Category Archives: Television 1970s

‘Ringo’ television film debuts on NBC 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 26 1978)


Video: '1978 Ringo' (6 videos)

(Wednesday, April 26, 1978, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EST)Ringo, a television film starring former Beatle Ringo Starr as both a fictionalized version of himself and his fictional half-brother “Ognir Rrats” (loosely based on The Prince and the Pauper), was broadcast tonight NBC. Continue reading ‘Ringo’ television film debuts on NBC 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 26 1978)

Starr promotes ‘Ringo’ TV special on WNBC 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 25 1978)

(Tuesday, April 25, 1978) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr appeared on today‘s Newscenter 4 broadcast on WNBC (taped some time in March 1978) to promote his television film Ringo, set to premiere the following evening on NBC (click here to watch the interview).

The Blues Brothers debut on ‘Saturday Night Live’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1978)


Video: 'The Blues Brothers - Hey Bartender (SNL 1978)'

(Saturday, April 22, 1978, 11:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. EST) — The Blues Brothers — John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd — made their network debut and host Steve Martin performed his novelty hit “King Tut” on tonight’s episode of the NBC sketch comedy series television series Saturday Night Live, featuring the classic sketch “Theodoric of York: Medieval Barber.” Continue reading The Blues Brothers debut on ‘Saturday Night Live’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 22 1978)

‘Holocaust’ miniseries debuts on NBC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1978)


Video: 'Holocaust- mini series - 1978' (5 videos)

(Sunday, April 16, 1978, 8:00-11:00 p.m. EST)Holocaust, an American four part television miniseries which tells the story of the Holocaust from the perspective of the (fictional) Weiss family of German Jews and that of a rising member of the SS, premiered tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Holocaust’ miniseries debuts on NBC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1978)

‘Vietnam: Picking Up the Pieces’ on PBS 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 11 1978)


Video: 'PBS Documentary "Television" - Episode 5 of 8' (Apr. 11, 1978, at 46:53)

(Tuesday, April 11, 1978, 9:00-10:00 p.m. EST on WNET-TV in New York)Vietnam: Picking up the Pieces, the first American documentary shot in Vietnam after the 1975 fall of Saigon with unprecedented access to the ruined countryside and its people, debuted tonight on PBS. Continue reading ‘Vietnam: Picking Up the Pieces’ on PBS 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 11 1978)

‘Annie Hall’ wins Best Picture at 50th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1978)


Video: '1978 Oscars' (27 videos)

(Monday, April 3, 1978, 7:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. PST)Annie Hall, an American romantic comedy film about a comedian and an aspiring singer who try to overcome their neuroses and find happiness, won four Oscars tonight at the 50th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director (Woody Allen) and Best Actress (Diane Keaton). Continue reading ‘Annie Hall’ wins Best Picture at 50th Academy Awards 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1978)

‘Dallas’ series debuts on CBS-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 2 1978)


Video: '40 Years of "Dallas". Episode 1: "At the Beginning"'

(Sunday, April 2, 1978, 10:00-11:00 p.m. EST)Dallas, an American prime time television soap opera that revolved around a wealthy and feuding Texas family, the Ewings, debuted tonight CBS. Continue reading ‘Dallas’ series debuts on CBS-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 2 1978)

The Rutles parody The Beatles in mockumentary 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1978)


Video: 'The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash'

(Wednesday, March 22, 1978, 9:30-11:00 p.m. EST) — The Beatles-spoof TV special All You Need Is Cash premiered on NBC-TV tonight (Easter Monday, Mar. 27, 1978, in the UK on BBC2). Continue reading The Rutles parody The Beatles in mockumentary 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 22 1978)

‘The Stivics Go West’ episode airs on ‘All in the Family’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 19 1978)


Video: 'All In The Family 20th Anniversary Special' ('The Stivics Go West' at 1:03:26)

(Sunday, March 19, 1978, 9:00-9:30 p.m. EST) — The Stivics move to California, leaving the Bunkers to try and adjust without them on tonight’s episode of the CBS sitcom television series All in the Family. Continue reading ‘The Stivics Go West’ episode airs on ‘All in the Family’ 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 19 1978)

George Harrison tapes cameo for ‘Ringo’ TV special 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1978)


Video: '1978 - Ringo (1 of 6)' (Mar. 9, 1978, at 0:12-1:22)

(Thursday, March 9, 1978) — Former Beatle George Harrison taped his cameo appearance for the TV special Ringo, starring fellow ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, today in Los Angeles for broadcast on NBC on Apr. 26, 1978. Continue reading George Harrison tapes cameo for ‘Ringo’ TV special 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 9 1978)