# here's a piece by piece build up
$rec = {};
$rec->{series} = "flintstones";
$rec->{nights} = [ find_days() ];

@members = ();
# assume this file is in field=value syntax
while (<>) {
     %fields = split /[\s=]+/;
     push @members, { %fields };
}
$rec->{members} = [ @members ];

# now remember the whole thing
$TV{ $rec->{series} } = $rec;