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Saturday, July 20, 2024

Radio History: July 21


Himan Brown
➦In 1910...Himan Brown born (Died  at age 99 – June 4, 2010). Known as Hi Brown, he was a producer of radio and television programs. Over seven decades, Brown produced more than 30,000 radio shows, including for major radio networks and syndication.

A recipient of the American Broadcast Pioneer and Peabody Awards, Brown was inducted in 1990s into the National Radio Hall of Fame.

Brown produced The Adventures of the Thin Man, The Affairs of Peter Salem, Bulldog Drummond, CBS Radio Mystery Theater, City Desk, Dick Tracy, Flash Gordon, The General Mills Radio Adventure Theater, Grand Central Station, Green Valley, USA, The Gumps, Inner Sanctum Mysteries, Joyce Jordan, M.D., Marie, the Little French Princess, The NBC Radio Theater, The Private Files of Rex Saunders, Terry and the Pirates and numerous daytime soap operas.


When television arrived, Brown produced 26 episodes of the syndicated Inner Sanctum TV series, plus a daytime show, Morning Matinee. Realizing that "all these guys making TV, they have to have a set," he profited by acquiring the studios in Chelsea; they were used for 35 years by New York TV production firms.

Through his non-profit educational foundation, Brown produced They Were Giants, radio programs dramatizing the lives of such literary figures as Walt Whitman and H. G. Wells, and We, The Living, fact-based dramas about the lives of senior citizens.

After the end of most network radio programming in the early 60’s Brown persisted with such series as the CBS Radio Mystery Theater, thereby keeping the art of radio drama alive for another generation.

➦In 1980...WMCA 570 AM, New York, hosted a reunion of The Good Guys featuring Joe O'Brien, Harry Harrison, Dan Daniels, Jack Spector and B Mitchel Reed.

In 1960, WMCA began promoting itself by stressing its on-air personalities, who were collectively known as The Good Guys. Led by program director Ruth Meyer, the first woman to hold the position in New York City radio,  this was the era of the high-profile Top 40 disc jockey with an exuberant personality aimed at a certain audience segment.

In the early 1960s, the top 40 format was still young, and the field was crowded in New York City. Two major 50,000-watt stations, WMGM 1050 (now WEPN) and 1010 WINS, had battled each other, playing pop music for years. Then in 1960, 77WABC joined the action. Ultimately, it was WMCA's earnest competition with rival WABC that forced WMGM (in early 1962) and then WINS (in spring 1965) to abandon Top 40.

➦In 2011...WRXP 101.9 FM NYC changed call letters to WEMP

➦In 2013…Page Morton died at age 97. She was a cabaret singer who married William Black, founder of the catering and coffee business Chock full o'Nuts. As Page Morton Black she was known for singing the "Heavenly Coffee" jingle on the company's radio and TV advertisements and sponsored broadcasts. When Black died in 1983, she took over his charitable work with the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.

➦In 2016…Roger Ailes stepped down as CEO/Chairman of Fox News in the wake of sexual harassment allegations made by former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson and as many as 20 other current or former female employees of the cable news network.

➦In 2016...Bill Cardille, the broadcaster known as “Chilly Billy,” who filled Pittsburgh airwaves for six decades as a newsman, television host, radio personality, actor and producer, died of pneumonia at age 87. His nickname originated from his host role on the weekly TV movie feature, “Chiller Theatre.”

Singer Yusuf Island (Cat Stevens) is 76
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:
  • Actor Leigh Lawson (“Tess”) is 81. 
  • Singer Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) is 76. 
  • Cartoonist Garry Trudeau (“Doonesbury”) is 76. 
  • Actor Jamey Sheridan (“Homeland”) is 73. 
  • Singer-guitarist Eric Bazilian of The Hooters is 71. 
  • Comedian Jon Lovitz is 67. 
  • Actor Lance Guest (“Lou Grant”) is 64. 
  • Actor Matt Mulhern (“Major Dad”) is 64. 
  • Singer Emerson Hart of Tonic is 55. 
  • Singer Fitz of Fitz and the Tantrums is 54. 
  • Actor Alysia Reiner (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 54. 
  • Country singer Paul Brandt is 52. 
  • Keyboardist Korey Cooper of Skillet is 52. 
  • Actor Ali Landry is 51. 
  • Comedian Steve Byrne (“Sullivan and Son”) is 50. 
  • Percussionist Tato Melgar of Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real is 47. 
  • Actor Justin Bartha (“The Hangover”) is 46. 
  • Actor Sprague Grayden (“Jericho,” “24”) is 46. 
  • Actor Josh Hartnett is 46. 
  • Contemporary Christian singer Brandon Heath is 46. 
  • Reggae singer Damian Marley is 46. 
  • Singer Brad Mates of Emerson Drive is 46. 
  • “American Idol” runner-up Blake Lewis is 43. 
  • Singer Romeo Santos is 43. 
  • Keyboardist Johan Carlsson of Carolina Liar is 40. 
  • Actor Vanessa Lengies (“Stick It,” ″American Dreams”) is 39. 
  • Actor Betty Gilpin (“GLOW,” “Nurse Jackie”) is 38.

