From Daytime to Primetime: The History of American Television Programs

by James Roman

The 20th century might be accurately described as the television century. Perhaps no technological invention in recent history has so vastly affected the American public. An involving mixture of scholarship and nostalgia, this volume offers an intelligent examination of the many ways that American society has shaped―and been shaped by―television. Roman provides thematic chapters on all of television's major genres.

James Roman, author of Love, Light, and a Television's Past, Present, and Future (Greenwood, 1996), traces the evolution of American television programming from its beginnings as an experimental spinoff of radio broadcasting to its current role as an omnipresent and, some would say, omnipotent force of media and culture.

Genres: Nonfiction

376 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

Reviews

[Steven Voorhees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Television's reach into humanity's story and culture goes back further than one thinks -- to the 1920's or thereabouts. In entertaining, informative and at times sarcastic prose, Roman showcases TV's technical, interpersonal and creative journeys from its inception through the mid-2000's. Since then, television has luxuriated in a second golden age. Perhaps an updated version of DAYTIME will incorporate this into its original, excellent narrative. The current glorious reign of programming's deeply rooted in TV's first salad days and across numerous genres. Roman describes them in vivid detail and analyzes their impact. He also writes about the evolution of TV's other key components like journalism, reality programming and technology. On the latter, Roman strikes a fascinating timeline. He starts from the first mass produced TV set and reaches to today's plasma revolution. The tube's always been an electronic general store. In it and in front of it people gather; ideas are expressed and exchanged; information's received and amusement's shared. All in less than a century. Television is a window onto human growth, for good or for ill. In James Roman's enthralling book, the reader sees this shatterproof window up close and personal.