Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
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Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction? was a 1997 anthology television show produced by FOX network. Each episode features five stories, all of which appear to defy logic, some of which are allegedly based on actual events. The viewer is offered the challenge of determining which are true and which are false. At the end of the show, it was revealed to the viewer whether the tales were true or works of fiction. Beyond Belief originally aired on Fox from 1997-2002. The majority of stories on all shows were adapted from published and previously unpublished original material written and researched by author Robert Tralins. It was hosted by James Brolin and later by Jonathan Frakes. The show was narrated by Don LaFontaine (from 1997-2000) and Campbell Lane (2002). It was aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in re-runs until August 22, 2005. It currenly airs on Zone Reality (06/04/2008).
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[edit] Format
The stories portrayed all had some connection with either the supernatural, ghosts, psychic, coincidences, destiny, and other such unusual occurrences. Each episode, and every story within were introduced and ended by the host with a pun, or some witticism pertaining to the theme of the episode or story, and always had the underlying moral that not everything that we perceive as truth and falsehood are as such, and that often it proves difficult to truly separate fact from fiction (hence the title).
[edit] Popularity and cancellation
It has gained a cult following; the show had often aired sporadically, sometimes going for weeks or even months between airings. Note that there is a one-year lag between Don LaFontaine's and Campbell Lane's stint as narrator for the show; during this time, it was believed that the show had been cancelled, only to be brought back for another go-around in 2002. It was finally cancelled for good after its 2002 season. It is however presently being shown on Zone Reality.
The show was originally hosted by actor James Brolin in 1997 before actor Jonathan Frakes took over from the remainder of the series.
The first season was released on DVD in the United States on August 28, 2007.
The show is very popular in Germany, where it is known as X-Factor: Das Unfassbare and re-broadcasts in nonstop syndication. German TV channel RTL II even produced a spin-off, X-Factor: Das Unfassbare, which rather addressed more logical and bizarre, but plausible cases, like a hotel for dogs or a huge treehouse. It was canceled after three seasons.
The show's re-runs are currently being aired in Latin America on the SciFi channel.
[edit] Episodes
See List of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction episodes
