Today in History: Friday, July 22, 2021

Television:
ABC drama “China Beach,” which was set during the Vietnam War, concluded in 1991 after after 64 episodes. It debuted on April 26, 1988…”Dear John,” the NBC sitcom that starred Judd Hirsch, ended its four-season run in 1992… Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon portrayed plastic surgeons in South Florida in the drama “Nip/Tuck” which debuted on FX in 2003. The series became one of creator Ryan Murphy‘s first hits; its most notable line of dialogue was when either surgeon would ask his patient, “Tell me what you don’t like about yourself.” It ran for six seasons… “Studio 7“, the hybrid trivia game show/docuseries, debuted on The WB in 2004. Hosted by NY1 news anchor Pat Kiernan, it only ran for eight episodes… animated series “Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law” concluded its original run on Adult Swim in 2007. Starring in its voice cast were Gary Cole, Stephen Colbert and Paget Brewster. 39 episodes were produced across four short seasons. An October 2018 special brought back the lead character as the new Attorney General…In 2018, CW action drama “Supergirl” announced the casting of first live-action transgender superhero, by transgender actor Nicole Maines as Nia Nal. For more on Nicole Maines, click here

Movies
Cult theatrical classic “Plan 9 From Outer Space,“ which is known as one of the worse films ever, debuted in 1959. This was Bela Lugosi’s last film appearance. He died before the movie was finished…Comedy “Mr. Mom” starring Michael Keaton opened in limited release in 1983…”Summer School,” the comedy directed by Carl Reiner and written by Jeff Franklin and starring Mark Harmon, Kirstie Alley and Courtney Thorne-Smith opened in theaters in 1987. Later that year, Franklin’s TV sitcom “Full House” premiered on ABC and lasted for eight seasons… “Big Top Pee Wee,” the sequel to “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” starring Paul Reubens as Pee Wee Herman premiered in 1988.

Celebrity Birthdays
Oscar winner Louise Fletcher (“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”) is 88; actor Terence Stamp (“Superman”) is 84; singer George Clinton is 81; singer Bobby Sherman is 79; Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”) is 76; Albert Brooks (“Broadcast News”) is 75; singer Don Henley is also 75; composer Alan Menken (“The Little Mermaid”, “Little Shop of Horrors”) is 73; Willem Dafoe (“Platoon”)  is 67; singer Keith Sweat is 61; “Just Shoot Me” star David Spade is 59; actor-comedian John Leguizamo is 58; actor Patrick Labyorteaux (“Little House on the Prairie”) is 57; “Jane the Virgin” star Jaime Camil is 49; actress A.J. Cook (“Criminal Minds”) is 44; singer Selena Gomez is 30; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is 27.

Did You Know?
Both Dana Delany (Colleen McMurphy) and Marg Helgenberger (KC Koloski) won Emmys for their performances on drama “China Beach.“ Delaney actually won twice for Best Actress in a Drama Series, while Helgenberger took home the Emmy gold as Best Supporting Actress in a Drama in 1990.