#1 in 1952: "I Love Lucy"

 

While America loved Lucy in 1951, it loved her even more in 1952. And thanks to the foresight of Desi Arnaz, we can still see what all the fuss was about even today. Unlike other shows of the time, I Love Lucy was recorded on film instead of being sent over the air live then recorded on an unreliable kinescope. It was more expensive, but Desi knew that it would pay off in the end. And it certainly did.

#1 in 1950: The Texaco Star Theatre

In 1950, the number one show on television was The Texaco Star Theatre which featured "Mr. Television" himself- Milton Berle.

 

At the time, all of the top shows were variety hours and on NBC. The top non-variety show was The Lone Ranger on ABC. The Texaco Star Theatre would catapult Milton Berle to stardom, making him Uncle Miltie to millions of fans countrywide.

Rest In Peace, Barbara Hale

Barbara Hale, who was best known as Perry Mason's secretary Della Street, has passed away at age 94. Ms. Hale starred alongside Raymond Burr in both the classic drama on CBS and the 1980's NBC movie series as the loyal assistant who helped Perry Mason piece together the clues needed to clear his clients. In the NBC reunion film Perry Mason Returns, her character found herself accused of a crime she didn't commit, assisted by the loyal Mason who left a judgeship to clear her name. The film afforded her the opportunity to work with her son, William Katt, who portrayed Mason's new detective. While she starred in many films as an RKO contract actress, she will be forever known and beloved as the kindly Della Street.

 

Mary Tyler Moore's Studio

 

In 1928, a studio sprang up seemingly in the middle of nowhere in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. Located a short drive away from Carl Laemmle's Universal Studios. The studio would go through several owners until the 1980's when it would be jointly owned by CBS and Fox. Eventually, Fox would sell its half ownership to MTM Productions, which would rename the Lot CBS/MTM Studios. Mary Tyler Moore now owned her own studio.

 

Since Mary's television productions were primarily on CBS, it was a good match. Even though the property had now been hemmed in by Southern California sprawl, the partners invested money in the studio, building facilities that made the most out of its oddly shaped borders.

 

There was a New York Street, several sound stages and full production facilities. Eventually, MTM would sell the property to CBS, who now fully owns the property, but the memories and legacy of Mary Tyler Moore's operations will last forever.

 

Mary Tyler Moore: A Legacy on Screen

 

Mary Tyler Moore's legacy lies not just in the shows she starred in. Through her MTM Production Company, she was responsible for some of the greatest television shows ever. Plus, the kitten in her iconic logo was her beloved cat Mimsie.

 

Among the shows produced by Mary's company:

 

The Bob Newhart Show

 

Lou Grant

 

The White Shadow

 

WKRP in Cincinnati

 

Hill Street Blues

 

St. Elsewhere

 

Newhart

Ms. Moore not only turned the world on with her smile- she turned it on with her talent. Both in front of the camera and behind it. Luckily for us, the gifts she left behind will be with us always.

 

Embarrassing TV Roles

Long after Bob Hope should have retired from public view, he was still getting propped up for embarrassing NBC specials. The most embarrassing segment he was involved in was a performance of "Jack Frost", where he was propped up like a poorly maintained pizza restaurant animation and forced to bellow lyrics he didn't seem to fully understand.

Grant Tinker, 1926 - 2016

Grant Tinker, who established a legendary studio with his then-wife Mary Tyler Moore in the 1970's, producing classics such as The Mary Tyler Moore Show, WKRP in Cincinnati & The Bob Newhart Show has passed away at age 90.

 

If the shows he co-produced at MTM Productions were his only successes, he would have earned a spot as a television legend, but Mr. Tinker eventually went on to become the CEO of NBC in 1981. The network was a wasteland, its ratings in the toilet. Mr. Tinker resuscitated the network, bringing in Family Ties, The Cosby Show, Cheers, LA Law and The A Team, among other shows, combining both critically acclaimed shows such as those found at CBS, with popular shows like those on ABC, to create a powerhouse that wouldn't topple for nearly twenty years. Mr. Tinker left NBC in the late 80's and tried to establish a new production company with minimal success, but he was often a sought after advisor to those involved in the network television business, long after he had retired. By taking risks and demanding excellence, Mr. Tinker's bold work at MTM and NBC continues to influence television even today.