National Geographic TV Channel has chosen ALAN ABEL, an author, composer, jazz drummer, lecturer, producer, media provocateur and actor. He will accept this honor in “The Numbers Game,” a new TV show produced by Travis Schoen.
During the 1950’s, after graduating from The Ohio State University, Abel began his acting career in New York City playing opposite Grace Kelly and Leslie Nielsen in the Armstrong Circle Theater Show, “Lover’s Leap,” on NBC-TV.
Then, as a media provocateur in 1960, he created a faux campaign to clothe all naked animals for the sake of decency. “The Great American Hoax” was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and launched a billion-dollar industry for pet accessories.
During the 70’s, Abel produced the comedy movie, “Is There Sex After Death,” starring with Buck Henry (“The Graduate”) that received rave reviews. THE NEW YORK TIMES’ Vincent Canby said, “It’s funnier than any of the Woody Allen films.”
In the 80’s, he wrote a best-selling book, “Don’t Get Mad…Get Even” (W.W. Norton), and made news when he placed a fake official in the Super Bowl game between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins in 1983.
Abel’s television credits include TODAY, TONIGHT, GOOD MORNING AMERICA, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, 48 HOURS and 20/20. Also, his debate against boxing champion Sonny Liston, on “Kup’s TV Show” in Chicago, was a classic program, as was his interview with erudite Sir Stanley Unwin on the BBC-TV.
Presently, a leading Japanese rapper, Masaya Matsuura, is recording Alan Abel’s composition, “Tom Tom Foolery,” that he wrote for Kyoto Drummers. The award-winning documentary on his life, “Abel Raises Cain,” sold out a screening at the Goethe Institute in Amsterdam April 16, 2014.
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