Today in History: Saturday, May 25, 2024 - Programming Insider (2024)

Television:
“The Brady Bunch Hour”, featuringGeri Reischlas the infamous “Fake Jan”, aired its final episode on ABC in 1977. Nine episodes were produced…Jay Lenoofficially became the host of NBC’s“The Tonight Show”in 1992. He remained in the hosting chair for 21 years untilJimmy Fallontook over…Shannen Dohertymade her final appearance as Brenda Walsh on Fox teen drama“Beverly Hills, 90210”in 1994 in the fourth season finale. Her character was offered the opportunity to study theater at the Royal Academy in London (and was not seen again until the reboot on The CW in 2008)…“Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction”,hosted byJames Brolin, debuted on Fox in 1997.“Star Trek: The Next Generation”starJonathan Frakestook over as host in season two. The series, which ran for four condensed seasons through 2002, was co-executive produced byDick Clark…Carrie Underwoodwas crowned winner of the fourth season of Fox’s“American Idol”in 2005. Classic rock singerBo Bicewas runner-up. An average of 30 million viewers tuned in for the season finale. Underwood’s first single,“Inside Your Heaven”, debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart three weeks later…Formerpuss*cat Dollslead singerNicole Scherzingerand professional dancerDerek Houghwon the 10th edition of ABC’s“Dancing With The Stars”in 2010. American figure skaterEvan Lysacekwas runner-up. This was the first season that season-7 championBrooke Burkewas DWTS co-host withTom Bergeron…At age 17,Scotty McCreerybecame the youngest male winner of“American Idol”in the competition’s 10th season in 2011. This was the first season that featuredJennifer LopezandSteven Tyleron the judging panel, joining the lone remaining original judgeRandy Jackson…Elevenseries of note concluded: 1) NBC medical comedy-drama“St. Elsewhere”in 1988; 2) Nickelodeon/CTV kids sketch comedy“You Can’t Do That on Television”in 1990; 3 and 4) syndicated sitcoms“The Munsters Today”and “Out Of This World”— both in 1991; 5) Comedy“The Naked Truth”starringTéa LeoniandHolland Taylorin 1998 on NBC;6) ABC sitcom“Home Improvement”in 1999 and 7)“Clueless”based on the movie of the same name on UPN in 1999; 8) syndicated game show“Street Smarts”in 2005; 9) syndicated talker“The Oprah Winfrey Show”in 2011; 10) Nickelodeon comedy“The Thundermans”in 2018; and 11) NBC late night show“Last Call with Carson Daly”in 2019. Oprah’s talk show ran for 25 years…Seven short-lived series concluded: 1) NBC family drama“Aaron’s Way”in 1988; 2) Fox college drama“Class of ’96”in 1993; 3) NBC sitcom“Jesse”in 2000; 4) UPN sitcom“Rock Me Baby”in 2004; 5) NBC medical drama“Heartbeat”in 2016; and 7) NBC comedy“Champions”in 2018….On syndicated game show“Jeopardy!”in 2005, the 15-week Ultimate Tournament of Champions concluded withBrad Ruttervictorious, earning him the $2 million grand prize.Ken Jenningsplaced runner-up with $500,000, whileJerome Veredfinished third and won $250,000…“The Normal Heart”, the telefilm about the early years of the HIV/AIDS crisis, premiered on HBO in 2014. It was directed byRyan Murphyand written byLarry Kramer, based on his 1985 play of the same name. Among the stars in the cast wereMark Ruffalo,Matt Bomer,Taylor Kitsch,Jim Parsons,Alfred Molina, andJulia Roberts…Music quiz show“Beat Shazam”, based on the Shazam music app, premiered on Fox in 2017.Jamie Foxxhosts; his daughterCorinne Foxxjoined the show as his co-host beginning with season two. It opens season four on June 3, 2021…Two series on CBS concluded in 2019: Saturday morning educational series“The Inspectors”(after four seasons) and Canadian drama“Ransom”after three condensed seasons on CBS…Two historical limited series premiered in 2020:“Grant”on History and“Barkskins”on National Geographic Channel.

Movies:
“Midnight Cowboy”starringDustin HoffmanandJon Voightwas released in 1969. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains the only X-rated film to be honored with a Best Picture Oscar…“Alien”, directed byRidley Scottand starringSigourney Weaver,Tom Skerritt,Veronica Cartwright,Harry Dean Stanton,John Hurt,Ian HolmandYaphet Kottoopened in 1979. The success of “Alien”spawned a media franchise of films, novels, comic books, video games and toys, among other items…“Return of the Jedi”(“Star Wars Part VI”), produced byGeorge Lucas, was released in 1983. It was thethird installment in the original“Star Wars”trilogy,the third film to be produced, and the sixth film in the“Skywalker”saga…“Wonder Woman”, directed byPatty Jenkinsand starringGal GadotandChris Pinepremiered in Los Angeles in 2017. It was the first superhero film directed by a woman.

Music:
TheIsley Brothersreleased single“Twist & Shout”in 1962…Weird Al Yankovicrecorded single “She Drives Like Crazy” in 1989.

News:
Henry Fordannounced he was ending production of the Model T Ford in 1927…In 2018, Harvey Weinstein turnedhimself in to New York police to face charges of rape, a criminal sex act, sex abuse and sexual misconduct…The video ofGeorge Floyd’sarrest and murder while restrained in Minneapolis police custody shows he was pinned to the ground by police officer Derek Chauvin’s knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, ignited widespread condemnation and nationwide protests in 2020. On April 21, 2021, Chauvin was found guilty on three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.His bail was immediately revoked and he was placed in custody.

Sports:
Muhammad AliKO’dSonny Listonin 1965at the Central Maine Civic Center to retain his WBC/WBA heavyweight boxing title….In 1994,Mark Messierdelivered on his guarantee that theNew York Rangerswill defeat the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final, scoring three goals in a 4-2 victory at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It forced a winner-take-all Game 7 of that classic series.

Celebrity Birthdays
ActressAnn Robinson (“War of the Worlds”) is 95; Sir Ian McKellen (“The Lord of the Rings”) is 85; country singer Jessi Colter is 81; actress-singer Leslie Uggams (“Roots”) is 801; director-Muppetter Frank Oz is 79; actress Karen Valentine (“Room 222”) is 77; actress Jacki Weaver(“Silver Linings Playbook”) and singerKlaus Meineof Scorpions are also 77; actress Patti D’Arbanville (“New York Undercover”) is 73; actress Connie Sellecca (“Hotel”) is 69; comedian and actorMike Myersis 61; actor Joseph Reitman (“The Perfect Storm”) is 56; former child stars SidneyandLindsay Greenbush (“Little House on the Prairie”) are 54; actor Jamie Kennedy(“Scream”) and Oscar winnerOctavia Spencer (“The Help”) are also 54; former child star Justin Henry (“Kramer Vs. Kramer”) is 53; actress Erinn Hayes (“Kevin Can Wait”) is 48.

-Did You Know?:
Guest appearances byFlorence Henderson,Maureen McCormick,Mike LookinlandandSusan Olsenon ABC variety hour“Donny and Marie”on Oct. 8, 1976 inspired the creation of“The Brady Bunch Hour.”And it gaveGeri Reischlas “Fake Jan” a career. In 1979, Reischlwas offered the role of Blair Warner in the television pilot “Garrett’s Girls” (later renamed “The Fact of Life”), but was forced to give it up due to her contract with General Mills.