Adventures on Prime Time: The Television Programs of Stephen J. Cannell

by Robert J. Thompson

Part of Praeger's "Media and Society Series," this volume breaks new ground in television studies as the first booklength study of an individual television producer. Robert J. Thompson examines the work of Stephen J. Cannell, one of television's most prolific and successful producers. Thompson uses theories of film authorship revised for application to television texts and provides close analysis of Cannell's programs, including individual episodes of "The Rockford Files," "The A-Team," and "The Greatest American Hero."

Moving away from the notion that a television series is the creation of an individual author, the book begins with a look at the televisionmaker. Thompson probes the polyauthorial nature of the medium and introduces a new method of studying television authorship. The book then turns to Cannell and a study of his career, focusing on how he developed the formula for his many highly rated television series. Students and teachers of television and television criticism will find Adventures on Prime Time a source of stimulating ideas about the nature of the medium.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

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Reviews

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting but extremely biased book by Thompson, a television historian and educator. When I talked to Cannell himself about the book, he commented that he thought it was a misleading hack job which put forth a number of inaccurate theories on himself and the reasons behind how and why he became a television writer and producer. Personally, I think it's worth reading, as long as you don't accept everything Thompson has to say at face value. I still wish someone would write the ultimate biography of Stephen J. Cannell.

[Marc · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a stretch on a lot of the conclusions. Somewhat repetitive. But worth skimming still for some insight into this guy if someone is interested in learning about him.