Just as J.C. Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell did with their covers for The Saturday Evening Post, Richard Amsel established a lengthy and fruitful relationship with TV Guide -- illustrating more covers than any other artist, with the sole exceptions of Al Hirschfeld (tied at 37), and Bob Peak (who leads at 39).
Thirty-seven of Amsel's covers were published, while at least another three were either unused or relegated to feature stories. (I'm still trying to verify the exact number.) Amsel also contributed illustrations featured inside the entertainment magazine.
For more information on the art of TV Guide, check out Jerry Alten's book (right), which includes information on Amsel's contributions.
1) 16-Dec-72 Duke & Duchess of Windsor
2) 19-May-73 Mary Tyler Moore
3) 16-Mar-74 Carole Burnett & Vicki Lawrence
4) 6-Jul-74 Lucille Ball
5) 2-Aug-75 Mike Douglas
6) 17-Jan-76 Angie Dickinson & Earl Holliman
7) 6-Nov-76 Clark Gable & Vivien Leigh
8) 11-Dec-76 Valerie Harper
9) 8-Oct-77 Donny Osmond & Marie Osmond
10) 19-Nov-77 Frank Sinatra
11) 8-Apr-78 Alice
12) 20-May-78 Three's Company
13) 4-Nov-78 John Travolta
14) 27-Jan-79 Katharine Hepburn
15) 19-May-79 Cindy Williams & Penny Marshall
16) 1-Sep-79 Miss America
17) 10-May-80 One Day at a Time
18) 21-Jun-80 Robert Wagner & Stephanie Powers
19) 6-Sep-80 Richard Chamberlain / Shogun
20) 28-Mar-81 Johnny Carson
21) 25-Jul-81 Prince Charles & Lady Diana
22) 19-Sep-81 Kate Mulgrew
23) 24-Apr-82 Ingrid Bergman
24) 3-Jul-82 Ted Knight/Too Close for Comfort
25) 5-Feb-83 Cheryl Ladd
26) 9-Apr-83 Elvis Presley
27) 30-Apr-83 Tom Selleck
28) 21-May-83 Bob Hope
29) 3-Sep-83 All in the Family
30) 24-Sep-83 Three's Company
31) 12-Nov-83 The Kennedys
32) 21-Apr-84 The Far Pavillions
33) 29-Sep-84 Mary Tyler Moore & James Garner
34) 2-Feb-85 Sharon Gless & Tyne Daly
35) 22-Jun-85 Nancy Reagan
36) 27-Jul-85 Miami Vice
37) 26-Oct-85 Brokaw, Jennings & Rather
THE BIONIC WOMAN (Lindsay Wagner)
Still trying to locate many images. Known works include:
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DYNASTY ad.
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Feb. 1, 1986: Gary Coleman feature (Published after Amsel's death; was likely intended as a cover story.)
TVGuide.com paid tribute to Amsel's covers in its December 2nd, 2013 online issue, and I want to thank editorial assistant Elizabeth Wagmeister for providing me with a PDF. She had reached out to me for help in researching the article.
