Programming Insider
@programminginsider.bsky.social
https://programminginsider.contactin.bio/
Your proven daily source for everything media. Ratings, trends, observations, breaking news, scheduling, trivia and much more! From @marcberman.bsky.social & @douglaspucci.bsky.social
Your proven daily source for everything media. Ratings, trends, observations, breaking news, scheduling, trivia and much more! From @marcberman.bsky.social & @douglaspucci.bsky.social
FUN FACTOID...The biggest failure of the 3 sitcoms that tried to capitalize on the success of the theatrical “Animal House” was “Co-Ed Fever” on CBS. After a preview on February 4, 1979, it never made it to its regularly scheduled time period. The additional five episodes produced never aired.
January 21, 2026 at 8:32 PM
FUN FACTOID...The biggest failure of the 3 sitcoms that tried to capitalize on the success of the theatrical “Animal House” was “Co-Ed Fever” on CBS. After a preview on February 4, 1979, it never made it to its regularly scheduled time period. The additional five episodes produced never aired.
On this day in 1978: Bee Gees album “Saturday Night Fever” went No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 24 weeks. It is one of the best-selling albums in history, and remains the second-biggest-selling soundtrack of all time, after “The Bodyguard,“ selling 40 million copies worldwide.
January 21, 2026 at 8:18 PM
On this day in 1978: Bee Gees album “Saturday Night Fever” went No. 1 on the Billboard charts for 24 weeks. It is one of the best-selling albums in history, and remains the second-biggest-selling soundtrack of all time, after “The Bodyguard,“ selling 40 million copies worldwide.
Inside Sports Documentary ‘The Mighty Oaks’: How One Lacrosse Program Built A Community
Inside Sports Documentary ‘The Mighty Oaks’: How One Lacrosse Program Built A Community
"The Mighty Oaks" from Brad Ledwith is a heartfelt sports documentary about how one father’s lacrosse program has united a community.
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January 21, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Inside Sports Documentary ‘The Mighty Oaks’: How One Lacrosse Program Built A Community
"Brothers and Sisters", the second comedy derived from the theatrical "Animal House", premiered on NBC following Super Bowl XIII in 1979. It starred Chris Lemmon, Mary Crosby and William Windom, and it ran for 12 episodes.
January 21, 2026 at 3:08 PM
"Brothers and Sisters", the second comedy derived from the theatrical "Animal House", premiered on NBC following Super Bowl XIII in 1979. It starred Chris Lemmon, Mary Crosby and William Windom, and it ran for 12 episodes.
Today we wish Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis a very happy 70th birthday! While she’s most widely celebrated for her iconic role in "Thelma & Louise," Davis earned her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for "The Accidental Tourist."
January 21, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Today we wish Oscar-winning actress Geena Davis a very happy 70th birthday! While she’s most widely celebrated for her iconic role in "Thelma & Louise," Davis earned her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for "The Accidental Tourist."
"Code R," the drama about the police, fire and ocean rescue departments of the California Channel Islands, debuted on CBS in 1977. The series, which starred James Houghton, Martin Kove and Tom Simcox, ran for 13 episodes.
January 21, 2026 at 2:01 PM
"Code R," the drama about the police, fire and ocean rescue departments of the California Channel Islands, debuted on CBS in 1977. The series, which starred James Houghton, Martin Kove and Tom Simcox, ran for 13 episodes.
The western "Alias Smith and Jones," starring Peter Duel and Ben Murphy, debuted on ABC in 1971. Midway through its second season, Duel, 31, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His role as Joshua Smith was recast with Roger Davis and the show continued for one additional season.
January 21, 2026 at 1:47 PM
The western "Alias Smith and Jones," starring Peter Duel and Ben Murphy, debuted on ABC in 1971. Midway through its second season, Duel, 31, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His role as Joshua Smith was recast with Roger Davis and the show continued for one additional season.
Martial arts drama “The Master,” starring Lee Van Cleef and Timothy Van Patten, debuted on NBC in 1984. It ran for 13 episodes.
