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Centennial Revisited: An Oral History of the Epic TV Miniseries

by Perry Hibner

Behind the making of *Centennial*

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Behind the making of *Centennial*

Perry Hibner’s account revisits the 1978–79 NBC miniseries through more than 75 interviews with performers, production staff, extras, local residents, experts, and fans. The range of voices places the program’s production and reception alongside the experiences of people connected to it. More than 60 excerpts from primary sources add documentary material to the oral histories. The book also records the miniseries’ scale: 12 episodes spanning 26 hours, and a first episode watched by more than 28 million households. Together, these materials offer a detailed record of a television production and the people who took part in or followed it.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Fans of the *Centennial* miniseries interested in its production and reception
  • Readers interested in television history and oral-history accounts
  • Those looking for first-person perspectives from cast, crew, extras, and local communities

Themes

Television productionOral historyPopular cultureAudience reception

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Centennial first aired on NBC in1978-'79.The 12 episodes spanned 26 hours. More than 28 million households watched the first episode on October 1,1978. But due to scheduling and poor promotion, the miniseries never received the recognition it deserved and failed to draw an audience like other large-scale productions during that time. Centennial Revisited draws back the curtain.

This look into the miniseries includes more than 75 interviews with cast, crew, extras, locals, experts, and fans of the epic TV miniseries Centennial. Among those interviewed were Gregory Harrison (Levi Zendt), Barbara Carrera (Clay Basket), Cristina Raines (Lucinda McKeag Zendt), Cliff DeYoung (John Skimmerhorn), William Atherton (Jim Lloyd), Stephen McHattie (Jake Pasquinel), Kario Salem (Mike Pasquinel), Mark Harmon (Captain John McIntosh), and John Wilder, who adapted the novel for television and was the main producer. The book also includes excerpts from more than 60 primary sources.

 

About the Author

 

Perry Hibner is a retired journalist and teacher. He worked for 25 years at the Wisconsin State Journal as a sports reporter, sports copy editor, designer, and as assistant sports editor for his last 15 years. The WSJ sports section was recognized multiple times by the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association.

He also worked for a decade as the communications director for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. The district's newsletters, website, video production and other tools were recognized consistently with Wisconsin School Public Relations Association Spectrum Awards. He worked as a social studies and journalism teacher at Green Lake High School in Wisconsin and continues to fill in as a substitute teacher in retirement. He also served as the lead survey strategist for The Donovan Group, helping Midwest school districts engage their staff, students, families, and communities.

Hibner lives in Middleton, Wisconsin, with his wife, Sheila. He has three grown children.

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