Syndicated Television

<p> Here is an excellent reference book on first run syndication--the distribution of programs either made exclusively for non-network play or of programs intended for network telecasts but ultimately making their debuts in syndication. Bringing together information not easily found this work covers the classics such as <I>Sea Hunt Highway Patrol The Merv Griffin Show</I> and the <I>Muppet Show</I> as well as such once-popular but now obscure productions as <I>China Smith Ripcord</I> and <I>The Littlest Hobo.</I> Coverage goes back to 1947 and the book includes a number of series ignored in other works.</p><p> The first section is an overview of the concept of syndication from its earliest application in the newspaper world to the attempt by Fox Television to become a fourth network. The next four sections each cover ten years of syndication listing the shows (with full background--who produced them and why who liked them and why etc.) alphabetically by title under the following genres: Adventure/Mystery Children's Comedy Drama Game/Quiz Informational Music/Variety Religious Sports Talk/Interview Travel/Documentary Westerns and Women's.</p>