Marc Berman
@marcberman.bsky.social
Editor-in-Chief for Programming Insider @programminginsider.bsky.social • Senior Entertainment Contributor to @forbes.com •
TCA and Critics Choice member @officialtca.bsky.social
TCA and Critics Choice member @officialtca.bsky.social
FUN FACTOID: “Leave It to Beaver” (1957–63) was the first network TV series to air an official series finale. In the episode, June Cleaver (Barbara Billingsley) opens a scrapbook and reminisces about the family’s earlier days — a nostalgic format that featured flashbacks from past episodes.
November 13, 2025 at 12:33 AM
FUN FACTOID: “Leave It to Beaver” (1957–63) was the first network TV series to air an official series finale. In the episode, June Cleaver (Barbara Billingsley) opens a scrapbook and reminisces about the family’s earlier days — a nostalgic format that featured flashbacks from past episodes.
Remember actress Cynthia Pepper as Jean Peason, who lived next door to the Douglas family and dated Mike (Tim Considine) on "My Three Sons"? Cynthia, now 85, made her final appearance on the sitcom on this day in 1964.
November 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Remember actress Cynthia Pepper as Jean Peason, who lived next door to the Douglas family and dated Mike (Tim Considine) on "My Three Sons"? Cynthia, now 85, made her final appearance on the sitcom on this day in 1964.
Today we celebrate Megan Mullally, star of "Will & Grace," on her 67th birthday! A fun fact: Megan’s first regularly scheduled sitcom role came on ABC’s short-lived "The Ellen Burstyn Show" during the 1986–87 TV season, which aired right after Lucille Ball’s final series, "Life With Lucy."
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Today we celebrate Megan Mullally, star of "Will & Grace," on her 67th birthday! A fun fact: Megan’s first regularly scheduled sitcom role came on ABC’s short-lived "The Ellen Burstyn Show" during the 1986–87 TV season, which aired right after Lucille Ball’s final series, "Life With Lucy."
TV legends Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor first appeared on the NBC sitcom "Mad About You" in 1996 as the parents of Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt). They did four episodes together (with Carol in 11 episodes in total as Theresa Stemple).
November 12, 2025 at 3:07 PM
TV legends Carol Burnett and Carroll O'Connor first appeared on the NBC sitcom "Mad About You" in 1996 as the parents of Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt). They did four episodes together (with Carol in 11 episodes in total as Theresa Stemple).
Happy 34th Birthday! On this day in 1991, Jesse (John Stamos) and Rebecca (Lori Loughlin) welcomed twins Nicky and Alex on the ABC sitcom Full House.
November 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Happy 34th Birthday! On this day in 1991, Jesse (John Stamos) and Rebecca (Lori Loughlin) welcomed twins Nicky and Alex on the ABC sitcom Full House.
"The Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos," starring Sonny Shroyer, premiered on CBS in 1980. Shroyer's Deputy Enos Strate character moved from Hazzard to Los Angeles to join the LAPD. The comedy lasted just one season and Shroyer returned to "The Dukes of Hazzard" in the fall of 1982.
November 12, 2025 at 1:21 PM
"The Dukes of Hazzard" spinoff "Enos," starring Sonny Shroyer, premiered on CBS in 1980. Shroyer's Deputy Enos Strate character moved from Hazzard to Los Angeles to join the LAPD. The comedy lasted just one season and Shroyer returned to "The Dukes of Hazzard" in the fall of 1982.
“Gentlemen’s Agreement,” directed by Elia Kazan and starring Gregory Peck, John Garfield Dorothy McGuire, opened in New York in 1947. It won three Oscars — Best Picture, Best Director and Celeste Holm for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
November 11, 2025 at 8:47 PM
“Gentlemen’s Agreement,” directed by Elia Kazan and starring Gregory Peck, John Garfield Dorothy McGuire, opened in New York in 1947. It won three Oscars — Best Picture, Best Director and Celeste Holm for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
In 1980, the Ted Knight sitcom "Too Close For Comfort" debuted. When ABC canceled it after three seasons, it moved into first-run syndication for three more seasons (and was retitled "The Ted Knight Show" in the final retooled season).
November 11, 2025 at 3:50 PM
In 1980, the Ted Knight sitcom "Too Close For Comfort" debuted. When ABC canceled it after three seasons, it moved into first-run syndication for three more seasons (and was retitled "The Ted Knight Show" in the final retooled season).
