Inman," a TV question-and-answer column that is syndicated nationwide by Gannett News Service and appears in more than 35 newspapers. His work has also appeared in VCR and Southern magazines as well as USA Today. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Editorials

Library Journal

The result of 15 years' research, this is one of the most substantial databases available of broadcast TV credit information. Arranged alphabetically by performer, the entries list credits from 1948, when network TV broadcasting began in earnest, through the end of the 2001-2000 TV season. This work is similar in quality to another recent three-volume McFarland media reference, Harris M. Lentz's Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits (LJ 6/1/01. 2d ed.), but it is much larger in scope. Each entry offers an exhaustive television history of the performer, with additional birth and death information and a brief description of the performer's most famous works. Inman, a syndicated columnist with the Gannet News Service, can be credited with producing one of the finest media reference sets ever published. A superlative work that will be used by researchers for years to come; highly recommended for media and broadcasting libraries but perhaps too exhaustive for smaller and less specific public and academic libraries. David M. Lisa, Wayne P.L., NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Three big volumes contain information on performers who have appeared on virtually every kind of television show, including made-for-TV movies and miniseries, but excluding such ephemeral programming as award shows, sporting events, parades, new broadcasts, and reality programming. Each entry includes a performer's birthplace, birth date, and date of death (through the end of 2000), as well as information about his or her best-known television roles, Emmy Awards, memorable career moments, appearances on soap operas, talk, game, and variety shows, and best-known writing, directing, and producing credits. The volumes are arranged alphabetically, and they are available separately (for those who, for some reason, need information on only the performers in one part of the alphabet) or as a set. Inman has authored a syndicated TV question-and-answer column since 1981. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)