_ The Discovery Channel is a cable network that features primarily reality and documentary programming. It was founded in 1985 and has since grown to be the flagship station of Discovery Communications Inc. The network is popular among a wide range of people, especially those with an interest in science, technology and nature. Here are a few of the highest rated shows to air on the Discovery Channel.

Examining the Earth in a way that had never been done before, “Planet Earth” is one of the highest rated shows ever broadcast on the Discovery Channel. Consisting of 11 episodes, this short television series made its American television debut in March of 2007. Filmed in high-definition, each episode focuses on a different one of the Earth’s habitats. Filming all over the world, the producers made sure to include several scenes that had never been seen on television. The series won many awards, and record numbers of viewers tuned in to get a glimpse of the majesty and beauty of our world.

“Mythbusters” is not only one of the highest rated shows on the Discovery Channel, it’s one of the longest running as well. First airing in 2003, it is hosted by two special effects experts as they attempt to prove or disprove various myths, rumors, urban legends, tall tales and anything else that might not seem to be what it appears. At the end of each episode, the myth being tested is labeled as being busted, plausible or confirmed. Viewers enjoy seeing popularly held beliefs being put to the test, and since many of the experiments are too dangerous to perform at home, it’s better to let the experts handle it.

For real-life danger, it doesn’t get more intense than “Deadliest Catch.” Focusing on life aboard fishing vessels during crab season in the Bering Sea, it has been airing every year since 2005. Nominated for several Emmy awards, the show has been a consistently high performer for the Discovery Channel. Commercial crab fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, and “Deadliest Catch” gives viewers an up-close look at a world few will ever experience first hand.

While some are fishing for crab on top of the Bering Sea, others are searching for gold beneath it. Debuting in early 2012, “Bering Sea Gold” is not only one of the highest rated shows on the Discovery Channel, it was the highest rated series launch in Discovery Channel history. Gold fever is still alive.

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 A & E is the name of one of cable television's most popular networks. The channel has been entertaining audiences with its unique blend of programming since 1984, and it is the home of some of the most popular and highest rated shows in the world of television. The channel retained its identity as the Arts & Entertainment Network from its inception until 1995, when the network's
executives decided that the channel's programming was beginning to become less representative of the fields of art or entertainment. Although the network may have stopped catering to the finer arts, it is certainly entertaining for a wide variety of people, many of whom are in the lucrative 18-49 age demographic.

The most popular shows on A & E are reality programs that attract a youthful audience. One of the highest rated shows on the network is “Dog the Bounty Hunter”. This program follows a real bounty hunter named Duane “Dog” Chapman as he and his crew operate their business in picturesque Hawaii. This show is a terrific example of A & E's typical programming because it
features a charismatic group of people who are involved in an interesting line of work. There is simply no other show on TV like “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” and the network has realized that shows like this are its most profitable resource.

“Storage Wars” is another one of the highest rated shows on the A & E network. Like “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” this program involves a group of people that make money in an interesting industry. The show follows individuals and teams who attempt to earn profits by bidding on the contents inside abandoned storage lockers. The program has become extremely popular among many groups of people because it does a great job of exposing an interesting subculture while highlighting some engaging personalities. Storage Wars is popular with a large audience, but it does particularly well with viewers between the ages of 18 and 40.

Some of the other highest rated shows on A & E include “Intervention,” which follows the lives of addicts and the people who want to help them, and “Paranormal State,” which features a group of people who investigate haunted locations. With these programs, A & E has established itself as one of the premier providers of interesting reality programming in the world of cable
television. A & E has changed quite a bit in its existence, but it has managed to stay relevant by offering some terrific programs. Thanks to the network's efforts, it has been able to attract new audiences while retaining many of its most loyal fans.

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Disney Channel is the current powerhouse of children's programming on cable television, holding the spot as the number one network for kids ages 6-11 for 15 months running, and tweens for 27 months. The Disney channel has also been the top viewed total day network overall for several months this summer, and broadcasts the top three highest rated shows among kids 2-11 and 6-11.

Among the highest rated Disney shows is a variety of family-friendly sitcoms targeted predominantly at girls (their sister channel, Disney XD, handles more boy-centric programming), a genre which Disney has become known for in recent years. 