✞REMEMBRANCES
  • In 1967..Basil Rathbone, South African born British actor (Sherlock Holmes), dies of a heart attack at 75
  • In 1967..Jimmie Foxx, Baseball HOF first baseman (9 x MLB All Star; World Series 1929, 30; AL MVP 1932, 33, 38; Triple Crown 1933; Philadelphia A's, Boston RS), dies after choking on food at 59
  • In 1982..Dave Garroway, American TV host (Today Show, 1951-61), dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound at 69
  • In 1998..Alan Shepard, Astronaut and 1st American in space, dies of leukemia at 74
  • In 1998..Robert Young, Actor (Father Knows Best, Marcus Welby, M.D.), dies at 91
  • In 2004..Jerry Goldsmith, Pianist and composer (The Twilight Zone; Planet Of The Apes), dies of colon cancer at 75
  • In 2010..Ralph Houk, Baseball catcher, coach, manager and executive (World Series champion 1947, 52-53, coach, 58; mgr 1961-62; NY Yankees), dies at 90
  • In 2015..Theodore Bikel, Austrian-American stage and screen singer and actor (The Sound of Music; Fiddler On The Roof; The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming; 200 Motels), folk singer (co-founder Newport Folk Festival), and political activist, dies at 91
  • In 2023..Tony Bennett. Grammy and Emmy Award-winning pop and jazz singer ("I Left My Heart in San Francisco"; "Steppin' Out With My Baby"), and painter, dies at 96

‘An Absolute Miracle’: Trump’s White House Doctor Releases Update


Republican Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, Donald Trump’s White House doctor, released a medical update on the former president Saturday, one week after the former president was nearly assassinated during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet just minutes into his remarks, having turned his head at a critical moment to look at a chart detailing rates of illegal immigration.

The Daily Caller reports Dr. Jackson wrote that Trump is “doing well” since the shooting in a letter addressed to “concerned citizens of the United States” on X (formerly Twitter).

“I have been with President Trump since that time, and I have evaluated and treated his wound daily. He is doing well,” Jackson wrote. “As reported and witnessed by the entire world, he sustained a gunshot wound to right ear from a high-powered rifle used by the would be assassin.”

Trump still suffers “intermittent bleeding” which requires “dressing to be in place,” according to Jackson. The GOP nominee was seen wearing a white bandage over his ear since his first public appearance Monday at the Republican National Convention (RNC). Supporters of the former president have since been observed wearing similar bandages as accessories in a show of solidarity.

Jackson revealed the bullet “came less than a quarter of an inch” from entering Trump’s head, producing a “2 cm wide wound that extended down the cartilaginous surface of the ear.”

Jacksin said there was “initially significant bleeding” which resulted in “marked swelling” of Trump’s “entire upper ear.”

FNC: Trump’s Speech Delivered 10.3M Viewers


FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the Republican National Convention (RNC) for the fourth consecutive night, leading all of television and making history as the most watched cable news network for convention coverage, according to Nielsen data. 

Featuring presidential candidate former President Donald Trump’s speech from 10:30 PM/ET– 12AM/ET, FOX News Media attracted over 10.3 million viewers and over 2.1 million in the 25-54 demo, with FOX Business Network’s (FBN) simulcast, crushing the competition throughout broadcast and cable. 

This marked the highest program of the year, outpacing the CNN presidential debate on June 27th. From 10PM-12:30AM/ET, FOX News Democracy 2024: The Republican National Convention co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, notched 9.2 million total viewers and 1.8 million 25-54 and an 367% and 188% advantage over CNN and a 676% and 1040% advantage over MSNBC during the timeslot. 


At 10PM/ET, FOX News Media (FNC & FBN) again broke records with the highest-rated convention coverage since 1992, averaging 11 million viewers and 2.2 million in A25-54. Wrapping up the night, late-night show Gutfeld!, which aired in front of a live audience in Milwaukee from 12:30 – 1:30 AM/ET, drew 3.1 million viewers and 623,000 in the 25-54 demo, the programs highest-rated show yet.

