Author: Herbie J Pilato

Writer, Author, Producer, Actor, Singer/Songwriter, Lover of Life

Herbie J Pilato: 50 Years of Dark Shadows

by Herbie J Pilato

The haunting theme music plays as the lilting gothic graphic title floats across the crashing waves, and it all becomes poetic, romantic and terrific, with an emphasis on “terror” – and yet not.

Such is the opening credit sequence for Dark Shadows – a television show ahead of and before its time, present, past or parallel time.

Initially screened on ABC-TV from 1966 to 1971, Shadows was a spooky weekday soap opera that took the world of afternoon viewers by storm — literally, thanks to its coastal New England setting. read article

Herbie J Pilato Reads ‘Write Tight’

by Herbie J Pilato

EDITOR’S NOTE: Our bud Herbie J Pilato is a very picky person when it comes to recommending a TV show, film, or book. And a book about writing? Oh my! But here the dear boy is, returning to TVWriter™ to recommend this one book in particular. Take it away Herbie J!

It’s important to write tight.

Not, “It’s SO important to write tight.” read article

Herbie J Pilato: Living the Showbiz Dream

by Herbie J Pilato

NOTE FROM LB: TVWriter™ Contributing Editor and longtime buddy Herbie J has a few words for us all. This is exciting – and important – reading. Go, Herbie J!

It’s important to stay the course.

If you have a dream, whatever that dream might be, if it’s a good dream, that will somehow benefit others, bring a measure of joy, information, entertainment – especially in a positive way, then you have to stay the course. It becomes your obligation to fulfill that dream – for yourself – and others. read article

Barbara Hale: Perry Mason’s Right-Hand Gal(e)

by Herbie J Pilato

“I liked playing women with an independent streak.”

So once spoke the actress Barbara Hale, who died January 26, 2017 at age 94, in reference to her iconic performance as Della Street on TV’s long-running Perry Mason one-hour legal mystery series. read article

Mike Connors: Mannix and the Man

by Herbie J Pilato

There’s an episode of Seinfeld (NBC, 1989-1998) called “The Limo” (2-26-92) in which Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) and his neurotic friend George (Jason Alexander) are in a moving limousine attempting to escape from neo-Nazis. George suggests that he and Jerry leap from the moving vehicle and roll out onto the ground.

To which Jerry replies, “Who are you – Mannix?!”

That reference remains a true testimonial to the immortal popularity of the classic TV detective series of the same name starring Mike Connors, which originally ran on CBS from 1966 to 1975. read article