Rating: 
Summary: Best Reference Book for a TV Junkie
Review: Anyone who grew up in 70s and 80s watching TV shows can not forget the amount of entertainment and enjoyment, week after week, the TV shows brought them and their families right in their living room. It is obvious for many of us to relate to the characters of our favorite shows. I loved both comedies and dramas and I have long list of favorites. After all these years still many of us like to read about the shows we once enjoyed so much; even tiny details such as what day of the week Three's Company aired on ABC, and what time? What was the show line up for that day on ABC and what were the competitors shows (CBS and NBC). Who won Emmy for best actor for comedy in 1980, etc? Such questions jump on us and we need a book to provide such information. This book by Brooks and Marsh serve that purpose; it is a wealth of information for a small price. This comprehensive guide lists every program alphabetically and includes a complete broadcast history, cast, and engaging plot summary- along with exciting behind-the-scenes stories about the shows and the stars. In short this book has almost everything you ever want to know about your favorite TV shows. I highly recommend this to everyone who has interest in TV shows.
Rating:
Summary: The most complete source of TV trivia -- Loaded with facts!
Review: From the very beginnings of television in America, every prime time program ever aired is listed in this fantastic research book! Whether you forgot the name of The Lone Ranger's sidekick or wondered what different actors played Mr. Wilson on "Dennis The Menace", this book has those and thousands of other facts. Thinking back about the shows I loved as a kid can now be enhanced by actually getting all of my vague guesses "right". -- I've settled many bets with this book! I'm convinced that any tv enthusiast (whether into the classics or today's programs) will get a lot of mileage out of this incredible resource book. This edition (the 7th) covers programs aired between 1946 and 1999. "Will & Grace" aren't in yet, but "Dharma & Greg" are. If there ever is "nothing on tv", snuggle up with this entertaining book and read up on the tv shows you love. The best 20 bucks I ever spent!
Rating:
Summary: A book to make Homer drool
Review: I already have two earlier editions of this TV bible and had to have this new one. It's more than worth the money. I'll read this one cover to cover as soon as I can bestill my beating heart. I've checked out the write-ups for newer shows such as Buffy -- the authors have proven that they're still in top form. This edition even includes a trivia section, which I will attempt after reading the 1500 or so pages of television history. A must-have for anyone who watches TV.
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever printed. A must have!
Review: I have three editions of this, I upgrade about every 5-10 years.Just want to say that this is a required reference for trivila, facts, solving crossward puzzles, and most of all, settling arguments at the office, home, or other work place. Along with Leonard Maltin's movie book, it is all one needs to watch TV correctly.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent resource, but could be better
Review: I love this book, and I use it as a resource freqently. However, this book has flaws. First, there are missing shows like "The Six O'Clock Follies" from 1980. Next, some shows are covered from begining to end with every plot twist, cast change, etc., and some just cover the basic premise and essential plotline(s). Also, some of the plot information is incorrect. According to the book, in the 84-85 season of Dallas, Bobby is shot by an assassin gunning for JR. This is just a theory explored on the show. The shooter eventually admits she was trying to kill Bobby. The book is also too long between updates. You'll find little problems along the way, but otherwise it's a terrific resource.
Rating:
Summary: The real TV Guide
Review: I've owned every edition of this book and it just keeps getting better and better. Now they even include all the 'minor' networks (A&E, Nickelodeon, BET, ...) and some of those networks' first run shows. Every prime-time show through the 1998 season is covered with cast lists and air dates. The appendices have expanded the yearly ratings to include the Top 30 shows. About the only thing missing would be highest and lowest rated episode of each show, and that might be asking for too much.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensible and FUN to read
Review: It's like a trip down memory lane! The only other edition of this book I owned was the version published in 1987. So this edition is a quantum leap forward.
I challenge you to find a more thorough guide to prime time TV. This book has everything - down to the minutest detail. Even if you just scan through this book you'll see in-depth references to shows you've long forgotten about. It really is like flipping through an old family album that has been lost to time or stashed away for years. The memories just come flooding back to you. Special enhanced bonus: the appendixes at the back that break down the shows by longest-running, spin-offs, etc. No kidding: the last time I sat down to read through this book, I let SO MUCH time go by that by the time I put it down I had to shave again. Absolutely worth picking up, but nearly impossible to put down!! Don't believe me? Read some of the other reviews listed here for this simply fantastic reference book. There's a reason everyone gives this book 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: Indispensible and FUN to read
Review: It's like a trip down memory lane! The only other edition of this book I owned was the version published in 1987. So this edition is a quantum leap forward.
I challenge you to find a more thorough guide to prime time TV. This book has everything - down to the minutest detail. Even if you just scan through this book you'll see in-depth references to shows you've long forgotten about. It really is like flipping through an old family album that has been lost to time or stashed away for years. The memories just come flooding back to you. Special enhanced bonus: the appendixes at the back that break down the shows by longest-running, spin-offs, etc. No kidding: the last time I sat down to read through this book, I let SO MUCH time go by that by the time I put it down I had to shave again. Absolutely worth picking up, but nearly impossible to put down!! Don't believe me? Read some of the other reviews listed here for this simply fantastic reference book. There's a reason everyone gives this book 5 stars!
Rating:
Summary: A valuable reference work --- we reach for it often.
Review: PRE-DELIVERY COMMENTS: This is the latest edition of a big fat guidebook to everything that is or was television in the US. Previous editions have been so thorough in their content that I can't imagine what will be added to this one I am a trivia nut-case and I'm sure there will be more lists and more cross-indexes than ever before! I have been buying this book every time it's revised since the 3rd edition, when I first discovered it. In addition to listing all TV shows in alphabetical order, it gives the cast members' names and the years they played their characters. It gives a synopsis of each show's plotline and the roles the characters played in the plot development. Cast changes are explained, where necessary. Every listed actor is cross-indexed in the back of the book to all the shows he/she played on, no matter how many shows there were. Various appendices give fascinating insight into television history and trivia, like top 20 shows each year, theme music that became hit records and shows that hopped from one network to another in the search for success. Special shows, like The Tonight Show, get special treatment. A history of the development of the TV networks is also presented. If enthusiasm qualified me for a free book, I'd have a carton of them on my doorstep, but I'll be buying mine, just like everybody else and doing it eagerly.
Rating:
Summary: The Complete Guide to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows
Review: The best ever!! Tried to stump the book with obscure TV shows and everyone was listed. Goes by alphabetical order and with calendars of all the years from 1946 to the 2003. You'll never forget who appeared in what. Alot of detail on each show. As soon as I looked thru it, I was sorry I hadn't had this book for years. The best TV reference book you can have.
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