This Day In TV History

2012

Sep

1954: NBC'S LATE-NIGHT FRANCHISE DEBUTS WITH 'TONIGHT!' By David Bianculli

Steve Allen's first NBC show, broadcast on September 27, 1954, launched Tonight! into orbit, and it hasn't returned since...

2012

Sep

1960: TV'S FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: NIXON VS. KENNEDY By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1960, an estimated 70 million Americans tuned in to watch Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon take part in the first-ever televised presidential debate...

2012

Sep

1997: NBC'S 'ER' SCORES WITH A LIVE EPISODE By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1997, ER opened its fourth season with a special episode, with the cast of the NBC medical drama performing two live broadcasts...

2012

Sep

1968: THE CLOCK STARTS TICKING FOR CBS' '60 MINUTES' By Christy Slewinski

Today in 1968, CBS debuted the news magazine 60 Minutes, one of the most honored and successful programs in television history...

2012

Sep

1962: ABC INTRODUCES ITS FIRST COLOR SERIES, 'THE JETSONS' By Christy Slewinski

Fifty years ago today, viewers met George Jetson (and his family) when ABC launched the animated space-age series, The Jetsons...

2012

Sep

1999: 'THE WEST WING' STARTS ITS SEVEN-YEAR RUN By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1999, NBC introduced one of television's most honored dramatic series, The West Wing...

2012

Sep

1970: 'MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL' KICKS OFF ON ABC By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1970, ABC introduced Monday Night Football...

2012

Sep

1977: FONZIE JUMPED THE SHARK; 'HAPPY DAYS' DIDN'T By Christy Slewinski

On this day in 1977, ABC aired the third episode in a three-part story arc that took the Happy Days gang to Hollywood, and subjected The Fonz to a nail-biting water-skiing contest...