Today in History: Thursday, November 18, 2021

Television and Radio
In 1951, the early documentary series “See It Now,” hosted by Edward R. Murrow, debuted on CBS. The show had a major influence on TV journalism spawning many successors, most notably of which the recurring documentary series “CBS Reports” and the granddaddy of primetime newsmagazines, “60 Minutes,” which was created by “See It Now” producer Don Hewitt…Three dramas reached the 100-episode mark: “In the Heat of the Night” in 1992 (which began on NBC and ended up on CBS); the original “Party of Five” on Fox; and UPN’s “Star Trek” Voyager,“ both in 1998. The reboot of “Party of Five” last season lasted for just one 10-episode season…Part one of two-part NBC miniseries “Fatal Vision” opened in 1984. Karl Malden won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series.
 
Movies:
Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie,” the first Mickey Mouse sound cartoon, was released in 1928…“Flowers & Trees” received the first Academy Award for a cartoon in 1932…“Ben-Hur” directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston premiered in New York City in 1959. It won 11 Oscars, including Best Actor in a Leading Role and Best Director…Fiasco “Heaven’s Gate” film directed by Michael Cimino and starring Kris Kristofferson and Christopher Walken opened in 1980…“Malcolm X” directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington and Angela Bassett was released in 1992…“Star Trek: Generations” starring Patrick Stewart opened in 1994…“Star Trek: First Contact” starring Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes premiered in 1996.

Music:
Paul McCartney released single “Spies Like Us” in 1985…Metallica released the album “ReLoad” in 1997…“Up!,“ the fourth studio album by Shania Twain was released in 2002. It was named the Billboard Album of the Year.

Celebrity Birthdays:
Owen Wilson is 53; comedian Mike Epps is 51; former Fox News and NBC moderator Megyn Kelly is also 51; actress Chloë Sevigny is 47; actor Damon Wayans, Jr. is 39.

Did You Know?
“Steamboat Willie” was the first Disney cartoon with synchronized sound and the first cartoon to feature a fully post-produced soundtrack (which distinguished it from earlier sound cartoons such as “Song Car-Tunes” (1924-27) and “Dinner Time” (1928)…Jennifer Love Hewitt, who was originally supposed to appear in “Party of Five” for nine episodes, was spun-off into a series of her own featuring her character, Sarah Reeves. The drama was called “Time of Your Life,“ and it followed Sarah as she began a new life in New York City to learn more about her biological parents. It aired for one season (in 1999-2000) and also featured Jennifer Garner, Pauley Perrette and Johnathon Schaech.