Perry Hibner, author of Centennial Revisited
Original Airdates: July 3-5, 2026
TVC 741.4: Ed welcomes Perry Hibner, author of Centennial Revisited, a deep dive into the epic length, twelve-part, twenty-six hour miniseries that originally aired on NBC at various times throughout the 1978-1979 season. Centennial was ambitious in scope, majestic to watch, and almost universally praised by television critics for its quality production values and stellar acting performances. And yet, due to erratic scheduling and poor promotion, Centennial never received the audience or recognition it deserved. Centennial Revisited is available in hardcover, paperback, and as an eBook from DorrancePublishing.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and wherever books are sold online. Topics this segment include how Centennial remains a point of pride for just about every actor who appeared in it, both at the time they filmed the miniseries in 1978 and when they look back on the experience today; why novelist James Michener felt that Centennial was the best adaptation of his works ever; and why Universal’s decision not to promote Centennial hurt the series (and actor Robert Conrad in particular).
Why Centennial is basically a history of the U.S. as a country
Original Airdates: July 3-5, 2026
TVC 741.5: Perry Hibner, author of Centennial Revisited, discusses some of the differences between Centennial the miniseries and the original James Michener novel; how the tragic death of actor Richard Kelton affected production of the miniseries; how Andy Griffith saved the life of Sharon Gless during filming of the final episode; and how executive producer John Wilder originally wanted James Garner to narrate the series, instead of David Janssen. Centennial Revisited is available in hardcover, paperback, and as an eBook from DorrancePublishing.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and includes exclusive interviews with more than thirty cast members of the epic miniseries, including Gregory Harrison, Barbara Carrera, Cristina Raines, Cliff DeYoung, Mark Harmon, William Atherton, Glynn Turman, Les Lannom, and executive producer John Wilder.
A final word on Centennial
Original Airdates: July 3-5, 2026
TVC 741.5a: Perry Hibner, author of Centennial Revisited, discusses some of his favorite characters in Centennial and shares a few final thoughts about both the miniseries and the legacy of James Michener. Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries is available in hard cover, paperback, and as an eBook from DorrancePublishing.com, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and wherever books are sold online.
