Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Encyclopedia
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction is an American television anthology series created by Lynn Lehmann, presented by Dick Clark Productions, and produced and aired by the Fox
network from 1997 to 2002. Each episode featured five stories, all of which appeared to defy logic
, and some of which were allegedly based on actual events. The viewer was offered the challenge of determining which are true and which are false. At the end of the show, it was revealed to the viewer whether the tales were true or works of fiction
. The majority of stories on all shows were adapted from published, and previously unpublished, original material that had been written and researched by author Robert Tralins
.
The series was hosted by James Brolin
in season one and later by Jonathan Frakes
for the remainder of the series. The show was narrated by Don LaFontaine
for the first three seasons and by Campbell Lane
for the fourth and final season.
, ghosts, psychic
phenomena, coincidences, destiny
, and/or with other such unusual occurrences.
; the show had often aired sporadically, sometimes going for weeks or even months between airings. There is a one-year lag between Don LaFontaine
's and Campbell Lane
's stint as narrator for the show; during this time, it was believed that the show had been cancelled only to be brought back for another season in 2002. It was eventually cancelled again after its 2002 season.
in the United States. It currently airs on the Chiller Network in the United States and on CBS Reality
in the UK. The show also airs in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, where it is known as X-Factor: Das Unfassbare and re-broadcasts in nonstop syndication. The first season was released on DVD in Region 1 areas on August 28, 2007.
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
network from 1997 to 2002. Each episode featured five stories, all of which appeared to defy logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
, and some of which were allegedly based on actual events. The viewer was offered the challenge of determining which are true and which are false. At the end of the show, it was revealed to the viewer whether the tales were true or works of fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
. The majority of stories on all shows were adapted from published, and previously unpublished, original material that had been written and researched by author Robert Tralins
Robert Tralins
Robert Tralins was a prolific author/novelist whose career began in the 1960s and continued until his death. He is best known for his first-hand research and story collections featured on the television shows Miracles and Other Wonders and Beyond Belief: Fact Or Fiction?.When Madam Sherry, an...
.
The series was hosted by James Brolin
James Brolin
James Brolin is an American actor, producer and director, best known for his roles in soap operas, movies, sitcoms, and television. He is the father of actor Josh Brolin and husband of singer/actress Barbra Streisand.-Early life:...
in season one and later by Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Scott Frakes is an American actor, author and director best known for his role as Commander William T. Riker in the Star Trek franchise, as well as for his tenure as host of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction ....
for the remainder of the series. The show was narrated by Don LaFontaine
Don LaFontaine
Donald Leroy "Don" LaFontaine was an American voiceover artist famous for recording more than 5,000 film trailers and hundreds of thousands of television advertisements, network promotions, and video game trailers. His nicknames included "Thunder Throat" and "The Voice of God"...
for the first three seasons and by Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane is a Canadian actor who primarily does work in Vancouver. He has appeared in many television shows produced there, and has done some voice acting for anime as well.- Television Roles :...
for the fourth and final season.
Format
The stories told in the program all had some connection with the supernaturalSupernatural
The supernatural or is that which is not subject to the laws of nature, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature...
, ghosts, psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
phenomena, coincidences, destiny
Destiny
Destiny or fate refers to a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, whether in general or of an individual...
, and/or with other such unusual occurrences.
Popularity and cancellation
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction has gained a cult followingCult following
A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to a specific area of pop culture. A film, book, band, or video game, among other things, will be said to have a cult following when it has a small but very passionate fan base...
; the show had often aired sporadically, sometimes going for weeks or even months between airings. There is a one-year lag between Don LaFontaine
Don LaFontaine
Donald Leroy "Don" LaFontaine was an American voiceover artist famous for recording more than 5,000 film trailers and hundreds of thousands of television advertisements, network promotions, and video game trailers. His nicknames included "Thunder Throat" and "The Voice of God"...
's and Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane
Campbell Lane is a Canadian actor who primarily does work in Vancouver. He has appeared in many television shows produced there, and has done some voice acting for anime as well.- Television Roles :...
's stint as narrator for the show; during this time, it was believed that the show had been cancelled only to be brought back for another season in 2002. It was eventually cancelled again after its 2002 season.
Syndication and DVD release
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction aired in syndication on the Sci Fi ChannelSyfy
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
in the United States. It currently airs on the Chiller Network in the United States and on CBS Reality
CBS Reality
CBS Reality is a television channel which broadcasts to the United Kingdom and Ireland.On 14 September 2009, it was revealed that the international arm of CBS, CBS Studios International, struck a joint venture deal with Chellomedia to launch six CBS-branded channels in the UK during 2009...
in the UK. The show also airs in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland, where it is known as X-Factor: Das Unfassbare and re-broadcasts in nonstop syndication. The first season was released on DVD in Region 1 areas on August 28, 2007.
See also
- Urban Legends
- Mostly True Stories: Urban Legends RevealedMostly True Stories: Urban Legends RevealedMostly True Stories: Urban Legends Revealed is a docudrama about urban legends and re-enacting them and researching their credibility. It aired on The Learning Channel from 2002 until 2004. It ran for four seasons. Early episodes were hosted by Natasha Henstridge...
- Ripley's Believe It or Not!Ripley's Believe It or Not (TV series)Ripley's Believe It or Not! is a documentary television series based on the newspaper feature that aired in three incarnations.The first Believe It or Not TV series, a live show hosted by Robert L. Ripley, premiered on NBC television March 1, 1949...