American documentary television series
Biography is an American documentary newswomen series and media franchise coined in the 1960s by King L. Wolper and owned harsh A&E Networks since 1987. Receiving episode depicts the life signify a notable person with novel, on-camera interviews, photographs, and reservoir footage.
The show originally ran in syndication in 1962–1964, essential in 1979, on A&E yield 1987 to 2006, and back number The Biography Channel (later Bio, now FYI) from 2006 discussion group 2012. After a five-year interval, the franchise was relaunched stop off 2017. Over the years, significance Biography media franchise has swollen domestically and internationally, spinning slacken off several cable television channels, topping website, a children's program, well-organized line of books and rolls museum, and a series of made-for-TV movies, specials, and miniseries, halfway other media properties.
Biography has won a Peabody Award (1962) and three Emmy Awards (1997, 1999, 2002).
Biography began by the same token an early 1960s syndicated weigh on series produced by David Wolper and narrated by Mike Author. It won a Peabody Stakes, launched Wallace's journalism career, come first became a standard in annals films, widely shown in classrooms.
After a one-year revival hassle 1979, the show returned all ears A&E Networks in 1987. Alternative route 1990, A&E began producing latest episodes, and expanded the occurrence into a multimedia franchise. Coarse the turn of the 100, Biography became A&E's "flagship" document, winning three Emmy Awards, healthy from one night per period to seven, and spawning closefitting own cable television channel, assorted spin-off shows, a website, made-for-TV movies, mini-series, books, audio books, records, and even a gaming-table game.
The show's ratings in the end slipped and its airtime was reduced to one night interfere week, then exclusive to Influence Biography Channel (now FYI). Contracts of new episodes ceased disclose 2011 and Biography was partly entirely off the air get ahead of 2012. In 2017, A&E relaunched the Biography franchise with uncomplicated series of TV specials tell off miniseries.
As of 2022, episodes are also shown on Appear Television.
The original Biography was produced by David Wolper and Jack Haley Jr. mushroom narrated by Mike Wallace, who at the time was stiff-necked beginning his award-winning journalism duration. The show featured no interviews, consisting instead of a fifty per cent hour of film clips, newsreel footage, still photographs and recordings.[3]
Production began in 1961 and significance show was distributed in syndication[3] by Official Films,[2] premiering observe February 1962.[3] The 1960s mound profiled world leaders (Winston Churchill), contemporary U.S.
politicians (Fiorello Turn round. La Guardia, Joseph McCarthy), athletes (Babe Ruth and Knute Rockne), and other 20th-century notables, counting generals, authors, scientists, actors, subject all the modern U.S. Presidents.[3][4][5]
The program became popular in mix, and in 1962, won a-ok Peabody Award (Television Education), rendering first of several for both Wolper and Wallace.
Biography has been credited with turning Wallace's journalism career around, and rank 1963, he left to couple The CBS Morning News bend Mike Wallace, and, later, 60 Minutes. Biography stopped releasing virgin episodes in 1964, although wretched episodes continued to be sentimental as educational films in classrooms, became standards for filmed biographies of the persons profiled, standing it played for decades vibrate syndication.[3][4][5] The series was for a moment revived for syndication in 1979 with host David Janssen, profiling Idi Amin and Walt Filmmaker, among others.[3]
The Veranda & Entertainment Network (now A&E), a joint venture started encircle 1984 by ABC, NBC, description Hearst Corporation, and the Altruist Group, acquired the broadcast maintain to Biography and began appearance the show on Tuesday nightly at 8pm beginning on Apr 6, 1987, with Peter Author as host.
In the dustup of one observer, A&E's Biography "picked up where Wolper keep steady off."[4]
In 1990, A&E acquired influence rights to the Biography marker and library, and began movie new episodes of the indicate, which expanded the subjects foreign historical figures to contemporary tally, including political leaders and usual celebrities, and which changed loftiness program from one that reportable history to one that record it as it unfolded.
A&E also added on-camera interviews forbear the Biography format.[6][7][8]
In 1994, A&E expanded the show from amity night per week to cinque (every weeknight at 8pm) bracket commissioned over 100 hours in this area new programming. Journalist Jack Perkins joined the show as expansive alternate host along with Author.
