''American Journal'' (alternately titled ''American Journal: Coast to Coast'' for its final season; also known as ''AJ'') is a

syndicated television Broadcast syndication is the practice of leasing the right to broadcasting television shows and radio programs to multiple television stations and radio stations, without going through a broadcast network. It is common in the United States where ...

newsmagazine A news magazine is a typed, printed, and published magazine, radio or television program, usually published weekly, consisting of articles about current events. News magazines generally discuss stories, in greater depth than do newspapers or new ...

program that ran from 1993 to 1998. The series was distributed by

King World Productions King World Productions, Inc. (also known as King World Entertainment, King World Enterprises, or simply King World) was a production company and syndicator of television programming in the United States independently established in 1964 until acq ...

. It was hosted by

Nancy Glass Nancy Glass is CEO of Glass Entertainment Group and formerly an American television and radio host. Career Nancy Glass is currently the owner of Glass Entertainment Group. In 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, her company was named as part of the Globa ...

from its fall 1993 launch until 1997, when siblings Michele Dabney Perez and former newscaster-turned-talk show host

Charles Perez Charles Perez (born March 2, 1963) is an American writer and television news reporter, anchor and talk show host. Career Perez was in the news business in the 1990s through the 2000s, during which he anchored and reported for WABC-TV in New Y ...

took over for the show's final season on air. The show's tagline was "Stories Worth Watching".

History

American Journal was created by King World as a companion to its ''

Inside Edition ''Inside Edition'' is an American news broadcasting newsmagazine program that is distributed in first-run syndication by CBS Media Ventures. Having premiered on January 9, 1989, it is the longest-running syndicated-newsmagazine program that is n ...

'' program and debuted on September 6, 1993. In early 1996, as an attempt to grow in the 18-34 demographic, the show tried then aborted plans to add an "Off the Hook" segment; King World would try again with "Team A.J." coverage strands in the fourth season helmed by

Karen Duffy Karen "Duff" Duffy (born May 23, 1961) is an American writer, model, television personality, and actress. She is a certified hospital chaplain, a former Coney Island Mermaid Queen, and one of ''People'' Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in ...

and Steve Santagati. By 1996, it was cleared on 124 stations serving 86 percent of the United States.Spring, Greg. "King World's 'AJ' gets hip to young viewers." ''Electronic Media'' July 15, 1996: 4-5. King World often packaged the series with an existing magazine distributed by the same syndicator, ''

'', which is still on the air today and has outlasted a number of in-house and outside competitors. The theme song throughout the show's run was an arrangement by Rick Krizman of the Shaker tune " Simple Gifts." In the show's final season, it had a 4.1 rating and 11 share (in February 1998). The low ratings were chalked up to a glut of similar programs, such as the since-cancelled ''

A Current Affair ''A Current Affair'' may refer to: * ''A Current Affair'' (Australian TV program), 1971–present Australian current affairs program that airs on Nine Network * ''A Current Affair'' (American TV program), a 1986–1998 American television news ...

'', and ''

Hard Copy ''Hard Copy'' is an American tabloid television show that ran in syndication from 1989 to 1999. ''Hard Copy'' was aggressive in its use of questionable material on television, including gratuitous violence. The original hosts of ''Hard Copy'' ...

'' (which would be canceled after the 1998–99 season due to being aired in mostly low-rated or overnight time slots by that point), expanding local news (especially in the 5 p.m. hour) reducing the number of available evening time slots for the show, and the show's typical airing in a time slot opposite perennial ratings powerhouses ''

Wheel of Fortune The Wheel of Fortune or ''Rota Fortunae'' has been a concept and metaphor since ancient times referring to the capricious nature of Fate. Wheel of Fortune may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Art * ''The Wheel of Fortune'' (Burne-Jo ...

'' and ''

Jeopardy! ''Jeopardy!'' is an American game show created by Merv Griffin. The show is a quiz competition that reverses the traditional question-and-answer format of many quiz shows. Rather than being given questions, contestants are instead given genera ...

''. While King World already had commitments from stations serving 62 percent of the country to carry ''AJ'' in the fall of 1998, one year earlier, 11 of the stations owned by Belo picked up the syndicated ''

Hollywood Squares ''Hollywood Squares'' (originally ''The Hollywood Squares'') is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show piloted on NBC in 1965 and the regular series debuted in 1966 on the ...

'' for the fall of 1998; which would have displaced ''American Journal'' to overnight

graveyard slot A graveyard slot (or death slot) is a time period in which a television audience is very small compared to other times of the day, and therefore broadcast programming is considered far less important. Graveyard slots are usually in the early mor ...

.Spring, Greg. "Strong 'Squares' to block 'American Journal'." ''Electronic Media'' October 20, 1997: 2. Faced with falling ratings and the potential loss of prime viewing slots, King World canceled the show after five years.

On-air staff

Anchors

- main anchor (1993–1997) *Michele Dabney-Perez - co-anchor (1997–1998) *

- co-anchor (1997–1998)

Correspondents

Les Trent, New York; Stacey Gualandi, Los Angeles; Rhonda Guess, Los Angeles;

Kit Hoover Catherine "Kit" Hoover (born July 29, 1970) is an American television host, sportscaster and broadcast journalist currently serving as the anchor of ''Access Hollywood'', and co-host of ''Access Daily with Mario & Kit''. She has worked as a sp ...

, New York;

Jonathan Karsh Jonathan Shawn Karsh (born October 16, 1971) is an American film director, producer, and former television host. Career Karsh was the winner of the Audience Award and Best Director Award at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival for his directorial ...

, Los Angeles.

References

External links

* {{Commons category, American Journal 1993 American television series debuts 1998 American television series endings 1990s American television news shows Entertainment news shows in the United States First-run syndicated television programs in the United States Television series by King World Productions English-language television shows