Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Overview of TV's key contributions, including edgy moments.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Pioneers of Television
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
PIONEERS OF TELEVISION is an Emmy Award-nominated documentary series that focuses on the key people and moments in TV history that have made a lasting impact. Each episode centers on a specific television-related theme, including surveying TV's funniest woman comedians to exploring how specific people in the TV industry used their talent and courage to make the landscape more diverse. Interviews with writers and producers such as Grey's Anatomy's Shonda Rhimes and Desperate Housewives' Marc Cherry, actors such as The Good Wife's Julianna Margulies and Star Trek's George Takei, comedians such as Bill Cosby and Roseanne, and hundreds of others combine to offer a collection of insight into the events and relationships that helped shape the industry. Historians and other scholars discuss the relationship between key moments in TV history and the political, economic, and social climate of the country.
Is It Any Good?
From looking at the history of doctors and nurses on television to understanding the changes in the way women, racial/ethic minorities, and other people of diverse backgrounds have been presented, and represented, over the years, Pioneers of Television highlights the writers, actors, producers, and others who have made contributions to television entertainment throughout the medium's history. It also takes a closer look at how television programming can influence, and be influenced by, the changing dynamics in society.
TV buffs will certainly find it interesting, but the wide variety of television shows, some of which go back to the early years of TV, make the show entertaining for a broad set of viewers. Viewers also may be surprised by the thoughtfulness of the stories being shared here, many of which underscore how the artistic nature of actors' work has become a way of challenging audiences to think about the world a little differently. Overall, the series demonstrates that TV is an important part of our cultural history.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the history of TV. What are some of the key moments that make television what it is today? Do you remember watching any of them? What are some of your favorite TV shows? Who are some of your favorite TV actors?
How does television influence the way we think about politics and other social issues? How do audiences influence what we see on TV?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 2, 2008
- Network : PBS
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate