Daily Archives: October 1, 2015

American Billy Hayes escapes Turkish prison 40 years ago today (Oct 2 1975)


Video: 'The Real Midnight Express'

(Monday, October 2, 1975, early morning EEST)William “Billy” Hayes, an American student who was caught trying to smuggle four pounds of hashish out of Turkey on Oct. 7, 1970, escaped from Imrali Prison today by taking a rowboat at night to Bandirma, blending in with locals and then heading westbound across the border to Greece.

‘The Honeymooners’ series premieres on CBS-TV 60 years ago this hour (Oct 1 1955)


Video: 'TV or Not TV-The Honeymooners' (aired Oct. 1, 1955)

(Saturday, October 1, 1955, 8:30 p.m. EDT) — Ralph and Norton buy a TV set together and constantly fight over what to watch on tonight’s debut episode of the CBS sitcom television series The Honeymooners, based on a recurring 1951–55 Cavalcade of Stars sketch of the same name about two working-class married couples starring Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Audrey Meadows and Joyce Randolph.

In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode number 26 on its “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time” list.