January 20, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Martial arts drama “The Master,” starring Lee Van Cleef and Timothy Van Patten, debuted on NBC in 1984. It ran for 13 episodes.
The sitcom "Popi," starring Héctor Elizondo and based on the 1969 film of the same name, made its television debut on this day in 1976. It was scheduled out of "Good Times" on Tuesday and ran for just 10 episodes. Does anyone remember this show?
January 20, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The sitcom "Popi," starring Héctor Elizondo and based on the 1969 film of the same name, made its television debut on this day in 1976. It was scheduled out of "Good Times" on Tuesday and ran for just 10 episodes. Does anyone remember this show?
TV movie "High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel in 2006. The film's success spawned a media franchise and series of sequels, "High School Musical 2" (2007) and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (2008), with the latter being a theatrical release.
January 20, 2026 at 4:44 PM
TV movie "High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel in 2006. The film's success spawned a media franchise and series of sequels, "High School Musical 2" (2007) and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" (2008), with the latter being a theatrical release.
Aaron Spelling police drama "MacGruder and Loud" starring John Getz and Kathryn Harrold launched on ABC in 1985. Its premiere episode aired immediately following "Super Bowl XIX." Despite the large launch, the series ran for just 14 episodes within a three-month span.
January 20, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Aaron Spelling police drama "MacGruder and Loud" starring John Getz and Kathryn Harrold launched on ABC in 1985. Its premiere episode aired immediately following "Super Bowl XIX." Despite the large launch, the series ran for just 14 episodes within a three-month span.
The one-episode game show fiasco “You’re in the Picture,” hosted by Jackie Gleason, debuted on CBS on this day in 1961. Gleason returned the next week to open the broadcast with an on-air apology — “I’m sorry. I really am.”—and turned the hour into a self-mocking variety show.
January 20, 2026 at 2:56 PM
The one-episode game show fiasco “You’re in the Picture,” hosted by Jackie Gleason, debuted on CBS on this day in 1961. Gleason returned the next week to open the broadcast with an on-air apology — “I’m sorry. I really am.”—and turned the hour into a self-mocking variety show.
ICYMI from Marc Berman at @Forbes: Anne Hathaway To Star In And Executive Produce Paramount+ Limited Series ‘Fear Not’
Anne Hathaway To Star In And Executive Produce Paramount+ Limited Series ‘Fear Not’
Anne Hathaway stars in and executive produces "Fear Not," a true-crime story of faith and survival.
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January 20, 2026 at 12:41 AM
ICYMI from Marc Berman at @Forbes: Anne Hathaway To Star In And Executive Produce Paramount+ Limited Series ‘Fear Not’
Dolly Parton At 80: Celebrating A Global Legend
Dolly Parton At 80: Celebrating A Global Legend
From her iconic songs like "Jolene" to Dollywood, her films, and her endless generosity, Dolly Parton at age 80 continues to inspire us all.
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January 20, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Dolly Parton At 80: Celebrating A Global Legend
Years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Shelley Fabares and telling her she would always be Mary Stone to me. Of course, Shelley brought Mary to life on the classic family sitcom "The Donna Reed Show," along with countless other TV credits. Today, we wish her a very Happy 82nd Birthday!
January 19, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Shelley Fabares and telling her she would always be Mary Stone to me. Of course, Shelley brought Mary to life on the classic family sitcom "The Donna Reed Show," along with countless other TV credits. Today, we wish her a very Happy 82nd Birthday!
Today we celebrate Tippi Hedren on her 96th birthday. A true Hollywood icon, she remains forever linked to Alfred Hitchcock classics "The Birds" and "Marnie," as well as decades of dedicated advocacy and humanitarian work.
January 19, 2026 at 2:41 PM
Today we celebrate Tippi Hedren on her 96th birthday. A true Hollywood icon, she remains forever linked to Alfred Hitchcock classics "The Birds" and "Marnie," as well as decades of dedicated advocacy and humanitarian work.
In conjunction with the birth of Little Ricky, today we wish Desi Arnaz, Jr. a Happy 73rd Birthday.
