#OnThisDay in 1989, America’s Funniest Home Videos debuted on ABC! 📼😂 A “one-off” special pulled 32.8M viewers, thanks to a Thanksgiving blizzard + the irresistible appeal of people falling down. Bob Saget hosted, Ernie Anderson voiced, and AFV basically predicted YouTube. America… this was YOU.

#OnThisDay in 1979: Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July premiered on ABC! 🎄❄️☀️ Rudolph vs. Winterbolt, Frosty’s family at risk of melting, circus hijinks, Ethel Merman singing—this wild Rankin/Bass crossover had everything. A wonderfully weird holiday-summer mashup! 🎪✨

#OnThisDay in 1984, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙬𝙤𝙠 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 aired on ABC! 🐻✨ Mace & Cindel Towani crash on Endor, team up with Wicket, and face the towering Gorax in a Lucas-produced Star Wars TV movie with Emmy-winning ILM effects. A BTS making-of filmed by the young actors is up on YouTube!

#OnThisDay in 1985, Ewoks: The Battle for Endor premiered on ABC! Darker, faster, and way more intense than The Ewok Adventure, this TV movie threw Cindel, Wicket & Wilford Brimley into a fight against Marauders, sorcery, and some nightmare-fuel creatures.

#OnThisDay in 1988, MST3K premiered on Minneapolis UHF station KTMA-TV! 🤖📷Before Comedy Central, Turkey Day marathons, or “Movie Sign!”, it was just Joel, some homemade robots & a terrible movie on a shoestring budget. Gypsy! Cambot! Tom Servo! Crowwwww

#OnThisDay in 1981, 𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙣 & 𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙣 debuted! Scruffy Vietnam vet Rick teamed with preppy suit brother A.J. to be 80s detectives. The show was almost canceled (16 affs didn’t even air it!) But moving it after Magnum + adding the iconic De Vorzon theme turned it into a hit.

#OnThisDay in 1968, Rankin/Bass’s The Mouse on the Mayflower debuted on NBC. 🦃 Willum the church mouse helps the Pilgrims survive their voyage in this animated special featuring Tennessee Ernie Ford & Paul Frees. A school-TV staple in the ’70s, now long out of circulation.

#OnThisDay in 1989, Garfield’s Thanksgiving premiered on CBS! 🦃😼 The 10th Garfield special finds our favorite feline put on a strict diet right as Jon cooks a full holiday feast. Emmy-nominated, perfectly snarky, and a late-’80s Thanksgiving classic. 🍂

#OnThisDay in 1987, Chicago TV was hit by the infamous Max Headroom signal hijacking. A masked figure cut into WGN’s news, then Doctor Who on WTTW—rambling, distorted, ending with a bizarre flyswatter gag. FCC/FBI investigations went nowhere. The hijackers were never found. 📡👀

Black Friday deal on the movie supposedly being "suppressed" by Hollywood. [aff link] amzn.to/4oTjm9c

#OnThisDay in 1972, GARGOYLES aired on CBS—and terrified an entire generation. 😱 Starring Cornell Wilde & Bernie Casey with a chilling intro by Outer Limits’ Vic Perrin, the film featured Emmy-winning creature work by a young Stan Winston. That motel scene? Traumatized. Forever. 👀

📺 𝟳𝟬𝘀/𝟴𝟬𝘀 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘-𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗩 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗦 — 𝗡𝗼𝘃 𝟮𝟬 📺 𝘼 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 (CBS, 1973) 𝙈𝙘𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣'𝙨 𝙇𝙖𝙬 (NBC, 1981) 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 (CBS, 1985) 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙗𝙮𝙨 (ABC, 1985)

#OnThisDay in 1973, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving premiered on CBS! 🦃🍂 The first Peanuts special with a fully original script, featuring Snoopy’s toast-and-popcorn feast, Guaraldi’s iconic music, and all-time classic Peanuts humor. An Emmy winner—and a holiday tradition. 💛

#OnThisDay in 1983, THE DAY AFTER aired on ABC—100 million viewers watched a devastating, realistic portrayal of nuclear war’s aftermath in Kansas & Missouri. Nick Meyer’s film sparked nationwide shock. 40 years later, it remains one of TV’s most sobering, influential broadcasts.

#OnThisDay in 1973, 𝘽.𝘾. The First Thanksgiving aired on NBC! 🦃 Johnny Hart’s comic strip came to life with voices from Daws Butler, Don Messick & Bob Holt. The plot? The gang tries to catch a turkey—cue prehistoric slapstick & classic cartoon chaos. A truly forgotten holiday special. 🍂✨

#OnThisDay in 1979, NBC aired 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 — a 3-hour anniversary special framed around an Ingalls family Thanksgiving. Laura’s remembrance book revisited classic moments, ending with a modern-day tag featuring Michael Landon’s daughter, Shawna.🌾🏠

#OnThisDay in 1979, 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙢’𝙨 𝙇𝙤𝙩 premiered on CBS and terrified a generation. 🧛‍♂️🪟 David Soul led a killer cast: Lance Kerwin as brave Mark Petrie, Brad Savage (“open the window, Mark…”), and Ronnie Scribner as one chilling young vamp. And Reggie Nalder as Barlow! 😱 A true horror classic.

