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Vanity Fair (American TV series)
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] BackgroundVanity 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] OverviewThe 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 Lilly Daché 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] ProductionFrances 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 responseThe 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
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