debut of TV shows

Jan 7th
1/7/82,NBC drama "Fame', centers on NYC's well known High School for the Performing Arts,the group of very talented kids who go there.Their hopes&dreams of becoming actors/singers/musicians,learn how to deal with competition&rejection as well as problems of growing up
The cast members,Debbie Allen'Lydia dance instructor,Albert Hague'Mr Shorofsky", the bearded music teacher ,David Reardon,drama teacher Two students were featured in the show Lee Curreri'Bruno",Gene Anthony Ray'Leroy'
The show was based on the movie of the same name with couple cast members reprising their roles for the TV version.Allen,Hague,Curreri&Ray.The TV critics loved the show but couldn't find an audience,was cancelled after 1 season
I remember watching this show,thought it was good
 

Jan 9th
1/9/59 CBS Western'Rawhide' show about cowboys traveling across the country with the cattle.The show stars Eric Fleming"Gil Favor' the trail boss,Clint Eastwood'Rowdy Yates,' Gil's right hand man,Paul Bringar"Wishbone' the cook for the group
1/9/68
ABC's drama'It Takes a Thief' Robert Wagner "Alexander Mundy' a cat burglar,professional thief who alaways did things in style until he got caught.While serving his prison sentence,the U.S.govt makes him a deal,he works for them.Mundy's father,'Alistair',{Fred Astaire} a retired thief would sometimes help his son on special jobs.I remember watching this show,thought it was good
1/9/96
NBC"s "3 Rock From the Sun' funny sitcom about 4 aliens who land on Earth to observe earthlings The Solomon family were' the 'high commander,Dick Solomon{John Lithgow} who became a physics prof at local Ohio Univ.2nd in command was a male now tall female'Sally'{Kristen Johnson},teenager'Tommy'{Joseph Gordon Levitt} and doofus'Harry"{French Stewart} who always squinted his eyes
At the univ 'Dick's love interest,was another prof,'Dr Mary Albright'{Jane Curtin} and her sassy secretary'Nina"{Simbi Khali} Mary soon was promoted to dean and became Dick's boss which he had a hard time dealing with
I loved this show,found it to be really funny at times
 
2 of my other favorites were Family Ties that aired from 1982 till 1981. I loved Michael J. Fox especially. The other show was Criminal Minds which aired from 2005 till 2020. I still watch that on reruns on NetFlix.
 

Sassycakes said:
2 of my other favorites were Family Ties that aired from 1982 till 1981. I loved Michael J. Fox especially. The other show was Criminal Minds which aired from 2005 till 2020. I still watch that on reruns on NetFlix.
Click to expand...
Sassy cakes,you have the years wrong for 'Family Ties' the show was on from 1982-1989
 
Jan12th
1/12/66 ABC's "Batman' which was a 'campy' TV show,based on cartoonist Bob Kane's comic book of the same name.The show was not to be taken seriously.Bruce Wayne {Adam West} aka'Batman' built a complex crime lab underneath his mansion,he waged war against the criminals in Gotham City. His side kick,Dick Grayson aka'Robin'{Burt Ward} joined him,they were known as'Caped Crusuader" 'Boy Wonder'
The guest stars who played the villians were Burgess Meredith'Penquin",Cesar Romero"The Joker",Frank Gorshin'The Riddler' Vincent Price"Egghead',Victor Bruno'King Tut",Lee Meriwether,Julie Newmar,and Eartha Kitt all played'Catwoman" The show lasted 2 yrs
1/12/81 ABC's prime time 'soap opera' Dynasty' set in Denver,Colo,about the oil rich Carrington family."Blake'{John Forsythe} married to his 2nd wife/former secretary'Krystle{Linda Evans},his 2 kids from his 1st marriage,the spoiled daughter,"Fallon{Pamela Sue Martin},gay son'Stephen'{ 1st season played by Al Cory,Jack Coleman replaced him}
Blake's 1st wife,'Alexis'{Joan Collins} shows up at the end of the 1st season causing all sorts of problems for the family.This was the storyline for the rest of the series,both wives vying for Blake's affection.The show had style and glamour.The opening credits of the show used aerial views of the Filoli Estate which is located south of San Francisco
I liked this show from the beginning,after a couple seasons ,it got too confusing following so many plotlines. The show ended in 5/11/89
 
Jan 14th
1/14/52 NBC's "The Today Show" debuted live on East&Central time zones from 7-9am.Dave Garroway was the original host with Jack Lescoulie as the announcer, was the 1st of its kind blending national news stories, lifestyle&entertainment features.The early mascot of the show was a chimpanzee named J.Fred Muggs. The hosts over the years were:
John Chancellor,Frank McGee,Hugh Downs,Barbara Walters,Tom Brokaw,Katie Curic, Bryant Gumble,Jane Pauley,Deborah Norville,Matt Lauer
The hosts now include Savannah Guthrie,Hota Kotb,Carson Daly,Craig Melvin,Al Roker{weather}
It expanded to the weekends in,1987 for Sundays,1992 for Sat
The show was #1 with viewers until the mid 80's when rival'Good Morning America' took over, other rival 'CBS,This Morning" has always ranked # 3
The show was created by NBC executive Sylvester Weaver{his daughter is actress Sigourney Weaver}
 
Jan 15th
1/15/81 NBC's 'Hill St.Blues',a gritty police drama set in a ghetto area of unnamed East Coast city.The head of the police precinct is Capt Frank Furillo{Daniel J.Travanti} a patient man who deals with all sorts of people coming into the station.His annoying ex wife,Fay{Barbara Bosson} shows up when he least expects it, public defender,Joyce Davenport{Veronica Hamel} always gives him grief, also his secret lover,she calls him'Pizza Man'
The cops who work out of the station'Bobby Hill{Michael Warren} his partner,Andy Renko{Charles Haid},Belker{Bruce Weitz} undercover cop who likes to bite the offenders.Sgt Phil Esterhaus{Michael Conrad} tall,'father figure' who always ended the daily briefings by telling the group'be careful out there" The theme song from the show was #10 on Billboard Charts in '81
In the beginning,the show was struggling in the ratings but when it won 6 Emmy Awards incl Best Drama,actor{Travanti} its 1st yr,that changed everything became a beloved,critical hit It lasted 6 yrs
This is my all time favorite cop show,watched every week
 
Jan 18th
1/18/74 ABC's 'The 6 Million Dollar Man" this show was about Steve Austin,{Lee Majors} a U.S. astronaut who had been critically injured in moon landing craft he was practicing in the desert.The govt doctors decided to try a new operation to replace some human parts with atomic power electronic mechanical devices. Steve becomes a 'cyborg',part human/part machine. He had powerful new legs, his right arm with incredible strength,his left eye with penetrating vision
Others in the cast were 'Dr Rudy Wells'{Martin E.Brooks} who devised the operation,
Oscar Goldman{Richard Anderson} played Steve's govt boss The show was based on the book'Cyborg' by Martin Caidin
 
Jan 20th
1/20/08, AMC's drama'Breaking Bad'. This show centers on high school chemistry teacher,Walter White{Bryan Cranston} who is discouraged being under paid,then recent diagnosis of Stage 3 cancer which he is struggling with.To secure financial future for his family when he dies, he turns to crime with the help of former student,Jesse{Aaron Paul} They produce and distribute crystalized meth
Others in the cast are Anna Gunn,"Skyler',Walter's wife,RJ Mitte'Walter Jr, Betsy Brandt plays Skyler's sister,Dean Norris plays her husband'Hank' who is DEA agent,Bob Odenkirk plays Walter's lawyer
The show was a hit among viewers and critics over its 5 yr run.The show won many awards including 16 Emmys,2 Peabody Awards.Cranston won 4 Best Actor Emmys
I watched the show a couple of times
 
Jan 21
1/21/68 'Rowan &Martin's Laughin' which was a highly creative,funny variety show. It was fast paced with sketches,blackouts,one liners,cameo appearances by well known celebs,sometimes politicans e.g Pres Richard Nixon appearing&saying 'Sock It To Me'
There were 40 regulars over the 5yr run,but only 4 were at the start to the end, Dan Rowan,Dick Martin,Ruth Buzzi and announcer, Gary Owens who always had his hand over his ear
Two of the regulars, Arte Johnson&Ruth Buzzi had memroable sketches.Arte played a German soldier who always hid behind a bush,smoking a cigarette ,saying'Verrry Interesting".Ruth as old lady with an umbrella or purse. When she sat on the bench,dirty old man{Johnson} would try to snuggle next to her,she hit him with the purse
Lily Tomlin as the sarcastic,nasal telephone operator'Ernestine' Goldie Hawn as the giggling 'dumb blonde',Alan Sues as the grinning moron as a sports announcer.Some of the other things seen on the show was Cocktail Party,The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate Award, Laugh in's Look at the News{past present,future}. The catchphrases became part of the conversation'You Bet Your Sweet Bippy','Look It Up in Your Funk and Wagnalls" "Sock It To Me','Beautiful Downton Burbank" "Here Comes de Judge'
I remember watching this show every wk,thought it was funny
 
