Today in History: Friday, October 25, 2024

Television
Children’s educational program “The Electric Company” debuted on PBS in 1971. The series, which ran for six seasons and aired in reruns thru 1985, was co-created by Paul Dooley and starred Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno.

“Newhart,” Bob Newhart’s second successful CBS sitcom, debuted in 1982 and stayed on the air for eight seasons. Only three of the original actors — Newhart, Mary Frann and Tom Poston — remained with the series for its entire run.

NBC’s “Cheers” reached the 200-episode mark in 1990. It ultimately ran through May 20, 1993, producing 275 episodes in total…Half-hour late night talker “The Jon Stewart Show” opened on MTV in 1993. At the end of the first season, it expanded to one hour and moved into first-run syndication as a replacement for “The Arsenio Hall Show” for one season…Also debuting: short-lived Steven Bochco-created sports dramedy “Bay City Blues” on NBC in 1983; drama “Midnight Caller” on NBC in 1988; the Chris Carter-created science fiction crime drama “Millennium” on Fox in 1996; short-lived “Party of Five” spin-off “Time of Your Life” starring Jennifer Love Hewitt on Fox in 1999; and short-lived British-American horror drama “Dracula” on NBC in 2013.

Sports:
One of the most memorable MLB games of all-time took place in 1986: Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. The New York Mets scored 3 runs in the “delirious” 10th inning to defeat the Boston Red Sox in a dramatic 6-5 victory. Said NBC’s Vin Scully: “So the winning run is at second base, with two outs, three and two to Mookie Wilson. Little roller up along first…BEHIND THE BAG! IT GETS THROUGH BUCKNER! HERE COMES [RAY] KNIGHT, AND THE METS WIN IT!.”

Celebrity Birthdays
“Happy Days” and “Brooklyn Bridge” star Marion Ross is 96; singer Jon Anderson (Yes) is 80; actor Brian Kerwin (“The Misadventurees of Sherrif Lobo”) is 75; American Olympic gold medalist hockey player Mike Eruzione is 70; actress Nancy Cartwright (“The Simpsons”) is 67; drummer Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers and of Chickenfoot is 63; actress Tracy Nelson (“Father Dowling Mysteries”) is 61; actor Michael Boatman (“The Good Wife,” ″Spin City”) is 60; actor Kevin Michael Richardson (“The Cleveland Show”) is also 60; comedian Samantha Bee (“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” ″The Daily Show”) is 55; actor Adam Goldberg (“Saving Private Ryan”) is 54; actor Adam Pascal (“Rent”); country singer Chely Wright; and sports reporter/”Around The Horn” panelist J.A. Adande are also 54; Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez is 53; actor Craig Robinson (“The Office”) is also 53; actor Mehcad Brooks (“Supergirl,” ″Desperate Housewives”) is 44; actor Josh Henderson (“Desperate Housewives”, the “Dallas” reboot) is 43; singer Katy Perry is 40; singer Ciara is 39.

Did You Know?
The characters of Larry (William Sanderson), Daryl (Tony Papenfuss) and Daryl (John Volstad) on “Newhart” were supposed to appear in only one episode, but the studio audience’s reaction to their introduction was so spontaneous the producers added the trio to the cast.