The Chronicles of Bob Greene

In 1964, the Beatles made their first live television appearance in America on The Ed Sullivan Show. The Rogues premiered on NBC, starring David Niven, Gig Young, and Charles Boyer as con men using their skills to fool wealthy people who lacked honesty, decency, and...

Oscar, Felix, Jack, and Tony

November 13th may be known as Felix Unger day, for that is the day, as stated in the opening credits of The Odd Couple, that “Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence.  That request came from his wife.  Deep down, he knew she was...

The Reign of Brandon Tartikoff

Brandon Tartikoff saw the best of times and the worst of times during his reign as the programming chief for NBC in the 1980s. The best of times:  Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Miami Vice, Cheers, St. Elsewhere, Family Ties, The Cosby Show, Hunter, Late Night with...

The Life and Times of Murphy Brown

Premiering in 1988, Murphy Brown used the setting of a television news program to propel comedy.  Candice Bergen starred in the title role of a famous network newswoman who loves Motown music, hates Barry Manilow, and struggles with a string of incompetent...

Chandler Bing, Oscar Madison, et al.

Undoubtedly, Matthew Perry’s most recognized role is Chandler Bing on Friends, the powerhouse sitcom on NBC’s Must See TV Thursday night lineup in the 1990s.  Perry has a distinguished roster of roles beyond the wisecracking Bing, who used humor as a...