MONDAY in Broadcast History .. Dec. 30th

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Happy Birthday to Tracey Ullman, Meredith Vieira, Sean Hannity and sitcom guru James Burrows. Also born this day were Bert Parks, Jack Lord, Dennis Morgan and Jeannette Nolan. Canada’s first radio network hooking up Montreal with Ottawa broadcast the CNR’s Anniversary Show; the famous Jack Benny feud with Fred Allen kicked off on NBC radio; the first black and white TV sets sold for $1,175 US; James Arness, soon to be Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke, made his TV acting debut on the Lux Video Theatre; ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ with Winnipeg’s Monty Hall (pictured) debuted on NBC-TV; and the same network, after 25 years, cancelled ‘The Wonderful World of Disney.’ Among the obits for Dec. 30th were composer Richard Rodgers, bandleader Ralph Flanagan, and ’60/’70’s Seattle radio DJ Lan Roberts. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.

‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’ Twins Dead in Apparent Suicide

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Bill and Joe Smith, who appeared on “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” (on TLC in North America) have been found dead in the UK, according to numerous reports. They were 32.

Chuck’s Classics, featuring Jimmie Rodgers

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Jimmie Rodgers had many hits on the charts including Kisses Sweeter Than Wine in 1957

SUNDAY in Broadcast History .. Dec. 29th

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Happy Birthday to Ted Danson, Jon Voight, Dinah Christie, Patricia Clarkson and Ashleigh Banfield. Radio soap favorite ‘Young Dr. Malone’ began 4 seasons on CBS-TV; WMCA’s Good Guys became the first N.Y. radio station to play ‘The Beatles’; Jane Pauley ended her 13 years as co-host of NBC-TV’s ‘Today Show”; and Sly and the Family Stone headlined CBS-TV’s ‘Ed Sullivan Show.’ And passing away at age 77 was the ‘King of Jazz,’ Paul Whiteman (pictured). ALL the milestones for Dec. 29th INSIDE.

Lee Mendelson, guiding light of TV’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ Dead at 86

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Lee Mendelson died Wednesday at his Bay Area home in Hillsborough, Calif., of lung cancer and congestive heart failure, according to his son Jason Mendelson. The family had gathered at his home to celebrate Christmas.

Chuck’s Classics, featuring Dire Straits

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Dire Straits a British rock group formed by Mark Knopler along with his brother and a couple of others.

SATURDAY in Broadcast History .. Dec. 28th

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Happy Birthday to Dame Maggie Smith, Denzel Washington, Seth Meyers,, Nichelle Nichols and John Legend. The last episode of ‘Ding Dong School’ with Miss Frances aired on NBC-TV; trumpeter Hugh Masekela guested on CBS-TV’s ‘To Tell the Truth’; Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau gave a year’s end interview to CTV; ‘The Edge of Night’ wrapped up its 28 year run on CBS and later NBC-TV; CNN boss Ted Turner was named TIME Magazine’s Man of the Year; and Ed Bradley interviewed an emotional Michael Jackson on CBS-TV’s 60 Minutes. Dec. 28th obits include Clayton Moore (TV’s Lone Ranger), Jerry Ohrbach of ‘Law & Order,’ William Demarest (‘My Three Sons’), music men Billy Taylor and Freddie King, and singer/comedienne Kaye Stevens. ALL the milestones for the date INSIDE.