1959 Television Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1959 Television Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 06 Apr Lenny Bruce's National Television Debut: Groundbreaking comedian Lenny Bruce made his national television debut as a guest on *The Steve Allen Show*, introducing his provocative and boundary-pushing comedic style to a broader American audience.
- 09 Apr Lenny Bruce's National Television Debut: Controversial comedian Lenny Bruce made his national television debut as a guest on The Steve Allen Show, beginning his journey to becoming an influential and groundbreaking stand-up comic who challenged social norms.
- 27 Apr Today Show's first international broadcast: The Today Show aired its first international broadcast on April 27, 1959, marking a significant milestone in television history. This event expanded the show's reach and influence beyond the United States. source: britannica.com
- 06 Jul WENH TV Channel 11 launches in Durham, NH: On July 6, 1959, WENH-TV, Channel 11, began broadcasting in Durham, New Hampshire, as the state's first educational television station. The inaugural program featured a half-hour dedicated to the station's founding, followed by various shows including "Louis Lyons and the News" and "The Friendly Giant." source: nhpbs.org
- 12 Sep Bonanza: First regularly-scheduled color TV program: On September 12, 1959, 'Bonanza' premiered as the first regularly-scheduled color television program. This show set a precedent for future television productions and was pivotal in the transition to color broadcasting. source: emmys.com
- 28 Sep Hennessey TV series premiere: The television series 'Hennessey' premiered on September 28, 1959. The show, which starred Jackie Cooper as a Navy doctor, was notable for its blend of comedy and drama, reflecting the era's television trends. source: imdb.com
- 29 Sep Philip Marlowe TV Series Debut: The television adaptation of Raymond Chandler's famous detective character, Philip Marlowe, premieres on ABC-TV, bringing the hard-boiled detective genre to the small screen.
- 02 Oct The Twilight Zone television premiere: The iconic anthology series 'The Twilight Zone' premiered on October 2, 1959, on CBS. Created by Rod Serling, the show became known for its unique storytelling and twist endings, influencing the science fiction and horror genres significantly. source: tvguide.com
- 06 Oct Congressional hearing on TV quiz show fraud: On October 6, 1959, a congressional hearing was held to investigate the fraud associated with television quiz shows. This event highlighted issues of ethics and integrity in broadcasting, leading to significant changes in television regulations. source: history.com
- 02 Nov Charles Van Doren quiz show scandal confession: On November 2, 1959, Charles Van Doren, a contestant on the popular television quiz show "Twenty-One," confessed to having been given answers in advance, leading to a major scandal that exposed the show's rigging. source: history.com
- 19 Nov Rocky & His Friends TV Show Premiere: The animated television series 'Rocky and His Friends' premiered on November 19, 1959, on the ABC network. The show featured the adventures of Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose, becoming a significant part of American pop culture. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Dec CBS executive fired in quiz show scandal: CBS executive James Aubrey was fired amid the quiz show scandal that revealed widespread cheating on television game shows. This scandal led to significant changes in television regulations and practices. source: nytimes.com
What happened in 1959?
Discover what the world looked like in 1959: