Discovery (1960s TV series)
Encyclopedia
Discovery was a television program geared towards children and teenagers, produced by ABC News
. The program began in the fall of 1962 as a weekday series, and was later moved to Sunday mornings. The program was hosted by actor/announcer Frank Buxton
and actress/vocalist Virginia Gibson
. The show's original studio announcer was ABC staff announcer Bill Owen
, who replaced Buxton as host in 1966, continuing through 1971. The shows hosted by Buxton were mostly studio productions, done in black-and-white; beginning with Owen, the shows were produced in color, and involved much travel to on-site locations. The actual on-air title of the series was named according to each year it was produced, beginning with Discovery '62 and ending with Discovery '71 (syndicated reruns only had the title Discovery).
The show's executive producer was Jules Power, the former co-producer of NBC
's Mr. Wizard. The Discovery format originally had Buxton and Gibson (joined by a hound dog
named Corpuscle) in studio, exploring various topics in science, culture, history and the arts, often with special in-studio guests. Later seasons of the show had Buxton and Gibson (and later Owen and Gibson, and sometimes Gibson alone) traveling on location (without the dog) to different destinations around the world in a documentary format. Discovery was nominated for the Emmy Award
for Outstanding Children's Program several times, winning in 1964.
Discovery was replaced in 1971 by Make a Wish
, which in turn was replaced by Animals, Animals, Animals
in 1976 (and ended in 1981).
ABC News
ABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
. The program began in the fall of 1962 as a weekday series, and was later moved to Sunday mornings. The program was hosted by actor/announcer Frank Buxton
Frank Buxton
Frank Buxton is an American actor, television writer and director. His first credit was host and producer of the ABC television documentary series, Discovery, which he hosted from 1962 to 1966....
and actress/vocalist Virginia Gibson
Virginia Gibson
Virginia Gibson is an American dancer, singer and actress of film, television and musical theatre.-Career:...
. The show's original studio announcer was ABC staff announcer Bill Owen
Bill Owen (writer and announcer)
Bill Owen, widely known as the "King of Trivia", is a writer and radio/television announcer whose career spans six decades. He served as host and announcer for the children's program "Discovery" in the 1960's.-Family:...
, who replaced Buxton as host in 1966, continuing through 1971. The shows hosted by Buxton were mostly studio productions, done in black-and-white; beginning with Owen, the shows were produced in color, and involved much travel to on-site locations. The actual on-air title of the series was named according to each year it was produced, beginning with Discovery '62 and ending with Discovery '71 (syndicated reruns only had the title Discovery).
The show's executive producer was Jules Power, the former co-producer of 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...
's Mr. Wizard. The Discovery format originally had Buxton and Gibson (joined by a hound dog
Hound dog
Hound dog may refer to:* Hound, a type of dog that assists hunters by tracking or chasing prey* Hound Dog, a Classic Japanese Rock band. They were active since the early 80’s...
named Corpuscle) in studio, exploring various topics in science, culture, history and the arts, often with special in-studio guests. Later seasons of the show had Buxton and Gibson (and later Owen and Gibson, and sometimes Gibson alone) traveling on location (without the dog) to different destinations around the world in a documentary format. Discovery was nominated for the 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...
for Outstanding Children's Program several times, winning in 1964.
Discovery was replaced in 1971 by Make a Wish
Make a Wish (TV series)
Make A Wish is an American television series which ran on ABC from 1971 to 1976. Produced by ABC News, it was hosted by musician Tom Chapin and created and produced by Lester Cooper...
, which in turn was replaced by Animals, Animals, Animals
Animals, Animals, Animals
Animals, Animals, Animals is an educational television series on ABC about different species of animals. The program, produced by ABC News, was hosted by Hal Linden. Information about animals was provided by Roger Caras and, songs about animals were performed by Lynn Kellogg, who also performed...
in 1976 (and ended in 1981).