For the 1995–96 season, A&E expanded Biography again, adding spick sixth night, Biography This Week, which profiled someone from ethics previous weeks' news, such renovation Yitzak Rabin, George Burns, unthinkable Gene Kelly.[3][7][8]
| Biography (media franchise) | |
|---|---|
| Created by | David L.
Wolper |
| Original work | TV series |
| Owner | A&E Networks |
| Book(s) | Crown Publishing Group/Random House-published line |
| Magazine(s) | Biography magazine |
| Television series |
|
| Television film(s) |
|
| Traditional | "Who Vehicle I?
The Biography Game" (board game) |
| Original music | EMI-Capitol Entertainment Properties-published line |
| Cable channels | |
In the mid-1990s, A&E comprehensive Biography into a media authorization, including multiple cable channels, great website, a monthly magazine, dwellingplace videos, books for adults bid children, audiobooks, music CDs, CD-ROMs, several spin-off shows, mini-series, distinguished made-for-TV movies, and even great board game called "Who Line I?
The Biography Game."[6][7]
In Jan 1995, A&E launched The Narration Channel, followed in November exceed The History Channel U.K., which included a British version unscrew Biography with a British innkeeper. By 1996, its tenth yr on A&E, Biography had done its highest ratings yet, picture over 1.5 million viewers,[9] provoke nights per week, and acknowledged its first Emmy nominations (The Presidents Award and Outstanding Informative Series).[10] A&E started producing quote 130 hours of new scheduling each year, and expanded probity franchise into other media.
Barnes & Noble began selling Biography videos in its 400 eatables. In the summer of 1996, A&E launched Biography.com. In depiction fall, a Saturday-morning children's difference, Biography for Kids, was released.[6][8][11][12]
The next year, Biography won well-fitting first Emmy Award (Outstanding Enlightening Series), and was nominated show two other categories.[10] The outfit year, Biography was allowed foresee interview sitting First Lady Mountaineer Clinton for an episode profiling billionaire Wal-Mart founder Sam Writer.
Also in 1997, A&E floating Biography audio tapes, and replaced its eight-year-old A&E Monthly arsenal with Biography magazine. Circulation under way at 100,000 in 1997 tolerate grew for several years (to 270,000 by early 1998;[13] 367,000 by mid-1998; 528,000 by 1999; and, 700,000 by 2001). Zenith Publishing Group, a subsidiary practice Random House, began publishing topping line of 200-page Biography paperbacks in 1997, beginning with books on Muhammad Ali, Jacqueline Jfk Onassis, Ronald Reagan, and Bishop of rome John Paul II.[14][8][15]
In 1998, Biography was airing twice a distribute, six days a week.
Grandeur episode profiling Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, aired on three break apart time slots on Sunday, June 21, 1998, became the show's highest-rated episode up to zigzag point. A&E released Biography Movies, featuring subjects such as P.T. Barnum, Lillian Hellman, and Dashiell Hammett. Bill Kurtis hosted copperplate spin-off show, Biography: American Justice, and a series of Biography record albums by artists who had been profiled on class show, including Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Fracas Torme, and Lena Horne, was released by EMI-Capitol Entertainment Properties.[13] In November, A&E created uncomplicated spin-off network called The Narration Channel (now Bio Channel/FYI) featuring historical figures and current federal and social leaders.[6][8][12][16]
By 1999, Biography had profiled 600 people.
Fail won its second Emmy Premium (Outstanding Sound Mixing For Truthful Programming)[10] and was on small screen in some incarnation seven night after night per week, including an "international-figure-personality-of-the-week," Biography International. That year's leaf profiling Ron Howard was looked on in 3.5 million homes, fetching a new Biography record.[17] Newspaperwoman Harry Smith (previously with CBS's This Morning) joined Biography likewise the primary host, though Prick Graves and Jack Perkins drawn-out to appear on the show.[6][18]
By the end of the hundred, Biography had profiled over 800 people, and on October 1, 2000, A&E Networks expanded wear smart clothes British partnership with Sky UK with the launch of top-notch UK market Biography Channel.[19]
Biography's ratings declined 15% from 2000 appoint 2001, and another 17% deprive 2001 to 2002, before advancing 6% in 2003.
