Love, American Style
America
November 21, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
God bless America.
Take a look at a program schedule from the last few years.
Patriotic fever apparently strikes television executives.
America’s Next Top Model.
America’s Most Wanted.
American Chopper.
American Masters.
American Hot Rod.
America’s Next Producer.
American Justice.
America’s Got Talent.
American Experience.
American Inventor.
American Idol.
American Dad.
What accounts for these allusions to the red, white, and blue in television program titles that we might expect during an anniversary year, like a bicentennial?
First, size matters.
America is a pretty big, powerful, and awesome place. With a version of the word America in the title, the program naturally targets a mass audience -- all of us.
Second, success matters.
American Idol is popular, so subsequent offerings borrow from the name as well as the format
Models meet American Idol = America’s Next Top Model.
Inventors meet American Idol = American Inventor.
Third, pride matters.
America gives the audience a sense of pride -- the show could not take place anywhere but America.
For example, American Chopper is a series about the prototypical American success story of a family business -- Orange County Choppers. But success does not come easy for this upstate New York business focused on making one-of-a-kind motorcycles. It is a result of hard work, dedication, and passion.
Paul Teutul started Orange County Choppers in his basement because of his passion for building motorcycles. The business ballooned into a marketing, licensing, and television juggernaut.
Although Made in the U.S.A. fever seems to be contagious given the numerous America-based titles, we’ve actually seen the use of America throughout television history.
American Gladiators.
Good Morning, America.
America’s Funniest Home Videos.
American Dream was a short-lived series in the early 1980’s centering on a family’s move back to the city from their quiet home in suburbia.
American Dreamer took an opposite premise. This early 1990’s sitcom stars Robert Urich as a widower who trades in his globetrotting journalism work for a quiet life in Wisconsin with his family and a job as a newspaper columnist.
Amerika was a 1987 miniseries on ABC that depicted life ten years after a Soviet takeover. Robert Urich also starred in this offering along with Kris Kristofferson.
Americathon was a 1979 tv-movie showing what the country would be like in 1998 -- America is bankrupt, the president is a skirt chaser, and the oil supply is facing depletion. Were the writers prescient or was the plot line simply a coincidence?
The title comes from a telethon to save America.
American Bandstand starred eternally youthful Dick Clark from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. Clark capitalized on the American Bandstand brand and library with American Dreams. This NBC show enjoyed a three-season run -- 2002-2005. It showed us life in the 1960’s through the Pryor family, specifically Meg Pryor. Meg was an All-American teenage girl in Philadelphia who faced the trials and tribulations of growing up as she fulfilled her dream of being an American Bandstand dancer.
Finally, Love, American Style used an anthology format and featured guest stars in love stories that were varied, funny, and somewhat realistic.
Coincidentally, except for American Dreams and American Dreamer, many of the shows mentioned appeared on ABC -- American Broadcasting Company.
david@davidkrell.com
God bless America.
Take a look at a program schedule from the last few years.
Patriotic fever apparently strikes television executives.
America’s Next Top Model.
America’s Most Wanted.
American Chopper.
American Masters.
American Hot Rod.
America’s Next Producer.
American Justice.
America’s Got Talent.
American Experience.
American Inventor.
American Idol.
American Dad.
What accounts for these allusions to the red, white, and blue in television program titles that we might expect during an anniversary year, like a bicentennial?
First, size matters.
America is a pretty big, powerful, and awesome place. With a version of the word America in the title, the program naturally targets a mass audience -- all of us.
Second, success matters.
American Idol is popular, so subsequent offerings borrow from the name as well as the format
Models meet American Idol = America’s Next Top Model.
Inventors meet American Idol = American Inventor.
Third, pride matters.
America gives the audience a sense of pride -- the show could not take place anywhere but America.
For example, American Chopper is a series about the prototypical American success story of a family business -- Orange County Choppers. But success does not come easy for this upstate New York business focused on making one-of-a-kind motorcycles. It is a result of hard work, dedication, and passion.
Paul Teutul started Orange County Choppers in his basement because of his passion for building motorcycles. The business ballooned into a marketing, licensing, and television juggernaut.
