Retro Active Television: An In-Depth Perspective on Classic TV’s Social Circuitry

Grand Prize Winner Los Angeles Book Festival Winner Best Compilation/Anthology Los Angeles Book Festival Winner Beach Book Festival Winner New York Book Festival  Runner Up San Francisco Book Festival Award Runner Up London Book Festival Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Finalist Runner Up Hollywood Book Festival “Herbie J Pilato is the epitome of an appreciator of classic television. He writes with warmth, knowledge and a deep understanding of the history of television and the effect it has had on American culture. If you like nostalgia, this book will have you beaming!”-    Helen Richman (Actor, Playhouse 90) “I understand the power of nostalgia. I see and hear about it every day from classic TV fans who share with me their joyful, sentimental journeys. With RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION, Herbie J Pilato so wonderfully clarifies the road to yesterday’s television as a safe, comforting and happy path for travelers to take and embrace in today’s complicated world.” –    Wesley Eure (Actor, Land of the Lost, Days of Our Lives, Dragon Tales) “Nobody knows as much about classic television as Herbie J Pilato, and with this book, RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION, he has created a classic commentary on the subject that exceeds all expectations. Herbie J demonstrates that he is more than a fan, critic, and historian. He is, in fact, the most insightful media commentator around, the possessor of a unique understanding of how television in all its forms has shaped – and continues to shape – past, present, and future world culture. A must-read is ever there was one!” –    Larry Brody (TV Writer, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Barnaby Jones) “Herbie J Pilato brings his expertise to bear with this extensive analysis of television’s effect and reflection on our culture; a book that connects the dots between the medium’s origins and milestones, between the past and the present…and how we can utilize it productively…for the future.” –    Marc Wade (The Television Academy, Emmys.com) “Pilato understands better than most historians why certain characters, certain TV locales, certain episodes and certain lines of dialogue resonate with a viewer – often decades after s/he saw the show in question.  Will remind you of or introduce you to great series, amazing actors and filmmakers, and fun, newly-revealed facts. I couldn’t put it down.” –    Frank Balkin (Managing Partner, Worldwide Production Agency) “I found this book to be quite satisfying and nutritious on both an intellectual and spiritual level.” –    David L. Harper (Actor, The Waltons) “Television and pop culture historian and author Herbie J Pilato takes readers on a provocative and entertaining look into the agenda behind classic TV shows and the resulting trends. We’ve spent years of our lives in front of the tube; isn’t it about time we found out what makes that tube tick? RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION will enlighten you.” –    Marc Cushman (Author, Screenwriter) “Herbie J Pilato addresses the role of Classic TV historically, socially, psychologically, and morally. More than a TV dinner, this is entertaining food for thought.” –    Edgar L. Bullington (Entertainment Historian)   “Ever wonder what the people who bring us our TV entertainment are thinking? Television and pop culture historian and author Herbie J Pilato has, and now takes readers on a provocative and entertaining look into the agenda behind TV shows and the resulting trends. Even when it seemed television programming was primarily mindless, there was serious thought behind what audiences were presented. The networks, after all, believe in giving the people what they want, even when the people should have known better. We’ve spent years of our lives in front of the tube; isn’t it about time we found out what makes that tube tick? Retro Active Television will enlighten you.”  –    Marc Cushman (Screenwriter, Author)