Customer Reviews

Dictionary of Teleliteracy: Television's 500 Biggest Hits, Misses, and Events

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It's a shame this book has such a dull title because it's really
a wonderful book! I have several shelves filled with television
reference books, but this one takes pride of place. True to its
title, the book is organized in the form of a dictionary, with A
to Z entries on individual shows, from "ABC World News" to
"Zorro." Not only is it stuffed with useful information on the
history of television from 1945 through 1995, it's great fun to
read. David Bianculli is that rarest of all TV addicts--a man
with an IQ number higher than the number of cable channels he
gets. He seems to know everything there is to know about every
show ever aired and can comment authoritatively on all of them.
Here he has selected 500 programs (both series and individual
events, such as the O.J. Simpson "Bronco" miniseries) that have
had the greatest impact--for better or for worse--on our culture
and explains why. All this has to do with his conception of
"teleliteracy"--the awareness and appreciation of TV's most
popular and meaningful offerings.

In other words, this book isn't strictly about the best and worst
in television history (though Bianculli offers tons of examples
of both), it's about the shows that have made the greatest
impression on our consciousness--the shows that live on our
memories, that have changed our language, and have shaped our
culture.

Perhaps I expected too much from this book. I had thought it would be a valuable reference for anyone who appreciates television and its history. Instead, the book is aimless drivel about nothing but the author's own opinions, not to mention his revolting and juvenile puns, appearing seeminly on every other line.

Mr. Bianculli is a fun read and clearly a master of his domain. This book is a must have for any television fan or student. Keep it by the TV set and beat your family members in triva contests. Run don't walk to pick up a copy.

Mr. Bianculli is a fun read and clearly a master of his domain. This book is a must have for any television fan or student. Keep it by the TV set and beat your family members in triva contests. Run don't walk to pick up a copy.