Mr. Television

Television: The western “Hopalong Cassidy,” whose episodes were initially edited versions of William Boyd’s old “B” level feature films (with Boyd adding narration and, at times, a new scene or two), debuted in 1949. Considered to be television’s first western, “Hopalong Cassidy” moved to syndication in the 1952-53 season after a two-year run on NBC with Edgar Buchanan (pre Uncle Joe […]

Television: The western “Hopalong Cassidy,” whose episodes were initially edited versions of William Boyd’s old “B” level feature films (with Boyd adding narration and, at times, a new scene or two), debuted in 1949. Considered to be television’s first western, “Hopalong Cassidy” moved to syndication in the 1952-53 season after a two-year run on NBC with Edgar Buchanan (pre-Uncle Joe on “Petticoat […]

Television NBC comedy/variety half-hour “The Jimmy Durante Show” ended its two-season run in 1956…ABC variety half-hour “The Pat Boone-Chevy Showroom” concluded in 1960 after three seasons…”American Masters” debuted on PBS in 1986…”The Red Skelton Show” finished its 17-season run on CBS in 1970. It moved to NBC for one final season in 1971-72…“The David Letterman Show” debuted on NBC […]

Television: Syndicated series “Mischief Makers” launched on TV stations in 1960. The 15-minute series consisted of edited “Our Gang” silent shorts that were originally released through Pathe, as well as various shorts from the “Mickey McGuire” and “Buster Brown” theatrical series. Films from Hal Roach’s all animal series the “Dippy Doo Dads” were also occasionally shown. The series ended production in 1961, but continued to be […]

Television: The first network telecast of the political conventions aired live from Philadelphia in 1948…Steven Bochco police drama “Blind Justice” concluded its 13-episode run on ABC in 2005…NBC summer staple “America’s Got Talent” debuted in 2006. Initially hosted by Regis Philbin, the season one judges were David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan and Brandy Norwood. Six short-lived series launched: Syndicated sitcom “Me and Mrs. C” in 1986; Fox sitcom “Down the […]

Television: “Toast of the Town,” the original title of legendary “The Ed Sullivan Show,” debuted on CBS in 1948. The first episode featured Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II, concert pianist Eugene List, and the six original June Taylor Dancers (then called the Toastettes). In 1966, The U.S. Open golf tournament was broadcast in color for the first time…NBC summer replacement variety series, “Dean Martin Presents” (or, more specifically, “Dean Martin Presents the Golddiggers”) launched in 1968. Summer variety hour “The […]