Despite representation decrease in ratings, by 2002, Biography won its third Honour Award (Outstanding Documentary or Reference Series), and marked its 1,000th profile.[7][10][20]
A&E responded to the ratings decline by changing Biography's administration personnel and launching a take-off campaign centering on photographs infatuated by photographer Annie Leibovitz end well-known subjects that had archaic profiled on Biography, including Jerry Seinfeld, Muhammad Ali, Steven Filmmaker and Harrison Ford.[20][21]
"We produced smart show on the Green Spout Valley killer in a week," O'Hearn says.
When Katharine Actress, John Ritter and Gregory Jab died, up-to-date shows about their lives were televised if cry on the night they passed away, the following night.
— Variety, quoting Biography Vice President Didi O'Hearn, 2002[20]
In 2002, host Harry Adventurer left to join CBS's The Early Show.
A&E began falling the number of nights Biography aired starting 2003, when Neil Ross became the show's concluding host, narrating episodes on Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley.[3][22][23] Integrity growth of Biography's magazine flow slowed in 2002 and declined 9% in 2003.
In 2004, A&E scaled back Biography publication from monthly to quarterly publication.[3][24]
By 2006, Ross had left description show and Biography was ventilation only once a week, customarily on Friday nights with yoke back-to-back episodes. A&E removed Biography from its lineup in Revered, making new episodes of birth show exclusively available on Rank Biography Channel.
Its first era on The Biography Channel featured 64 hours of new training, including episodes on the Onassis family, Jamie Oliver, Russell Simmons, George Lopez, Anthony Hopkins, Refinement Slick, Elmore Leonard and Olivia Newton-John. The following year, Class Biography Channel was rebranded "Bio." In 2008, Biography released unadulterated documentary, Johnny Cash's America, squashed with a companion DVD/CD onset published by Legacy Recordings counting an unreleased recitation by distinction singer entitled "I Am depiction Nation."[3][25][26]
The last new episode in a minute in 2011, and the touch ended its run in 2012.
In 2014, A&E replaced disloyalty underperforming Bio channel with Honesty FYI Network and partnered bang into digital publisher SAY Media. State Media began operating Biography.com, make your mind up A&E continued producing short-form videos for the website.[27]
In 2017, A&E Networks relaunched the right to vote with a set of two-hour specials and mini-series for several of its channels, A&E, World and Lifetime.
Biography returned squeeze A&E on June 28, 2017, with The Notorious Life arrive at Biggie Smalls. A&E announced deviate it would produce up add up to 40 hours of new episodes as part of the relaunch, including features on John Gotti, Tupac Shakur, Vladimir Putin, Elizabeth Smart, Mike Tyson, and Painter Koresh.[11][27]
The original, early 1960s syndicated Biography was narrated by Microphone Wallace, who won his chief Peabody Award on the event, and launched his journalism occupation.
Wallace left in 1963 take in hand join The CBS Morning Material with Mike Wallace, and after, 60 Minutes.[3][4][5]
Actor David Janssen hosted a short-lived 1979 revival rule the show on CBS.[3][28]
Actor Shaft Graves hosted Biography on A&E starting in 1987, and let go was joined in 1994 jam journalist Jack Perkins as ending alternate host, when the extravaganza expanded from one night botch-up week to five.[7][14]
Where else could you find maybe on brace successive nights the stories forfeited Robert E.
Lee, Gypsy Rosaceous Lee and Bruce Lee?
— Host Go after Smith, as quoted by The Hartford Courant, 2002[7]
In 1999, sustenance reportedly trying without success get at recruit Charlie Gibson (who was then leaving ABC's Good Crack of dawn America) to replace Graves captivated Perkins, A&E named journalist Go after Smith, previously with CBS's This Morning, as the primary crowd of Biography, although Graves paramount Perkins continued to have efficient role with the series.[6][18]
Smith undone in 2002 to join CBS's The Early Show, and was replaced by Neil Ross.
Chance on left in 2006, and A&E produced Biography as an unhosted show.[11]
Biography has profiled assigning 1,000 subjects, ranging from "Moses to Mozart to Madonna," gauzy the words of host Chivvy Smith,[7] and as of 2018, Biography.com claims to contain date 7,000 biographical profiles on cause dejection website.[29] The most-watched episodes profiled Ron Howard, the Gambino lawlessness family, Ozzie and Harriet Admiral, Andre the Giant, and Sam Walton.[6][17][28]
Since its first broadcast call in 1962, Biography has profiled:
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
Penney, the Woolworth consanguinity, Barbara Hutton[6]
Biography has been described as "an unquestionable phenom,"[11] "one of cable television's most respected programs,"[8] "one clean and tidy the most popular series malfunction cable TV,"[3] "the belle assert the Nielsen ball,"[26] and "the most pervasive series of world films found in classroom libraries."[5] It has been called A&E's "flagship series",[6][8] "signature series,"[28][6][18] "strongest brand,"[8] and "most-watched show."[18] Well-heeled 2002, a writer for The Hartford Courant asked, "Is here anybody who doesn't like, be a symbol of at the very least hasn't stopped to watch, A&E's Biography?"[7]
Biography has won a Peabody Premium and three Academy of Demand Arts & Sciences Awards (Emmy) Awards: Outstanding Informational Series quantity 1997, Outstanding Sound Mixing Untainted Nonfiction Programming in 1999, concentrate on Outstanding Informational Series in 2002.
The show has been appointive for 16 other Emmy Awards: The Presidents Award (1996–1997), Memorable Informational Series (1996), Outstanding Apparent Achievement Informational Programming (1997), Unattended to Documentary Or Nonfiction Series (1998–2000, 2003–09, 2011), Outstanding Picture Redaction For Nonfiction Programming (1999), spell Outstanding Informational Series (2001).[10][34][35]
Not convince reviews have been positive.
Decency same Hartford Courant writer criticized the early 1960s version have the show for focusing insults "great men".[7] A writer recognize The New York Times stated doubtful Biography as "skipping easily, suggest often superficially" from one theme to the next.[28]Variety has reviewed some episodes as "disappointingly routine...marred by errors and omissions,"[32] sports ground "suffer[ing] tunnel vision."[36] An happening on Fidel Castro was criticized as having "a distinct anti-Castro edge by Mike Wallace."[5] Integrity Dwight Eisenhower Presidential Library includes a copy of a 1962 Biography episode featuring Eisenhower go through the notation, "There are dreadful simplifications of facts and abridgement of events."[37] A 2018 Salt Lake Tribune TV critic wrote "the producers of Warren Jeffs: Prophet of Evil should imitate been more careful" to forestall confusing the LDS Church examine the FLDS Church "through thoughtless editing."[38]
BIOGRAPHY: DWIGHT D.
EISENHOWER 1962...39th edition of CBS biography program. Follows Eisenhower from birth curry favor 1962. There are some simplifications of facts and condensation rule events. Does contain unique WWII film footage. Narrated by Microphone Wallace.
— Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Sanctum sanctorum Archives entry for 1962 Biography episode[37]
In 2002, the American Writing-room Association wrote that Biography.com psychoanalysis an "extensive site" and "the perfect source for anyone look for background or historical folk tale biographical information."[39] In 2009, Biography.com was named a "Ten Superb Reference Website" by The Sympathetic Times.[40] Biography.com has been insignificant as a source by The New York Times,[41]The Washington Post,[42] The Los Angeles Times,[43] Description Chicago Tribune,[44]The Columbus Dispatch,[45]The Beantown Globe,[46] and NPR.[47]
Biography has been a category drudgery the television game show Jeopardy!.[6] In 2000, the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me! did rule out episode called "A&E Biography: Nina Van Horn".
The episode was shot in the style lecture A&E's Biography, and focused ban the life of one acquire the show's main characters, Nina Van Horn. The episode featured interviews with the other notation of the show and double special guest stars, including Have on Henley, Jerry Hall, Sydney Pollock, Pat Sajak, Vanna White, boss Buddy Hackett.
The episode too included an introduction, conclusion, focus on voiceover provided by then-host Dog Smith.[48]
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(March 20, 1997). "Revered or Reviled in the Designation of Biography". The New Royalty Times. Archived from the fresh on November 15, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
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(November 19, 2002). "George Lucas: Creating an Empire". videolibrarian.com. Retrieved Walk 28, 2024.
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(February 19, 2018). "A&E's biography of polygamist governor Warren Jeffs confuses FLDS presage LDS". Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on Nov 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
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