Although Made in the U.S.A. fever seems to be contagious given the numerous America-based titles, we’ve actually seen the use of America throughout television history.
American Gladiators.
Good Morning, America.
America’s Funniest Home Videos.
American Dream was a short-lived series in the early 1980’s centering on a family’s move back to the city from their quiet home in suburbia.
American Dreamer took an opposite premise. This early 1990’s sitcom stars Robert Urich as a widower who trades in his globetrotting journalism work for a quiet life in Wisconsin with his family and a job as a newspaper columnist.
Amerika was a 1987 miniseries on ABC that depicted life ten years after a Soviet takeover. Robert Urich also starred in this offering along with Kris Kristofferson.
Americathon was a 1979 tv-movie showing what the country would be like in 1998 -- America is bankrupt, the president is a skirt chaser, and the oil supply is facing depletion. Were the writers prescient or was the plot line simply a coincidence?
The title comes from a telethon to save America.
American Bandstand starred eternally youthful Dick Clark from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. Clark capitalized on the American Bandstand brand and library with American Dreams. This NBC show enjoyed a three-season run -- 2002-2005. It showed us life in the 1960’s through the Pryor family, specifically Meg Pryor. Meg was an All-American teenage girl in Philadelphia who faced the trials and tribulations of growing up as she fulfilled her dream of being an American Bandstand dancer.
Finally, Love, American Style used an anthology format and featured guest stars in love stories that were varied, funny, and somewhat realistic.
Coincidentally, except for American Dreams and American Dreamer, many of the shows mentioned appeared on ABC -- American Broadcasting Company.
The Legacy of Soupy Sales
October 26, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
When Soupy Sales died last week on October 22nd, his obituaries focused on his hallmark -- throwing a pie in someone’s face on his television show.
But the legacy of Soupy Sales is not the elevation of pie throwing to a comedic art form.
The legacy of Soupy Sales can be summed up in one word -- work.
Although best remembered as the host of a baby boomer children’s television show bearing his name, Soupy Sales also enjoyed fixture status on the syndicated version of What’s My Line?
He appeared on other game shows in addition to guest starring on popular television shows -- The Beverly Hillbillies, Route 66, Love, American Style, Burke’s Law, The Love Boat, Wings.
He gave radio a shot in the 1980’s with a stint on WNBC-AM in New York City.
And he served as host of the mid-1970’s Saturday morning children’s game show Junior Almost Anything Goes -- a spinoff of the mid-1970’s prime time game show Almost Anything Goes.
Soupy Sales. More than just a pie in the face.
david@davidkrell.com
When Soupy Sales died last week on October 22nd, his obituaries focused on his hallmark -- throwing a pie in someone’s face on his television show.
But the legacy of Soupy Sales is not the elevation of pie throwing to a comedic art form.
The legacy of Soupy Sales can be summed up in one word -- work.
Although best remembered as the host of a baby boomer children’s television show bearing his name, Soupy Sales also enjoyed fixture status on the syndicated version of What’s My Line?
He appeared on other game shows in addition to guest starring on popular television shows -- The Beverly Hillbillies, Route 66, Love, American Style, Burke’s Law, The Love Boat, Wings.
He gave radio a shot in the 1980’s with a stint on WNBC-AM in New York City.
And he served as host of the mid-1970’s Saturday morning children’s game show Junior Almost Anything Goes -- a spinoff of the mid-1970’s prime time game show Almost Anything Goes.
Soupy Sales. More than just a pie in the face.
Uncle Miltie's Lifetime Contract
September 03, 2009
by David Krell
david@davidkrell.com
When did Milton Berle debut as the host and star of Texaco Star Theatre on NBC?
Before.
Before Jackie Gleason introduced Ralph Kramden.
Before Lucille Ball began a 20+ year career on network television sitcoms bearing the shortened version of her name -- Lucy.
Before Phil Silvers showed the art of con artistry as Sergeant Ernie Bilko.
Milton Berle was the first television star. He made his television debut in 1948.
