Today in History: Saturday, March 23, 2024

Television
Two sitcoms concluded: “The Beverly Hillbillies” on CBS in 1971 and “The Partridge Family” on ABC in 1974…The CBS daytime drama “Love is a Many Splendored Thing” ended its five year run in 1973…Another Eye net CBS soap, “The Bold and the Beautiful,“ debuted in 1987…Nine TV series launched: 1) Raymond Burr NBC drama “Kingston: Confidential” in 1977; 2) and 3) “Happy Days” spin-off “Joanie Loves Chachi” on ABC and CBS adventure “Q.E.D.” with Sam Waterston in 1982; 4) CBS comedy “The Popcorn Kid” (with Faith Ford pre-“Murphy Brown”) in 1987; 5) ABC medical drama “HeartBeat” in 1988; 6) Nickelodeon comedy “Clarissa Explains It All,“ starring Melissa Joan Hart, in 1991; 7) comedy “Roommates” on ABC Family starring Tamera Mowry in 2009; 8) comedy “Sophie” on ABC Family in 2009; and, 9) the Nate Berkus-hosted reality competition “American Dream Builders” on NBC in 2014…On ABC’s “Three’s Company” in 1982, Jack (John Ritter) appeared on a local TV show for a cooking demonstration but he and his two assistants, a shy Janet (Joyce DeWitt) and a frozen Terri (Priscilla Barnes), botched it on-air…In 1986, CBS aired “Dallas” prequel movie “Dallas: The Early Years”.

Movies:
Theatrical “Pretty Woman,“ starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, opened in theaters in 1990. Directed by Garry Marshall (“Happy Days”, “Laverne & Shirley”), it also featured a pre-“Seinfeld” Jason Alexander, a pre-“Just Shoot Me” Laura San Giancomo and current “B Positive” star Hector Elizondo.

Music:
The Celine Dion song “Because You Loved Me” reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1996. It remained there for six weeks. Written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, it was theme song to the Robert Redford–Michelle Pfeiffer film “Up Close & Personal.”… Single “Hello Darlin'” was released by Conway Twitty in 1970. It was named Billboard Song of the Year…Ricky Martin single “Livin’ la Vida Loca” was released in 1999. It over 8 million copies…Usher released his 4th studio album “Confessions” in 2004. It won the Billboard Album of the Year, and the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album.

Sports:
One of the most notorious brawls in NBA history occurred in 1993 between the New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns. It began with the Knicks’ Doc Rivers chasing Suns’ Kevin Johnson on the court after Johnson’s forearm struck Rivers’ face. Six players were ejected: Rivers, Johnson, John Starks, Anthony Mason, Greg Anthony and Danny Ainge…Wayne Gretzky set an NHL record with 802 goals scored in 1994.

News:
In 1985, musician Billy Joel and “Uptown Girl” supermodel Christie Brinkley wed. Their marriage lasted nine years.

Celebrity Birthdays:
R&B singer Chaka Khan is 72; Legendary UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma is 70 NBA Hall of Fame center Moses Malone is 70; actress Amanda Plummer (“Pulp Fiction”) is 67; actress Catherine Keener (“The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) is 65; actress Hope Davis (“About Schmidt”) is 60; actor Richard Grieco (“21 Jump Street”) is 59; actress Marin Hinkle (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) is 58; “The Late Late Show with James Corden” bandleader Reggie Watts is 52; former NBA point guard Jason Kidd is 51; actor Randall Park (“Fresh Off the Boat”) is 50; actress Keri Russell (“Felicity,” “The Americans”) is 48; actress Michelle Monaghan (“Mission: Impossible” films) is also 48; blogger Perez Hilton is 46; actress Nicholle Tom (“The Nanny”) is 46; Olympic gold medalist distance runner Mo Farah is 41; former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew is 39; Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving is 32.

Did You Know?
“The Beverly Hillbillies” led the primetime troops in its first (1962-63) and second (1963-64) seasons…Five actors from the original “Dallas” on CBS have appeared on “The Bold and the Beautiful.“ They are Susan Flannery (Leslie Stewart on “Dallas” / Stephanie Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful); Charles Grant (David Shulton / Grant Chambers), Lesley-Anne Down (Stephanie Rogers / Jacqueline Payne), Linda Gray (Sue Ellen Ewing / Priscilla Kelly), and Patrick Duffy (Bobby Ewing / Stephen Logan Sr.).