A Fond Farewell to Bob Newhart
Bye, Bob. You meant the world to so many of us. Your talents certainly weren't confined to your television work (your vinyl comedy albums are legendary), but it is there that you most famously entertained generations of fans old and new. Like so many entertainment icons before you, and the few that are left, you helped make broadcast television the cultural behemoth that it became, beginning in 1961 with your NBC variety hour and continuing in the '70s with your classic sitcom The Bob Newhart Show and your memorable guest-hosting stints on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, in the '80s with your other smash sitcom Newhart, in the 2000s with two other sadly short-lived sitcoms (Bob and George and Leo) and then in the current millennium with recurring roles on Desperate Housewives, The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon.
HISTORY's Moment in Media: "All in the Family" -- When TV Became a Force for Progress
When viewers tuned in for the final episode of All in the Family on April 8, 1979 (44 years ago this month), there was no big send-off, no big wrap-up, no celebration -- just a simple, sweet episode in which an ailing Edith Bunker puts in a lot of work to help her husband, Archie, organize a party at his tavern. Archie realizes all she's done, and they share an uncharacteristically tender moment together. And then it was over.
Women's History Month -- A Tribute to Diahann Carroll
When people speak of the great ladies of television history – those pioneers who did so much either on camera or behind the scenes (or both) to advance women through the decades, and whose work continues to entertain us to this day -- the usual names come immediately to mind: Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Marlo Thomas, Bea Arthur, Valerie Harper. Surely, they all deserve the recognition they continue to receive as trailblazers who paved the way for Roseanne Barr, Candice Bergen, Tina Fey and so many more to come. We simply didn’t see women like the characters they portrayed on television until they stepped up and created them, in tandem with other strong women and forward-thinking men behind the scenes. Oddly, though, a woman who very much belongs on that list rarely seemed to be included: actress and singer Diahann Carroll.
Diahann Carroll's Career Included Two TV Milestones
As Women's History Month continues, there's no better time to celebrate the women in television who advanced others on-screen, behind the scenes, or both -- at a time when women weren’t exactly welcome to do so. Those who come immediately to mind are the major female TV stars of the '50s, '60s and '70s whose work changed the game in one way or another. I'm struck by the fact that they accomplished so much -- often through the careful creation and protection of iconic television characters who motivated and inspired millions of women (and men, for that matter) to reach for more in life, while never failing to entertain. Sadly, there are now younger generations in place that are not familiar with them. This series will attempt to correct that.
Bea Arthur Toppled Taboos in "Maude" and "The Golden Girls"
As Women's History Month continues, there's no better time to celebrate the women in television who advanced others on-screen, behind the scenes, or both -- at a time when women weren’t exactly welcome to do so. Those who come immediately to mind are the major female TV stars of the '50s, '60s and '70s whose work changed the game in one way or another. I'm struck by the fact that they accomplished so much -- often through the careful creation and protection of iconic television characters who motivated and inspired millions of women (and men, for that matter) to reach for more in life, while never failing to entertain. Sadly, there are now younger generations in place that are not familiar with them. This series will attempt to correct that.
Women’s History Month: Bea Arthur Toppled Taboos in “Maude” and “The Golden Girls”
Throughout Women’s History Month, the media has been calling attention to the accomplishments of women in all areas of life. For purposes of this series I am going to confine my thoughts about the history of women to those who worked in television and advanced their fellow females on-screen, behind the scenes, or both -- at a time when women weren’t exactly welcome to do so. The women who come immediately to mind are the major female television stars of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s whose work changed the game in one way or another. I am struck by the fact that they accomplished so much – often through the careful creation and protection of iconic television characters who motivated and inspired millions of women to reach for more in life -- while never failing to entertain. I am also struck – stunned in fact – that they do not often come up in present-day conversation about limitations placed on women. How did they accomplish what they did, when they did?
