Books that were made into TV series? (1 Viewer)

Venice-H · Apr 27, 2007

I was thinking about "Freshman Dorm", the books and the TV show, and I was trying to think of other television series that were made from books. I couldn't think of any.

* There are some made from comic books, but I'm not counting those.
* There are many made from movies that were also books, but I'm not counting those either.
* There are TV series that became books later.
* There are many, many silver screen and TV movies that came from books.
* There are some TV specials and miniseries that came from books.

But I can't think of any that went directly from book to TV series.

Make me feel like a fool. Tell me about the dozens of examples I can't think of.

Regulus · Apr 27, 2007

Hmmm. For Starters here's a Couple:

Little House on the Prairie

Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew

Charles Ellis · Apr 27, 2007

There's a pilot being made from James Patterson's "Women's Murder Club" series of books (1st To Die, 2nd Chance, 3rd Degree, 4th of July, The 5th Horseman) for ABC starring Angie Harmon.

In 1977, there was a brief series based on David Wallechinsky's (son of bestselling writer Irving Wallace, his son went back to the original pre-Elllis Island surname) hit book What Really Happened To The Class Of '65? on NBC with Tony Bill as the host /narrator.

Bob Hug · Apr 27, 2007

Kenneth L. Roberts' "Northwest Passage" was first made as a movie in 1940 with Spencer Tracy and later a one season television show by MGM in 1958-59. The TV show starred Keith Larsen and a pre-"Beverly Hillbillies" Buddy Ebsen. A picture of Roberts' book is featured in the opening title sequence.

Steve...O · Apr 27, 2007

There are numerous examples of TV shows from books.

In the mystery field alone you have Perry Mason, Ellery Queen, the Saint, Michael Shayne, Mike Hammer, The Thin Man and that is just on the top of my head.

Wasn't 6 Million Dollar Man based on a book and the related rights are what's holding up a DVD release?

Venice-H · Apr 27, 2007

Well, that didn't take long. I should've remembered those, so one slap upside the head, coming up.

Thanks folks. Keep 'em coming.

Bob Gu · Apr 27, 2007

CYBORG, I think, was the 6 Million Dollar Man Book.
Peyton Place
The Untouchables
The Life And Legend Of Wyatt Earp
My World And Welcome Too It (maybe)
Bestsellers ,and all those mini-series.
The Rise And Fall Of The Third Reich (Documentary series based on a book)

Bob Hug · Apr 27, 2007

Bob, your list (especially "Wyatt Earp") reminded me that "The Adventures of Jim Bowie" was based on the book "The Tempered Blade" by Monte Barrett. Must be that Louis Edelman connection.

RogerH · Apr 27, 2007

Don't forget the new series (just finished up season 1 on Sci-Fi) based on the Jim Butcher novels "The Dresden Files"

nikkif99uk · Apr 27, 2007

Bones based on Keith Reichs books

MatthewA · Apr 27, 2007

The short lived "Lanigan's Rabbi" was based on Harry Kemelman's Rabbi Small mysteries.

Mary_P · Apr 27, 2007

Kathy Reichs, no?

"Dexter," based on the books of Jeff Lindsay.

LCD22 · Apr 27, 2007

"The Unit" is based on Eric L. Haney's "Inside Delta Force".

Jay_B! · Apr 27, 2007

Sex And The City was based on a book by Candice Bushnell
Dexter is based on a series of books also

Kevin_Lodge · Apr 27, 2007

Dead Zone -- by Stephen King

M*A*S*H -- was originally a novel by Richard Hooker before it was a movie, before it was a book

Bob Gu · Apr 27, 2007

A few more:

Sharpe's Rifles
Jeeves & Wooster
The Flying Nun
The Streets Of San Francisco
Spenser For Hire
77 Sunset Strip (Stu Bailey first appeared in a magazine short story written by Roy Huggins.)
Honey West

nikkif99uk · Apr 28, 2007

lol yeah i meant to say kathy lol dont know where keith came from think i put the words kathy and reichs together lol

Marty M · Apr 28, 2007

There were also some great Mini-series from books, as well - Roots, The Winds of War, War and Remembrance, Shogun, Rich Man, Poor Man immediately come to mind. I know these were not series, but I thought they were worth mentioning, since many of them lasted for at least 12 weeks.

Now that I think of it didn't they make a series out of the continuing story of Roots?

Katherine_K · Apr 28, 2007

Homicide: Life on the Street was based on the book "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Street". NBC made them change the title because it wasn't life affirming enough.

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