Dominant throughout primetime every night, the network’s programming delivered 9.4 million P2+ and 1.7 million in the 25-54 demo on Thursday, with FOX Business Network’s combined simulcast. (FNC: 8.8 million P2+ and 1.6 million A25-54.) In total day (3-3 AM/ET), the network notched over 3.5 million viewers and 560,000 in the 25-54 demo, growing double-digits across all categories versus the previous night. 

FNC’s signature lineup crushed every hour among the competition: 
  • The Ingraham Angle at 7 PM/ET (4.9 million P2+ and 688,000 A25-54)
  • Jesse Watters Primetime at 8 PM/ET secured 7.3 million viewers and 1.2 million in the 25-54 demo. 
  • At 9 PM/ET, Hannity delivered 8.7 million viewers and 1.6 million in the 25-54 demo, beating the competition with triple-digit percentages and finished as number one program of the night throughout the week. 
  • In the lead up to primetime, FNC’s powerhouse program and the year’s most-watched show in all of cable news, The Five, delivered 4.4 million viewers and 453,000 in the 25-54 demo, followed by Special Report with Bret Baier which saw 4 million viewers and 474,000 in the 25-54 demo.
FNC finished the RNC with 6.7 million viewers and 1.1 million in the 25-54 demo, during Monday through Thursday primetime (8-11 PM/ET). The total day average for FNC saw nearly 3 million and 459,000 in the 25-54 demo, a double-digit increase across the board versus the 2016 RNC. In contrast, the competition failed to draw a significant audience, experiencing a massive drop off from 2016, as FNC occupied 75% of the entire cable news primetime audience. In comparison, CNN drew 1.2 million P2+ and 349,000 A25-5 in primetime and 555,000 and 142,000 A25-54 throughout total day, dropping 67% and 67%, respectively in primetime and down 59% and 66% in total day. On MSNBC, the network also dwindled in viewership, drawing only 1.1 million and 143,000 in primetime and 702,000 and 83,000 A25-54 throughout total day throughout the four-night period. MSNBC lost 40% and 72% of its primetime audience and 26% and 66% in total day.

10:00- 12:30 AM/ET
  • FNC – 9,208,000 P2+; 1,801,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 1,973,000 P2+; 625,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,187,000 P2+; 158,000 A25-54
  • ABC – 2,790,000 P2+, 733,000 A25-54
  • CBS – 1,908,000 P2+, 523,000 A25-54
  • NBC – 3,889,000 P2+, 900,000 A25-54

9-10 PM/ET
  • FNC – 8,651,000 P2+; 1,552,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 1,719,000 P2+; 537,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,306,000 P2+; 158,000 A25-54
10-11 PM/ET

  • FNC –10,417,000 P2+; 2,021,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 2,204,000 P2+; 687,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,274,000 P2+; 159,000 A25-54
  • FBN – 597,000 P2+, 147,000 A25-54
8-11 PM/ET
  • FNC –8,806,000 P2+; 1,580,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 1,672,000 P2+; 502,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,205,000 P2+; 153,000 A25-54
  • FBN- 558,000 P2+, 126,000 A25-54
  • ABC – 2,764,000 P2+, 596,000 A25-54
  • CBS – 2,137,000 P2+, 566,000 A25-54
  • NBC – 3,078,000 P2+, 665,000 A25-54

Tech Outage Causes Chaos and Confusion


Airlines grounded flights. Operators of 911 lines could not respond to emergencies. Hospitals canceled surgeries. Retailers closed for the day. And the actions all traced back to a batch of bad computer code.

The NYTimes reports a flawed software update sent out by a little-known cybersecurity company caused chaos and disruption around the world on Friday. The company, CrowdStrike, based in Austin, Texas, makes software used by multinational corporations, government agencies and scores of other organizations to protect against hackers and online intruders.

But when CrowdStrike sent its update on Thursday to its customers that run Microsoft Windows software, computers began to crash.

The fallout, which was immediate and inescapable, highlighted the brittleness of global technology infrastructure. The world has become reliant on Microsoft and a handful of cybersecurity firms like CrowdStrike. So when a single flawed piece of software is released over the internet, it can almost instantly damage countless companies and organizations that depend on the technology as part of everyday business.

A cyberattack did not cause the widespread outage, but the effects on Friday showed how devastating the damage can be when a main artery of the global technology system is disrupted. It raised broader questions about CrowdStrike’s testing processes and what repercussions such software firms should face when flaws in their code cause major disruptions.

While outages are common, often caused by technical errors or cyberattacks, the scale of what unfolded on Friday was unparalleled.  “This is historic,” said Mikko Hypponen, the chief research officer at WithSecure, a cybersecurity company. “We haven’t had an incident like this.

George Kurtz, CrowdStrike’s chief executive, said that the company took responsibility for the mistake and that a software fix had been released. He warned that it could be some time before tech systems returned to normal.

