From Library Journal
The result of 15 years' research, this is one of the most substantial databases available of broadcast TV credit information. Arranged alphabetically by performer, the entries list credits from 1948, when network TV broadcasting began in earnest, through the end of the 2001-2000 TV season. This work is similar in quality to another recent three-volume McFarland media reference, Harris M. Lentz's Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits (LJ 6/1/01. 2d ed.), but it is much larger in scope. Each entry offers an exhaustive television history of the performer, with additional birth and death information and a brief description of the performer's most famous works. Inman, a syndicated columnist with the Gannet News Service, can be credited with producing one of the finest media reference sets ever published. A superlative work that will be used by researchers for years to come; highly recommended for media and broadcasting libraries but perhaps too exhaustive for smaller and less specific public and academic libraries. David M. Lisa, Wayne P.L., NJ Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Considering the vast number of television programs that have been aired, one can imagine the difficulty of ferreting out the broadcasting history of television performers. This reference work tries to do just that.Inman's database reflects 15 years of compiling data from periodicals, the Internet, program producers and syndicates, and other sources. He begins with 1948 and concludes with the 1999-2000 season. Coverage includes "persons appearing on dramatic and comedy programs, made-for-TV movies and miniseries, game and quiz shows, performance-oriented talk shows and variety shows"; but not sporting events, news shows, and other programs "with very little performance activity." Performers are listed under their most popular name and are generally crossreferenced from a less-well-known name (Cupito, Suzanne SEE Morgan Brittany). In some cases, famous duos are crossreferenced (although Cher is not connected with Sonny Bono). Highprofilers such as Ken Berry, Jimmy Durante, and Connie Stevens are here, but one also finds performers usually associated with the theater (e.g., Theodore Bikel and Lillian Gish) and "live" entertainment (e.g., Don Ho and Beverly Sills), some of whom are sometimes surprisingly prolific in their television appearances. The volume shows the importance and ubiquity of character actors, who are often overlooked in other volumes, such as Joel Brooks, Mitzi Hoag, and Vaughn Taylor, whose credits take up a whole page. Entries are arranged alphabetically, and range from two lines (one appearance in one show) to a page and a half for personalities such as Steve Allen and Milton Berle. Each entry typically includes vital dates, birthplace, general type, or best-known character. Regular appearances are listed first, followed by guest appearances. Each category is arranged chronologically and includes the series name, episode, network, and year. Emmy Awards are noted, and sometimes a brief editorial comment concludes the entry. This work does not capture every single performance (Mel Arrighi and Dennis McNiven are two oversights), but the editor has done a thorough job--exhausting, if not exhaustive. Researchers should welcome having so much data pulled together in a single set. For large collections where comprehensive information on television and performer history is needed. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
This enormous, oversize, three-volume reference of performers' television credits (United States) is for serious researchers and writers who cannot afford not to have the most complete information available anywhere. The data begin in 1948, with the advent of serious network television broadcasting, and go through May 31, 2000, the end of the 1999-2000 TV season. Death information is included up to the end of 2000. Included are persons appearing on dramatic and comedy programs, made-for-TV movies and miniseries, game and quiz shows, performance-oriented talk shows and variety shows. For logical reasons, persons who appeared on shows with very little performance activity are excluded (award shows, sporting events, parades, news broadcasts, and reality programming are examples). A performer's birthplace, birth date and date of death are listed (where possible), along with information about his or her best-known television roles, Emmy Awards won, descriptions of memorable career moments, appearances on soap operas, talk, game and variety shows. As a bonus, information is provided on actors' best-known writing, directing and producing credits.

About the Author
Since 1981 David M. Inman has been the author of "The Incredible Inman," a TV question-and-answer column that is syndicated nationwide by Gannett News Service and appears in more than 35 newspapers. His work has also appeared in VCR and Southern magazines as well as USA Today. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This enormous, oversize, three-volume reference of performers' television credits (United States) is for serious researchers and writers who cannot afford not to have the most complete information available anywhere. The data begin in 1948, with the advent of serious network television broadcasting, and go through May 31, 2000, the end of the 1999￯﾿ﾽ2000 TV season. Death information is included up to the end of 2000.

Included are persons appearing on dramatic and comedy programs, made-for-TV movies and miniseries, game and quiz shows, performance-oriented talk shows and variety shows. For logical reasons, persons who appeared on shows with very little performance activity are excluded (award shows, sporting events, parades, news broadcasts, and reality programming are examples).

A performer's birthplace, birth date and date of death are listed (where possible), along with information about his or her best-known television roles, Emmy Awards won, descriptions of memorable career moments, appearances on soap operas, talk, game and variety shows. As a bonus, information is provided on actors' best-known writing, directing and producing credits.

Author Biography: Since 1981 David M. Inman has been the author of "The Incredible Inman," a TV question-and-answer column that is syndicated nationwide by Gannett News Service and appears in more than 35 newspapers. His work has also appeared in VCR and Southern magazines as well as USA Today. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

The result of 15 years' research, this is one of the most substantial databases available of broadcast TV credit information. Arranged alphabetically by performer, the entries list credits from 1948, when network TV broadcasting began in earnest, through the end of the 2001-2000 TV season. This work is similar in quality to another recent three-volume McFarland media reference, Harris M. Lentz's Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits (LJ 6/1/01. 2d ed.), but it is much larger in scope. Each entry offers an exhaustive television history of the performer, with additional birth and death information and a brief description of the performer's most famous works. Inman, a syndicated columnist with the Gannet News Service, can be credited with producing one of the finest media reference sets ever published. A superlative work that will be used by researchers for years to come; highly recommended for media and broadcasting libraries but perhaps too exhaustive for smaller and less specific public and academic libraries. David M. Lisa, Wayne P.L., NJ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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