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History of Television Soap Operas
On this date in 1949, the first daytime television soap opera was broadcast. Here are some things you may not have known about American soap operas. They’re called soap operas because soap companies were common early sponsors of the shows. The first soap operas appeared on radio. “Painted Dreams” is considered the first, and it…
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Betty White: America’s Favorite Nonagenarian
Today is the 95th birthday of television personality Betty White. Here are some things you may not have known about her. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1922. Betty is her given name, and not a shortened form of Elizabeth. During the Great Depression, her family moved to California, where her father built…
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American Bandstand: The Televised Dance Party
On this date in 1957, “American Bandstand” premiered on national television. Here are some things you may not have known about the long-running music show. The show started on a local Philadelphia TV station in 1950. It was called “Bandstand” and was hosted by Bob Horn, a local radio personality. It showed short musical films…
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MTV: Music on Television? That’ll Never Work
With the song “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles, MTV went on the air for the first time 35 years ago today. Here are some things you may not have known about MTV. MTV billed itself as the first 24-hour music channel, however it was not the first to experiment with music videos. In 1970,…
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3D: Your Eyes are Playing Tricks on You
On this date in 1953, the first experimental 3D television program in the U.S. was broadcast. Here are some things you may not have known about 3D. The first television show broadcast in 3D in the U.S. was “Space Patrol” on KECA-TV in Los Angeles. The show was also the first West Coast show to…
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Quiz Show Scandal: The Fix Is In
On this date in 1957, Charles Van Doren ended his four-month run as champion of the quiz show “Twenty One.” It was later discovered that the show was fixed. Here are some things you may not have known about Van Doren and the quiz-show scandal. The game show “Twenty One” premiered on September 10, 1956…