Vanity Fair (American TV series)

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Vanity Fair is an American daytime television talk show, the first CBS daytime TV program targeted at women.[1] It began on October 12, 1948, and ended on November 2, 1951.[2]

Background[edit]

Vanity Fair began in October 1948 as a local program broadcast two times a week on WCBS-TV in New York City. It gained network status when stations in Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. added it. CBS selected Dorothy Doan as hostess, "desiring a reporter rather than an actress" to fill that role.[3] Doan's background as a reporter for newspapers and the International News Service equipped her to cover topics beyond "fashion, beauty and cooking hints".[3] She succeeded in doing so, "despite some opposition", and received enthusiastic response from the show's mostly female audience.[3] Doan said in 1951 that she was told, "It's too bad that you aren't a little heavier and older."[1] She explained, "They thought that was the only type who could sell a sponsor's product."[1]

Overview[edit]

The first segment of each episode usually dealt with how to do something around the house. During the second segment, the hostess usually interviewed a guest or guests, sometimes with a debate on a topic of interest.[3] Topics debated on the show included "the Iranian oil problem and the unrest in Egypt".[1] The setting for the interviews was a living room that resembled the one in Doan's home. It was her idea to use such a setting because that would make guests on the show feel more comfortable.[4]

When more weekdays were added to the program's schedule, Robin Chandler became the hostess for some days.[5] Models from Lily Dache appeared regularly. Tony Marvin was the announcer, and Johnny Green provided music.[6] Guests on the program included Morton Downey, Sherman Billingsley,[7] James A. Michener,[8] Maria Tallchief,[9] Sarah Churchill,[10] Joan Blondell,[11] Mr. John, Marjorie Lawrence,[12] Harriet Van Horne,[13] Cleveland Amory,[14] and Eleanor Roosevelt.[15]

Production[edit]

Frances Buss was the initial producer. She was followed in 1951 by Virginia Schone, who also wrote the program.[2] Doan also was a producer in 1951.[5] Dan Levin was the director.[2] Two researchers gathered background material for each episode.[3] In addition to Schone, writers included Shirley Reeser and Marcia Durant.[5] Episodes originated in Liederkrantz Hall on East 58th Street in New York City[3] and were transmitted from WCBS-TV.[5] Sponsors included Maidenform bras and Air Wick.[3]

Critical response[edit]

The trade publication Ross Reports called Vanity Fair "a successful example of an established daytime program" at a time when daytime television was in its infancy.[3] A review of the December 29, 1950, episode said, "Miss Doan presided in a relaxed manner" and noted that viewers were able to remain focused on the guests and conversation thanks to unobtrusive camera work.[3]

A review of the October 12 and October 14, 1948, episodes in the trade publication Variety said, "CBS has come up with an engaging and adult matinee femme [sic] program. It is at all times informal and natural, yet informative and interesting."[16] The review noted some production problems that needed to be resolved, but it concluded by saying that the program "shows promise of giving quite a boost" to TV programming targeted at women.[16]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Adams, Val (October 28, 1951). "Self-Taught Distaff Spellbinder". The New York Times. p. 101. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 883. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "*9 - 'Vanity Fair'". Ross Reports. December 25, 1950. pp. 7–8. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  4. ^ "Vanity Fair". Radio and Television Mirror. February 1949. pp. 46, 111–112. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d "Daytime - Interview Programs". Ross Reports. May 1951. p. 36. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 1137. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  7. ^ "Thursday May 31". Ross Reports. May 25, 1951. p. 6. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "Monday May 28". Ross Reports. May 25, 1951. p. 4. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  9. ^ "Wednesday May 23 (Continued)". Ross Reports. May 20, 1951. p. 6. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  10. ^ "Tuesday, May 22". Ross Reports. May 20, 1951. p. 5. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  11. ^ Doan, Dorothy (August 1951). "How to be a hostess". Radio Television Mirror. pp. 48–49, 74. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  12. ^ "Friday, January 27". Ross Reports. January 21, 1950. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Wednesday, January 11". Ross Reports. January 8, 1950. p. 7. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  14. ^ "Friday, January 6". Ross Reports. December 25, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  15. ^ Beauchamp, Angela S. (November 30, 2023). Eleanor Roosevelt on Screen: The First Lady's Appearances in Film and Television, 1932-1962. McFarland. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-4766-9302-6. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Vanity Fair". Variety. October 20, 1948. pp. 26, 34. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
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