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 The majority of stories on all shows were adapted from published and previously unpublished original material written and researched by author Robert Tralins.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 currently airs on Zone Reality (06/04/2008).

Format

The stories told in the program all had some connection with the supernatural, with ghosts, with psychic phenomena, with coincidences, with destiny, and/or with 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 they 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.

The stories that proved to be fact were usually based on the first-hand research of author Robert Tralins, whereas some of those that proved to be fiction were modern-dress retellings of urban legends.

Popularity, cancellation, and return

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.

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: Wahre Lügen, which rather addressed more logical and bizarre, but plausible cases, like a hotel for dogs or a huge treehouse. It was cancelled after three seasons.

FOX announced that a fifth season (consisting of 8 new episodes) is under production and scheduled to air early in 2009 with Jonathan Frakes reprising his role as host.

Episodes

See List of Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction episodes

See also

• Urban legend
• Urban Legends
• Mostly True Stories: Urban Legends Revealed

External links

de:X-Factor (Fernsehserie) id:Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction