Today in History: Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Television
“The Huckleberry Hound Show” from Hanna-Barbera featuring Yogi Bear premiered in syndication in 1958. It was the second series produced by the studio following “The Ruff and Reddy Show.” 

In 1966, the first Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day telethon with Jerry Lewis raised $1 million.

“The Muppet Show” debuted in first-run syndication in 1976. It ran for five seasons, producing 120 episodes.

Daytime talk show “The Joan Rivers Show” opened in first-run syndication in 1989. It ran for five seasons and the show was nominated for numerous Emmy Awards, with Rivers winning the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host in 1990…Also in 1989: Deborah Norville became the news anchor of NBC’s Today show. She replaced Jane Pauley and her undeserved tumultuous stint lasted only until 1991 until then correspondent Katie Couric was promoted.

Sports:
In 1995, Cal Ripken Jr. tied Lou Gehrig’s record of playing in 2,130 straight games

Celebrity Birthdays
The legendary Bob Newhart is 94; Oscar nominee Michael Keaton is 72; actress Rose McGowan (“Charmed”) is 50; actress Erin Krakow (“When Calls the Heart”) is 39.

Did You Know?
While “The Muppet Show” was populated with hundreds of characters, one two – Kermit the Frog and Waldorf, the mustachioed half of the cantankerous due that heckled the cast – were part of all 120 episodes…Bob Newhart received his first Emmy Award nomination in 1962. He did not win until 2014, 52 years later, for playing “Professor Proton” (a.k.a. Arthur Jeffries) in the episode of “The Big Bang Theory” titled “The Proton Displacement.” In addition to headlining sitcoms, Newhart guest hosted “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” a total of 87 times.