Herbie J. Pilato
In the history of popular television, there are not many shows that have addressed the issues of adolescence, family values, diversity, prejudice, and physical and mental disabilities so directly and fully as Life Goes On.The unique flavor of this daring series (which debuted on ABC in 1989, and which has recently been released on DVD) went straight to the heart of the American-viewing public. Now, the creation, development, and ever-increasing popularity of this this ground-breaking and heartwarming small screen classic is explored in LIFE STORY - THE BOOK OF LIFE GOES ON: TV’S FIRST AND BEST FAMILY SHOW OF CHALLENGE, written by best-selling author Herbie J Pilato (Bewitched Forever, The Kung Fu Book of Caine).Inside the pages of LIFE STORY, the reader will find revealing commentary from Pilato’s exclusive interviews with cast members such as the Golden-Globe-nominated Chris Burke (who played Corky Thacher, the high-school teen with Down syndrome, which Burke has in real life), the Emmy-winning Chad Lowe (who portrayed the AIDS-stricken Jesse McKenna), and the Family-Television-Award winning Kellie Martin (who was Becca Thacher, sister to Corky and loyal young love to Jesse, and who is now the star of the Hallmark Channel new hit series, Mystery Woman). Also interviewed for LIFE STORY, were pristine behind-the-scenes team players including director/producer Michael Nankin and creator/executive producer Michael Braverman (the latter of whom has penned the book’s foreword).Life Goes On continues to inspire viewers, and reaches beyond the realm of average entertainment with superior production values and credible, yet compelling, universal stories, each delivered with a sincere dedication in presenting good television. LIFE STORY - THE BOOK OF LIFE GOES ON: TV’S FIRST AND BEST FAMILY SHOW OF CHALLENGE captures that same spirit and transfers it into literary form.