The characters Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney made their debut on ABC’s "Happy Days" in 1975. Less than three months later, their popularity led to the spinoff "Laverne & Shirley," which premiered on January 27, 1976, and quickly soared to the top of the ratings.
November 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The characters Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney made their debut on ABC’s "Happy Days" in 1975. Less than three months later, their popularity led to the spinoff "Laverne & Shirley," which premiered on January 27, 1976, and quickly soared to the top of the ratings.
“This is it, this is life!” Today we celebrate "One Day at a Time " star Mackenzie Phillips, who turns 66. Go out and have a ball — and join us in wishing her a very happy birthday!
November 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“This is it, this is life!” Today we celebrate "One Day at a Time " star Mackenzie Phillips, who turns 66. Go out and have a ball — and join us in wishing her a very happy birthday!
John Hughes’ "Home Alone," starring Macaulay Culkin, held its world premiere in Chicago in 1990. The comedy phenomenon went on to dominate the box office, ranking as the No. 1 movie for 12 straight weeks — from its official release the weekend of November 16–18, 1990, through early February 1991.
November 10, 2025 at 7:41 PM
John Hughes’ "Home Alone," starring Macaulay Culkin, held its world premiere in Chicago in 1990. The comedy phenomenon went on to dominate the box office, ranking as the No. 1 movie for 12 straight weeks — from its official release the weekend of November 16–18, 1990, through early February 1991.
Remember that classic moment on ABC’s "The Brady Bunch" when TV’s favorite family faced off in a potato sack race? It aired in 1972, the same episode where middle sister Jan (Eve Plumb) dramatically wished she could be an only child. Oh, Jan!
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Remember that classic moment on ABC’s "The Brady Bunch" when TV’s favorite family faced off in a potato sack race? It aired in 1972, the same episode where middle sister Jan (Eve Plumb) dramatically wished she could be an only child. Oh, Jan!
The beloved children’s classic “Sesame Street” debuted on PBS in 1969, introducing a fast-paced blend of live-action shorts, humor, music, celebrity guests, and, of course, Jim Henson’s Muppets. The innovative series quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
November 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The beloved children’s classic “Sesame Street” debuted on PBS in 1969, introducing a fast-paced blend of live-action shorts, humor, music, celebrity guests, and, of course, Jim Henson’s Muppets. The innovative series quickly became a cultural phenomenon.
On this day in 1983 on ABC’s "Dynasty," Claudia Blaisdel (Pamela Bellwood) married “Fake” Steven Carrington (Jack Coleman), and the newlyweds were granted custody of Danny — Steven’s son with ex-wife Sammy Jo (Heather Locklear). In true "Dynasty" fashion, the marriage was short-lived.
November 10, 2025 at 2:51 AM
On this day in 1983 on ABC’s "Dynasty," Claudia Blaisdel (Pamela Bellwood) married “Fake” Steven Carrington (Jack Coleman), and the newlyweds were granted custody of Danny — Steven’s son with ex-wife Sammy Jo (Heather Locklear). In true "Dynasty" fashion, the marriage was short-lived.
On this day in 1977, Tom (Dick Van Patten) and Abby (Betty Buckley) said “I do” in a special two-hour episode of Eight Is Enough. But the road to the altar wasn’t smooth — youngest daughter Elizabeth (Connie Needham) struggled with the idea of her father remarrying, among other difficulties.
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
On this day in 1977, Tom (Dick Van Patten) and Abby (Betty Buckley) said “I do” in a special two-hour episode of Eight Is Enough. But the road to the altar wasn’t smooth — youngest daughter Elizabeth (Connie Needham) struggled with the idea of her father remarrying, among other difficulties.
Wishing a very Happy 74th Birthday to Lou Ferrigno — the legendary bodybuilder and actor who brought "The Incredible Hulk" to life and later flexed his comedic side on "The King of Queens"!
November 9, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Wishing a very Happy 74th Birthday to Lou Ferrigno — the legendary bodybuilder and actor who brought "The Incredible Hulk" to life and later flexed his comedic side on "The King of Queens"!
George Lopez made history as the first Mexican-American to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network when “Lopez Tonight” premiered on TBS in 2009. The music-filled show ran for two years.
