Buffalo Bill (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Buffalo Bill is an American television situation comedy
that featured the misadventures of an egotistical talk show
host and his staff at WBFL-TV, a small TV station in Buffalo, New York
. It premiered May 31, 1983 on NBC
and ran for only part of two seasons (1983–84). It was also shown on the then-new UK fourth TV channel Channel 4
.
In 1999 TV Guide
ranked Bill Bittinger number 42 on its 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time list.
("Buffalo" Bill Bittinger), Joanna Cassidy
, John Fiedler
, Max Wright
, Geena Davis
, Charles Robinson
, Meshach Taylor
, Claude Earl Jones and Pippa Pearthree. Most of the humor came from Bill's completely unredeemable qualities and from the staff's frustration at dealing with him.
The series received 11 Emmy Award
nominations (including two for Outstanding Comedy Series). Joanna Cassidy also won a Golden Globe Award
in 1984.
Former NBC
President Brandon Tartikoff
wrote in his memoirs that his biggest professional regret was canceling the show.
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
that featured the misadventures of an egotistical talk show
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host and his staff at WBFL-TV, a small TV station in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
. It premiered May 31, 1983 on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
and ran for only part of two seasons (1983–84). It was also shown on the then-new UK fourth TV channel Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
In 1999 TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
ranked Bill Bittinger number 42 on its 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time list.
Synopsis
The series featured Dabney ColemanDabney Coleman
Dabney Wharton Coleman is an American actor, best known for his roles in 9 to 5, WarGames, You've Got Mail, Sworn to Silence, The Beverly Hillbillies and as the voice of Principal Peter Prickly in Recess and Recess: School's Out.-Early life:Coleman was born in Austin, Texas, the son of Mary...
("Buffalo" Bill Bittinger), Joanna Cassidy
Joanna Cassidy
Joanna Cassidy is an American film and television actress. She is known for her role as the replicant Zhora in the Ridley Scott's film Blade Runner...
, John Fiedler
John Fiedler
John Donald Fiedler was an American voice actor and character actor in stage, film, television and radio. He was slight, balding, and bespectacled, with a distinctive, high-pitched voice and a career lasting more than 55 years.He is best remembered for four roles: as the nervous Juror #2 in 12...
, Max Wright
Max Wright
George Edward Maxwell "Max" Wright is an American actor, best known for his role as Willie Tanner in the sitcom ALF.-Biography:Wright was born George Edward Maxwell Wright in Detroit, Michigan....
, Geena Davis
Geena Davis
Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis is an American actress, film producer, writer, former fashion model, and a women's Olympics archery team semi-finalist...
, Charles Robinson
Charles Robinson (actor)
Charles "Charlie" Robinson is a critically acclaimed American theater and television actor. He is best known for his role as Mac Robinson in the NBC sitcom Night Court...
, Meshach Taylor
Meshach Taylor
Meshach Taylor is an American actor.He is perhaps best known for his role as Anthony Bouvier on the sitcom Designing Women. He also had a major role on the sitcom Dave's World, playing Sheldon Baylor, and appeared in Buffalo Bill.-Personal life:Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of...
, Claude Earl Jones and Pippa Pearthree. Most of the humor came from Bill's completely unredeemable qualities and from the staff's frustration at dealing with him.
The series received 11 Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nominations (including two for Outstanding Comedy Series). Joanna Cassidy also won a Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
in 1984.
Former NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
President Brandon Tartikoff
Brandon Tartikoff
Brandon Tartikoff was a television executive who was credited with turning around NBC's low prime time reputation with such hit series as Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, ALF, Family Ties, The Cosby Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, Miami Vice, The Golden Girls, Knight Rider, The A-Team, St...
wrote in his memoirs that his biggest professional regret was canceling the show.
Season 1: 1983
| № | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | 1 June 1983 |
| 2 | "Buffalo Beat" | 8 June 1983 |
| 3 | "Woody Quits" | 15 June 1983 |
| 4 | "Buffalo Bill and the Movies" | 22 June 1983 |
| 5 | "Mrs. Buffalo Bill?" | 29 June 1983 |
| 6 | "Wilkinson's Sword" | 13 July 1983 |
| 7 | "Guess Who's Coming to Buffalo?" | 20 July 1983 |
| 8 | "Below the Belt" | 27 July 1983 |
| 9 | "Ratings" | 3 August 1983 |
| 10 | "True Love" | 10 August 1983 |
| 11 | "The Fan" | 17 August 1983 |
| 12 | "Hackles" | 24 August 1983 |
Season 2: 1983–84
| № | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | "Hit the Road, Newdell" | 22 December 1983 |
| 14 | "Jerry Lewis Week" | 5 January 1984 |
| 15 | "The Interview" | 12 January 1984 |
| 16 | "Company Ink" | 19 January 1984 |
| 17 | "Jo-Jo's Problem: Part 1" | 26 January 1984 |
| 18 | "Jo-Jo's Problem: Part 2" | 2 February 1984 |
| 19 | "Miss WBFL" | 9 February 1984 |
| 20 | "Nuclear Freeze" | 16 February 1984 |
| 21 | "The Girl on the Jetty" | 23 February 1984 |
| 22 | "Buffalo Bill versus the Kremlin" | 1 March 1984 |
| 23 | "A Hero" | 8 March 1984 |
| 24 | "The Tap Dancer" | 15 March 1984 |
| 25 | "Have Yourself a Very Degrading Christmas" | 22 March 1984 |
| 26 | "Church of the Poisoned Mind" | 29 March 1984 |
External links
- Buffalo Bill at Jumptheshark.com