Today in History: Thursday, January 9, 2025

Television
CBS western “Rawhide,” starring Clint Eastwood, opened its eight-season run in 1959. A total of 217 episodes were produced.

Fox sitcom “Malcolm in the Middle” launched in 2000. Linwood Boomer (Adam from “Little House on the Prairie”) was the creator.

In 1989, “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak began a 15-month stint as host of late night CBS talker “The Pat Sajak Show.” It could not compete with “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” on NBC…Also in late night: CBS franchise “The Late, Late Show” debuted in 1995 with Tom Snyder as host. Snyder was replaced by Craig Kilborn in 1999, who remained through 2004. Following four months of guest hosts, Craig Ferguson took over in 2005 and was replaced by James Corden on March 23, 2015…NBC sitcom “3^rd Rock From the Sun” began its six season run on NBC in 1996.

ABC reality/competition “The Mole,” hosted by Anderson Cooper, opened in 2001. By the fourth season it morphed into “The Celebrity Mole” with Ahmad Rashad taking over as host. It was revived on Netflix, first with Alex Wagner as host and Ari Shapiro as host in season two.

Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a dual ceremony in 2006.

News
Toyota and Datsun make their first appearances in the United States at the Imported Motor Car Show in Los Angeles in 1958.

Celebrity Birthdays
Folk singer Joan Baez is 84; Country singer Crystal Gayle is 73; Oscar winner JK Simmons (“Whiplash”) is 70; rock singer Dave Matthews is 57; London’s Kate Middleton is 42; actress Nina Dobrev (“The Fam”) is 35.

Did You Know?
Aaron Paul auditioned for the role of Francis on “Malcolm in the Middle” but lost to Christopher Masterson. He would later be cast in “Breaking Bad,” of course, which starred Bryan Cranston.