Today in History: Thursday, October 10, 2024

Television
Prior to his two long-running sitcoms, Bob Newhart headlined his own self-titled variety hour. It ran for one season beginning on this day in 1961.

PBS favorite “Upstairs, Downstairs,” starring Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins, made its debut on British network ITV in 1971. It ran for four seasons. CBS tried to copy the format in the fall of 1975 care of drama “Beacon Hill,“ but that only lasted 13 episodes. And a revival of “Upstairs, Downstairs” concluded on BBC One after nine episodes in 2012.

Sitcom “The Geena Davis Show,” which only lasted one season, debuted on ABC in 2000. It co-starred Peter Horton.

“Chicago Fire” starring Jesse Spencer, Taylor Kinney, David Eigenberg and Eamonn Walker debuted on NBC in 2012. The firefighter drama from prolific TV producer Dick Wolf was the first member of the current “One Chicago” franchise trio on Wednesdays.

Country music drama “Nashville” starring Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere and Charles Esten debuted on ABC in 2012. For its fifth season, the series shifted to CMT, which did not include Connie Britton. “Nashville” ran for six seasons overall.

“Arrow” co-developed by Greg Berlanti and starring Stephen Amell debuted on The CW in 2012. The series’ success led to the network’s focus on superhero fare throughout the 2010’s, including spin-offs “The Flash” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” “Arrow” ran for eight seasons.

High school football drama “All American” debuted on The CW in 2018. It stars Daniel Ezra and Taye Diggs. Its seventh season is currently in production. Spin-off “All American: Homecoming” aired for three seasons, from 2022 to 2024.

In 1965, musical group The Supremes made their first appearance on CBS’ “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Movies
“Giant,“ directed by George Stevens, and starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean in his last role opened in New York City in 1956. “Giant” earned Dean his second Academy Award nomination. He was killed in an automobile accident before the film was released, and Nick Adams was called in to do some voice dubbing for Dean’s role.

Music
Columbia Records releases Bruce Springsteen’s 8th studio album “Tunnel of Love,“ in 1987.

Celebrity Birthdays
Actor Peter Coyote is 83; actor-singer Ben Vereen is 78; singer David Lee Roth is 71; country singer Tanya Tucker is 66; “SNL” alum Julia Sweeney is 65; actor Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing”) is 65; “The Goldbergs” star Wendi McLendon-Covey is 55; football great Brett Favre is 55; reality TV host Manu Bennett (“The Summit”) is 55; actress Joelle Carter (“Justified”); “Extra” host Mario Lopez is 51; actress Jodi Lyn O’Keefe (“She’s All That,” ″Nash Bridges”) is 46; singer Mya is 45; actor Dan Stevens (“Downton Abbey”) is 42; actress Rose McIver (“Ghosts,” “iZombie”) is 36; actress Aimee Teegarden (“Friday Night Lights”) is 35.

Did You Know?
Geena Davis made her initial mark in the sitcom genre with a co-starring role on NBC sitcom “Buffalo Bill,” with Dabney Coleman, from 1983 to 1984. Next came “Sara,” also on NBC, in 1985 with Alfre Woodard, Bronson Pinchot and Bill Maher.  And an Oscar came calling in 1985 as Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1985 for “The Accidental Tourist.”