Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
| Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre |
Science fiction Paranormal |
| Created by | Lynn Lehmann |
| Presented by |
James Brolin (1997) Jonathan Frakes (1998–2002) |
| Narrated by |
Don LaFontaine (1997–2000) Campbell Lane (2002) |
| Theme music composer | Al Kasha |
| Composer(s) |
Al Kasha Mark Northam David E. Russo Tim Simonec Steve Zuckerman Robert Alpert |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 45[1] (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Barry Adelman Dick Clark Al Schwartz |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fox |
| Original release | May 25, 1997 – September 5, 2002 |
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction is an American television anthology series created by Lynn Lehmann, presented by Dick Clark Productions, and produced and aired by the Fox network from 1997 to 2002.[2] Each episode featured stories, all of which appeared to defy logic, and some of which were allegedly based on actual events. The viewer was offered the challenge of determining which are true and which are false. At the end of the show, it was revealed to the viewer whether the tales were true or works of fiction.
The series was hosted by James Brolin in season one and by Jonathan Frakes in seasons two, three and four. The show was narrated by Don LaFontaine for the first three seasons and by Campbell Lane for the fourth and final season. The show is now streaming all seasons on Amazon as of March 2018.[3]
Format
The stories told in the program all had some connection with the supernatural, ghosts, psychic phenomena, coincidences, destiny, and/or with other such unusual occurrences.
Each episode of the show, as well as all stories within, were introduced with a pun or some other form of witticism pertaining to the particular story and episode, and they all included the underlying moral that not everything we perceive as truth and falsehood is as such, and that it can often be difficult to truly separate fact from fiction, hence the show's title.
The majority of true stories on the show were based on first-hand research conducted by author Robert Tralins, while many of the ones that turned out to be fiction were simply modern-dressed re-telling of urban legends.
From series two onwards Jonathan Frakes would end each story with a pun related to the story, for comical effect.
Popularity and cancellation
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction has gained a cult following. The show was often aired sporadically, sometimes going for weeks or even months between airings. There is a two-year lag between Don LaFontaine and Campbell Lane's stints as narrator for the show, during which time it was believed that it had been cancelled, only for it to be brought back for another season in the summer of 2002. It was eventually cancelled after its 2002 season. During his stint as narrator, Lane played the character John August in the story entitled 'The Cigar Box' shown in episode 11 of the series.
In Germany where Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction is known as X-Factor: Das Unfassbare. Other series were named with the X-Factor part: The Paranormal Borderline became X-Factor: Die fünfte Dimension (The Fifth Dimension), X-Factor: Wahre Lügen (True Lies) is a German series, and Scariest Places on Earth became X-Factor: Die wahre Dimension der Angst (The Real Dimension of Fear).[4][5]
Episodes
Each episode featured five stories, all of which defied logic, but some of which were based on actual events. The viewer was offered the challenge of determining which were true and which were false. At the end of the show, it was revealed to the viewer which tales were true (the stories bolded on this list) and which ones were works of fiction.
Season 1 (1997)
- Episode 1
The Apparition, The Electric Chair, On the Road, Number One With a Bullet & Dream House
- Episode 2
The Viewing, The Subway, Kid in the Closet, Justice is Served & The Tractor
- Episode 3
The Prophecy, Couch Potato, Love Over the Counter, Imaginary Friend & Last Man on Earth
- Episode 4
E-Mail, Cup of Joe, Secret of the Family Tomb, Wheezer & The Unknown Patient
- Episode 5
Needle Point, Toy to the Rescue, Mystery Lock, The House on Baker Street & The Train
- Episode 6
The Candlestick, The Diner, From the Agency, The Magic Rose Garden & The Jeep
Season 2 (1998)
- Episode 7
The Plane, The Gun, The Portrait, The Pass & The Caller
- Episode 8
Firestation 32, The Computer, The Girl Next Door, The Wallet & The Woods
- Episode 9
