Hallmark Entertainment/Walt Disney Television
As the traditional May ‘sweeps’ period gets into full swing — and the traditional TV season is coming to an end — none of the major broadcast networks are premiering any new TV series, reserving the all-important ratings period for those finales and special events. ABC did just that in both 1993 and 2003, rolling out two mini-series in the hopes of scoring high ratings for the network in order to raise advertising rates for the next season. Network mini-series went out of fashion by 2013, but cable TV needs a steady stream of content, so we’re left with five reality shows and one scripted/improv mockumentary. Do you remember any of the shows celebrating anniversaries this week?
1953
- No new series debuted this week in 1953.
1963
- No new series debuted this week in 1963.
1973
- No new series debuted this week in 1973.
1983
- No new series debuted this week in 1983.
1993
The Konigsberg/Sanitsky Company
- May 9 – The Tommyknockers (ABC, Two-episode mini-series)
The Tommyknockers was based on the 1987 Stephen King novel of the same name. Several changes were made to the story which King approved including the ending, in which everyone died in the original story. Other changes were made to adhere to broadcast standards, as well as for the convenience of the elderly E.G. Marshall. In the mini-series, the people are mind-controlled by three characters instead of having instruments drilled to their heads. ABC demanded a strict shooting schedule that began in the Fall, but the story took place in Summer so production was conducted in New Zealand, which had locations that resembled New England. Original director Lewis Teague was fired after two days for going at too slow of a pace.
2003
- May 12 – Surf Girls (MTV, One season, 7 episodes)
- May 12 – Dinotopia (ABC, Three-episode mini-series)
Surf Girls was a surfing competition series, and winner Mary Osbourne went on to win the 2009 and 2010 Malibu Surfing Association’s annual Classic competition.
Dinotopia was based on the book series by James Gurney, and serves as a sequel to the books Dinotopia (1992) and Dinotopia: The World Beneath (1995). While the book characters are 19th century castaways, the mini-series updates them to contemporary times. It received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special (more than 75% of the scenes required some visual effects), and was soon followed by a TV series.
2013
Hot Snakes Media
- May 7 – I Hate My Yard (DIY Network, Three seasons, 39 episodes)
- May 9 – Monumental Mysteries (Travel Channel, Three seasons, 39 episodes)
- May 9 – Mountain Movers (National Geographic Channel, Two seasons, 11 episodes)
- May 12 – Family Tree (HBO, One season, 8 episodes)
- May 12 – Breaking Amish: Brave New World (TLC, One season, 10 episodes)
- May 12 – Ultimate Survival Alaska (National Geographic Channel, Three seasons, 37 episodes)
Monumental Mysteries first aired as Monumental Mysteries: A Mystery at the Museum Special on July 17, 2012, a special episode of Mysteries at the Museum. The series title was changed to Mysteries at the Monument for the third season.
Family Tree was a mockumentary comedy series created by Christopher Guest, known for mocumentary films Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind, and Jim Piddock. The series also aired in the UK on BBC Two.
Breaking Amish: Brave New World was a spin-off of TLC’s Breaking Amish franchise, and followed the original cast as they reside in an Amish/Ex-Amish community Pinecraft, Florida.
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