✨47 years ago today: The Star Wars Holiday Special aired (Nov 17, 1978) — Itchy grunted, Bea Arthur sang, Harvey Korman cooked, and we got Boba Fett. Lucas disowned it. Fans bootlegged it. Now it's widely available. ✨ Happy Life Day! ✨

☄️ 1984: Night of the Comet blazed into theaters! Two Valley Girls, a comet apocalypse, and one of the coolest cult films of the 80s. 💄🔫 #80sRetroblast #NightOfTheComet #CultClassic

✨🎤 #OnThisDay in 1975: DONNY & MARIE debuted on ABC and became the youngest prime-time variety hosts—mixing comedy, ice-skating, big musical numbers & the iconic “I’m a little bit country / I’m a little bit rock & roll” segment. A merch explosion followed, from dolls to lunchboxes.🌟

#OnThisDay in 1980: WKRP aired the brilliant “Real Families.” Shot handheld, no laugh track, full fake cold open—viewers thought it was a different show! 😂 Herb’s family gets profiled by a sleazy reality crew digging for dirt, leading to peak WKRP satire.

#OnThisDay in 1988, 𝙈𝙐𝙍𝙋𝙃𝙔 𝘽𝙍𝙊𝙒𝙉 premiered on CBS! Candice Bergen’s reporter led the FYI team through sharp comedy + social commentary, sparking national debate when Murphy became a single mom and VP Dan Quayle called it out, with Murphy responding on the show.

#OnThisDay in 1981, Strike Force hit ABC! 🚔 Aaron Spelling + Robert Stack = an early ’80s crime-action blend that NCTV immediately blasted as “the most violent show on TV.” Despite a strong cast, the series couldn’t compete with Dallas/Falcon Crest and ended after 19 eps.

#OnThisDay 1980: ENOS rode out of Hazzard & into L.A.! 🚓 Sonny Shroyer’s lovable deputy joined the LAPD with partner Samuel E. Wright in this Dukes of Hazzard spin-off. Big heart, car chases & letters to Daisy—but canceled after 18 episodes. #ForgottenTV #80sTV #Enos

#OnThisDay in 1969, Sesame Street premiered! 🌞 Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster & friends made learning fun while teaching kindness, diversity & curiosity. 56 years later, it’s still the happiest street in TV history. 💛 #ForgottenTV #SesameStreet #RetroTV

NEW EPISODE! Sort of! Here's a look at the 1980 classic THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN. Fans of the show know I've covered it before, it was the 1st episode. 5 years later, I did it better. Explore the creation, cast and legacy of this Ruby-Spears classic! Find it here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

#OnThisDay in 1972, HBO went live — beaming a Rangers–Canucks hockey game and Sometimes a Great Notion to just 365 subscribers in PA. 🎥 From that small start, it became the model for premium TV: no ads, no censors, just great content. #ForgottenTV #HBO #TVHistory

On this day in 1969, Rod Serling opened the Night Gallery — where “The Cemetery” haunted, “Eyes” marked Spielberg’s directorial debut, and “Escape Route” delivered poetic justice. 🎙️ Explore how TV horror evolved into ABC’s Darkroom (1981) in the latest Forgotten TV podcast.

📺 Nov 8, 1980 — More ABC Saturday Morning Debuts! 🕶️ The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang — Fonzie & friends go time-traveling. 💰 The Richie Rich / Scooby-Doo Show — Wealth meets mystery in animated form. They joined Heathcliff & Dingbat and Thundarr the Barbarian that fall!

Yes, I know what today is. More on that soon. ❤️🤍💙

🌀✨ 50 years of the Wonder Woman spin! ✨🌀 Lynda Carter twirled into TV history in 1975, turning a simple spin into pure superhero magic. Here’s to iconic transformations, satin tights, and unstoppable Amazon energy! 💫🛡️ #WonderWoman50 #LyndaCarter #RetroTV

#OnThisDay 1984: The New Leave It to Beaver debuted on The Disney Channel! Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow & Barbara Billingsley returned—now with ’80s family drama, new kids & grown-up storylines. Brian Levant & Nick Abdo were key to bringing the show back, airing over 100 eps!

💫 #OnThisDay 1975: WONDER WOMAN debuted! Lynda Carter became the definitive Diana Prince in ABC’s WWII-era TV movie, later a series. Season 2 jumped to CBS and the 1970s—introducing IRAC, Rover & Steve Trevor Jr.