Shake It Up centers around a pair of background dancers working on a fictional show by the same name. The two best friends must balance their jobs with becoming more popular at school. The show has recently been renewed for a third season. It is one of the highest rated Disney shows

Jessie follows the titular small-town protagonist as she moves to the metropolis of New York and gets a caretaker position for a quartet of rich children and their gigantic pet lizard. The show's second season has recently begun and Disney has announced a small-screen movie is in development. The show has also received strong critical acclaim for the acting of several of the characters and is one of the highest rated Disney shows.

Good Luck Charlie is Disney Channel's current sitcom most specifically tailored to adults as well as children, telling its stories from the points of view of all the family members of the cast rather than just the younger ones. Told in the style of a video
diary, Good Luck Charlie centers around a nuclear family that just introduced a fourth child. The parents work extensively, and much of the work of raising the new baby is left to the three older siblings, who must also deal with the struggles of school. The show is currently airing its third season. It has announced a fourth season is in production and is one of the highest rated
Disney shows.

Gravity Falls, another one of the highest rated Disney shows is an animated series about a pair of siblings dealing with the
supernatural in central Oregon. In the middle of its first season, the show has already surpassed another of Disney's highest rated shows, Phineas and Ferb, to become the number one animated series on cable television overall.

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There have been a very many thriller films to hit the big screen since the beginning of the movie industry. Even before there was sound, brilliant directors created works of art on film that thrilled and intrigued audiences worldwide. While writers, directors, and producers continue to develop new stories and bring them to movie goers everywhere, some of the most popular thriller movies came from the 20th century. Even though the advancement in cinematography and technology in filmmaking has provided filmmakers the ability to create great special effects that incorporate 3D and CGI into their movies, some of these classics remain popular among thrill seekers. Here is a short list of some of the most popular thriller movies to date. 

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
You cannot go wrong when you have actors the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, and Anthony Heald playing the main characters in this Jonathan Demme 90’s thriller. Hopkins played the confined psychopathic serial killer with a taste for cannibalism so well and so convincingly that he still haunts people’s dreams to this day. Jodie Foster had an outstanding performance as the FBI agent tasked with the duty of using Hannibal Lector’s expertise in murder to catch a serial killer. This film will scare just about anyone who watches it.

Se7en (1995)
Again, this film leads off with some amazing actors including Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Director David Fincher did an excellent job at pitting these great actors together and then using their very different acting styles to lead audiences through a true crime thriller. The story revolves around a serial killer as does The Silence of the Lambs, but this time the theme is religious making it all the more dangerous. Audiences stay on the edge of their seats until the very end. 

Rear Window (1954)
Rear Window is a true classic directed by the King of Thrillers, Alfred Hitchcock. Using one of Hitchcock’s favorite actors, James Stewart, and one of film’s most recognized actresses, Grace Kelly, this film is fantastic for both story and acting. A guy spies on his neighbors while confined to a wheelchair in his apartment and then discovers a murder in the process. This is one of few movies that can pull off such a thrill ride from very limited locations – essentially just the apartment building. Hitchcock keeps the audience thinking until the truth is finally revealed.

The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Bryan Singer directed thriller is one that most film lovers have seen and have definitely recommended to others. This is truly a must see not only for the great performances from veteran actors Benicio del Toro, Kevin Spacey, and Stephen Baldwin, but for the plot that keeps you on your toes. Collect a bunch of criminals with no ties, put them in jail together, and watch them work as a group to confuse everyone, including the audience.

Vertigo (1958)
Another one of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest films in the thriller genre, Vertigo showcases James Stewart’s wonderful acting opposite another screen legend, Kim Novak. From the very beginning, Hitchcock creates a sense that something’s terribly wrong. Through fantastic cinematography and superb directing, Vertigo is pure suspense, mystery, and thriller all the way through. 

Taxi Driver (1976)
Robert de Niro has played a lot of great characters, but none as scary or captivating as a mentally unstable Vietnam vet cab driver. Martin Scorsese directs this psycho crime thriller.

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The 1960's may have been the age of love, but it was also the pioneer decade for talk shows. Today, it is difficult to find a time of day when at least one channel doesn’t have a chat going on with a celebrity or experts discussing controversial subjects. The first talk show premiered in the 1950's, but it wasn’t until the Sixties that the industry diversified. Take a look at the best talk shows of the 1960's, a decade full of trendy fashions, rock music and emerging careers. 

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson at the helm got its start in 1962 broadcasting out of New York City. The format set by Carson is the same one seen today with most nighttime talk shows. You had Johnny at the desk, Ed McMahon on the sidelines and a band providing music during intros and breaks. Carson began each show with a monologue full of zippy one or two liners, and often incorporated a sketch into the night’s entertainment. 

