List of Ripley's Believe It or Not! television series

Last updated

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is the name of several documentary television series based on the newspaper feature. The first series aired on NBC from 1949 to 1950, and was hosted by Robert L. Ripley until his death, after which several substitute hosts filled in. The series was revived again on ABC, running from 1982 to 1986, and was hosted primarily by Jack Palance. Another revival debuted on TBS in 2000, and aired until 2003, with Dean Cain as the host. A Filipino version, hosted by Chris Tiu, debuted in 2008. An animated series based on the Ripley's franchise was also created, and premiered in 1999. Another revival premiered on Travel Channel in June 2019, with Bruce Campbell as the host.

Contents

Original series (1949–1950)

The first Believe It or Not! TV series, a live show hosted by Robert L. Ripley, premiered on NBC television on March 1, 1949. Shortly after the 13th episode, on May 27, 1949, Ripley died of a heart attack and several of his friends substituted as host, including future Ripley's Believe It or Not! president Doug Storer. Robert St. John served as host from the second season until the series ended on October 5, 1950.

In 1956, ABC Films Syndication had John Gibbs and Meridian Pictures prepare a Ripley's Believe It or Not! television pilot. [1]

Revival (1982–1986)

Ripley's Believe It or Not! later returned to television in a second series from 1982 to 1986,[ citation needed ] on the US ABC network. Actor Jack Palance hosted the popular series throughout its run, [2] while three different co-hosts appeared from season to season, including Palance's daughter, Holly Palance, actress Catherine Shirriff, and singer Marie Osmond. The 1980s series reran on the Sci-Fi Channel (UK) and Sci-Fi Channel (US) during the 1990s.

Animated series (1999)

In December 1995, development was underway by Canadian studio Cinar (now WildBrain) for an animated series based on Ripley's Believe It or Not!. [3] The 26-episode series, [4] titled Ripley's Believe It or Not!, was co-produced by French production company Alphanim, which was founded in 1997. The series premiered on Fox Family Channel on July 14, 1999, [5] and was about three young people who discover unexplained mysteries and unusual items. [4] Reruns would be shown on This TV as part of Cookie Jar Toons up until 2009.

Second revival (2000–2003)

In December 1998, TBS Superstation outbid two broadcast network competitors to purchase the rights from Columbia TriStar Television Distribution for a new Ripley's series that would be an update of the earlier program that aired from 1982 to 1986. [6] [7] The new series, titled Ripley's Believe It or Not!, premiered on TBS on January 12, 2000, with Dean Cain as host. [2] Most episodes open with an act that is performed in front of a live audience, while the rest of the episode involves Cain introducing various segments, each one for a different subject. Kelly Packard became a field correspondent in 2002, and would host coverage of events in which people demonstrate their unusual abilities, usually in front of an audience.

2008 version

On August 18, 2008, a new version of the series, hosted by Chris Tiu, began airing on GMA Network, a Philippine television channel and lasted until September 22, 2010. [8]

2019 version

A new Ripley's Believe It or Not!, with Bruce Campbell as the host, was announced in January 2019. [9] The series premiered on Travel Channel on June 9, 2019. [10] [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Campbell</span> American actor (born 1958)

Bruce Lorne Campbell is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known best for his role as Ash Williams in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead horror series, beginning with the short movie Within the Woods (1978). He has also featured in many low-budget cult movies such as Crimewave (1985), Maniac Cop (1988), Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat (1989), and Bubba Ho-Tep (2002).

<i>Arthur</i> (TV series) Animated television series (1996–2022)

Arthur is an American animated television series for children ages 4 to 8, developed by Kathy Waugh for PBS and produced by WGBH. The show is set in the fictional U.S. city of Elwood City and revolves around the lives of Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his friends and family, and their daily interactions with each other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney anthology television series</span> Anthology television series

The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, The Wonderful World of Disney, was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 onward. The program moved among the Big Three television networks in its first four decades, but has aired on ABC since 1997 and Disney+ from 2020 to 2023.

<i>Pyramid</i> (franchise) American game show

Pyramid is an American game show franchise that has aired several versions domestically and internationally. The show was developed by Bob Stewart. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted on CBS on March 26, 1973, and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series. Most later series featured a full title format matching the original series, with the title reflecting an increasing top prize. Two teams, each consisting of a celebrity and contestant, attempt to convey mystery words and phrases within a common category, against a time limit, to win cash and prizes. The title refers to the show's pyramid-shaped gameboard, featuring six categories arranged in a triangular fashion. The various Pyramid series have won a total of nine Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show, second only to Jeopardy!, which has won 13.

<i>Ripleys Believe It or Not!</i> American media franchise

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is an American franchise founded by Robert Ripley, which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims. Originally a newspaper panel, the Believe It or Not feature proved popular and was later adapted into a wide variety of formats, including radio, television, comic books, a chain of museums, and a book series.

Creepschool is an animated series created by Torbjörn Jansson and Happy Life, developed by Stina Mansfield, Per Carlsson and Han Östlundh and produced by Alphanim, CINAR and Happy Life in association with EM.TV & Merchandising AG, Agogo Media and LuxAnimation for France 3, RTP2, Teletoon and ZDF about four kids who find themselves at a spooky boarding school. The basic concept was created by Torbjörn Jansson, which was then substantially re-worked and developed by the co-head writers Kristina Mansfeld and Per Carlsson into the series it is today. They also wrote all the storylines. 26 episodes were produced. Creepschool has been compared to Gravedale High. This was the last television series produced by CINAR before it was rebranded as Cookie Jar Entertainment.