Jan 27th
1/27/76 ABC sitcom'Laverne&Shirley' was set in the 50's about 2 women from low class backgrounds with not much education but were determine to make lives for themselves.
Penny Marshall"Laverne' and Cindy Williams'Shirley' worked on an assembly line in the bottle cap division of Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee. Laverne had a quick temper,defensive always afraid she'd get hurt.Shirley was naive and trusting a sucker for a sad story
Others in cast were David L.Lander'Squiggy',Michael McKean'Lenny' the girls neighbors,Eddie Mekka'Carmine,the Big Ragu'Phil Foster who played Laverne's dad"Frank' who owned the local hangout'Pizza Bowl'
There was alot of trouble behind the scenes due to friction/ intense rivalry between Penny&Cindy.In 1982,Cindy had enough left the series when she became pregnant.The show lost viewership after that,was cancelled in '83
 
Jan 30th
1/30/13 FX' spy thriller'The Americans'. This show was about 2 KGB Intelligence agents,"Elizabeth"{Keri Russell},'Phillip' Jennings{Matthew Rhys} posing as a married couple living in Falls Church,VA with their 2 kids ,Paige ,Henry.Their cover was they were travel agents
The series begins when Pres Reagan has just taken office and ends in Dec '87,when Soviet Union&U.S. sign the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
The Jennings next door neighbor,'Stan'works at FBI as counterintelligence officer. He becomes close to the family,best friends with Phillip,has no idea who they really are
I watched the 1st season part of the 2nd,then it got to be too confusing, show ended in 2018
 
Feb
2/2/15 Food Network show'Kids Baking Championship'
This show is hosted by pastry chef,Duff Goldman,actress,Valerie Bertnelli.The show features 10 kids ages 10-13 from across the country.Every week,there is a baking competion to see what the kids can come up with.Duff&Valerie are the judges as well as their mentors.The kids are judged on presentation,taste and creativity.The winner receives $25,000,a feature in Food Network Magazine
I started watching this show a couple yrs ago.I'm not a baker but I'm always impressed by these very talented kids
This yr's show is a bit different because of COVID,the kid's parents can watch their kids from another room social distancing.Its stressful for both the kids and the parents
 
2/5/89
CBS Western Mini Series'Lonesome Dove' debut,based on the Pulitizer Prize novel by Larry McMurtry.The story is set in the 1870's,Augustus'Gus' McCall{Robert Duvall},Capt Woodrow Call{Tommy Lee JOnes} are famous ex Texas Rangers who run a livery from a small Texas border town,Lonesome Dove along the Rio Grande
The series was shown in 6 parts over 3 nights to viewer&critical acclaim huge ratings at the time 25 million.It featured an all star cast besides Duvall,Jones:
Angelicia Huston
Danny Glover
Diane Lane
Robert Ulrich
Ricky Schroder
The series won 7 Emmy awards,{mostly technical} best director,Simon Wincer
2 Golden Globes Duvall{Best Actor},Best Mini Series
Peabody Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama
based on screenplay written by McMurtry and Peter Bogdnavich
I loved this mini series,its faithful to the book
 
Feb 10th
2/10/56
CBS Western"My Friend Flicka' was a show set in Montana in 1900.
Ken McLaughlin{Johnny Washbrook} a young 10 yr old boy who lives on family ranch with his parents,Rob{Gene Evans},Nell{Anita Louise},ranch handy man Gus{Frank Ferguson} Ken's beloved mustang horse'Flicka' The episodes are about Ken's adventures with Flicka and dealing with friends and neighbors
The show lasted 2 yrs,originally aired on CBS,then went to NBC
It was based on the novel by Mary O'Hara movie version came out in 1943 starring Roddy MacDowall,Preston Foster
 
Feb 16th
2/16/50 "What's My Line' was the longest running quiz show which ran for 17 yrs
It originally aired on CBS alternate weeks Feb-March 1950 at 8-8:30,April-Sept at 9-9:30 pm
Oct-Sept 1967 Sun nights at 10:30-11pm It was in black&white,later in color
The celebrity panelists asked questions to the contestants, to figure out what interesting or unusual occupation they did.There was a segment where a 'mystery guest' appeared,panelists were blindfolded asking questions.The original panelists were Bennett Cerf,Arlene Francis,Dorothy Kilgallen.John Daly was the moderator
I remember some Sundays when I couldn't get to sleep,watched with my parents on our black&white TV
 
Feb 25th
2/25/50 "Your Show of Shows'a comedy/ variety series from the'Golden Age of TV' aired live every week for 90 min on NBC.It featured the comedy duo of Sid Ceasar,Imogene Coca,other regulars included Carl Reiner,Howard Morris
The writers on the show were Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon, Larry Gelbart,Lucille Kallen,show was produced by Pat Weaver directed by Max Leibman The show lasted for 4 yrs
In 2002,TV Guide listed it at #30 of the top 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time
 