The Tonight Show played host to guests from movies, politics, music and literature. During his reign, Carson interviewed such notable names as John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Carl Sagan, Gore Vidal and Orson Wells. 

The show lasted until 1992 when Carson retired and turned the desk over to Jay Leno. 

The Mike Douglas Show

If Johnny Carson was the king of the late night, then Mike Douglas reigned supreme during the daytime. The Mike Douglas show went into syndication in 1963 and ran until 1982. Douglas filmed out of two studios owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting. The show consisted of casual banter and musical interludes. Guests were primarily entertainment, but Douglas offered the occasional surprise including a two-year old Tiger Woods showing his putting style. 

Unlike Carson who had his steady sidekick Ed McMahon, Douglas rotated guest hosts, using a new one every week. Celebrities that sat in the chair next to Mike included Jackie Gleason, Barbra Streisand, Marvin Hamlisch, Red Buttons and the tag team of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. 

The Steve Allen Show

Steve Allen offered a different type of talk show that focused more on acts then chats. Technically, the Steve Allen project was deemed a variety show, but it was a spin-off from the Tonight Show, done during the prime time hours. The show had a cast that helped guests perform in either musical act or skits. In the interim, they would often sneak in some talk time with Allen. Among the regulars on the show were Don Knots, Tim Conway and Tom Poston. 

Originally, broadcast giant NBC cancelled The Steve Allen show in 1960, only to have ABC pick up back up a year later. The show didn’t make it past 14 episodes before getting the ax again. In 1962, it went into first-run syndication. During its short lifespan, The Steve Allen show launched careers for a number of the actors and musical acts including Elvis Presley and Fats Domino. 

The Sixties spawned many of the talk show formats we see today. From late night to chat television to musical variety, the 1960's had them all. Some of the most well-known names from that time got their first exposure on shows like The Tonight Show. Talk shows of the 1960's are a little piece of television history.

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The history of NBC daytime goes back to the earliest days of television. Dozens of shows have come and gone from the airwaves since the network’s first regular daytime broadcasts in the 1940s, but two shows have stood the test of time and continue to run on the network today.

The first main show on NBC daytime is The Today Show. One of the highest rated NBC daytime shows and one of the most important TV shows in history, it began on January 14, 1952 as a two-hour show with anchor Dave Garroway. Its format blended news reports, interviews, weather reports and gimmicks, such as a chimpanzee named J. Fred Muggs. Garroway hosted the show until 1961, when his poor health forced him to step down. After a brief replacement by John Chancellor, Hugh Downs took over the show in 1962, hosting until 1971, replaced by Frank McGee, who died in 1974. Jim Hartz took over until 1976, when Tom Brokaw stepped into the position. He stayed with Today until 1982 when he became host of NBC Nightly News. Bryant Gumbel replaced him, anchoring the show until 1997, when Matt Lauer, the show’s current co-anchor, took over.

During Downs’ tenure as host, an ambitious woman named Barbara Walters became an on-air personality, eventually rising to the rank of co-anchor, which she held until her departure for ABC News in 1976. Walters was the first woman to co-anchor a network news show. Jane Pauley replaced her, lasting until 1990, when NBC made the controversial decision to replace her with the younger Deborah Norville. The changes proved unpopular with viewers, and Katie Couric replaced Norville in 1991. Couric left in 2006 to anchor the CBS Evening News; Meredith Vieira replaced her, holding the co-anchor position until 2011, when Ann Curry briefly took over. In 2012, NBC made yet another controversial decision to replace Curry with Savannah Guthrie.Today made more history in 2000 when it expanded to three hours. In 2007, it added yet another hour with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb.

The one other show that constitutes NBC’s daytime line-up is the soap opera Days of Our Lives, which has run continuously since November 8, 1965 and remains one of the highest rated NBC daytime shows. Soap operas, which got their name from the fact that they used to be produced and sponsored by soap companies, used to be a huge staple of networks’ daytime lineup. However, numerous factors, including the increasing number of women in the workplace, the networks’ coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995, and the co-opting of its multi-layered storytelling techniques by primetime drama, soaps have virtually vanished from the airwaves. Days is one of the lucky four still airing as of 2012. The very first NBC soap was a 15-minute show in 1949, These Are My Children. Past NBC soaps of note include Young Doctor Malone (1958-1963), The Doctors (1963-1982), Another World (1964-1999), Somerset (1970-1976), Santa Barbara (1984-1993) and Passions (1999-2007).

