Dark Angel Finale Pits Transgenic Rebels Against Seattle Police
📺 May 3, 2002: Max (Jessica Alba), Logan (Michael Weatherly) and hundreds of genetically-enhanced transgenics were readying for war with the police and the military at Seattle's Terminal City in the series finale of “Dark Angel” on Fox. The science fict… https://t.co/NP97SAsUDo https://t.co/U4knsHtNas
Dallas Finale Mirrors “It’s a Wonderful Life” Storyline
📺 May 3, 1991: The original “Dallas” concluded its 14-season run on CBS. The plot of the 2-hour finale entitled “Conundrum” mirrored that of the film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” as J.R. Ewing (Larry Hagman) is taken on a journey...
Hotel Ends After Five Seasons on May 3, 1988
📺 May 3, 1988: “Hotel“, the Aaron Spelling-produced prime time soap opera based on Arthur Hailey’s novel of the same name, aired its series finale on ABC. The San Francisco-set series, starring Connie Sellecca and James Brolin, ran for five...
Mayweather Beats Pacquiao in Historic HBO‑Showtime Collaboration
🥊 May 2, 2015: Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision in a highly-anticipated (but eventually lackluster) 12-round boxing match. Due to each boxer’s respective contracts, it was the first-ever bout co-produced by HBO and Show… https://t.co/ZEewxaZqCh https://t.co/SjQmPviABC
Austin Powers' 1997 Debut: Modest Start, Cult Classic Rise
🎬 May 2, 1997: Classic comedic spy parody “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” starring Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley and Seth Green opened in U.S. theaters. Following a modest box office take in its initial run, the film gained much...
CHiPS Finale: Ponch Teams
📺 May 1, 1983: Ponch (Erik Estrada) got help from the teenage ex-members of his Explorer troop to catch a group of junior-high extortionists in the series finale of “CHiPS” on NBC. The police drama ran six seasons. https://t.co/9OSyKq26Vj https://t.co/a66pG9PYcE
1988 TV Sequel “Splash Too” Premieres on ABC
📺 May 1, 1988: TV movie “Splash Too” starring Amy Yasbeck and Todd Waring, the sequel to the 1984 theatrical film “Splash”, originally aired on ABC. https://t.co/s3zVrWge61 https://t.co/Thwp123bJW
Dharma & Greg Finale Unites Opposite Parents in Harmony
📺 April 30, 2002: Dharma (Jenna Elfman) and Greg (Thomas Gibson) tried to make peace between their polar opposite parents on the series finale of "Dharma and Greg" on ABC. The sitcom, created by Dottie Dartland and Chuck Lorre and...
TV Land Debuts 1996, Showcasing Classic Paramount Series
📺 April 29, 1996: Cable network TV Land launched. Owned by MTV Networks and promoted as an extension of Nick At Nite, the original emphasis was on classic television shows from the Paramount library. https://t.co/Kr6qN9w1TS https://t.co/kmvlWH2GBJ
NBC Passed on JAG, Missed NCIS Franchise
CBS military drama "JAG," which spun-off "NCIS," concluded its 10-season run in 2005. After its original home, NBC, opted against a second season, it moved to CBS for another nine seasons. In other words, NBC could have been the home...
NCIS: Los Angeles Launched as NCIS Backdoor Pilot
📺 April 28, 2009: “NCIS: Los Angeles” aired as the first of a two-part backdoor pilot on “NCIS” on CBS. Originally entitled “NCIS: Legend”, the action procedural starred Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J and ran for 14 seasons. https://t.co/oN7fKjY6qs...
Billy Crystal's '61*' Revives 1961 Yankees Home Run Race
📺⚾️ April 28, 2001: Historical baseball TV movie “61*” premiered on HBO. Directed by Yankee fan Billy Crystal, it starred Barry Pepper and Thomas Jane as New York Yankees sluggers Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, respectively, during their 1961 chase...
John Oliver's Last Week Tonight Debuts on HBO
📺 April 27, 2014: “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, the Emmy award-winning late-night talk and news show hosted by the former “Daily Show” correspondent, premiered on HBO. https://t.co/FzugX1YZU7 https://t.co/zpMAtrLe2b
Mindy Kaling's Never Have I Ever Launches on Netflix
📺 April 27, 2020: “Never Have I Ever” debuted on Netflix. Created by Mindy Kaling (“The Office”, “The Mindy Project”), the comedy starred newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as a high school student who aimed to make the most out of her...
CBS's 1971 Rural Purge Drove Out Classic Sitcoms
CBS sitcom “Green Acres” concluded in 1971, which was part of the so-called "rural purge." In search of a more sophisticated urban audience, the network also axed “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Mayberry, R.F.D.” and “Hee Haw” that season, and “Petticoat Jun…...
Conan O'Brien Replaced Letterman, Launching Late Night 1993
📺 April 26, 1993: NBC announced that Conan O’Brien would replace David Letterman in late night. “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” officially debuted on September 13, 1993 and aired through February 20, 2009. https://t.co/07XvjQVHAe https://t.co/nh2NVxioBO
Fox's First Cancellation: Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1987)
📺 April 26, 1987: "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" debuted on Fox. The TV adaptation of the 1986 comedic film of the same name starred Hector Elizondo and Anita Morris. It has the dubious distinction of being the first...
The Voice Launched by Reality TV Pioneers in 2011
📺 April 26, 2011: “The Voice” debuted on NBC. The format of this singing competition was conceived by John de Mol (“Big Brother”) and executive produced by Mark Burnett (“Survivor”). Hosted by Carson Daly, its initial coaches were Adam Levine,...
2000 TV Biopic Brings The Three Stooges to ABC
📺 April 24, 2000: Made-for-TV movie "The Three Stooges" premiered on ABC. Executive produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron ("Smash"), the biographical story about the famed comedic trio starred Paul Ben-Victor, Michael Chiklis and Evan Handler. https://t.co/K5fYWxVISh https://t.co/mTQPJ34BDb
April 23: Three Iconic #1 Hits Across Decades
🎵 Songs reaching No. 1 on this day (April 23): Thelma Houston’s “Don’t Leave Me This Way” in 1977; “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners in 1983; and Whitney Houston’s “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” in 1988. https://t.co/NyHEdP2k10 https://t.co/Cy1ijrayP0
New Coke's 79-Day Flop Reinforced Classic Loyalty
🥤 April 23, 1985: The Coca-Cola Company introduced “New Coke,” which was the first formula change in 99 years. It faced immediate public backlash, forcing the company to return to its original formula 79 days later and to label that...
NFL Draft Goes Remote Amid Pandemic Lockdown
📺 🏈 April 23, 2020: The first round of the NFL Draft aired across ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. With a nationwide lockdown on major events including sports having occurred 6 weeks prior, this draft — taking place remotely from...
Being Mary Jane Ends with Two‑Hour BET Finale
📺 April 23, 2019: “Being Mary Jane”, the drama centered on the life of a female TV news anchor (Gabrielle Union), concluded as a two-hour movie special on BET. Winner of three NAACP Image Awards throughout its run, it aired...
Derek Shepherd's Death Spikes Grey's Anatomy Ratings
📺 🏥 April 23, 2015: Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) longtime flame, died in an automobile accident in the “Grey’s Anatomy” episode entitled “How To Save A Life” on ABC. It was that season’s second most-watched episode...
Forgotten 1979 Game Show “Whew” Ran One Year
📺 April 23, 1979: Game show “Whew,” hosted by Tom Kennedy, launched on CBS in daytiime. It ran for one year. https://t.co/UsJJc2ghWw https://t.co/jeiO8N2Yix
2003's All My Children Features First Daytime TV Lesbian Kiss
📺 April 23, 2003: Bianca Montgomery (Eden Riegel) kissed Lena Kundera (Olga Sosnovska) on the ABC daytime drama “All My Children”, which was the first same-sex kiss between two women ever featured on American daytime television. https://t.co/vljk9I70Bc https://t.co/5sjjhHItn8
Dennis Miller Live Debuted on HBO in 1994
📺 April 22, 1994: “Dennis Miller Live”, the weekly late-night talk show hosted by the former SNL Weekend Update anchor premiered on HBO. It ran for eight years. https://t.co/vAlMB5qgb4 https://t.co/4HM89H5DO8
Madonna's "Like a Prayer" Tops Charts, Sparks Pepsi Fallout
🎵 April 22, 1989: Madonna scored her seventh No. 1 single in the U.S. with “Like a Prayer”, which spent three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The music video that accompanied the hit caused the Pepsi company to...
Joan of Arcadia Ends After Two Seasons
📺 April 22, 2005: CBS fantasy family drama “Joan of Arcadia” with Amber Tamblyn, Mary Steenburgen, Joe Mantegna and Jason Ritter concluded its two-season run. https://t.co/OU3DXYVx6M https://t.co/hEHDxsnj6q
Maude Canceled Despite Planned Political Washington Season
📺 April 22, 1978: “Maude,” led by Bea Arthur, wrapped up after six seasons. Although a seventh season had been planned — with Maude Findlay relocating to Washington, D.C., to enter politics — Arthur chose to step away from the...
Monica Lewinsky Hosted Short-Lived “Mr. Personality” Reality Show
📺 April 21, 2003: Romance reality competition “Mr. Personality” debuted on Fox. Hosted by infamous former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, this “Bachelorette”-type show that Involved all masked male suitors ran for only five episodes. https://t.co/MaeS34ZY3V https://t.co/1RjA8v80Gh
WGN America Launches First Original Scripted Series, Salem
📺 April 20, 2014: Supernatural horror drama “Salem” debuted on WGN America. Starring Janet Montgomery, Shane West and Seth Gabel, it was the cable network’s first original scripted series and marked WGN’s transition from a Chicago-based superstation int… https://t.co/0UsZbDGfdF https://t.co/UG1OpSgVaz
Soap Ended; Spinoff Benson Outlasted Its Parent
📺 April 20, 1981: “Soap” concluded on ABC. The controversial sitcom ran four seasons. Its spinoff “Benson,” starring Robert Guillaume, had a longer run at seven seasons (from 1979-86). https://t.co/Jrw2yw5q72 https://t.co/aocFs4GbV9
Wings: 1990s Time‑Period Hit Following Cheers
NBC sitcom “Wings” premiered following "Cheers" in 1990. It aired through May 21, 1997, and was what you would call a “time period hit.” https://t.co/aACX3hKuil https://t.co/4g1DPhqODn
ABC Debuts 1948, Emerging TV Latecomer
📺 April 19, 1948: The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) launched. It was a relatively late entrant into the emerging television landscape, competing against more established rivals like NBC and CBS. Originally spun off from the NBC Blue Network follow… https://t.co/uUCaPFxO2L...
