NBC: TV Miniseries & Series

Documentary films on diverse subjects.

Jon Gnagy was a young artist who completed drawings on stage while describing his techniques.

Sponsored by the makers of the Encyclopedia Americana, this quiz show featured questions on obscure bits of American folklore and history that had been sent in by home viewers. Originally, the contestants on the program were adults, but the show later switched to having high school students compete.

A well-received anthology series presenting live television dramas.

A film noir drama-dey cop & crime show, Public Prosecutor was created for one major networks but they gave up on the series and another early TV network called DuMont picked it up.

America has produced a wide variety of folk music and dance, raging from the fishing songs of the east coast to the cowboy ballads of the old west, and this show presented viewers with a sampling of it. Hosted by musician and singer Paul Arnold and featuring a rotating cast of singers and dancers, this program included a new lineup of performances each week of its year-long run.

Comedy bits from a cast of regulars and guest stars filled this half hour, which was emceed by Phil Silvers for all but a month of its one-season run. In April 1949, Hank Ladd took over as host.

A panel show in which two critics debated a recently-published book; one critic would assail it, the other would praise it. Later in the program, the author would be given the chance to defend the criticism or to acknowledge the accolades.

A television version of the popular radio game show "Break the Bank" (1945-1955). Contestants would be asked questions for a progressively larger cash prize, and the final question was the "break the bank" question which was worth all the money in the bank. The television version debuted in 1948 on ABC, co-hosted by Bert Parks and Bud Collyer. In October 1956, a prime version of the show debuted on NBC under the title "Break the $250,000 Bank". It was permanently canceled in January 1957, featuring the actress Ethel Waters as the penultimate contestant.

Unsuspecting people are placed in confusing, impossible, embarrassing, ridiculous, and hilarious positions, while their reactions are recorded on a hidden camera.

This was an anthology series which aired live. It often featured adaptations of one-act stage plays.

The Texaco Star Theatre was one of the most popular shows in the history of television. In the first year, Milton Berle was not the permanent emcee, but once he replaced the rotation, the show soared to ratings dominance (Number One in 1950-51), NBC dominated Tuesday night, and Berle became the first great star of the new medium, "Mr. Television". The basic format was modeled after a vaudeville variety hour, spotlighting Berle's jokes, sight gags, and costumes.

A short film produced just following the second world war giving a guided tour of this famous museum. In it, we see the many ways in which science, particularly engineering and chemistry, has changed both the world and our daily lives. The tour also provides visitors with a glimpse of what the future may hold in store for us all.

Perry Como was an American Singer, who got his start on NBC Radio. In 1948, Because of his popularity, The cameras were simply brought into the radio studio to televise the radio broadcast and named it The Supper Club. In 1950 Como and his Sponsors moved to CBS and named this The Perry Como Chesterfield Show.

This live dramatic series featured original stories and adaptations of novels, plays, etc., during its eight-year run. During the first year, the show was sponsored by the Actor's Equity Association, and featured adaptations of Broadway plays and musicals. Bert Lytell, the former President of the Association, acted as host. During the second season, an agreement was made with the Book-of-the-Month Club, and the plays were adaptations of current novels. Starting in the third season, the television plays were adaptations of plays, novels, dramas, etc., by known and unknown authors. The title of the show was changed to "Repertory Theatre" (1949) for episodes 1.29 to 1.31 and "Arena Theatre" (1949) for episodes 1.32 to 1.38. Effective with episode 1.39, the original title was used. Starting with the fourth season, this show alternated weekly with "The Goodyear Theatre" (1951); starting in the eighth season, this program alternated with "The Goodyear Theatre" (1951) and "The ALCOA Hour" (1955).

Guest cartoonists draw sketches to accompany jokes or stories.

Live music and light comedy featuring singer Lanny Ross. For the first 5 months, a quiz segment was included where contestants attempted to determine names, places and events from a series of visual clues. In September 1948, the show switched to "Lanny's penthouse where various guests made an appearance and Lanny's "girlfriend" Eileen Baron would visit. In March 1949, the format changed to straight musical variety.

The host interviewed entertainers, politicians and average Americans to discuss important events in their lives.

Live variety show with a nautical theme featuring top-name singers and comedians.