November 9, 2025 at 4:53 PM
George Lopez made history as the first Mexican-American to host a late-night talk show on an English-language network when “Lopez Tonight” premiered on TBS in 2009. The music-filled show ran for two years.
Nine years after it debuted came the reboot second season of HBO comedy “The Comeback” in 2014. It stars Lisa Kudrow as actress Valerie Cherish and Damian Young as her husband Mark Berman. A third season is slated for 2026.
November 9, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Nine years after it debuted came the reboot second season of HBO comedy “The Comeback” in 2014. It stars Lisa Kudrow as actress Valerie Cherish and Damian Young as her husband Mark Berman. A third season is slated for 2026.
Wes Craven‘s classic horror film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” starring Robert Englund as serial killer Freddy Krueger premiered in the U.S. in 1984. The film, which grossed $57 million worldwide, spawned a franchise.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Wes Craven‘s classic horror film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” starring Robert Englund as serial killer Freddy Krueger premiered in the U.S. in 1984. The film, which grossed $57 million worldwide, spawned a franchise.
"Sinatra" premiered on CBS on this day in 1992. The two-part miniseries about the life of legendary performer Frank Sinatra starred Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis, Joe Santos, Gina Gershon, Nina Siemaszko, Bob Gunton, and Marcia Gay Harden. It was produced by Frank’s daughter, Tina Sinatra.
November 9, 2025 at 1:01 AM
"Sinatra" premiered on CBS on this day in 1992. The two-part miniseries about the life of legendary performer Frank Sinatra starred Philip Casnoff, Olympia Dukakis, Joe Santos, Gina Gershon, Nina Siemaszko, Bob Gunton, and Marcia Gay Harden. It was produced by Frank’s daughter, Tina Sinatra.
Fantasy comedy "The Tick," starring Patrick Warburton, debuted on Fox in 2001. It ran for one season (and 13 episodes). Amazon Prime revived "The Tick" for two additional seasons in 2016 with Peter Serafinowicz in the lead role.
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Fantasy comedy "The Tick," starring Patrick Warburton, debuted on Fox in 2001. It ran for one season (and 13 episodes). Amazon Prime revived "The Tick" for two additional seasons in 2016 with Peter Serafinowicz in the lead role.
November 8, 2010: Late night talker "Conan", hosted by Conan O’Brien, debuted on TBS. It was his first TV venture since his infamous short-lived NBC "Tonight Show" stint.
His guests for the first episode were Seth Rogen, Lea Michele and Jack White with a cameo by Larry King.
His guests for the first episode were Seth Rogen, Lea Michele and Jack White with a cameo by Larry King.
November 9, 2025 at 12:47 AM
November 8, 2010: Late night talker "Conan", hosted by Conan O’Brien, debuted on TBS. It was his first TV venture since his infamous short-lived NBC "Tonight Show" stint.
His guests for the first episode were Seth Rogen, Lea Michele and Jack White with a cameo by Larry King.
His guests for the first episode were Seth Rogen, Lea Michele and Jack White with a cameo by Larry King.
On this day in 1984, Abby (Donna Mills) finds out that Gary (Ted Shackelford) is the real father of Val's (Joan Van Ark) unborn twins on CBS' "Knots Landing." The stage is set for what will eventually be the one of the best cliffhangers on any serialized network drama.
November 9, 2025 at 12:45 AM
On this day in 1984, Abby (Donna Mills) finds out that Gary (Ted Shackelford) is the real father of Val's (Joan Van Ark) unborn twins on CBS' "Knots Landing." The stage is set for what will eventually be the one of the best cliffhangers on any serialized network drama.
Age is just a number. When sitcom "What's Happening!!" began in 1976, Ernest Thomas ("Raj") was 26, Fred Berry ("Rerun") was 25, and Haywood Nelson (Dwayne) was 16. And they went to high school together!
November 8, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Age is just a number. When sitcom "What's Happening!!" began in 1976, Ernest Thomas ("Raj") was 26, Fred Berry ("Rerun") was 25, and Haywood Nelson (Dwayne) was 16. And they went to high school together!
Happy 76th Birthday to the legendary Bonnie Raitt! From her soulful bluesy riffs to her powerhouse vocals, Bonnie has been giving us "something to talk about" her entire career!
November 8, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Happy 76th Birthday to the legendary Bonnie Raitt! From her soulful bluesy riffs to her powerhouse vocals, Bonnie has been giving us "something to talk about" her entire career!