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)
Video: '"I LOVE LUCY" - Episode Spotlight: "Lucy Goes to the Hospital"'
(Monday, January 19, 1953, 9:00 p.m. EST) — CBS-TV tonight aired the widely watched “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” episode of the sitcom I Love Lucy tonight in which Lucy Ricardo, played by Lucille Ball, gave birth to Little Ricky. Continue reading ‘Lucy Goes to the Hospital’ episode airs on ‘I Love Lucy’ 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 19 1953)
Video: 'I Love Lucy: A Colorized Celebration - "Job Switching" clip'
(Monday, September 15, 1952, 9:00 p.m. EDT) — After Ricky and Fred get upset about the girls’ spending, Lucy and Ethel go to work in a candy factory while the boys do the housework on tonight‘s season two premiere episode of the CBS-TV sitcom I Love Lucy. Continue reading Lucy and Ethel go to work in a candy factory on ‘Job Switching’ episode of ‘I Love Lucy’ TV sitcom 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1952)
Video: 'TODAY's First Broadcast: Jan. 14, 1952 | Archives | TODAY'
(Monday, January 14, 1952, 7:00 a.m. EST) — Today, the first news and talk morning television show in the world, debuted this morning on NBC with Dave Garroway as the host. Continue reading ‘Today’ news and talk morning television show debuts on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 14 1952)
Video: 'Dragnet S01E01 The Human Bomb'
(Sunday, December 16, 1951, 7:00 p.m. EST) — Dragnet, an American television series, based on the Jack Webb-created crime drama radio series of the same name that follows Sgt. Joe Friday as he and his partners methodically investigate crimes in Los Angeles, debuted tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Dragnet’ debuts as a television series on NBC 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 16 1951)
Video: '"I LOVE LUCY" - Episode Spotlight: "The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub"'
(Monday, October 15, 1951, 9 p.m. EST) — I Love Lucy, an American television series often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential sitcoms in history, debuted tonight on CBS. Continue reading ‘I Love Lucy’ television sitcom starring Lucille Ball debuts on CBS 70 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1951)
