New Releases by Kathleen Olmstead

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Comedy has been a staple of broadcast television since the inception of the medium. And from Lucille Ball to Carol Burnett to Mary Tyler Moore, women have proved themselves more than adept at delivering a joke. But women''s contribution to comedy goes far beyond perfect timing—the women who have advanced comedy on television have developed, produced, written, and starred in the shows that are now considered comedy classics. 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt are just two of the many modern comedies in which women have played key roles—although in this case, a single woman, Tina Fey, is the creative genius behind both. Through the voice of Liz Lemon, 30 Rock tackled topics ranging from race to politics to age, and over the course of its seven seasons won an impressive ninety Emmy nominations. Fey continues to tackle difficult subjects in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, this time through the lens of the enthusiastically naive Kimmy, a kidnapping victim who refuses to let her past experiences define her. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. The X-Files was a risky choice for network television when it premiered in 1993, but the show’s seemingly niche premise immediately captured a large, loyal fanbase that continued on even after the original series ended. With its heavy focus on aliens, monsters, and government conspiracies, The X-Files can be credited with bringing the paranormal into the mainstream. During its nine-year run, The X-Files won numerous awards, including Emmys, Golden Globes, and SAG awards. In 1997, both lead actors, Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny, were awarded Emmys for their performances. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. At Olivia Pope & Associates, scandal rules the day. The highly respected crisis management firm is the go-to for the high-profile political elite whose reputations are under threat. Scandal touches on political intrigue, covert spies, and international conspiracies, all with more than a dash of romance. Exploring not only the cultural significance and success of the show, The Untold History of Television: Scandal also examines the meteoric rise of Shonda Rhimes, and how her vision has changed the landscape of network television forever. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of two groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Bolstered by the successes of shows like The Flintstones, The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-head and South Park, animated television shows aimed at audiences outside of the Saturday morning cartoon crowd are growing in popularity. Fox Television’s Bob’s Burgers and FX’s Archer are just two examples of the increasing presence of animated shows on network television and the growing size and diversity of the audiences captivated by these cartoon comedies. Archer and Bob’s Burgers share more than just a lead actor; they also rise from a shared history—one that is based on a foundation created by the crass and witty cartoons that came before them. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of both series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Boardwalk Empire is an unflinching portrayal of life in Atlantic City at the height of Prohibition. Starring Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson, the crime drama seamlessly blends fiction and historical realism, exploring vice, greed and blind ambition during a time when America was still defining itself. Over the course of its five-season run, Boardwalk Empire garnered forty Primetime Emmy nominations, going on to win seventeen Primetime Emmy awards. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The wares of the Little Match Girl illuminate her cold world, bringing some beauty to her brief, tragic life.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Critically acclaimed for its writing, acting, and cinematography, Breaking Bad follows Walter White, an everyday chemistry teacher who, when faced with a life-changing terminal cancer diagnosis, turns to a life of crime in order to secure his family’s future. Gritty and real, Breaking Bad explores what happens when an ordinary man frees himself from the ethical and moral constraints of conventional society. In this text, Kathleen Olmstead examines Walter White’s descent from upstanding citizen to kingpin of a meth empire, and discusses the pop culture impact of this richly written and acted drama. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Emmy Award-winning Downton Abbey brings to life the trials and tribulations of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants as they struggle to maintain their place in the rapidly changing world of the early 20th century. Rich with period costumes, schemes, intrigue, and affairs of the heart, Downton Abbey is a vivid portrait of a now-vanished way of life. In this text, Kathleen Olmstead examines the unlikely popularity of this character-driven period drama and its relevance to today’s audience. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Based on Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series, True Blood brings to life a rich fantasy world in which vampires, telepathic barmaids, and old-world Southern charm all manage to co-exist. Dark, edgy and sensual, the series takes the vampire trend to a new level of sex and violence. In this text, Kathleen Olmstead investigates the ups and downs of the wildly popular show in which outcasts come in many shapes and sizes, and danger lurks around every corner. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides an exciting glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have defined the landscape of popular culture. Based on the wildly popular comic by Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead is a riveting drama about experiencing a zombie apocalypse—and living to tell the tale. It explores the survivors’s fate and questions who poses the greater threat: the mindless zombies or the desperate living. In this text, Kathleen Olmstead examines the evolution of zombie “culture” from its beginnings on the big screen in the films of George A. Romero to the recent explosion of literary adaptions and the small screen ratings-winner The Walking Dead. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides a captivating glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have both defined and changed the pop culture landscape. Beloved by fans and critics alike, Mad Men, Matthew Weiner’s intense, clever series about the world of 1960s advertising, followed an intriguing path from script to screen. Flat-out rejected by HBO, the show found a home at AMC and has gone on to great success, gaining countless fans and sweeping numerous awards shows in its wake. More than just a nostalgic romp through an idealized past, the series explores recent American history through the lens of Madison Avenue ‘mad men’ like Don Draper and Roger Sterling with unparalleled intelligence and exciting storytelling. The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides a captivating glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have both defined and changed the pop culture landscape. Honest, compelling and full of heart, Friday Night Lights brought small-town Texas football into the lives of television viewers across North America. From book to movie to the small screen, Friday Night Lights struggled against the odds to survive on television, finally doing so through an innovative deal with Direct TV and NBC, as well as the support of an intense fan base. Anyone hearing the rallying cry of “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose” knows that to love Friday Night Lights is to adore an ensemble drama that tests the limits of the art form while offering a glimpse into the lives of people who eat, sleep, and breathe American football culture. Kathleen Olmstead’s ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

