MUSEUM OF TELEVISION & RADIO, THE: 15TH ANNUAL WILLIAM S. PALEY TELEVISION FESTIVAL 1998: TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Museum of Television & Radio's William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Directors Guild of America Theatre Complex, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television, and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening honors the series, "Touched By An Angel," an inspirational drama about angels dispatched from heaven to dispense faith and hope to troubled mortals that has struck a national chord by reaffirming the existence of God and acknowledging that religion is an important part of life for a great many viewers.
Los Angeles Museum vice president and director Steven A. Bell opens the evening with a brief history of the show's early trials, and stresses that its eventual success is evidence of the current spiritual revival in American society. Bell introduces the following members of the creative team of "Touched By An Angel": Los Angeles casting director David Giella, consulting producer Marilyn Osborn, producer Robert Visciglia, cast members John Dye (Andrew) and Della Reese (Tess), co-executive producers Bob Colleary and John Anderson, and executive producer Martha Williamson. Williamson introduces the episode, "'Til We Meet Again," which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see T:51638.)
After the episode, topics discussed include the following: Williamson expresses her views on why "Touched By An Angel" is a success while being in conflict with shows with tremendous visual violence, and continues with the similarities behind the episode "'Til We Meet Again" and her own experiences with her dying father; Reese tells why she changed her mind and decided to commit to doing a television series; Dye and Williamson reveal the inspirational mail they receive from viewers, and are joined by Reese in telling stories of how the show has affected people and changed their lives; Williamson recounts how critics originally mocked and ridiculed the show; Giella explains that the personal lives of the show's guests often mirror the parts they play on the series; and Williamson imparts an inspirational story about dealing with one episode's guest star, and how it reflects on the religious and spiritual fellowship of the cast and crew. In response to questions from the audience, the panelists discuss the following topics: the inspiration and real-life scenes behind individual episodes; the confusion surrounding the gender of God; the desire of certain celebrities to appear on the series; and anecdotes about Roma Downey. After Reese leads the audience in singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," the panelists explain the reasons behind the show's Salt Lake City filming locale, and Williamson reveals how Dye's personal feelings make him right for the role of Andrew, the Angel of Death. Also discussed are the ways in which tapes of the series are used.
(Scheduled panelists Tim Van Patten and Roma Downey were unable to attend.)
Details
- NETWORK: Paley
- DATE: March 14, 1998 6:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:02:14
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:93654
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Steven A. Bell … Host, Moderator
- Jon Andersen … Panelist
- Bob Colleary … Panelist
- John Dye … Panelist
- David Giella … Panelist
- Marilyn Osborn … Panelist
- Della Reese … Panelist
- Robert J. Visciglia … Panelist
- Martha Williamson … Panelist
- Roma Downey
- Tim Van Patten