March
3/3/85 ABC's detective series 'Moonlighting'
This show was about Maddie Hayes,{Cybill Sheppard} a glamorous,somewhat icy top fashion model who had fallen on hard times esp when her manager swindle her out of her earning. Unbeknownst to her,she owned the 'Blue Moon Detective Agency' which she was planning on selling
One of the principal employees who worked there,cocky,David Addsion{Bruce Willis} conned her out of doing so,they became partners in this unique venture.Maddie had been a spokesperson for'Blue Moon Shampoo Company
The sexual tension between the two was the main storyline during the shows run,finally consumated their relationship at the end of '86 season In certain episodes they would talk directly into the camera to viewers which was unheard of back then.There were constant production problems behind the scenes between the 2 stars and creator/exec producer,Glen Gordon Cannon,who was let go in the final season,show was cancelled in 1989
The show's theme song was co written/sung by Al Jarreau became a hit on Billboard charts in 1987
 
March 5th
3/5/2006,"Planet Earth' a nature documentary series produced by BBC's Natural History Unit.It took 5 years to produce,the 1st to be filmed in high definition.The series had 11 episodes featuring global overview or habitat on Earth.It premiered in U.K. by June 2007 had been seen in 130 countries around the world..It was narrated by natural history film maker,David Attenborough
The show won numerous awards including 4 Emmys, Peabody Award
 
March 6th
3/6/88 CBS detective series'In The Heat of the Night' which was based on book by John Ball,
the '67 movie version which starred Rod Seiger,Sidney Poitier
Chief Detective,'Virgil Tibbs"{Howard Rollins} who had been working in Philadelphia learning new techniques in scientific technology returns to his hometown,Sparta,Miss to attend his mother's funeral.The mayor asks him to stay and work with police chief'Bill Gillespie'{Carroll O'Connor} in solving police crimes. Gillespie was gruff, old timer who knew the streets& town of Sparta like the back of his hand
The show lasted 6yrs,theme song was written by Quincy Jones,Alan&Marilyn Bergman,performed by Bill Champlin Carroll O'Connor won Best Actor in Drama Emmy in '89
 
March 9th
3/9/76 ABC drama'Family' which was about the travails of a happily married couple Doug Lawrence{James Broderick} a independent lawyer,his wife,Kate{Sada Thompson} a full time homemaker who always stood by her opinions living in middle class Pasadena,Calif with their 3 kids.The eldest daughter,Elayne{Meredith Baxter-Birney} son Willie{Gary Frank} youngest daughter,Letitla who went by her nickname'Buddy. Doug would always listen to what Kate had to say on any topic He had a deep,strong bond with Buddy,Willie had a close relationship with her as well affectionally calling her'Peaches'. Elayne was out on her own married with a son. Willie who didn't feel the need to continue in high school dropped out much to his parent's displeasure.He persued his dream of becoming a successful photographer Towards the end of the series ,Kate went back to college as a music major
The show was a widely acclaimed drama,critics loved it
This was one of my favorite shows,tuned in every week to watch.The show lasted until 1980.There was talk about doing a reunion special in 1982,sadly it never happened because James Broderick had died.He didn't live long enough to see his son,Matthew become a successful talented Broadway/movie actor
 
3/10/78 CBS show'The Incredible Hulk" which starred Bill Bixby as'David Banner' a research scientist who was determining the effects of stress on physical strength. In a freak accident in his lab he was exposed to massive dose of radiation which altered his body. Every time he became angry at something or some one,he turned into this huge,green manlike monster'Incredible Hulk'.He possess massive strength and primitive passion. When he calmed down and returned to normal,he had no recollection of what he did when he was the creature The Hulk was played by body builder,Lou Ferrigno
He traveled the country searching for a cure took odd jobs to clothe&feed himself,always 1 step ahead of an investigative reporter'Jack McGee{Jack Colvin} who suspected Banner's secret but had no real proof
The Hulk was based on comic book character created by Stan Lee in 1962
 
March 15th
3/15/88 ABC's coming of age comedy/drama'The Wonder Years'
The show set in '68 about a middle class suburban family,the Arnolds seen thru the eyes of 12 yr old,Kevin{Fred Savage},as he enters junior high school,Vietnam protests,Beatles music, and U.S. space program were in the air.His older brother,Wayne{Jason Hervey} loved to torture&humilate him,his older sister,Karen{Olivia d'Abo} was in her own world of love beads and social protest.His dad,Jack{Dan Lauria},mom Norma{Alley Mills} were a little distant
Kevin had a BFF,Paul{Josh Saviano} hope to be girlfriend'Winnie{Darcia McKellar}
Daniel Stern narrates as the older version of Kevin,news clips and music of the day contributed to the show.The theme song was'With a Little Help from My Friends' sung by Joe Cocker
 

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