This book, published in 1985, is a guide, with summaries of what the series is about, for the most popular series on TV at
that time, either running (called Prime Time Cults here) or in reruns (the author apologizes for the absence of some shows, like the HOWDY DOODY SHOW, which did have a cult following, but of which very few were preserved and hence able to be reruns). There are Lost Cult Shows, such as DR. KILDARE, BEN CASEY, THE MOD SQUAD, and others, which he calls LOST CULTS because they were very popular at one time, but lost popularity later on (some of these, like KUNG FU and ALL IN THE FAMILY, have since come back). Some are classed as UNDERGROUND CULTS because, for whatever reason, they have passionate, but limited, followings: some examples are FAWLTY TOWERS, TOPPER, and HAWAII 5-0. Then there are those he categorizes as true CULT CLASSICS, ranging from I LOVE LUCY and ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS to THE MONKEES and MONTY PYTHON. On these latter shows, he gives not only a precis, but sections on who starred in them, what the series featured, and Typical Talk (to give a flavor of the show), Inside Facts, and sometimes other references and offspring, so to speak (buttons, signs, etc.). All of this is introduced by a section on how this book came to be written and what a CULT CLASSIC really is. I came away with the impression that it is somewhat arbitrary except that some people do, or did, like the series passionately at some point, and may still. It is a fascinating book to look at; there are many photographs and
visuals. It is a great resource for historians of relatively modern times, as well as pop culture enthusiasts.