Author Archives: dcaligari

February 2, 1913 –The new Beaux-Arts style Grand Central Terminal in New York City opened on this date. The cost to construct Grand Central Terminal was a staggering $43 million. The price was offset by the sale of “air rights” over the enclosed facility. Many majestic buildings were constructed including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. ForContinue reading “The third iteration of GCT opened”

Today is the 12th day of the Lunar New Year. Technically, the Spring Festival is 15 days, but celebrations start on New Year’s eve making it 16. However, you can also say that the holiday season starts in lunar December with the Laba Festival (December 30,) making it 34 days of celebration. Since the LunarContinue reading “Perhaps just a little tea and toast this morning”

February 2, 1950 –Produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, the TV game show What’s My Line, debuted on CBS TV on this date. Although there are those who suspect John Daly was sending the panel signals, Moderator Daly insisted that there is only one signal he ever gave to the panel: When he pulledContinue reading “What’s My Line premiered”

February 2, 1971 –The animated special based on the Harry Nilsson album, The Point!, originally voiced by Dustin Hoffman, Paul Frees, June Foray, and Mike Lookinland premiered as an ABC Movie of the Week, on this date. Although that version was only licensed for the initial airing, a few different narrations followed, including Alan ThickeContinue reading “The Point! premiered”

February 2, 1973 –The regular run of the musical series, Burt Sugarman’s The Midnight Special premiered on NBC-TV on this date. Also among the acts that appears on that first show were The Byrds, Ike and Tina Turner Revue, Rare Earth and George Carlin.

February 1, 2004 –During the MTV-provided halftime show of the Superbowl, former boy band member Justin Timberlake conducts an obviously pre-scripted move to expose Janet Jackson’s right bosom on this date, which oddly sports a ninjitsu-style throwing star as a pasty. The nation is shocked, simply shocked, that a pristine, noncommercial event such as theContinue reading “The most famous costume malfunction ever”

February 1, 1982 –41 years ago today, Late Night With David Letterman premiered on NBC-TV on this date, where it stayed for 11 years. Besides Bill Murray, one of Dave’s first guests was Don Herbert aka Mr. Wizard.

February 1, 1953 – Private Secretary (Susie, in syndication), starring Ann Sothern, premiered on CBS-TV on this day. The show ran during the regular TV seasons on CBS, and last show was September 10, 1957. It ran on NBC-TV in the summers of 1953 and 1954. The original title sequence has not been viewed sinceContinue reading “Private Secretary premiered”

February 1, 1972 – Neil Young releases his fourth solo album, Harvest, on this date. It goes on to become the best selling album of 1972 Despite being the title track of the Harvest album, the song has enjoyed far less fanfare than songs on the set like Heart of Gold, Alabama, and The NeedleContinue reading “Harvest went on sale”

The eleventh day of the Lunar New Year is known as the day to welcome Zigu Shen (the Purple Lady) According to legend, Zigu was a concubine of a rich man in ancient China. The wife of the rich man killed her in the toilet due to her jealousy. The Heavenly God had compassion forContinue reading “Come on, you can do it – it’s the 11th day”