PBS Preps Doc on Television Greats

LOS ANGELES, February 13: PBS and Boettcher Trinklein
Productions have begun production on Pioneers of Television, a 4×1-hour documentary series on some of the
television medium’s legendary entertainers, for debut in winter/spring 2008.

Pioneers of Television will
revolve around the entertainers that left their imprint in the early days of
television, with each of the four specials specifically focusing on sitcoms,
late night, variety and game shows. The series features new interviews in
high-definition with nearly 100 entertainers including Dick Van Dyke, Mary
Tyler Moore, Art Linkletter, Andy Griffith, Betty White, Phyllis Diller, Jim
Nabors, Marlo Thomas, Jonathan Winters, Andy Williams, Ed McMahon, Merv
Griffin, Bob Barker, Tommy Smothers and more. In addition, the series will
reveal never-before-seen archived images and clips of these stars.

"These legends continue to entertain generations of
television viewers," said John F. Wilson, the senior VP and chief TV
programming executive at PBS. "As America's preeminent storyteller, PBS is
honored to have them share their memories of their earliest work, their most
successful projects and the people who helped them along the way."