Acting
Robert J. Thompson
Born
1959-08-03 (67)
Place of birth
Chicago, Illinois, U.S
Known for
Acting
Credits
18 titles
Robert James Thompson is an American media scholar. He's been a professor at Syracuse University since 1990 and is the founding director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. He has written multiple books and has been interviewed on many documentaries, radio and television shows for his expansive knowledge in television history.
Known for
6.5TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.
American Experience
1988
7.9A dissection of the dark side of the American Dream, a survey of how far some people go to become rich, no matter the cost to themselves and those around them. Real-life cases are reviewed and involve such criminal activity as credit card scams, identity theft, counterfeiting and Ponzi schemes.
American Greed
2007
5.7A six-part docuseries that takes viewers on a journey through late-night television’s most memorable moments. Spanning a more than 60-year history of engaging with, adapting to and influencing our rapidly changing society, late-night television has grown into a thriving entertainment phenomenon and vitally important cultural institution.
The Story of Late Night
2021
7.1A deep dive into the decade's untold history, revealing secrets, and prespectives.
Dark Side of the 90's
2021
8.4The Unexplained is an American paranormal television series that originally aired from January 2, 1996 to May 7, 2000 on A&E and is currently being broadcast on the Biography Channel. The program features various mysteries, paranormal, psychic phenomena, and other topics that are considered to be "unexplained." Earlier episodes of the series are narrated by Bill Kurtis
The Unexplained
1996
6.1This documentary series delves into the unseen histories of the 2000s decade, revealing dark secrets and personal insights from the people who witnessed all the train wrecks and triumphs first-hand.
Dark Side of the 2000s
2023
Film credits
2010s · 3 titles
7.7In 1989, the Buffalo Bills were a talented team full of big personalities, including future Hall-of-Famers Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed. Dysfunction and infighting ran as deep as the talent in their locker room, but the team known as “The Bickering Bills” would soon transform themselves into an elite force. From 1990 through 1993, the Bills went on an unprecedented run of AFC Championship victories, appearing in a record four straight Super Bowls. But what’s been remembered most is how those Super Bowl appearances played out, with the Bills losing all four. Along the way though, the Bills took part in some of the defining NFL moments of the era. Theirs is a heartbreaking tale, yet one that ultimately proves Jim Kelly and the Bills to be among the most perseverant group of players in NFL lore.
Four Falls of Buffalo
2015
7.0On the heels of the Civil Rights Movement, one fearless black pioneer reconceived a Harlem Renaissance for a new era, ushering giants and rising stars of black American culture onto the national television stage. He was hip. He was smart. He was innovative, political, and gay. In his personal fight for social equality, this man ensured the Revolution would be televised. The man was Ellis Haizlip. The Revolution was soul!
Mr. SOUL!
2018
NRThe story of America's love affair with cars.
Driving America
2015
2000s · 3 titles
10.0Commemorates the 10th anniversary of the SpongeBob SquarePants. The documentary chronicles the beloved character's journey to international pop culture icon status and showcases the series' around the world.
Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants
2009
4.7This film documents the train-wreck production and sudden shutdown of American Cannibal, the reality TV show produced by the promoter behind the Paris Hilton sex tape.
American Cannibal
2006
4.2The story of the actor, writer and broadcasting pioneer, Gertrude Berg.
Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg
2009
Series credits
6.5TV's most-watched history series brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.
American Experience
1988
7.9A dissection of the dark side of the American Dream, a survey of how far some people go to become rich, no matter the cost to themselves and those around them. Real-life cases are reviewed and involve such criminal activity as credit card scams, identity theft, counterfeiting and Ponzi schemes.
American Greed
2007
5.7A six-part docuseries that takes viewers on a journey through late-night television’s most memorable moments. Spanning a more than 60-year history of engaging with, adapting to and influencing our rapidly changing society, late-night television has grown into a thriving entertainment phenomenon and vitally important cultural institution.
The Story of Late Night
2021
7.1A deep dive into the decade's untold history, revealing secrets, and prespectives.
Dark Side of the 90's
2021
8.4The Unexplained is an American paranormal television series that originally aired from January 2, 1996 to May 7, 2000 on A&E and is currently being broadcast on the Biography Channel. The program features various mysteries, paranormal, psychic phenomena, and other topics that are considered to be "unexplained." Earlier episodes of the series are narrated by Bill Kurtis
The Unexplained
1996
6.1This documentary series delves into the unseen histories of the 2000s decade, revealing dark secrets and personal insights from the people who witnessed all the train wrecks and triumphs first-hand.
Dark Side of the 2000s
2023
5.2Follow the evolution of advertising from the 1950s through the 1980s, via interviews with the industry's top ad executives, and through classic ads and commercials.
The Real Mad Men of Advertising
2017
10.0These are stories of extortion, stalking, lying, defrauding and even murder.
Notorious
2019
No synopsis available yet.
Generation Boom
2006
9.0Lyle and Erik Menendez were two greedy rich kids from Beverly Hills who murdered their parents for their inheritance, or so it seemed. But a swirl of media and politics influenced this infamous case.
Menendez Brothers: Victims or Villains
2024
NRCelebrating America’s most iconic television shows and the mark they left on popular culture.
TV We Love
2025