Rachel Lichtman (born December 1, 1973) is an American visual artist, comedy writer, and filmmaker, who created the independent, retro-futuristic channel Network 77[1] in 2017. Network 77 evolved into Programme 4,[1] an audio/visual channel in the analog aesthetic of television and radio of the 60s and 70s, “broadcasting” from the fictional town of Golden Sands. Her work features a variety of comedy and music programming, and has been described as "funny as classic SCTV and as retro-accurate as Documentary Now![2]" Lichtman's style is defined by its deeply referenced pop culture humor and vintage design.

Rachel Lichtman
BornDecember 1, 1973
Occupation(s)Visual artist, Comedy writer, Filmmaker
Known forCreating the independent channel Network 77 and later Programme 4. Directing music videos for various artists.
Notable workNetwork 77, Programme 4, Easy AM 66, Starpop, Musique, Yesterday, Today and TAMAR, Something Cool podcast, Ode to Bobbie Gentry: Celebrating a Living Legend, The Guys Who Wrote 'Em

In addition to television “programming blocks” of the variety/sketch series, she created two episodes of the scripted comedy audio series Easy AM 66, a satirical beautiful music format radio broadcast also set in Golden Sands. She also produced, directed and edited full-length music programs such as Starpop, Musique, and Ted Leo Presents in a vintage Euro-television style.[1]

Lichtman has directed music videos for Ted Leo, Juliana Hatfield, Buffalo Tom, Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, Local H, Laura Jane Grace, The Haden Triplets and others.[3][4][5][1]

Lichtman is also the co-writer and director of Yesterday, Today and TAMAR an ongoing NYC cabaret show starring Tammy Faye Starlite as fictional Israeli sensation Tamar, a character Lichtman and Starlite developed through invented European television and commercial appearances.[6][7]

In 2015, Lichtman and Sarah Thyre created the Something Cool podcast, covering underappreciated female artists and comedians.[8] As an outgrowth of her work on that podcast, she co-produced a tribute concert called Ode to Bobbie Gentry: Celebrating a Living Legend in 2018 with Tara Murtha.[9][10] She also directed the unreleased documentary The Guys Who Wrote 'Em, a look into Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart who created the sound of The Monkees.[11] Lichtman did the visual design for The Monkees' tours in 2011 and 2012[11] after contributing to the liner notes for the Head reissue in 2010.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Lichtman, Rachel (2020-08-31). "Network 77". Programme 4. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  2. ^ Woodbury, Jason (2018-07-30). "Network 77 : Escalator to the Stars : Aquarium Drunkard". Aquarium Drunkard. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  3. ^ Ehrlich, Brenna (2020-01-08). "Song You Need to Know: Juliana Hatfield's Police Cover, 'Can't Stand Losing You'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  4. ^ Pearis, Bill (2021-02-16). "Local H & Juliana Hatfield's "Winter Western" video pays tribute to '70s PBS' kids shows". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  5. ^ Major, Michael. "VIDEO: Aimee Mann Releases 'I See You' Music Video". Broadway World Music. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  6. ^ Levine, Michael (2021-10-06). "Tammy Faye Starlite Returns With "YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TAMAR"". BUST. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  7. ^ Clarke, JK (2021-10-08). "In Tammy Faye Starlite's Israeli chanteuse, a remembrance of Judaism - and pop culture - past". The Forward. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  8. ^ Willens, Max (2020-12-17). "With 'Something Cool' Podcast, Howl Premium Steps Up Ambitious Effort To Lure Paid Subscribers". International Business Times. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  9. ^ "'Ode to Bobbie Gentry' Tribute Concert Will Honor the Mysterious Country Star's Legacy". Wide Open Country. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  10. ^ "ODE TO BOBBIE GENTRY: CELEBRATING A LIVING LEGEND". No Depression. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
  11. ^ a b "A new music film spotlights Monkees songwriters Boyce & Hart - The Ask". MusicFilmWeb. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
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