Pioneers of Television

Season 4

2014 · 4 episodes · 4h 0m in all

Episodes

1. 1

   1. Standup to Sitcom

   15 Apr 2014 · 60 min

   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.

2. 2

   2. Doctors and Nurses

   22 Apr 2014 · 60 min

   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".

3. 

   3. Breaking Barriers

   29 Apr 2014 · 60 min

   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.

4. 

   4. Acting Funny

   6 May 2014 · 60 min

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