American Journal
Encyclopedia
American Journal was a syndicated television
newsmagazine
program that ran from 1993 to 1998. The series was distributed by King World Productions
(now part of CBS Television Distribution
). It was hosted by Nancy Glass
from its fall 1993 launch until 1997, when siblings Michele Dabney-Perez and former newscaster-turned-talk show host Charles Perez
took over for the show's final season on air.
and Steve Santagati. By 1996, it was cleared on 124 stations serving 86 percent of the United States.
The theme song throughout the song's run was an arrangement of the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts
."
In the fall of 1997, 11 of the stations owned by Belo Corporation picked up the syndicated Hollywood Squares
for 1998; many displaced American Journal, moving it to late nights. It ran from the fall of 1993 to the end of the 1997-1998 television season. At the time of its cancellation, it had a 4.1 rating and 11 share (in February 1998). The low ratings were chalked up to a glut of similar programs, such as Inside Edition
(which was also distributed by King World and is currently distributed by CBS Television Distribution), and the since-cancelled A Current Affair, and Hard Copy
. While King World already had commitments from stations serving 62 percent of the country to carry AJ in 1998, low ratings led to the show's cancellation.
Television syndication
In broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows by multiple radio stations and television stations, without going through a broadcast network, though the process of syndication may conjure up structures like those of a network itself, by its very...
newsmagazine
Newsmagazine
A news magazine is a typed, printed, and published piece of paper, magazine or a radio or television program, usually weekly, featuring articles or segments on current events...
program that ran from 1993 to 1998. The series was distributed by King World Productions
King World Productions
King World Productions, Inc. was a production company and a syndicator of television programming in the United States until its eventual 2007 incorporation into CBS Television Distribution...
(now part of CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution
CBS Television Distribution is a global television distribution company, formed from the merger of CBS Corporation's two domestic television distribution arms CBS Paramount Domestic Television and King World Productions, including its home entertainment arm CBS Home Entertainment...
). It was hosted by Nancy Glass
Nancy Glass
Nancy Glass is an American television and radio host, writer and producer.-Career:Nancy Glass is currently the owner of . Her company has produced programming for A&E, E!, TLC, WE, LOGO, National Geographic, Animal Planet, HGTV, DIY and XM/Sirius satellite radio. They have also produced hundreds of...
from its fall 1993 launch until 1997, when siblings Michele Dabney-Perez and former newscaster-turned-talk show host Charles Perez
Charles Perez
Charles Perez Rinehard is a former American television news reporter, anchor and former talk show host.-Career:Before entering the news business, Perez was best known as host of the nationally syndicated The Charles Perez Show...
took over for the show's final season on air.
History
The show was launched in 1993. In early 1996, as an attempt to grow in the 18-34 demographic, the show tried then aborted plans to add an "Off the Hook" segment; King World would try again with "Team A.J." coverage strands in the fourth season helmed by Karen DuffyKaren Duffy
Karen Duffy is an American model, television personality, and actress.-Early life:Duffy was born in New York City, the daughter of Carol, a homemaker, and Phil Duffy, a developer. She attended Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey, graduating in 1979...
and Steve Santagati. By 1996, it was cleared on 124 stations serving 86 percent of the United States.
The theme song throughout the song's run was an arrangement of the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts
"Simple Gifts" is a Shaker song written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett.It has endured many inaccurate descriptions. Though often classified as an anonymous Shaker hymn or as a work song, it is better classified as a dance song.-Lyrics:...
."
In the fall of 1997, 11 of the stations owned by Belo Corporation picked up the syndicated Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares is an American panel game show in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The "board" for the game is a 3 × 3 vertical stack of open-faced cubes, each occupied by a celebrity seated at a desk and facing the contestants...
for 1998; many displaced American Journal, moving it to late nights. It ran from the fall of 1993 to the end of the 1997-1998 television season. At the time of its cancellation, it had a 4.1 rating and 11 share (in February 1998). The low ratings were chalked up to a glut of similar programs, such as Inside Edition
Inside Edition
Inside Edition is a thirty-minute American television syndicated news program, first aired on CBS on October 9, 1988. It was originally similar to the programs Hard Copy and A Current Affair, but now more closely resembles a condensed version of breakfast television, exclusively with pre-recorded...
(which was also distributed by King World and is currently distributed by CBS Television Distribution), and the since-cancelled A Current Affair, and Hard Copy
Hard Copy
Hard Copy is an American tabloid news television show that ran in syndication from 1989 to 1999. Hard Copy was aggressive in its use of questionable material on television, including gratuitous violence....
. While King World already had commitments from stations serving 62 percent of the country to carry AJ in 1998, low ratings led to the show's cancellation.
Anchors
- Nancy GlassNancy GlassNancy Glass is an American television and radio host, writer and producer.-Career:Nancy Glass is currently the owner of . Her company has produced programming for A&E, E!, TLC, WE, LOGO, National Geographic, Animal Planet, HGTV, DIY and XM/Sirius satellite radio. They have also produced hundreds of...
- main anchor (1993–1997) - Michele Dabney-Perez - co-anchor (1997–1998)
- Charles PerezCharles PerezCharles Perez Rinehard is a former American television news reporter, anchor and former talk show host.-Career:Before entering the news business, Perez was best known as host of the nationally syndicated The Charles Perez Show...
- co-anchor (1997–1998)