Today in History: Monday, February 6, 2023

Television
Sitcom “Mister Ed” concluded in 1966. It launched in first-run syndication on Jan. 5, 1961, and moved to CBS the following fall…Seven part miniseries “The Winds of War,” based on the book of the same name by Herman Wouk, debuted on ABC in 1983. It starred Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, John Houseman and Jan-Michael Vincent…In 2012, musical dramedy “Smash”debuted on NBC. It aired for two half seasons…Jay Leno hosted NBC’s “The Tonight Show” for the last time in 2014. Leno gave a tearful goodbye at the end of the program, calling himself “the luckiest guy in the world”, and reflecting on his time as host as “the greatest 22 years of my life.”

Movies
Crime movie “Fort Apache: The Bronx” starring Paul Newman was released in 1981 amid protests in the country. Local community groups threatened to file suit against the producers because of the way it depicted their neighborhood in the Bronx and for the depiction of ethnic minorities (Blacks and Hispanics). Because of this pressure, some changes were made to the script and a note was added to the title card at the beginning of the film.

News
Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2002, ascended the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland this day in 1952, following the death of her father, King George IV.

Celebrity Birthdays
1950s teen idol Fabian is 80; actress Kathy Najimy (“Veronica’s Closet”) is 66; singer Rick Astley is 57.

Did You Know?:
The original title for “Mister Ed” was planned as “The Alan Young Show.” But Alan Young, who was featured as Wilbur Post, did not want to take the fall if the sitcom failed and refused to have it named after him.