#OnThisDay in 1988, 𝙍𝘼𝙄𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙈𝙄𝙍𝘼𝙉𝘿𝘼 debuted on CBS. James Naughton stars as a dad left to raise 15-year-old Miranda after mom leaves to “find herself.” Neighbors, diary entries, & a young Bryan Cranston living in a van. (missed this one yesterday)

🌴🕵️‍♂️ #OnThisDay 1987: Beverly Hills Buntz debuted on NBC. Dennis Franz took Norman Buntz from Hill Street Blues to Beverly Hills to become a P.I. with Sid “The Snitch.” Half-hour dramedy and chaotic “once-a-month” scheduling = doomed. 9 eps made, 4 unaired. #ForgottenTV #80sTV

💥 #OnThisDay 1981: THE FALL GUY debuted on ABC! “🎶 I’m the unknown stuntman…” — Lee Majors sang the theme & starred as Colt Seavers, stuntman-turned-bounty hunter. Action, humor & a GMC truck made it a hit for 5 seasons. Ryan Gosling reboot in 2024! #ForgottenTV #RetroTV #80sTV

🎶 #OnThisDay in 1989 — Roxette’s “Listen to Your Heart” hit #1 in America! ❤️ The Swedish duo took over the airwaves with their epic power ballad from Look Sharp! — a perfect blend of emotion, synths & guitar glory. #Roxette #80sMusic

From radio’s first witch to television’s darkest hour... The new Forgotten TV podcast dives into the history of horror broadcasting — and the eerie legacy of ABC’s 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 (1981). 🎧 Stream 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢 now on your favorite podcast app.

📺 𝟳𝟬𝘀/𝟴𝟬𝘀 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘-𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗩 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗦 — 𝗡𝗼𝘃 𝟯 📺 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖 (ABC, 1975) *ok, so this is morning time 𝘿𝙞𝙛𝙛’𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙨 (NBC, 1978) 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙝𝙮 (NBC, 1981)

🎬 Remembering Diane Ladd (1935–2025): From Chesapeake Shores to HBO’s Enlightened with daughter Laura Dern, Ladd’s warmth and power shone through every role. Her Emmy-nominated turns on Dr. Quinn, Grace Under Fire & Touched by an Angel proved her timeless talent. 💛 #DianeLadd #ClassicTV #RIP

🌾 #OnThisDay 1981: 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙈𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙝𝙮 debuted on NBC. From Michael Landon, starring Merlin Olsen as a frontier man posing as a priest to protect orphans. 34 eps, pure prairie heart. #ForgottenTV #80sTV #RetroTV

From haunted radio waves to the glow of the TV screen... horror evolved. 🎧 Step back into the shadows with 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢, the new Forgotten TV podcast uncovering ABC’s chilling 1981 anthology. 🔗 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

Legendary TV director Ralph Senensky (1923–2025) has taken his final curtain call among the stars. From Star Trek to The Waltons, he helped define an era of television with depth and heart. One to beam up. 🖖🚀 #RalphSenensky #StarTrek #ClassicTV #ForgottenTV

🕛 “It… is… midnight.” When Lights Out hit the air, no one had ever heard horror like this. Arch Oboler’s twisted tales of people buried, burned, or devoured turned radio into pure nightmare fuel. 🎙️ 𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙍𝙆𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈 — 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙.

1931: America was still marveling at radio — when experimental station W2XAB flickered to life with The Television Ghost, the first TV drama... and the first to haunt the screen. 👻 🎙️ 𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙍𝙆𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈 - coming this weekend. Turn OUT your lights...

Before TV itself… there was The Witch’s Tale. 👻 Old Nancy and her cat Satan spun ghost stories to chill 1930s radio listeners in their darkened parlors. 🎙️ 𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙍𝙆𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈: a Forgotten TV podcast. Coming this weekend...turn OUT your lights...

📺 𝟳𝟬𝘀/𝟴𝟬𝘀 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘-𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗩 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗦 — 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟵 📺 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙪𝙡 𝙇𝙮𝙣𝙙𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙂𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠! 𝙇𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙨 & 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙊𝙙𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝘿𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜

🎃 #OnThisDay in 1976: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙪𝙡 𝙇𝙮𝙣𝙙𝙚 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 — disco witches, “Kinky Pinky,” and KISS’s first TV gig. Lynde rocked a white rhinestone trucker outfit, yelled “Roooooots!” at LeVar Burton, & closed with “Disco Baby.” Pure 1970s madness.

#OnThisDay in 1981, 𝙇𝙊𝙑𝙀, 𝙎𝙄𝘿𝙉𝙀𝙔 debuted on NBC. Tony Randall starred as Sidney Shorr — TV’s first gay lead character, though his identity was softened for the era. Quietly groundbreaking and years ahead of its time.

📺 𝟳𝟬𝘀/𝟴𝟬𝘀 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗘-𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗩 𝗗𝗘𝗕𝗨𝗧𝗦 — 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟮𝟳 📺 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙩 𝟭𝟱 (NBC, 1977) 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝'𝙨 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙊𝙪𝙩 (NBC, 1978) 𝙇𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨' 𝙈𝙖𝙣 (CBS, 1980) 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙚 (CBS, 1988)