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The Origins of AMC

American Movie Classics has gone through significant changes over the years. While the network now focuses on providing unique and critically-acclaimed television dramas like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and The Walking Dead, but many will remember the network before it became known for racking up Emmy Awards, when the network was showing uncut vintage movies with no commercial breaks.

Cable television often showed movies starting in the mid 50’s and running into the 70’s. However, movie fans often hated these reshowings because of the constant breaks for commercials and the way the movies were cut and modified for time. AMC quickly gained a following of movie fans eager to get away from the chopped movie showings of regular cable.

The station originated with the advent of cable television in the 1980’s. In October 1984, the station began as a pay channel that offered movies from the ‘30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. When the station reached seven million subscribers in 1987, the station became a cable network “basic tier” station. By 1989, AMC’s subscribers had doubled. In 1991, it had 39 million subscribers.

Critics, no doubt movie lovers themselves, fell in love with AMC’s constant programming of vintage classics, everything from classic actresses and actors to unknown discoveries. They compared it to the rise of MTV, which seemed frenetic, loud, and overcomplicated when compared to the serene classic movies and sensible advertising strategies of AMC.

By 2002, AMC had decided to change its format and become more of a standard movie channel. Primetime broadcasting was usually more modern movies, and movies made before 1970 aired in the off-times. Advertising became a part of the network, and the network explained that their advertisers demanded more modern movies.

The networked developed one of its first shows in 2004 with the reality show Film Fakers, but the network didn’t experience its first big success until 2007’s Mad Men.

Filed Under: Film Festival, General Tagged With: AMC, Mad Men, Walking Dead

History of HBO

The Home Box Office started in 1972 as a pay-per-movie-view service based out of New York. Also in 1972, the station expanded to broadcast an NHL game to people in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The station continued to expand until 1975, when HBO was able to broadcast a Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier heavyweight championship boxing match through satellite technology. Thanks to the success of this broadcast, HBO was the first network to utilize satellites in regular programming transmission.

HBO soon faced competition from other premium networks like Showtime. Showtime was able to get exclusive deal with Paramount Pictures’ movies, leading HBO to seek an exclusive partnership with other movie companies, such as Columbia Pictures and 20^th Century Fox. In 1990, HBO launched HBO Independent Productions, which was dedicated to creating original television series. The first show HBO Independent Productions created was Roc for FOX. The company went onto develop programming for other networks, including 1991, after HBO acquired Citadel Entertainment.

HBO recognized the increased popularity of home video rentals and launched its own line in that area called HBO Home Video. The line was launched in 1984 with Thorn EMI Entertainment and was originally called EMI/HBO Home Video. HBO has been lauded numerous industry awards over the year, including cable TV’s highest honor, the Golden Ace. In addition to its regular programming, HBO also runs Cinemax and owned 50% of the Comedy Central station. HBO is operated in many countries all over the world in a variety of different languages. The network has had such achievements as creating the first made-for-TV pay-per-watch movie (the movie was The Terry Fox Story). In 1986, HBO was the first to begin using full-time scrambling in order to fight piracy.

Today, HBO still provides the newer movies that made the network famous, but it’s now known just as much for its original programming like The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire. HBO also produces many critically acclaimed movies and mini-series each year that earn the network numerous Emmy awards.

Filed Under: History, Television Tagged With: HBO, Joe Frazier, Terry Fox Story

It’s Time to Light the Lights: a History of the Muppet Show

The Muppet Show is responsible for bringing some of the world’s best-known and best-loved characters to life the homes of families all over the globe. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Fozzie Bear all represent a cast of characters still beloved by the world today. The classic children’s television program Sesame Street, another Jim Hensen creation, had been successfully running since. Though it must be noted that Sesame Street’s success proved bittersweet for Jim Hensen, as most television and movie CEOs perceive the Muppets as being only for children.

The Muppet Show first aired in 1976 and aired until 1981. While it aired, it was broadcasted in over one hundred countries. The show was unique not only for the fact that its cast of characters were comprised entirely of puppets (save a weekly guest star), but also in its ability to captivate both children and adults. It was truly programming that the entire family could watch.

The show featured classic Muppet characters that are still known today to modern audiences, including Rowlf, the piano-playing mutt and Statler and Waldorf, two elderly audience members who get their kicks heckling the Muppets onstage. No Muppet Show history can get by without mentioning Hensen’s counterpart, Frank Oz. While Jim Hensen performed the “straight man” of the Muppets, Kermit the Frog, Frank Oz was responsible for the zanier characters like Fozzie Bear and Miss Piggy. One of the Muppet Show’s cult favorite characters, the Swedish Chef, was performed by both Oz and Hensen. Hensen would do the voice while Oz performed the Swedish Chef’s hands.

The show managed to convince an impressive amount of top-name celebrities to come perform with a bunch of puppets. Guest stars included Florence Henderson, Steve Martin, Vincent Price, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Gene Kelly, and Alice Cooper (yes, that Alice Coper). The Muppet Show led to a series of successful Muppet movies, including The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppets Take Manhattan, The Muppets’ Christmas Carol, The Muppets’ Treasure Island, and Muppets in Space.

Filed Under: General, History Tagged With: Fozzie Bear, Great Muppet Caper, Muppet Show

Enjoying the Canadian Film Festival

The Canadian Film Festival is a yearly event that takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This is a chance for filmmakers and film lovers to meet up in a bunch of different ways, and compare notes on what they want, love and appreciate. Whether you are a budding screenplay writer, a filmmaker who wants to be discovered on the international scene, or just a person who loves a great flick and doesn’t want to watch the latest formulaic Hollywood junk, this is the place for you. Considering that Vancouver also had a recent Olympics, it is still primed to be a great place for a little tourism when nothing you want to see happens to be playing.

The Canada International Film Festival is a great event for a wide variety of different reasons. For one thing, it gives a lot of people who do not have the connections to any major studios the chance to show off the movies that they passionately create on a regular basis. There are filmmakers all over the world, working on budgets that look less like shoestrings and more like dental floss, because they have something to say. For a lot of these people, it is not about the money, but simply about the love of creating something artistic in the medium of film. Of course, they can make some money if they win an award, and it can also be a great jumping off point to launch a more mainstream career.

Another reason why it is great to be at the Festival is because Vancouver is a great city. Before the shows start, you can check out fun things to do in town by checking out Canada 411. Once the Festival begins, it gets even better, because you can go to all sorts of different seminars and forums with filmmakers (and ask them questions), as well as plenty of parties full of like-minded people.

Filed Under: Film Festival, General Tagged With: Canada, Film festival, Filmmaking

MAS*H: Making History…and Great Television

M*A*S*H is one of the most iconic and successful television shows of all time. Thanks to syndication, the show has found an entirely new set of fans in a later generation. The show was created because of the 1970 movie of the same name. The show was broadcasted on CBS from 1972 to 1983.

The show got off to a rocky start in its first season due to perpetually low ratings. M*A*S*H took off the next year, however, landing in the top ten of all programs. The show never dipped out of the top twenty programs for the rest of the show’s run.

M*A*S*H was an incredibly innovative program. It maintained a zany, madcap tone while still focusing deeply on the show’s characters. While the show was billed as a comedy and indeed often maintained a light tone throughout the episode, the show constantly dealt with tragic themes and moments. The show excelled at striking a balance between serious and comedic elements within a half-hour format. This format came to be known as the “dramedy.”

One of the most famous moments in the series’ (and indeed, television’s) history was the historic departure of Lt. Col. Henry Blake. While other show’s characters left the show (the character of Trapper was “discharged” early on due to a contract dispute with the character’s actor, Wayne Rogers). When Blake’s character left the show, the show reported that his plane was shot down. There were no survivors on the plane, meaning that Blake’s character had died. The public outcry to his death was so severe that the producers promised to never anything like it ever again on the show, but the event proved to the public that here was a comedy unafraid of the harsh realities of war.

Another way M*A*S*H was historically significant to the television industry is that it was one of the few sitcoms of its day to be filmed on location instead of indoors with a live studio audience. The show also embraced outside-the-box cinematic filming techniques, like long shots and tracking shots.

Filed Under: Film Festival, General Tagged With: Television, Television program, Wayne Rogers

A Brief History of Food Network

Image via Wikipedia

Much like music broadcasting channels are dedicated to music, Food Network is all about food: cooking food, food origins, recipes, how food is made, and food-based reality competitions. The company didn’t appear out of thin air. So how did Food Network get started, and how did it become what it is today?

The Origins of Food Network

April 19, 1993 marks the founding date of the TV Food Network. After a few years, the channel shortened its name to Food Network, but the company’s legal name remains Television Food Network, G.P. Reese Schonfeld, a television heavy-hitter who also co-founded CNN, created the network under the guidance of Trygve Myrhen (The Providence Journal President). Reese Schonfeld became the network’s Managing Director.

The Original Lineup

Modern fans of the network will perhaps best recognize Food Network star Emeril Lagasse, who was part of the original lineup with his show Essence of Emeril. Emeril remains a fan favorite television cook today and is known for his signature phrases of “Bam!” and “Kick it up a notch!” Culinary fans will no doubt recognize Jacques Pépen, a legendary French chef and television personality. Other stars in the original Food Network lineup included Debbi Fields, David Rosengarten, Dr. Louis Arrone, Donna Hanover, and Curtis Aikens. Interestingly enough, Robin Leach, host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, was also seen on Food Network in its original year. Food Network then acquired the rights to the Julia Child library the year after.

Food Network in the Kitchen vs. Food Network Nighttime

Food Network divided its programming into two types: daytime and nighttime. Daytime programming is largely how-to cooking shows, which include favorites like Everyday Italian, Cooking for Real, 30 Minute Meals, and Paula’s Best Dishes. Food Network Nighttime is devoted to food-related programming like Chopped, Iron Chef America, and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Food Network Nighttime has also launched a string of cooking or food-related reality competitions like The Next Food Network Star, The Next Iron Chef, Worst Cooks in America, and The Great Food Truck Race.

