Today in TV History: Friday, April 3, 2020

The first issue of TV Guide was released in 1953, with a photograph of Lucille Ball and her newborn son, Desi Arnaz, Jr.

Two classic films opened in U.S. theaters in 1968: the original “Planet of the Apes” starring Charlton Heston and Stanley Kubrick’ “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

The miniseries “Jesus of Nazareth” starring Robert Powell, Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, James Earl Jones, Christopher Plummer and Laurence Olivier debuted in the U.S. on NBC in 1977. The second part aired one week later on Easter Sunday (Apr. 10, 1977)

Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” won four Oscars at the 50th Academy Awards, including for Best Picture and its star Diane Keaton for Best Actress in 1978

CBS detective drama “Barnaby Jones,” starring Buddy Ebsen, concluded its eight season run in 1978.

Also on CBS in 1978: the daytime game show “Pass the Buck” hosted by Bill Cullen debuted. Nearly three months later (on June 30), the show aired its final episode.

Animated “The Fat Albert Easter Special” first aired on CBS in 1982.

The TV-news set sitcom “Goodnight, Beantown” starring Bill Bixby and Mariette Hartley began on CBS in 1983. The series aired for only 18 episodes.

CBS News’ “Sunday Morning” host Charles Kuralt passed the torch to his successor, Charles Osgood, in 1994. Jane Pauley now hosts.