Game shows are still a large part of the overall TV landscape, but NBC has not aired them since 1991, when it canceled the daytime version of Wheel of Fortune, which started on the network in 1975 with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford, who were later replaced by Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Notable game shows in the history of NBC daytime include the original Price is Right with Bill Cullen (1956-1963), the original Match Gamewith Gene Rayburn (1962-1969), the original Let’s Make a Deal with Monty Hall (1963-1969), and the original Jeopardy! with Art Fleming (1964-1975), as well as Concentration (1958-1973), The Hollywood Squares (1966-1980), Sale of the Century (1969-1973 and 1983-1989), Scrabble (1984-1990) and Super Password (1984-1989).

While NBC has allowed its affiliates to take over the post-2:00 P.M. daytime schedule and choose their own programming, the network still has a few reminders of its past history in daytime television. The two shows that constitute NBC’s daytime lineup have been a part of television history for decades and show no signs of stopping any time soon.

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Many people think that Survivor was the first reality television show to air. When it comes to the history of reality shows, this is where most people make an error. While Survivor has been one of the most popular reality TV shows ever, it’s far from the first. The first reality TV show aired in 1948, and it went by the name of Candid Camera. There is a good chance that name still rings a bell with you today, even if you have never seen it. That’s a clear indication of the show’s popularity at that time. Put simply, people still talk about it today. It set the bar for many hidden camera shows to follow, one of the most popular being MTV’s Punk’d.

Between the years of 1948 and 1989, there were dozens of reality shows, but no one recognized them as reality shows. For example, Oceanquest and The Gong Show were essentially reality shows. While both shows did well, they still hadn’t set the rage for reality TV. Even COPS couldn’t pull that off. COPS is one of the most successful and longest running TV shows of all time. It still runs today, and it began in 1989. However, it’s not responsible for the reality TV craze. The same can be said for The Real World, which began in 1992. The show experienced immense popularity in the 18-35 bracket, but the format still didn’t catch on.

It wasn’t until Survivor in 1999 when the reality TV boom took place. This likely has a lot to do with the concept of the show, which was survival and being voted off at the end of the show. The last person standing would win a $1 million prize. This concept was new, and it changed the course of television. Big Brother soon followed. While not as popular as Survivor, it still attracted a cult-like following. Those who watched Big Brother back then likely still watch it today. Both shows are still on the air and running strong.

In the mid-2000s, American Idol arrived on the scene. This concept is to find the best undiscovered singing talent in the country. With Simon Cowell’s rude yet honest comments, absurd auditions and mesmerizing auditions, American Idol shot right to the top of the ratings. It stayed at the top for many years. It wasn’t until Simon finally decided to start his own American version of The X Factor that the rating for American Idol started to go down, but they didn’t go down by much. It’s still one of the biggest shows on television.

The Apprentice might not have been as popular as American Idol, but it attracted a lot of people for two reasons. One, the business-minded crowd took great interest in watching others try to survive and win the show. The show could also provide ideas for those trying to increase revenue and improve their overall operation. Two, Donald Trump has a similar personality type to Simon Cowell, which is Type A. These types of personalities almost always draw interest from viewers.
Another popular reality TV show was Fear Factor. This show pushed the boundaries and features competitors eating bugs, jumping off buildings and the like. For several years, Fear Factor was immensely popular, but it’s one of the few reality TV shows that couldn’t withstand the test of time. The challenges became repetitive and the show became old.

All of the reality shows listed above have done well in DVD sales. Other reality shows that have done well with DVD sales include The Amazing Race and Project Runway.
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Talk shows of the 1970's dominated daytime and late night TV. Personalities like Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Phil Donahue and Mike Douglas kept us company during the day as we moved about our homes, bustling to and fro, cooking, cleaning, and taking coffee breaks during our favorite parts. They introduced us to up and coming singers and actors, they showed us the human sides of our presidents, and they showcased talent that ranged from the bizarre to the sophisticated. We adored these talk show hosts. They were as much a part of our lives as were the evening news broadcasters we came to love and trust so deeply. 

It was a time when television personalities were respectful and polite, and worked to showcase their guests in the best way possible. They were the ones who introduced us to the stars of the future, giving us a first look so that years later we could look back and remember fondly the day we were introduced to such greats as Barbara Streisand, George Carlin, and so many more.

