Today in History: Friday, May 10, 2024

Television
ABC sitcom “Laverne & Shirley” concluded in 1983 after seven-and-one-half seasons. Since Cindy Williams exited just two episodes into the final season, the title should have been changed to “Laverne & No Shirley”…Made-for television movie “Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle,” starring Raymond Burr, aired on NBC in 1994…Several short-lived series concluded: 1) NBC drama “Crime Story” in 1988; 2) CBS medical drama “L.A. Doctors” in 1999; 3) The WB sitcom “Raising Dad” in 2002; 4) The WB college drama “The Bedford Diaries” in 2006; 5) CW fantasy teen drama “The Secret Circle” in 2012; 6 and 7) Dramas “Touch” on Fox and “Vegas” on CBS — both in 2013; 8 and 9) Fox comedies “Grandfathered” and “The Grinder” — both in 2016; and 10) WGN America period drama “Underground” in 2017…Western drama “Guns of Paradise,” created by David Jacobs (“Dallas”, “Knots Landing”) and starring Lee Horsley, concluded after three seasons on CBS in 1991. The original title of the series was just “Paradise”…Two family sitcoms concluded: “Roc” starring Charles S. Dutton and Rocky Carroll after a three-season run on Fox in 1994; and “The Parkers”, the “Moesha” spinoff starring Mo’Nique and Countess Vaughn, after five seasons on UPN in 2004…Thriller “Traveler” starring a pre-“White Collar” Matt Bomer debuted on ABC in 2007. Only eight episodes aired…Action drama “The Unit” starring Dennis Haysbert, Regina Taylor and Scott Foley concluded after 3.5 seasons on CBS in 2009…Barbara Walters announced on her ABC daytime talk show “The View” in 2010 that she will take a leave of absence to undergo surgery to repair a faulty heart valve…Drama “Revenge,“ the loose remake of “The Count of Monte Cristo” starring Emily VanCamp and Madeleine Stowe, concluded after its four-season run on ABC in 2015…Adult Swim renewed Dan Harmon’s animated comedy “Rick & Morty” for a 70-episode order in 2018. At the time of the deal, only 31 episodes had previously been produced…Part one of the six-part miniseries “I Know This Much Is True” premiered on HBO in 2020. Mark Ruffalo won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for his dual roles as twin brothers in this limited series based on the acclaimed Wally Lamb novel of the same name.

Movies:
“Twister”, starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton, opened in theaters in 1996. The film was the second highest grossing entry of the year with $495 million worldwide.

Music:
Barbra Streisand began her first concert tour in 30 years in 1994…Christina Perri released her debut studio album, “lovestrong”, in 2011…R Kelly’s songs were removed from Spotify playlists after sexual abuse allegations in 2018.

News:
“Dynasty” actress Heather Locklear and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee wedded in 1986. Their marriage lasted seven years.

Sports:
In 1973., the New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 102-93 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Los Angeles, California, clinching the NBA championship for the Knicks as they won the best-of-seven series four games to one. Knicks center Willis Reed was awarded as Finals MVP. Although the New York basketball team has twice reached the NBA Finals since then (in 1994 and in 1999), the Knicks have not won an NBA title since 1973. Legendary Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain retired shortly after this Finals’ conclusion. In addition, it was ABC’s last NBA Finals telecast until 2003.

Celebrity Birthdays:
Singer Henry Fambrough of The Spinners is 86; former UConn men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun is 83; actor David Clennon (“thirtysomething”) is 81; filmmaker Jim Abrahams (“The Naked Gun,” “Airplane!”) is 80; singer Donovan is 78; singer Dave Mason is also 78; sports anchor Chris Berman is 69; actor Bruce Penhall (“CHiPs”) is 67; actress Victoria Rowell (“The Young and the Restless”) is 65; rock singer Bono is 64; actor Darryl M. Bell (“A Different World”) is 61; model Linda Evangelista is 59; rapper Young MC is 58; actor Erik Palladino (“ER”) is 57; singer Richard Patrick of Filter is also 57; race car driver/former “Dancing with the Stars” champion Helio Castroneves is 49; Kenan Thompson (“Kenan”) is 46; reality star Da’Vonne Rogers (“Big Brother”) is 36; actress Lindsey Shaw (“Pretty Little Liars”) is 35; “Glee” star Lauren Potter is 34; Olympic champion swimmer Missy Franklin is 29.

Did You Know?:
After ABC comedy “The Odd Couple,” also from Garry Marshall, ceased production in 1975, the apartment set on that show was modified to become the residence on “Laverne & Shirley”…The second season of Fox comedy “Roc”, from 1992-93, aired entirely live.