[.ca] The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable ... (ISBN 0345497732)

An Uneven And Decidedly Opinionated Book About TV:
This book sort of considers itself the "industry standard" at giving you the facts about television shows. And, in many ways, it does give you a sense of many of the programs listed here, more than six thousand, as the cover states. However, it frequently doesn't know whether it wants to give you the gossipy dish on a program or to clearheadedly state the facts of a show, and it frequently misses the historical records or the most important points about and surrounding the listings. For example, in the case of television's most celebrated flop, "My Mother The Car," they flatly state the plot of the program, but nothing about how outrageous the concept was or any of the commentary about it. Meanwhile, just over the page, they talk of how many people found the critical darling, "My So-Called Life" whiny and melodramatic! Either a tome like this should treat all shows with no editorial opinion included, or they should dish the dirt on all programs. It makes the authors seem like rank amateurs to try to be both critics and paladins of television facts. One final note: They always state, with each ensuing version of this book (currently at the Eighth Edition), that the text is "completely revised and updated." This is a lie. The reviews and comments on every show reviewed in a previous edition is exactly the same as it was when it first appeared. Some of these are embarrassingly outdated, like the comments they made about the landmark miniseries, "Roots." This book is helpful to people who are aware of the programs firsthand and won't be swayed by the author's biases. However, with internet resources available, this book and many others like it may soon be as dead as many of the shows it purportedly reviews.

one thing i would like to be added:
this book is great for tv buffs it brought back alot of memories from my past and present. there is only one thing that could make this book better and what i would like to see added is a list of each episode by name or at least something stating how many episodes were made for each show listed like for example "kolchak:the night stalker" (20 episodes),other than that the book is a bible of the tv and cable world.oh yeah also what would make it better is if a new edition was put out each year instead of the wide gap in years between editions so this way it is more up to date and accurate of the current times.

The Complete Guide to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows:
The best ever!! Tried to stump the book with obscure TV shows and everyone was listed. Goes by alphabetical order and with calendars of all the years from 1946 to the 2003. You'll never forget who appeared in what. Alot of detail on each show. As soon as I looked thru it, I was sorry I hadn't had this book for years. The best TV reference book you can have.

A book to make Homer drool:
I already have two earlier editions of this TV bible and had to have this new one. It's more than worth the money. I'll read this one cover to cover as soon as I can bestill my beating heart. I've checked out the write-ups for newer shows such as Buffy -- the authors have proven that they're still in top form. This edition even includes a trivia section, which I will attempt after reading the 1500 or so pages of television history. A must-have for anyone who watches TV.

Best book ever printed. A must have!:
I have three editions of this, I upgrade about every 5-10 years. Just want to say that this is a required reference for trivila, facts, solving crossward puzzles, and most of all, settling arguments at the office, home, or other work place. Along with Leonard Maltin's movie book, it is all one needs to watch TV correctly.