Broadcast programming is the practice of organizing or ordering (scheduling) of broadcast media shows, typically the radio and the television, in a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or season-long schedule.

<i>Ultraseven</i> Japanese television series

Ultraseven is a Japanese tokusatsu science fiction television series created by Eiji Tsuburaya. It is the third installment in the Ultra Series and was produced by Tsuburaya Productions. The series aired on Tokyo Broadcasting System from October 1, 1967 to September 8, 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cookie Jar Group</span> Canadian media company

DHX Cookie Jar Inc. was a Canadian media, production, animation studio, and distribution company owned by DHX Media. The company was first established in 1976 as CINAR Films Inc., a Montreal-based studio that was heavily involved in children's entertainment. The company's business model, which included the licensing of its properties into educational markets, had a significant impact on its success; by 1999, CINAR held CDN$1.5 billion of the overall children's television market.

<i>The Little Lulu Show</i> Television series

The Little Lulu Show is an animated series based on Marjorie Henderson Buell's comic book character Little Lulu. The series first aired in 1995 and ended in 1999.

<i>Mona the Vampire</i> Childrens animated television series

Mona the Vampire is an animated children's television series based on the children's book of the same name written and illustrated by Sonia Holleyman. The series aired in Canada on YTV from September 13, 1999, to February 22, 2006; in France, it first aired on France 3 on October 30, 2000.

The Adventures of Paddington Bear is an animated children's television series based on the book Paddington Bear by Michael Bond and developed by Bruce Robb.

<i>Doraemon</i> (1979 TV series) 1979 Japanese TV series or program

Doraemon is the second anime TV series created by Fujiko F. Fujio and based on the manga series of the same name. This anime is the successor of the 1973 anime. It was produced by Shin-Ei Animation and premiered on April 2, 1979 on TV Asahi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaumont Animation</span> French animation studio

Gaumont Animation is a French animation studio owned by the Gaumont Film Company founded in February 1997 by Christian Davin. The company's animated catalog comprises over 800 half-hours, broadcast in over 130 countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FXX</span> U.S. pay television channel

FXX is an American basic cable channel owned by the Disney Entertainment business segment and division of The Walt Disney Company through FX Networks, LLC. It is the partner channel of FX, with its programming focusing on original and acquired comedy series and feature films for a primary demographic of men ages 18–34.

<i>Ripleys Believe It or Not!</i> (2000 TV series) 2000 American TV series or program

Ripley's Believe It or Not!, is a television series hosted by Dean Cain and aired on TBS Superstation from January 12, 2000 to August 20, 2003. It is based on the Ripley's Believe It or Not! franchise.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a 2008 Philippine television informative show broadcast by GMA Network. The show is based on the early 2000s American series of the same name. Hosted by Chris Tiu, it premiered on August 18, 2008. The show concluded on September 22, 2010.

<i>Matts Monsters</i> Television series

Matt's Monsters is a French-Dutch-Italian animated television series created by Jan Van Rijsselberge. It was produced by Gaumont-Alphanim, Laterna Magica and Rai Fiction. The show has been broadcast on Disney Channel and Disney XD. Matt's Monsters debuted in May 23, 2008 in France, and in other countries in June 1, 2009. The series follows a nine-year-old boy named Matt, who is ready for action as he enlists his dad, his neighbor Manson and his pet monster Dink to run a monster agency as they hunt down for monsters of all shapes, sizes and forms and save the city of Joliville.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a television series hosted and executive produced by Bruce Campbell and based on the franchise of the same name. It was produced by Texas Crew Productions and aired for one season on the Travel Channel from June 9 to August 4, 2019.

<i>Ripleys Believe It or Not!: The Animated Series</i> French TV series or program

Ripley's Believe It or Not!: The Animated Series is an animated television series based solely on the brand of Ripley's Believe It or Not!. The series was produced by Alphanim and CINAR for Family Channel and France 3. 26 episodes were produced, and were aired on Fox Family Channel beginning on July 14, 1999. The series is about three young people, one of whom was Robert Ripley's fictional nephew, who travel the world to discover unexplained mysteries and unusual items. It is cited as the only animated series to have ever been based on the brand.

References

  1. ↑ "ABC Film Synd. Plans for Big 1956". Billboard. January 28, 1956. p. 8. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Johnson, Allan (January 9, 2000). "Back On The Beat". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Wendel Mans Cinar's Front". Variety. December 17, 1995. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  4. 1 2 Amidi, Amid (March 17, 1999). "Animation and Fox Family Channel: a perfect match!". Animation World Network . Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  5. ↑ Kilmer, David (June 13, 1999). "Alphanim announces new productions". Animation World Network. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  6. ↑ Katz, Richard (December 9, 1998). "'Believe it,' TBS says: Cabler orders 22 segs of CTTD's 'New Ripley's' series". Variety. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  7. ↑ Snow, Shauna (December 12, 1998). "Arts And Entertainment Reports From The Times, News Services And The Nation's Press". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  8. ↑ "College basketball star Chris Tiu hosts "Ripley's Believe It or Not"". Philippine Entertainment Portal. August 13, 2008. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  9. ↑ Oller, Jacob (January 1, 2019). "Ripley's Believe It or Not! show names Bruce Campbell host". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Bruce Campbell Reveals Bizarre and Astounding Talents in Travel Channel's "Ripley's Believe It or Not!"". The Futon Critic . April 25, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Ripley's Believe It or Not episodes". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.