Today in History: Monday, December 12, 2022

Television
Production began on “The Cage,“ the original pilot of “Star Trek” in 1964. The Captain of the USS Enterprise was not James T. Kirk, but Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter). Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) was present, but not as First Officer. That role was referred to as Number One, played by Majel Barrett. NBC rejected the pilot, referring to it as “too slow” and ordered a second one, this time with William Shatner…On ABC’s “Three’s Company” in 1978, Jack assumed he would soon be leaving when Janet and Chrissy’s former roommate Eleanor returned to visit…Television movie “Gypsy,” headlined by Bette Midler and based on the life of burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee, aired on CBS in 1993…On NBC’s “Friends” in 1996, Rachel quits her waitressing job at the coffee shop Central Perk… “American Ninja Warrior” launched on the now-defunct cable network G4 in 2009. Based on the Japanese series “Sasuke“, this athletic reality competition was originally hosted by Blair Herter and Alison Haislip. Matt Iseman became its host, beginning in season two (in 2010); former NFL defensive end Akbar Gbaja-Biamila joined Iseman in co-hosting duties in season five (in 2013). “ANW” made its way to NBC in 2012. A total of 13 seasons have thus far been produced for the series overall.

Movies
“Saturday Night Fever”, starring John Travolta and featuring the music of the Bee Gees, opened in New York in 1977. The film helped significantly to popularize disco music around the world and made Travolta a household name. He was nominated for the Academy Award for his performance, becoming the fifth youngest nominee in the category at age 23…Rainman” directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise opened in New York in 1988. It won four Oscars including Best Pictor, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Hoffman) and Best Director…Actress Winona Ryder was arrested on shoplifting charges in Beverly Hills, California in 2001.

News
Then 50‐year‐old Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President in 1974.

Celebrity Birthdays
Former “The Price is Right” co-host Bob Barker is 99; NBA Hall of Famer Bob Pettit is 90; country singer Connie Francis is 85; singer Dionne Warwick is 82; actor Bill Nighy (“Love Actually”) is 73; actress Darlene Carr (“Bret Maverick”) is 72; Gymnast Cathy Rigby is 70; singer-percussionist Sheila E. is 65; actress Sheree J. Wilson (“Dallas”; “Walker, Texas Ranger”) is 64; American tennis player Tracy Austin is 60; Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (“A Beautiful Mind”) is 52; actress Madchen Amick (“Twin Peaks”) is 52; actress Regina Hall (“Scary Movie”, “Girls Trip”) is 52; “Call Me Kat” and “Jeopardy” host star Mayim Bialik is 47.

Did You Know?
Had “Star Trek” been renewed for a fourth season, the producers planned to bring back Koloth from “The Trouble With Tribbles” episode as a recurring villain. Additionally, Roger C. Carmel would have returned as criminal Harry Mudd for the third time, and McCoy’s (DeForest Kelley) daughter Joanna would have been introduced.