1990 TV Ratings Reveal Network Vs. Syndication Trends
Nielsen ratings for network TV for the week ending April 22, 1990 and for syndication for the week ending April 15, 1990 https://t.co/NbOfVihF3W https://t.co/QJL1sFCPCJ
Peanuts Rides Flashdance Hype with “Flashbeagle” Special
📺 April 16, 1984: Capitalizing on the craze of the hit film “Flashdance,” the animated “Peanuts” special “It’s Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown” premiered on CBS. https://t.co/vlyhz3w6BL https://t.co/jP1PBvCf3K
1990’s ‘Shannon’s Deal’ Flopped After 14 Episodes
📺 April 16, 1990: Legal drama “Shannon’s Deal,” starring Jamey Sheridan and Elizabeth Peña, officially began as a series on NBC. Only 14 episodes aired across two spring seasons. https://t.co/g1964yCJMB https://t.co/C608XnHTA5
FX Launches Award‑winning “Fargo” Anthology Series, 2014
📺 April 15, 2014: “Fargo”, Noah Hawley’s award-winning dark comedic crime anthology series inspired by the 1996 feature film of the same name, debuted on FX. Its inaugural season starred Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Tolman, Colin Hanks and Martin Freeman…...
HBO's 'Girls' Premiered April 2012, Launching Dunham's Hit
📺 April 15, 2012: “Girls”, the comedy-drama created by and starring Lena Dunham about the lives of four young women in New York City, debuted on HBO. It also starred Allison Williams, Zosia Mamet, Adam Driver and Andrew Rannells. It...
TCM Launched on Historic Centennial Date, 6 P.m. ET
📺 🎬 April 14, 1994: Turner Classic Movies debuted. At 6 p.m. Eastern Time, Ted Turner launched the channel at a ceremony in New York City’s Times Square district. The date and time were chosen for their historical significance as...
The Bernie Mac Show Ends After Award-Winning Five Seasons
📺 April 14, 2006: Comedy “The Bernie Mac Show” concluded its five-season run on Fox. The series was the recipient of several prestigious awards in its first season, including an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and a...
CBS Launches Four-Year MLB Broadcast Deal in 1990
📺 ⚾️ April 14, 1990: CBS began its four-year deal with Major League Baseball, with an afternoon doubleheader: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates followed by Los Angeles Dodgers at Houston Astros. The first game had the network’s main broadcast team...
ABC Axes Beloved Soaps, Replaces Them With Lifestyle Shows
🪓 April 14, 2011: ABC made an announcement that devastated many daytime drama fans: “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” would both conclude within the following year. They were replaced by lifestyle programs “The Chew” and “The Revolution”....
Conan O'Brien Jokes About Jumping From TV to Twitter
📺 April 12, 2010: TBS announced that Conan O’Brien will be the network’s late-night host as of November that year. The news came shortly following his ouster at NBC. O’Brien humorously stated “In three months I’ve gone from network television...
Deadliest Catch Celebrates 19 Years on Discovery
📺 🦞 April 12, 2005: “Deadliest Catch”, the docuseries about crab fishermen aboard vessels in the Bering Sea, debuted on the Discovery Channel. Narrated by Mike Rowe, it has been one of the cable network’s signature shows. Its upcoming season...
1990 Sitcom “Down Home” Stars Judith Ivey Returning Home
📺 April 12, 1990: Sitcom “Down Home,” starring Judith Ivey, debuted on NBC and ran for two seasons. Ivey played high-powered New York executive Kate McCrorey, who returns to her small Texas hometown and winds up staying to help save...
Adam West Heads Quirky NBC Comedy Post‑Super Bowl
📺 April 11, 1986: Adam West headlined the one-hour comedy “The Last Precinct” which made its time slot premiere on NBC. Its first episode had aired after Super Bowl XX nearly three months prior. The series featured an odd mix...
Short‑lived 1985 Crime Drama ‘Double Dare’ Aired Six Episodes
📺 April 10, 1985: “Double Dare” debuted on CBS. The crime drama starring Billy Dee Williams and Ken Wahl aired for only six episodes. https://t.co/SLKbikeWrR https://t.co/3HfOIesoVT
Ricky Nelson Debuts on TV with “I’m Walking”
📺 April 10, 1957: Ricky Nelson sang for first time on ABC sitcom “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”, performing the song “I’m Walking.” https://t.co/Z6ip8gtwOv https://t.co/xnrQ6OFd51