Neal Street Productions
Of the two decades with series premieres on the list this week, only one of those decades actually had new series and, technically, only three of the four were really new. 1974 gave us a game show that simply moved to a new network and became a huge success, while 2014 brought back a series from the past for a limited run. This decade also had two reality shows, and one scripted drama featuring a cast of classic horror characters. Scroll down to see the shows that premiered this week across the decades and tell us if any of your favorites are celebrating milestone anniversaries.
1954
- No new series premiered this week in 1954.
1964
- No new series premiered this week in 1964.
1974
- May 6 – The $10,000 Pyramid (ABC, Six seasons)
This version of The $10,000 Pyramid had premiered on CBS on March 26, 1973. The show was a hit at first, but ratings declined against NBC’s Jeopardy! and was cancelled. ABC quickly acquired the show where it ran until 1980, becoming The $20,000 Pyramid from 1974-1976 and The $25,000 Pyramid from 1976-1980. Dick Clark was the host.
1984
- No new series premiered this week in 1984.
1994
- No new series premiered this week in 1994.
2004
- No new series premiered this week in 2004.
2014
Imagine Television
- May 5 – 24: Live Another Day (Fox, 12-episode limited series)
- May 6 – Alaskan Bush People (Discovery Channel, Fourteen seasons, 114 episodes to date)
- May 11 – Penny Dreadful (Showtime, Three seasons, 27 episodes)
- May 11 – Hungry Investors (Spike TV, One season, 11 episodes)
24: Live Another Day was set four years after the events of the original 24 series. It maintains the series’ signature 24-hour format with each episode set in the space of one hour, but there is a 12-hour time jump in the final episode. Series stars Keifer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub reprised their roles of Jack Bauer and Chloe O’Brian, respectively. Kim Raver and William Devane also returned as Audrey Raind and James Heller, respectively. The series earned three Emmy nominations for music, sound editing and picture editing.
Penny Dreadful drew its title from the 19th century British fiction publications that featured lurid and sensational subject matter. The series featured public domain characters including Dorian Gray, Mina Harker, Abraham Van Helsing, Renfield, Dracula, Victor Frankenstein and his Monster, and Henry Jekyll. Series creator John Logan wanted to use characters from The Island of Dr. Moreau, but the rights were not available so Dr. Jekyll was included instead. Showtime had announced a third and fourth season before the end of Season 2, but Logan decided to bring the story to its natural end with Season 3. There was no announcement until the finale was broadcast that the show was ending because knowing that in advance would be a massive spoiler for the audience. A spin-off series was created following the finale, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, that aired in the Spring of 2020. The series earned six BAFTA nominations, winning three for make-up and hair, music and production design. It also earned 13 Creative Arts Emmy nominations with no wins.
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