Talk shows of the 1970's were forums for change. They not only changed television but the way we related to each other, and the way we thought about ourselves. They brought up sensitive issues like the Viet Nam war, they fought for social change, they helped us to take a good look at ourselves and to realize we were not alone, that whatever we were dealing with, there were others who could relate. 

The beautiful Dinah Shore-singer, actress, and television personality hosted “Dinah’s Place” at ten AM weekdays. On Dinah’s Place, personalities came on to show us their hidden talents. When that was cancelled just as she won an Emmy for the show, she was back that fall on another network with “Dinah!”, a 90 minute weekday talk show with a format of guest stars and entertainment. 

Merv Griffin, never afraid to tackle controversial topics, bounced around the day and nighttime time slots. Griffin was outspoken against the Viet Nam war, promoted Transcendental Meditation, and won 11 Emmy Awards doing so. Soft spoken and unfailingly polite, Griffin created an atmosphere in which his guests gave us their best, and we adored them.

“The Mike Douglas Show” brought us entertainers and musicians, among other personalities. Douglas brought us Barbara Streisand and Aretha Franklin, as well as all the latest rock groups. Douglas’ boundless energy allowed him to fit perfectly with the musicians and entertainers who graced his set. 

We’ll always remember Phil Donahue, who brought health issues out in the open, discussing things formerly considered taboo for television. He made it possible for us to educate ourselves about things some of us wouldn’t even speak about with our doctors. 

Possibly the most memorable of all talk show hosts was Johnny Carson, who hosted “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”. Carson took over for Jack Paar and entertained us just before we fell asleep night after night for decades. His casual style of comedy made it possible for even the stiffest guests to relax, let down their hair and laugh. Carson was always prepared, and it showed. He knew his guests, he read their books, he listened to their music. Every guest was special on The Tonight Show. 

We owe a lot to these early talk show hosts. The 1970s were a time of growth and self-discovery, and these talk show hosts led the way.

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Great films are hard to come by in this day and age. In the past, motion pictures were told with detail and thought, which is the reason everyone loves to watch a classic film. In the 1960s, love stories were conveyed on screen in a variety of ways. While some were completely romantic from beginning to end, others had couples that took a longer time to realize that they love each other. Many romantic movies of the 1960's had a bit of comedy, while others were heavy on the drama. Directors in that era had the tremendous job of making the love story believable while still entertaining their viewers. It wasn't an easy task but they made it possible and those romance films are classics today. Here are a few of the best romantic movies of the 1960's that everyone is guaranteed to remember and fall in love with all over again. 

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's was released in 1961 and it starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, the energetic and aloof woman that was always doing something out of the ordinary. In addition to the famous Tiffany's scene, Audrey's character falls for the handsome upstairs neighbor who is being kept by an older woman. No one can forget the scene at the end when Holly runs away from her love into the rain to find her cat. Viewers felt that kind of love at that moment. The relationship between the aspiring writer and Holly Golightly makes this romantic comedy one of the best films of all time. 

West Side Story

West Side Story, also released in 1961 is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set on the West Side of New York City. Starring Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno and Richard Beymer, this movie touch on racial and social issues. West Side Story can be called a romantic drama. The film is about two individuals who fall in love but are torn apart due their feuding groups. Both groups are quite different but very much the same. Its not until a death occurs that both groups realize how foolish they were acting. This romantic musical is still celebrated to this day. 

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was released in 1967 and it is a romantic film with a heavy racial issue. This film revolves around interracial marriage and how the families of the two individuals are handling it. Starring Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, this classic film makes you look inside yourself and reevaluate your opinions towards people of other races. It is a beautiful film that makes the point that love has no color. 

Splendor in the Grass

Directed by Elia Kazan and released in 1961, Splendor in the Grass is a love story revolving around characters played by Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty. This film is about sexual repression and loving someone from a different socioeconomic class. Natalie Wood's character is in love with the character played by Warren Beatty but takes her mother's advice to hold off in being intimate with him. Warren Beatty's character belongs to one of the richest families in the area and his girlfriend's decision leads him to find someone else that can fill his need. Overtime the two are broken apart with Wood's character being institutionalized and Beatty's character having to experience his father suicide due to the Great Depression. This classic film is about a love that is never fully experienced.

Romantic films come in all themes. One thing is certain for all of these movies – love is stronger than anything else. These films show us that no matter who we are, we are capable of being in love and being loved.

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