James Jude Forbes (born April 1, 1955), often credited as James Jude or his better-known name, Jim Forbes, is an American writer, producer and correspondent, and the narrator for VH1's ''

Behind the Music ''Behind the Music'' is a documentary television series on VH1. Each episode profiles and interviews a popular musical artist or group. The program examines the beginning of their career, their road to success, and the hardships they may have ...

''. Forbes has contributed as a producer/director/writer for networks including

CNN CNN (Cable News Network) is a multinational cable news channel headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. Founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable news channel, and presently owned by ...

Fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...

, VH1,

ESPN ESPN (originally an initialism for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by ESPN Inc., owned jointly by The Walt Disney Company (80%) and Hearst Communications (20%). Th ...

, and E! as well as programmers including

Telepictures Telepictures (also known as Telepictures Productions; formerly known as Telepictures Distribution and Telepictures Corporation) is an American television show and filmmaking company, currently operating as a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Television S ...

and

United Television BHC Communications, Inc. was the holding company for the broadcast property of Chris-Craft Industries. BHC stands for "broadcasting holding company". History The firm was originally incorporated in 1977 as BHC, Incorporated by Chris-Craft Ind ...

Education

He received his BS in journalism 1977 from New York University with minors in history and political science. Additional studies include: Northwestern University, 1973–74, Syracuse University, 1975, and New School of Social Research, 1978

Background

Forbes began his career as an investigative reporter for local television stations in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Los Angeles. He covered significant events including from the New Mexico State Penitentiary riot in 1980 and the LA Riots of 1992. Forbes formed his own production company in 1988. He continued his on-air work, hosting and working as a correspondent and produce and writing. Forbes also narrates documentary programming, including VH1’s Emmy-nominated series, ''

Behind The Music ''Behind the Music'' is a documentary television series on VH1. Each episode profiles and interviews a popular musical artist or group. The program examines the beginning of their career, their road to success, and the hardships they may have ...

'',

’s Emmy winning '' Sports Century'' as well as series for various networks and channels. In December 2007, Forbes narrated a DVD documentary of the thoroughbred racehorse Lava Man that was a stadium giveaway at

Hollywood Park Racetrack Hollywood Park was a thoroughbred race course located in Inglewood, California, about 3 miles (5 km) from Los Angeles International Airport and adjacent to the Forum indoor arena. In 1994, the original Hollywood Park Casino was added to t ...

. Forbes narrated the Emmy winning 2000 season finale of ''

The Simpsons ''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer Simpson, Homer, Marge ...

'', and episodes of ''

Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. ...

'', ''

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

'', '' Late Night'', '' Jimmy Kimmel Live!'', ''

The Chris Rock Show ''The Chris Rock Show'' was a weekly, Friday night, late-night talk show featured on HBO. It was created by comedian and namesake Chris Rock and featured various guests. The show won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Progr ...

'', ''Chris Isaac Show'', '' How I Met Your Mother'' and ''

The Rosie O'Donnell Show ''The Rosie O'Donnell Show'' is an American daytime variety television talk show created, hosted, and produced by actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell. It premiered on June 10, 1996, and concluded after six seasons on May 22, 2002. This talk sh ...

''. He is the featured exhibit voice of the recently renovated Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Awards

He received an

ALMA Award The American Latino Media Arts Award or ALMA Award, formerly known as Latin Oscars Award, is an award highlighting the best American Latino contributions to music, television, and film. The awards promote fair and accurate portrayals of Latino ...

for “Best Made for Television Documentary” for producing/directing and writing ''Selena, Behind the Music''.

References

CESD profile page

www.jimforbes.tv
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Forbes, Jim 1955 births Living people Syracuse University alumni