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Today In History: Thursday, February 8, 2024

Television 
“Good Times” turns 50! “Maude” spinoff “Good Times” opened its six season-run in 1974. Considering that Florida (Esther Rolle) was employed as a housekeeper for Maude (Bea Arthur) in Tuckahoe, New York and her husband’s name was Henry (John Amos), how did she and John Amos now as James get to inner-city Chicago? For a look back at “Good Times,” click here…Also in 1974 was the final episode of CBS daytime drama “The Secret Storm”, which aired for 20 years…Late-night talk show “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” debuted on TBS in 2016.

Movies:
“The Birth of a Nation” the first 12-reel film in America, directed by D.W. Griffith, starring Lillian Gish and Mae Marsh, opens at Clune’s Auditorium in Los Angeles in 1912…Theatrical “Planet of the Apes” opened in theaters in 1968. Four sequels, to-date, following the original film: “Beneath the Planet of the Apes”, “Escape from the Planet of the Apes”, “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” and “Battle for the Planet of the Apes”…”Taxi Driver” directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster, was released in 1976. It was nominated for four Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Robert De Niro) and Best Supporting Actress (Jodie Foster).

Music:
“Happy Days Are Here Again” by Benny Mereoff hit No. 1 on the Billboard in 1930…The Supremes released single “Stop in the Name of Love” in 1965.

News
Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio became Walt Disney Studios in 1926.

Celebrity Birthdays:
Composer John Williams is 92; singer Vince Neil is 63; actor Seth Green is 50; “SNL’s” Cecily Strong is 40.

Did You Know?
In September 2020, Netflix greenlit an animated sitcom revival of “Good Times”, with Norman Lear executive producing alongside Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”) and NBA great Steph Curry. 

Did You Know?
In September 2020, Netflix greenlit an animated sitcom revival of “Good Times”, with Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”) and NBA great Steph Curry. J.B. Smoove, Yvette Nicole Brown and Jay Pharoah will lead the voice cast.