Filed Under: History, Television Tagged With: Emeril Lagasse, Food Network, Great Food Truck Race

Music on Television

One of the features of my cable television service I love are the music channels. Up in the high 800s of my stations I find the music stations. There are a wide variety of stations, many more than are on a typical radio and they are commercial free.

I use these music stations as background music when I am studying or working and love the variety I can find. I do not listen to one specific type of music, I love rock, country, rap, pop and even the occasional jazz and classical so I can have all of these types of music available at my fingertips.

One of my favorite sections of stations is the decade channels. I can listen to top hits from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s 90’s or 2000’s. I rotate through these pretty frequently and always hear songs that I had long forgotten about. This is a great way to expose yourself to new or new to you music and become a well rounded music fan.

There are also stations that are geared towards children. I love to put one of these stations on when my daughter is just hanging out and playing or reading. This will allow her to have some noise and entertainment without putting on the television that will likely distract her from her play and encourage her to watch TV.

If you have never checked out these stations I encourage you to do so. You will likely love them as much as I do. Without a doubt this is a great thing to play at your next party or when you have company also. Nothing inspires conversation like great music, and if your guests are not a fan of the same music you are you can change the entire mood by changing the station.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Music television

Options in Children’s Programming

Television is certainly a part of our lifestyle in the twenty first century. In the western world, nearly everyone has at least one television in their home and many of us have multiple TVs, cable or satellite service and other gadgets to make our television time easier and more fun. Even children spend time each day in front of the screen, hopefully watching programming that is educational or at least appropriate for their age. Because of this, there are many television networks that are mainly geared towards kids.

Public television generally plays children’s programming during the day. The shows they air are some of the most iconic and recognizable anywhere. Most of us grew up watching Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood or depending on your age maybe Barney. These shows are still staples on the lineups of Public television stations everywhere, but new shows have been developed that provide new educational opportunities and familiar characters to a new generation of children. Popular shows now include Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Fetch with Ruff Ruffman.

Getting into the cable stations, the Disney company owns multiple that cater to children. The regular Disney channel features programming that appeals to all children. Playhouse Disney is a station that is geared towards preschoolers, and Disney XD is geared towards older children.

Nickelodeon has the same format. They offer the traditional Nickelodeon station as well as Noggin for young children and Teen Nick for teenagers. There is bound to be a Nickelodeon or Disney channel that appeals to your children.

Other than these stations that are well known, there are many other smaller stations that provide quality entertainment for children. Cartoon network shows mainly animated features, Discovery Kids is an educational station that offers mainly science programs, and Sprout is a station that is exclusively for preschoolers. No matter what age, there is sure to be a station that appeals to the interests of your children.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Nickelodeon

The DVD/TV Combo

For parents who take their children on long trips, one of the greatest inventions in the past few years is likely the portable DVD/TV combo. This simple gadget allows the family, or children to watch DVD movies in the car, without having to do any installations or work on your car itself.

Children love being able to watch their favorite movies or television shows while they are travelling, as it is often easier for them to focus on television than to try and read in the car. Reading in the car is great, but for many people it gives them an upset stomach feeling that television watching doesn’t seem to cause.

Parents love the fact that their children are kept busy, and will likely be less disruptive and won’t bother each other as much. It can be hard for children to sit still for such a long trip, but with the portable DVD combo, they will at least have entertainment to help them pass the time along the way.

Just because the children are watching television doesn’t mean they are going to zone out and watch something mindless. There are many great educational programs that are available for kids on DVD. Many of the popular shows on public television like Sesame Street are available on DVD, so you can feel good that your children are watching something wholesome that will hopefully teach them as they watch.

Over the last couple of years the DVD/TV combo has become much more affordable. When they first became popular you could expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a nice setup, now you can find the simplest versions for under $100 at your local discount store. This is certainly a good investment if you spend much time riding in the car with your children.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: DVD/TV Combo

The DVR is a Life Changing Invention

One of the best investments I’ve made, in regards to home entertainment, is purchasing a DVR. DVR stands for digital video recorder. If you have never used one of these before you don’t know what you are missing.

You can program the DVR to record your favorite program on a one time basis, or set it up to record the entire series. The programs are recorded onto the hard drive of the DVR itself so you don’t have to deal with bulky video tapes or DVDs that get scratched and don’t play well.

I like to set up my DVR to record all the episodes of my favorite shows. I can set it up one time, and then I never have to remember to do anything again. I come home, sit in my favorite chair and I have access to episodes of my favorite TV shows.

This is a great thing for families. If you are a parent you know your children want to stay up late to watch a special program sometimes. With the DVR you don’t have to be a bad guy by keeping them from their favorite show, but you don’t have to compromise their sleep either.

Another great benefit of the DVR is that most of them have a built in intuitive guide that will allow you to search through different programming categories to find new programs, or ones you didn’t realize aired. I love to search through the different offbeat sports events and find programs I may have otherwise missed. I love watching gymnastics and cheerleading competitions, neither of which air very often, and now I don’t have to worry about missing out when they do air. I really do not know what my family did before the DVR, I believe we watch less TV, but we watch it much smarter now and get more enjoyment out of the time we spend in front of the television.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Digital video recorder