The Untold History of Television provides a captivating glimpse behind the scenes of the groundbreaking series that have both defined and changed the pop culture landscape. David Simon’s The Wire, hands down, has been described by critics and fans alike as simply the best television show, ever. More than just your typical cop drama where the heroes and the villains are easy to define, The Wire took television storytelling to a whole new level when it premiered in June 2002. Audiences faced the seedy underbelly of Baltimore, Maryland and questioned what makes a city work—or what makes it fail. In this text, Kathleen Olmstead investigates the ups and downs of a show so compelling that, “even when it was hard to watch—the violent crime, vicious attacks or characters behaving badly—it was even harder to look away.” The ebook contains information about the inception and development of the series, thought-provoking episode analysis, and on-the-set stories about the cast and crew.

In this abridged sequel to "Anne of Green Gables," sixteen-year-old Anne works as a school teacher in a small village on Prince Edward Island.

Jacques Cousteau spent his life exploring oceans and sharing his discoveries through weekly television shows, documentary films, and books. He excited and educated people by bringing the underwater world-sharks, whales, penguins, dolphins, and sea turtles-within reach. This remarkable man also created important inventions like the aqualung, which allowed people to breath underwater. Even Cousteau''s beloved ship, the Calypso, used as his home and office for more than forty years, became well known. His legacy lives on in the conservation efforts of the Cousteau Society. Book jacket.

African American explorer Matthew Henson had been traveling with Robert E. Peary and his team in the arctic by dog sled for weeks. The temperature was almost sixty degrees below zero. After years of trying to reach the North Pole, would their quest end because of frigid conditions? And who would receive acclaim for being the first person to accomplish such a difficult goal? Henson was born not long after the Civil War, when life in the United States, especially for African Americans, was changing quickly. As a young man, he toured the world while working on a boat, where he experienced freedom and kindness from the captain, but faced racism from crew members as well as other people on shore. After leaving seafaring behind, Henson was to meet Lieutenant Robert E. Peary, a man who would alter the course of his life forever. He would accompany Peary on dangerous, exciting expeditions to Nicaragua, Northern Greenland, and finally the perilous North Pole. Book jacket.

An abridged version of the tale of a kind and well-respected doctor who can turn himself into a murderous madman by taking a secret drug he has created.