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
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 (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. 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)

The Apparition, The Electric Chair, On the Road, Number One With a Bullet & Dream House

The Viewing, The Subway, Kid in the Closet, Justice is Served & The Tractor

The Prophecy, Couch Potato, Love Over the Counter, Imaginary Friend & Last Man on Earth

E-Mail, Cup of Joe, Secret of the Family Tomb, Wheezer & The Unknown Patient

Needle Point, Toy to the Rescue, Mystery Lock, The House on Baker Street & The Train

The Candlestick, The Diner, From the Agency, The Magic Rose Garden & The Jeep

Season 2 (1998)

The Plane, The Gun, The Portrait, The Pass & The Caller

Firestation 32, The Computer, The Girl Next Door, The Wallet & The Woods

The Wall, The Chalkboard, The Getaway, The Prescription & Summer Camp

The Wrestler, The Escape, Dead Friday, Ghost Visitor & The Lady in a Black Dress

The Land, Titan, The Diary, Town of Remembrance & The House on Barry Avenue

Bright Light, Magic Mightyman, The Student, Scribbles & Count Mystery

The Mummy, The Perfect Record, Grave Sitting, Murder on the Second Floor & They Towed My Car

Kirby, Dust, Malibu Cop, A Joyful Noise & The Hooded Chair

Rock & Roll Ears, The Bucket, The Bridesmaid, Voice from the Grave & The Chess Game

The Motorcycle, Blind Man's Dog, Deer Hunters, Tribal Curse & The Card Game

Bon Voyage, The Man in the Model T, The Scoop, Angel on Board & Buenos Dias

Merry-Go-Round, Red Eyed Creature, Used Car Salesman, Surveillance Camera & Graffiti

The Warning, Bus Stop, The Cure, The Guardian & The Gift

Season 3 (2000)

Morning Sickness, The Curse of Hampton Manor, Wax Executioner, Blood Bank & Ring Toss

One for the Road, The Music Box, Two to One, Damsel & The Horn

The Find, The Golden Cue, The FBI Story, The Gravedigger's Nemesis & Last Rites

E-Mail, Blood Donor, Epitaph, Stitches in Time & Soldier

The Nightmare, The Stalker, The Impossible Car Dream, The Dresser & The Burial

Red Line, Two Sisters, Eclipse, The Ice Box & The Gathering

Connie, Positive I.D., Trucker, Cook Out & The New House

Creepy Comics, Louie the Dip, The Wailing, The Landlady & Curse

For the Record, Halloween, Precious, Get Your Kicks at Motel 66 & Phantom Drifter

Devil's Tattoo, Static Man, The Bloody Hand, Where Have All the Heroes Gone & War Surplus

Dead Beat Daddy (alias Deadbeat Dad), Ghost Town, The Sewing Machine, The Sleepwalker & Money Laundry

The Handyman, Anatole, Makeup Magic, Screwdriver & Charlie

The Dealer, Gratuity, The Cake, 1st Time Offender & The Mirror of Truth

Season 4 (2002)

The Devil's Autograph, Mail Order Degree, The News Stand, The Murder of Roy Hennessey & Mysterious Strangers

Writer's Agent, Crypt Ghost, The Doll, Hubert's Curse & Shared Vision

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

House of Shadows, One Hand in the Till, Teasdale's Motor Car, The Vision & The Grave

The Dorm, The Child Artist, The Weatherman, Sit-Down Comedian & Room 245

The Wreath, Terror Night, Tants, The Candidate & The Ring

Caitlin's Candle, The Flower Jury, The Mentor, The Old Bike & The Music Teacher

The Wealthy Widow, The Witness, The Accident, Bad Dreams & Mental

Moonstruck Beach, Healing Hands, Aspen Sunny Side, Night Walker & Hot Car

The Mystery of Douglas Hibbard, Wheelchair Man, The Vigil, The Mandarin's Bowl & Ghost Writer

Witness to Murder, Roulette Wheel, The Phrenologist's Head, The Bridge & The Cigar Box

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

External links

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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