Gary Coleman stars as Arnold, a street-wise youth from Harlem, who is adopted by a white millionaire and becomes confused and suspicious about his sudden change of fortune on the comedy series, Diff’rent Strokes.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the 1985 TV season is the success of ABC’s “Growing Pains,” a family sitcom starring former talk-show host Alan Thicke as psychiatrist Jason Seaver.
Bob Crane, a breezy, articulate ex-drummer and recent disc jockey-turned-actor, stars in Hogan’s Heroes, a CBS comedy series which has Col. Hogan (Crane) as the leader of Allied prisoners in a German POW camp in World War II.
Playing off the popularity of the traveling exhibit of the Treasures of Tutankhamen, actor and comedian Steve Martin debuted his parody song “King Tut” on an episode of Saturday Night Live in the spring of 1978.
The Courtship of Eddie’s Father was a TV sitcom about a widower, Tom Corbett (Bill Bixby) and his son, Eddie (Brandon Cruz), that debuted on September 1969 and lasted for 73 episodes. The memorable theme song, ‘Best Friend, was written and performed by singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson.
The television sitcom Cheers ran on NBC from September 30, 1982 until May 20, 1993 — that’s 11 seasons, and a total of 275 half-hour episodes. Here, see the Cheers theme song from the opening credits, plus the song lyrics, along with a little look back to 1993, at the end of the show’s run.
“Green Acres” debuts on CBS (1965) Eddie Albert, eager actor who says he never turns down any role, will star in his first television comedy
In her first special, “Diana!” on ABC. Sunday. April 18th, Diana Ross displays not only her exciting singing talent, but a flair for comedy and impersonation. And in her choice of guest stars — Danny Thomas, Bill Cosby and the Jackson Five — she demonstrates sound judgment as well,
Bewitched ‘is for viewers who want to have the fun of losing themselves in fantasy. Our witches, Samantha and Endora, are believable. The audience can identify with them. They are treated as much as possible as humans with special gifts.’
Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow grew up in somewhat of a fairytale world on television’s ‘Leave It to Beaver.’ 20 years later, in 1977, both actors talked about what it was like to be childhood stars who had to grow up and cope with the adult world.
Few people thought “Bonanza” would last long, but the mythical Ponderosa, the father image of Lorne Greene, Blocker’s gentle giant, the other larger-than-life inhabitants and the horseback morality plays they participated in, will glow on tubes around the world for years to come.
‘The Price is Right’ television game show host Bob Barker reckons he’s interviewed 50,000 persons on the air, and concludes very few Americans are smart alecks.
James Garner and producer-creator Roy Huggins are having another try at a wry, tongue-in-cheek series, ‘The Rockford Files.’ Jim Rockford is a modern-day private eye, money-hungry, and a man who gets heroic only if he’s forced into it.
In the tricycle, knee-pants and pigtail league of television fans, the hero of the hour is a loveable, freckle-faced puppet named Howdy Doody. A phenomenon in the business, Howdy has popped up from comparative obscurity to head man of the most popular TV show for children.
“The Odd Couple” TV show recounted the madcap experiences of Felix Unger (Tony Randall) and Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman), two of Neil Simon’s most endearing and enduring characters.
Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, with their progeny David and Rick, are synonymous with the American family image both on and off television. The Nelson boys are perhaps the only people who have literally grown up before the eyes of millions of weekly viewers.
Catchphrases have a way of enlivening our lives. Catchphrases become code words for some not-so-secret organization of people whom the catch-phrases have hooked.
Do you remember these classic TV catchphrases of the ’60s — and are there any that you still find yourself saying sometimes?
Do you remember these totally awesome TV catchphrases of the ’80s? Which of these lines from the eighties do you still find yourself saying every now and then?
Besides reporting the news on “CBS News with Walter Cronkite,” he takes an active part in selection and editing of news and film, and is often his own leg-man, covering fast-breaking news stories on the spot.
The year is 1997. On an uncharted planet, somewhere in the infinite reaches of the universe, an American family is marooned while on a voyage to colonize a new world.
What do you get when you mix equal parts Mel Brooks and James Bond? Get Smart – one of the most hilarious spoofs on spies and private eyes ever to be presented on television or in any other medium. (Also see the memorable opening credits!)
Andy Griffith, who stars as a slow-talking, story-telling jack-of-all-trades with a sly Southern sense of humor in the new ‘Andy Griffith Show,’ is very much like the character he plays. The only difference is that Griffith is famous.
Ronnie Howard, the red-haired moppet of “The Andy Griffith Show,” is that rare child actor without guile and a Hollywood head.
On Tuesday nights, a great many folks are watching Happy Days, with Ron Howard as Richie Cunningham, Donny Most as Ralph Malph, and Henry Winkler as Fonzie, growing up in 1956 – or at least the 1956 some like to believe existed.
A 20-year-old newcomer to show business and a 40-year veteran made it to the top of the ratings charts recently as NBC’s “Chico and the Man” took the No. 1 spot.
After ‘That Girl’ proved a comedy success for the actress who played the title role, TV executives suggested the series be called ‘The Marlo Thomas Show.’
The first ‘children’s liberation’ album, ‘Free To Be… You And Me’ – featuring stars like Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks, Harry Belafonte, Alan Alda, Diana Ross and Shirley Jones – was catchy, upbeat, and like nothing else, and by 1976, had sold half a million copies.
Shaun Cassidy has a show-business tradition to follow. His mother is Shirley Jones, an Oscar-winning actress-singer, and his father is the late Jack Cassidy, star of Broadway musicals and TV performer. And his brother is David Cassidy.
Who were the top TV stars of 1979? America’s teens had favorite television programs and favorite stars, but those two categories had surprisingly little to do with each other, according to a national survey.
You’ll never forget the first time! From the creators of “The Young and the Restless” The Bold and the Beautiful Series Premiere Monday, March 23
Like most entertainers, it has been my pleasure to be actively involved with the struggle of my people attempting to extricate themselves from the bonds of discrimination, prejudice, and bigotry that has held us so fast, for so long.
On The Andy Griffith Show in 1964, Nabors let loose with his deep natural voice, and stunned America. Here’s Gomer Pyle astonishing the citizens of Mayberry with his voice.
Match Game redefined the modern game show. It went against convention, appealed to a younger, hipper audience and ushered in a new era of television.
“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, he thought, means a little bit more.”
Underneath a heavy layer of slapstick and some terribly obvious joke lines, Sherwood the satirist maintains there is an undercurrent of sharp and significant byplay on the new show, Gilligan’s Island.
Knute Rockne’s TWA airplane crashes – 8 killed (1931) 
47 dangerous old playgrounds that our great-grandparents somehow survived 
How to be a perfect ’50s housewife: In the kitchen 
Black Midnight Cake: A creative chocolate retro recipe for a spooky Halloween party (1941) 
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