Comediennes on TV

Pioneers of Television returns to witf tv this January.  

Ryan Seacrest narrates the third season of this Emmy-nominated series, which reveals intriguing behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating facts about television shows and programming genres that continue to influence the medium today. New interviews with legendary stars and never-before-seen images mix with timeless footage that continues to entertain viewers decades later.

Photo by Courtesy of PBS "Pioneers of Television"

A rare 1954 color image of Betty White

January 15th features the first standup comediennes to appear on television — legends such as Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers. It also looks at Lucille Ball’s breakthrough on “I Love Lucy” and the sitcom stars who followed, including Mary Tyler Moore, Betty White and Marla Gibbs. The episode covers television’s most enduring variety star, Carol Burnett, and features interviews with contemporary actresses including Tina Fey and Margaret Cho.

Pioneers of Television continues on witf through the start of February:
Primetime Soaps – January 22
Superheroes – January 29
Miniseries – February 5