Video: '$64,000 Question - 1955 episode with Dr. Joyce Brothers'
(Tuesday, June 7, 1955, 10:00 p.m. EDT) — The television version of the quiz show The $64,000 Question premiered tonight on CBS, sponsored by cosmetics maker Revlon and originating live from CBS-TV Studio 52 in New York (later the disco-theater Studio 54). Continue reading ‘The $64,000 Question’ quiz show premieres on CBS-TV 70 years ago this hour (June 7 1955)
Video: 'I Love Lucy | Harpo Marx | Color'
(Monday, May 9, 1955, 9:00 p.m. EDT) — The gang meets Harpo Marx and Lucy does the famous ‘mirror’ routine with him on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV sitcom series I Love Lucy.
Video: 'Rosemary Clooney "Mambo Italiano" on The Ed Sullivan Show'
(Sunday, April 10, 1955, 8:00 p.m. EST) — Rosemary Clooney performed “Mambo Italiano” and “This Ole House” on tonight’s live edition of the CBS-TV variety show Toast of the Town, hosted by Ed Sullivan. Continue reading Rosemary Clooney performs on ‘Toast of the Town’ 70 years ago this hour (Apr 10 1955)
Image: 'Elvis Presley - Complete Louisiana Hayride performance (March 5, 1955)'
(Saturday, March 5, 1955, 8:00 p.m. CST) — Singer Elvis Presley made his television debut tonight on the regional show Louisiana Hayride carried by KSLA-TV Shreveport (although audio recordings exist, there is no known video footage of this appearance).
Video: 'LIVE TV RESTORATION: Patterns - Kraft Television Theatre 1955'
(Wednesday, January 12, 1955, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EST) — Patterns, an original play by Rod Serling about corporate politics and big business power games, was presented live tonight on NBC as part of the anthology series Kraft Television Theatre.
Directed by Fielder Cook, the intense big-business drama starred Richard Kiley, Everett Sloane and Ed Begley.
Video: 'First Tonight Show 9/27/54'
(Monday, September 27, 1954, 11:30 p.m. EDT) — The Tonight Show, the world’s longest-running talk show and the longest-running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, made its debut tonight on NBC under the original title Tonight. Continue reading ‘The Tonight Show’ debuts on NBC with host Steve Allen, pioneering late-night television 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1954)
Video: 'See It Now (CBS) - 1954-03-09'
(Tuesday, March 9, 1954, 10:30 p.m. EST; during the Second Red Scare) — CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow critically reviewed Wisconsin Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy’s anti-communism campaign on tonight’s edition of See It Now. Continue reading CBS newsman Edward Murrow condemns McCarthyism with epic TV commentary 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1954)
Video: 'NBC Tournament of the Roses Parade 1954'
(Friday, January 1, 1954, 9:15 a.m. PST) — NBC broadcast the first coast-to-coast color TV program today as it presented live coverage of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, in NTSC color. Continue reading Color television debuts nationwide as NBC broadcasts Rose Parade 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 1 1954)
(Saturday, October 10, 1953) — “St. George and the Dragonet” by Stan Freberg peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for the first of four consecutive weeks (Oct. 10/17/24/31, 1953). Continue reading ‘St. George and the Dragonet’ by Stan Freberg peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 10 1953)
Video: 'Remembering TV Guide - Growing Up in America'
(Friday, April 3, 1953) — TV Guide, a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows, was published for the first time today, with 10 editions in the ten U.S. cities where it was distributed. Continue reading Lucille Ball’s newborn son Desi Arnaz Jr. featured on first cover of TV Guide 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1953)