Berle had a rich history in show business prior to 1948. He started at the age of five in silent movies.
Vaudeville, nightclubs, and films followed.
Berle's deep experience as a Master of Ceremonies in nightclubs gave him a nice foundation for keeping the attention of the live audience of Texaco Star Theatre, a variety show.
And Berle dominated America's attention in the infant days of television on Tuesday nights at 8:00pm.
A television soon became a household necessity, not merely a luxury, thanks to Uncle Miltie.
And it replaced radio as the primary medium of entertainment.
With relatively little competition, Berle was a sensation.
So sensational that NBC gave him a lifetime contract.
Signed on May 3, 1951, the exclusive contract bound Berle to NBC for $200,000 per year for thirty years.
Locking America's Uncle Miltie into an exclusive deal showed the confidence that NBC had in its first television personality.
And it showed the confidence that Berle had in NBC.
The glory days of television looked endless with a corresponding limitless reign of its king.
But like all good things, it came to an end.
In 1953, the show changed sponsors.
The Buick-Berle Show a.k.a. The Milton Berle Show aired until 1956.
With increasing competition, Berle could never recapture the wonder of America that he enjoyed as the country's first television superstar.
Because of the exclusive contract with NBC, Berle could not appear on other networks.
And his program offerings diminished.
Jackpot Bowling was one of them.
To expand his possibilities, Berle renegotiated with NBC in 1965 and the exclusive contract became a non-exclusive contract. And the yearly salary of $200,000 became $120,000.
The end date of 1981 stayed.
Berle appeared rather steadily on television as a guest star during the remainder of the contract, including appearances on Here's Lucy, The Joey Bishop Show, The Mod Squad, Batman, Love, American Style, Mannix, and The Love Boat.
But the record will show that his greatest television contribution was his first. So great that he got a 30-year deal.
david@davidkrell.com
When did Milton Berle debut as the host and star of Texaco Star Theatre on NBC?
Before.
Before Jackie Gleason introduced Ralph Kramden.
Before Lucille Ball began a 20+ year career on network television sitcoms bearing the shortened version of her name -- Lucy.
Before Phil Silvers showed the art of con artistry as Sergeant Ernie Bilko.
Milton Berle was the first television star. He made his television debut in 1948.
Berle had a rich history in show business prior to 1948. He started at the age of five in silent movies.
Vaudeville, nightclubs, and films followed.
Berle's deep experience as a Master of Ceremonies in nightclubs gave him a nice foundation for keeping the attention of the live audience of Texaco Star Theatre, a variety show.
And Berle dominated America's attention in the infant days of television on Tuesday nights at 8:00pm.
A television soon became a household necessity, not merely a luxury, thanks to Uncle Miltie.
And it replaced radio as the primary medium of entertainment.
With relatively little competition, Berle was a sensation.
So sensational that NBC gave him a lifetime contract.
Signed on May 3, 1951, the exclusive contract bound Berle to NBC for $200,000 per year for thirty years.
Locking America's Uncle Miltie into an exclusive deal showed the confidence that NBC had in its first television personality.
And it showed the confidence that Berle had in NBC.
The glory days of television looked endless with a corresponding limitless reign of its king.
But like all good things, it came to an end.
In 1953, the show changed sponsors.
The Buick-Berle Show a.k.a. The Milton Berle Show aired until 1956.
With increasing competition, Berle could never recapture the wonder of America that he enjoyed as the country's first television superstar.
Because of the exclusive contract with NBC, Berle could not appear on other networks.
And his program offerings diminished.
Jackpot Bowling was one of them.
To expand his possibilities, Berle renegotiated with NBC in 1965 and the exclusive contract became a non-exclusive contract. And the yearly salary of $200,000 became $120,000.
The end date of 1981 stayed.
Berle appeared rather steadily on television as a guest star during the remainder of the contract, including appearances on Here's Lucy, The Joey Bishop Show, The Mod Squad, Batman, Love, American Style, Mannix, and The Love Boat.
But the record will show that his greatest television contribution was his first. So great that he got a 30-year deal.