The Wall, The Chalkboard, The Getaway, The Prescription & Summer Camp
- Episode 10 (Friday the 13th Special)
The Wrestler, The Escape, Dead Friday, Ghost Visitor & The Lady in a Black Dress
- Episode 11
The Land, Titan, The Diary, Town of Remembrance & The House on Barry Avenue
- Episode 12
Bright Light, Magic Mightyman, The Student, Scribbles & Count Mystery
- Episode 13
The Mummy, The Perfect Record, Grave Sitting, Murder on the Second Floor & They Towed My Car
- Episode 14
Kirby, Dust, Malibu Cop, A Joyful Noise & The Hooded Chair
- Episode 15
Rock & Roll Ears, The Bucket, The Bridesmaid, Voice from the Grave & The Chess Game
- Episode 16 (Animal Stories Special)
The Motorcycle, Blind Man's Dog, Deer Hunters, Tribal Curse & The Card Game
- Episode 17 (Disaster Stories Special)
Bon Voyage, The Man in the Model T, The Scoop, Angel on Board & Buenos Dias
- Episode 18 (A Touch of Evil Special)
Merry-Go-Round, Red Eyed Creature, Used Car Salesman, Surveillance Camera & Graffiti
- Episode 19
The Warning, Bus Stop, The Cure, The Guardian & The Gift
Season 3 (2000)
- Episode 20
Morning Sickness, The Curse of Hampton Manor, Wax Executioner, Blood Bank & Ring Toss
- Episode 21
One for the Road, The Music Box, Two to One, Damsel & The Horn
- Episode 22
The Find, The Golden Cue, The FBI Story, The Gravedigger's Nemesis & Last Rites
- Episode 23
E-Mail, Blood Donor, Epitaph, Stitches in Time & Soldier
- Episode 24 (Dream Special)
The Nightmare, The Stalker, The Impossible Car Dream, The Dresser & The Burial
- Episode 25
Red Line, Two Sisters, Eclipse, The Ice Box & The Gathering
- Episode 26
Connie, Positive I.D., Trucker, Cook Out & The New House
- Episode 27
Creepy Comics, Louie the Dip, The Wailing, The Landlady & Curse
- Episode 28
For the Record, Halloween, Precious, Get Your Kicks at Motel 66 & Phantom Drifter
- Episode 29
Devil's Tattoo, Static Man, The Bloody Hand, Where Have All the Heroes Gone & War Surplus
- Episode 30
Dead Beat Daddy (alias Deadbeat Dad), Ghost Town, The Sewing Machine, The Sleepwalker & Money Laundry
- Episode 31
The Handyman, Anatole, Makeup Magic, Screwdriver & Charlie
- Episode 32
The Dealer, Gratuity, The Cake, 1st Time Offender & The Mirror of Truth
Season 4 (2002)
- Episode 33
The Devil's Autograph, Mail Order Degree, The News Stand, The Murder of Roy Hennessey & Mysterious Strangers
- Episode 34
Writer's Agent, Crypt Ghost, The Doll, Hubert's Curse & Shared Vision
- Episode 35
Out of Service, When I Was Big, The Greedy Investor, Seven Hours of Bad Luck & The Secret of the Coins
- Episode 36 ("Sixth Sense" Special)
Second Sight, The Fine Line, The Wrong Turn, Who Was I & You Are Next
- Episode 37
House of Shadows, One Hand in the Till, Teasdale's Motor Car, The Vision & The Grave
- Episode 38
The Dorm, The Child Artist, The Weatherman, Sit-Down Comedian & Room 245
- Episode 39
The Wreath, Terror Night, Tants, The Candidate & The Ring
- Episode 40
Caitlin's Candle, The Flower Jury, The Mentor, The Old Bike & The Music Teacher
- Episode 41
The Wealthy Widow, The Witness, The Accident, Bad Dreams & Mental
- Episode 42
Moonstruck Beach, Healing Hands, Aspen Sunny Side, Night Walker & Hot Car
- Episode 43
The Mystery of Douglas Hibbard, Wheelchair Man, The Vigil, The Mandarin's Bowl & Ghost Writer
- Episode 44
Witness to Murder, Roulette Wheel, The Phrenologist's Head, The Bridge & The Cigar Box
- Episode 45
The Hand, The Battered Doll, Poker Justice, Above the Clouds & Screen Saver
DVD release and streaming
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Season One was released on DVD in Region 1 on August 28, 2007.[6]
As of 2018, the show is streaming on Roku and Amazon Prime Video under the FilmRise banner.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction? (a Titles & Air Dates Guide". epguides.com & TV.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
- ↑ "Shows A-Z - beyond belief: fact or fiction? on fox". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
- ↑ https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0797LPXKX
- ↑ kabel eins: X-Factor - Das Unfaßbare Archived April 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine., X-Factor - Die 5. Dimension, X-Factor: Wahre Lügen
- ↑ fernsehserien.de: X-Factor: Das Unfassbare, X-Factor: Die fünfte Dimension, X-Factor: Wahre Lügen, X-Factor: Die wahre Dimension der Angst
- ↑ Lambert, David (June 20, 2007). "Beyond Belief - 1st Season Set in August". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ↑ Spangler, Todd (2 March 2018). "Amazon Prime Video Adds 20 Reality TV Series, Including 'Hell's Kitchen,' 'Toddlers & Tiaras'". Variety. Retrieved 16 March 2018.