January 19, 2026 at 2:28 PM
In conjunction with the birth of Little Ricky, today we wish Desi Arnaz, Jr. a Happy 73rd Birthday.
On this day in 1953: A then-record 68 percent of all television sets in the United States -- more than the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower the following day -- tuned in for the birth of Little Ricky on the legendary "I Love Lucy."
January 19, 2026 at 2:28 PM
On this day in 1953: A then-record 68 percent of all television sets in the United States -- more than the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower the following day -- tuned in for the birth of Little Ricky on the legendary "I Love Lucy."
Good golly! Today we celebrate the incomparable Dolly Parton as she turns 80 years young. A true American original, Dolly’s influence reaches far beyond music, touching film, television, philanthropy, and popular culture at large.
January 19, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Good golly! Today we celebrate the incomparable Dolly Parton as she turns 80 years young. A true American original, Dolly’s influence reaches far beyond music, touching film, television, philanthropy, and popular culture at large.
ICYMI from Marc Berman at @Forbes: The Evolution Of Endorsements: TRNDY Social Navigates Multi‑Platform Campaigns
The Evolution Of Endorsements: TRNDY Social Navigates Multi‑Platform Campaigns
TRNDY Social is a next-generation endorsement agency that fuses celebrity talent, linear TV, streaming, social, and data-driven targeting into fully integrated campaigns.
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January 18, 2026 at 7:40 PM
ICYMI from Marc Berman at @Forbes: The Evolution Of Endorsements: TRNDY Social Navigates Multi‑Platform Campaigns
Move over, Val — "Knots Landing" has a new goody two-shoes. Stacy Galina joined the cast of CBS’ primetime soap in 1990 as Mary-Frances Sumner, the daughter of Greg Sumner (William Devane). The role had previously been played by Danielle Brisebois, Galina’s former co-star on Archie Bunker’s Place.
January 18, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Move over, Val — "Knots Landing" has a new goody two-shoes. Stacy Galina joined the cast of CBS’ primetime soap in 1990 as Mary-Frances Sumner, the daughter of Greg Sumner (William Devane). The role had previously been played by Danielle Brisebois, Galina’s former co-star on Archie Bunker’s Place.
“Delta House,” the first of three failed sitcoms following the success of the theatrical hit "Animal House," opened on ABC in 1979. It featured John Vernon as the hard-nosed Dean Wormer, Stephen Furst as Flounder, Bruce McGill as D-Day, and James Widdoes as Hoover. And it aired for 13 episodes.
January 18, 2026 at 5:49 PM
“Delta House,” the first of three failed sitcoms following the success of the theatrical hit "Animal House," opened on ABC in 1979. It featured John Vernon as the hard-nosed Dean Wormer, Stephen Furst as Flounder, Bruce McGill as D-Day, and James Widdoes as Hoover. And it aired for 13 episodes.
George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise - better known as “Weezie” (Isabel Sanford) - were “movin’ on up to the deluxe apartment in the sky” on the "All in the Family" spin-off "The Jeffersons," which launched on CBS in 1975. The sitcom ran for ten-and-a-half seasons.
January 18, 2026 at 1:46 PM
George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise - better known as “Weezie” (Isabel Sanford) - were “movin’ on up to the deluxe apartment in the sky” on the "All in the Family" spin-off "The Jeffersons," which launched on CBS in 1975. The sitcom ran for ten-and-a-half seasons.
“The Six Million Dollar Man,” starring Lee Majors, debuted on ABC in 1974. The sci-fi action series followed astronaut Steve Austin, rebuilt with bionic implants after a near-fatal crash and recruited for secret government missions. It ran for 5 seasons and spawned spin-off “The Bionic Woman.”
January 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM
“The Six Million Dollar Man,” starring Lee Majors, debuted on ABC in 1974. The sci-fi action series followed astronaut Steve Austin, rebuilt with bionic implants after a near-fatal crash and recruited for secret government missions. It ran for 5 seasons and spawned spin-off “The Bionic Woman.”