Today in History: Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Television
CBS sitcom “Morton & Hayes,” produced and hosted by Rob Reiner, began its six-episode run in 1991.

NBC announced in 2003 that Matt LeBlanc would be featured in spin-off “Joey” after “Friends” concluded in the spring of 2004. “Joey” lasted two seasons, producing 46 episodes from 2004-06.

Movies
The World War II drama “Saving Private Ryan,“ starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and Tom Sizemore, opened in theaters in 1998, and it became a critical and commercial success. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Director for Steven Spielberg.

News
At 12:51 EDT in 1969, Apollo 11 returned to Earth, after taking the first astronauts to the moon and returning them safely

Sports
In 2005, American cyclist Lance Armstrong became the first rider to win the Tour de France seven times. However, he was later stripped of all his titles after an investigation revealed that he was the key figure in a wide-ranging doping conspiracy while he compiled his Tour victories.

Celebrity Birthdays
“Wonder Woman” star Lynda Carter is 73; Kadeem Hardison (“A Different World”) is 59; Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth is 56; Jennifer Lopez is 55; Rose Byrne (“Bridesmaids”) is 45; “Dancing with the Stars” winner Bindi Irwin is 26.

Did You Know?
According to Lynda Carter, the original trio on ABC’s “Charlie’s Angels” – Farrah Fawcett, Jaclyn Smith and Kate Jackson – all auditioned to play Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman. Angie Bowie and Joanna Cassidy also tested for the role.