Celebrating a Year of RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION's Success
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Chapter 1: A Year of Recognition
Reflecting on the past year, I am still deeply honored that the Los Angeles Book Festival recognized my book, RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION, as "Book of the Year." Additionally, being named "Author of the Year" is a distinction for which I am eternally grateful. Below, you will find a comprehensive overview of this milestone.
RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION: A DEEP DIVE INTO CLASSIC TV'S SOCIAL IMPACT (Headline Books) by Herbie J Pilato earned the title of the 2023 Los Angeles Book Festival winner, celebrating the finest achievements in the publishing realm. This work, now also available in audiobook format, has garnered significant acclaim.
As Bruce Haring, a representative from the Los Angeles Book Festival, remarks, RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION "…delves into classic television, revealing the thought processes behind programming decisions. Written by an author with unparalleled knowledge of pop culture, the book provides fresh perspectives on beloved television shows. For aficionados, it’s an enlightening and entertaining journey."
Featuring a Foreword by actor Eric Scott from The Waltons, the book includes exclusive insights from notable television figures like Emmy-winner Michael Learned (also of The Waltons) and Peter Mark Richman (The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive). It also highlights contributions from esteemed writers/producers Ed Spielman (creator of the original Kung Fu series) and Larry Brody (The Streets of San Francisco, Barnaby Jones), who describes RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION as "essential reading!"
Marc Wade from the Television Academy and Emmys.com remarks, "Herbie J Pilato skillfully analyzes television's influence on culture, connecting its historical milestones to present-day implications, and highlights its potential for future use."
About Herbie J Pilato
Herbie J Pilato is a multifaceted writer, producer, and television personality who has authored over 14 books focused on classic television and its stars. His works include MARY: THE MARY TYLER MOORE STORY, which Pete Hammond of Deadline.com referred to as "another one of Herbie J Pilato's exhaustive biographies." CBS News Radio's Peter King noted, "Herbie J Pilato is a genuine 'keeper of the flame' for classic TV. His portrayal of Mary Tyler Moore offers an extensive, relatable look at one of the industry's iconic figures."
Pilato’s background includes acting roles in classic TV series like The Golden Girls and serving as an NBC Page on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. His book, NBC & ME: MY LIFE AS A PAGE IN A BOOK, recounts his experiences working on various classic shows from the 1980s.
He has penned two biographies on Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery (TWITCH UPON A STAR and THE ESSENTIAL ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY) and has taken on roles as an executive producer, writer, and on-screen commentator for the acclaimed Reelz TV documentary, ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY: A BEWITCHED LIFE. Recently, Pilato was featured in Remind Magazine (published by TV Guide) and Closer Weekly Magazine.
In 2019, he hosted and co-executive-produced THEN AGAIN WITH HERBIE J PILATO, a classic TV talk show available on Amazon Prime and Shout! Factory TV, featuring guests such as Ed Asner and Cindy Williams. Pilato also founded the Classic TV Preservation Society (CTVPS), a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting the positive social impact of classic television programming.
His upcoming titles include ONE TOUGH DAME: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF DIANA RIGG (set for release in September by the University Press of Mississippi) and CHRISTMAS TV MEMORIES: NOSTALGIC HOLIDAY FAVORITES OF THE SMALL SCREEN (to be published by Applause Books, featuring a Foreword by Marlo Thomas).
For additional details, please visit www.HerbieJPilato.com.
Chapter 2: The First F-16 AGGRESSOR Footage Ever Recorded
This insightful video showcases rare footage of the F-16 AGGRESSOR, providing a unique perspective on its operational history and significance in aviation.