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Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction

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Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
File:Beyond belief fact or fiction.jpg
GenreScience fiction
Paranormal
Created byLynn Lehmann
Presented byJames Brolin (1997)
Jonathan Frakes (1998–2002)
Narrated byDon LaFontaine (1997–2000)
Campbell Lane (2002)
Theme music composerAl Kasha
ComposersAl Kasha
Mark Northam
David E. Russo
Tim Simonec
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes45[1] (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersBarry Adelman
Dick Clark
Al Schwartz
Running time44 minutes
Original release
NetworkFox
ReleaseMay 25, 1997 (1997-05-25) –
September 5, 2002 (2002-09-05)

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 five 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.

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.

Popularity and cancellation

Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction has gained a cult following.[citation needed] 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.

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).[3][4]

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

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

Beyond Belief: Fact of Fiction Season One was released on DVD in Region 1 on August 28, 2007.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction? (a Titles & Air Dates Guide". epguides.com & TV.com. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  2. ^ "Shows A-Z - beyond belief: fact or fiction? on fox". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  3. ^ kabel eins: X-Factor - Das Unfaßbare, X-Factor - Die 5. Dimension, X-Factor: Wahre Lügen
  4. ^ fernsehserien.de: X-Factor: Das Unfassbare, X-Factor: Die fünfte Dimension, X-Factor: Wahre Lügen, X-Factor: Die wahre Dimension der Angst
  5. ^ Lambert, David (June 20, 2007). "Beyond Belief - 1st Season Set in August". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
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