or


[05/27/10 - 10:29 AM]
TV's Greatest Surprises: A Paley Center for Media Special Counting Down Television's 30 Biggest Surprises, to Be Broadcast Wednesday, June 16
Jeff Probst hosts the CBS special, which will feature clips of "I Love Lucy," "The Sopranos," "Ellen," "ER," "American Idol" and "NCIS."

[via press release from CBS]

"TV'S GREATEST SURPRISES: A PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA SPECIAL" COUNTING DOWN TELEVISION'S 30 BIGGEST SURPRISES, TO BE BROADCAST WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

List of the 30 Biggest Surprises in Television History Picked by Television Viewers Based on a Nielsen Entertainment Survey Will be Counted Down by Emmy Award-Winning Host of "Survivor," Jeff Probst

Surprising Moments in the Special Include Those From "I Love Lucy," "The Sopranos," The Late Show with David Letterman," "Ellen," "ER," "American Idol," and "NCIS"

"TV's GREATEST SURPRISES: A PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA SPECIAL" hosted by Emmy Award-winner, Jeff Probst ("Survivor"), will count down television's 30 biggest surprises in prime-time television history with their stars and producers telling the stories behind them, to be broadcast Wednesday, June 16 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Viewers will take a trip down memory lane looking back at the top 30 comedy, drama, reality, variety, and game show moments that kept audiences riveted and, at times, surprised. From Bobby Ewing's shower scene in "Dallas" to Dr. George O'Malley's shocking death on "Grey's Anatomy," Probst will recount the television moments that over the years have fueled water-cooler discussions nationwide.

Among those interviewed for the special are Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, Howie Mandel, Chris Harrison, Arsenio Hall, Paul McCrane, Aida Tuturro, Whoopi Goldberg, Paul Shaffer, Julie Chen, Regis Philbin, Patricia Heaton, Michael Weatherly, and David E. Kelley.

The moments revealed on "TV's GREATEST SURPRISES: A PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA SPECIAL" have been selected based on a survey by Nielsen Entertainment ranked by television viewers and culled from the Paley Center media collection.

The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1976 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit www.paleycenter.org

"TV's GREATEST SURPRISES: A PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA SPECIAL" is being produced by Planet Grande Pictures in association with the Paley Center for Media. John Watkin and Eamon Harrington are the executive producers.





  [may 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· ER (NBC)
· NCIS (CBS)
· SOPRANOS, THE (HBO)
· SURVIVOR (CBS)





[10/31/25 - 02:22 PM]
FOX Sports Hits 14.6 Million Viewers for Game 5 of the World Series
The telecast reached a peak viewership of 16,034,000 viewers on FOX between 10:00-10:15 PM ET.

[10/31/25 - 10:42 AM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Scares Up More Wins - Rising for Historic Sixth Week in a Row
"Dancing with the Stars" is the only fall show to increase its overall audience for six consecutive weeks following its season premiere.

[10/31/25 - 06:31 AM]
ESPN Networks Deliver Record College Football Viewership at the Midway Point of the Season, "College GameDay" Continues on Historic Run
Through nine weeks, ESPN networks are averaging 2.3 million viewers per game, their largest audience since 2009 and an increase of 20 percent year-over-year.

[10/31/25 - 06:30 AM]
NBC Sports and Royal Ascot, One of the World's Most Prestigious Horse Racing Meets, Partner on Multi-Year Media Rights Extension
NBC Sports has been presenting Royal Ascot via linear and digital platforms since 2017.

[10/31/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Frankenstein" - Guillermo del Toro - Final Trailer - Netflix
Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro reimagines Mary Shelley's classic tale of a brilliant scientist and the creature his monstrous ambition brings to life.

[10/30/25 - 10:31 PM]
Family, Food, and Films: Netflix's "Dining with the Kapoors" Arrives November 21
The special is a heartfelt celebration marking 100 years of the legendary Raj Kapoor, and close to a century of the Kapoor family ruling the box office and our hearts - then, now and always.

[10/30/25 - 03:05 PM]
14.8 Million Viewers Tuned in for World Series Game 4 Across FOX, FOX Deportes & FOX Sports Streaming Services
Viewership peaked at 16,695,000 viewers on FOX between 10:00-10:15 PM ET.

[10/30/25 - 03:01 PM]
Debut of NBC Sports' "Coast 2 Coast Tuesday" Delivers NBA's Largest Pre-Christmas Tuesday Audience Since 1996
"Coast 2 Coast Tuesday" - featuring the New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks (8 p.m. ET) and LA Clippers at Golden State Warriors (11 p.m. ET) - averaged 3.0 million viewers in primetime across NBC and Peacock.

[10/30/25 - 03:01 PM]
Kate Winslet to Narrate Upcoming Documentary from The King's Foundation and Prime Video - "Finding Harmony: A King's Vision"
The new documentary will tell the story of His Majesty The King's lifelong commitment to the philosophy of Harmony and the environment, urging viewers to protect our planet and create a more sustainable future for the next generation.

[10/30/25 - 11:03 AM]
Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County" Three-Part Reunion Begins Thursday, Nov. 6 at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Host Andy Cohen is joined by Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti and Katie Ginella to reflect on an emotionally charged season 19 that led to shifting alliances and broken trust within the group.

[10/30/25 - 10:52 AM]
Video: National Geographic Documentary Films Unveils Trailer and Theatrical Release Dates for Award-Winning "The Tale of Silyan"
The award-winning documentary will make its theatrical debut this fall, opening in select U.S. theaters on November 28 and in U.K. cinemas on December 12.

[10/30/25 - 10:33 AM]
FX's "Adults" Renewed for Second Season on Hulu
The comedy follows a group of twenty-somethings in New York trying to be good people, despite being neither "good" nor "people" yet.

[10/30/25 - 10:01 AM]
Hulu's "King of the Hill" Renewed for Seasons 16 and 17
The upcoming 15th season of "King of the Hill" will premiere on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the US, and on Disney+ internationally in 2026.

[10/30/25 - 09:30 AM]
Video: Starz Unveils Trailer Full of Sex and Slaughter for "Spartacus: House of Ashur" Premiering December 5
The outrageous new chapter in the world of "Spartacus" debuts with a two-episode premiere on Friday, December 5.

[10/30/25 - 08:06 AM]
ID November Programming Highlights
Look for newcomers "The Rocky Mountain Mortician Murder" and "Who Hired the Hitman?" alongside new seasons of "Body Cam" and "The Murder Tapes."