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August 10, 1948 –Candid Camera, considered by many to be the first reality TV show, debuted on ABC-TV on this date. The series was previously known on the radio. Its name: Candid Microphone. For a period in 1958, the show appeared as a regular segment of Jack Paar’s The Tonight Show, airing on NBC. InContinue reading “Candid Camera premiered”

August 10, 2020 –Split Enz hit #1 in their native New Zealand with the 40th anniversary reissue of their album True Colours, on this date The album knocked off Folklore by Taylor Swift, who was born nine years after the album was first released.

August 9, 1975 –The Bee Gees single, Jive Talkin‘, reached No. #1 on the Billboard charts on this date. This was the first big disco hit for The Bee Gees. They became icons of the era, singing in falsetto harmonies over dance beats. They had seven more #1 hits in the disco era, but theContinue reading “Jive Talkin topped the charts”

Today is National Vice President’s Day – It’s the day to consider the succession plan of the President of the United States. The day also acknowledges the one president who was neither elected vice president nor president – Gerald Ford. Speaking of Mr. FordAugust 9, 1974 –After President Richard M. Nixon resigned from office, hisContinue reading “Tell the truth, work hard, and come to dinner on time.”

August 9, 1963 –The first ever edition of Ready Steady Go! was shown on UK TV. Introduced by Keith Fordyce and 19 year-old Cathy McGowan. The first show featured The Searchers, Jet Harris, Pat Boone, Billy Fury and Brian Poole and The Tremeloes. The final show was in December 1966 after 175 episodes. Originally 30Continue reading “Ready Steady Go premiered”

August 9, 1944 –Another brilliant war-time effort by Preston Sturges, Hail the Conquering Hero, once again starring Eddie Bracken premiered on this date. When the six Marines, led by Sgt. Heffelfinger (William Demarest) are in the nightclub and go to see who bought them a beer, the scene at the bar lasts for 5 minutes,Continue reading “Hail the Conquering Hero premiered”

August 8, 1988 –Wrigley Field in Chicago was the last Major League Baseball venue to begin holding night games when they turned on its lights for the first time on this date. The first major league night game happened in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1935 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously switched on the lights.

August 8, 1969 –At a ‘zebra crossing’ in London, four bitterly fractious friends are forced to take a picture on this date. Photographer Iain Macmillan took one of the most famous photographs of all time – the cover of the Beatles album, Abbey Road.

August 8, 1963 –John Sturges’ adventure film, The Great Escape, starring Steve McQueen, opened on this date. One day, the police in the German town where this movie was shot set up a speed trap near the set. Several members of the cast and crew were caught, including Steve McQueen. The Chief of Police toldContinue reading “The Great Escape premiered”

August 8, 1980 –The fantasy musical Xanadu, starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, debuts to scathing reviews (“In a word, Xana-don’t.“) on this date, and inspires the Golden Raspberry Awards for the worst films of the year. The film was meant to launch Olivia Newton-John’s career as a solo star. Due to its complete failureContinue reading “Xanadu (unfortunately) premiered”