“We’re deeply sorry for the impact that we’ve caused to customers, to travelers, to anyone affected by this,” he said in an interview on Friday on NBC’s “Today” show.

For Some, Normalcy May Take Weeks


A global tech outage knocked out operations for schools, media companies and emergency services and forced airlines to ground flights.

One update from CrowdStrike, a major provider of cybersecurity software to companies, caused the problems for millions of Microsoft users while laying bare how fragile and interdependent global digital technology is. Windows computers and tablets crashed, touching almost every industry from air travel to government entities to hospitals. The outage touched almost every industry. Multiple financial institutions, government entities and corporations reported tech issues. Some hospitals and school districts said computers were down, and courthouses around the U.S. either closed or delayed trial proceedings. Still, financial markets were largely operating as normal, and many companies said systems were starting to be restored.

That one update from a single provider could plunge so many companies—from airlines’ check-in desks to consultants’ conference rooms—into a digital dark age serves as a fresh warning of the world’s technological dependence. While past outages, like a Google failure in 2020, have also locked millions out of tools they need, companies’ and individuals’ increasing reliance on automated tools powered by artificial intelligence makes each new disruption feel more ominous.

Friday’s outage also highlights the tension in relying heavily on centralized tools like those offered by CrowdStrike. On one hand, the fact that so many companies use the tools help make them more effective at detecting and blocking the latest attacks. But it also shows how one bug in one update can just as easily grind parts of the global economy to a halt. 

Tech issues

George Kurtz
CrowdStrike Chief Executive George Kurtz said in a post on X that the issue had been identified and a fix had been deployed, adding that “this is not a security incident or cyberattack.”

One of CrowdStrike’s main services is called Falcon, which monitors a company’s machines for hacking attempts, viruses and other threats. The Austin-based company has about 29,000 customers and went public in 2019.

CrowdStrike told customers in a status update seen by The Wall Street Journal that the problem was with a software change it had pushed via Falcon out to clients’ computers. The company said its engineers had undone the change but clients would need to use a workaround to download a fix to affected computers.

Some affected users may be back up and running soon, but for others it could take weeks depending on the system in use, said Simo Kohonen, founder of Finland-based network security company Defused. “The fix CrowdStrike has given is quite manual and may be difficult, in some cases, to deploy at large scale,” he said.

Nielsen Says It Is 'Fully Operational'


Friday's global tech outage, caused by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike for Microsoft Windows operating systems, has indeed had widespread effects. 

Nielsen has confirmed that their systems are now fully operational. CrowdStrike’s CEO mentioned that a fix has been deployed, and Microsoft stated that the underlying cause has been addressed.

Nielsen issued a statement informing you that it was impacted.

"We have been working through the night to assess and address the impact to our servers and are prioritizing the restoration of client production servers.

We have recovered a majority of the impacted servers and will provide an update on the scope of the impact and timeline for resolution as soon as possible."

MLB On Radio: Ratings ‘Incredibly Strong,’


According to Nielsen’s Senior VP John Snyder, radio listenership for Major League Baseball (MLB) is performing exceptionally well. The latest data shows that the 29 U.S. teams in Portable People Meter (PPM) markets collectively average an 8.9 share among Persons 6+1. Additionally, 59% of stations have over a 5 share, and more than 40% of teams boast a double-digit share.

Snyder highlighted that some teams are moving their game start times earlier, which seems to be boosting radio listenership. This strategy is particularly effective in smaller markets where traffic isn’t a major issue.

More Takeaways:

It pays to be a winner: According to Nielsen, the top 5 teams based on P 6+ share are 59 games over .500, while the top 10 teams are 97 games over .500. Meanwhile, the bottom five teams based on P6+ share are 112 games under .500.

Top teams for cume: Philadelphia, first place in the National League East with a soaring 62-34 start, and the New York Yankees are the only teams averaging more than 100,000.

P6+ Cume Persons: Phillies (141,100); Yankees (101,000); Tigers (98,300); San Francisco Giants (81,400); Los Angeles Dodgers (78,500).

FOX News Digital Leads CNN with Multiplatform Unique Visitors


FOX News Digital finished the second quarter 2024 leading all news brands with multiplatform views and minutes, according to Comscore. 

This marked the 13th consecutive quarter FOX News Digital has been number one with multiplatform minutes and the eighth consecutive quarter it has led with multiplatform views. FOX News Digital closed out the second quarter reaching 9.2 billion total multiplatform minutes, 4.8 billion multiplatform views, and an average of 104 million monthly total digital multiplatform unique visitors.* 

The FOX News Mobile app averaged 5.7 million unique visitors in the second quarter, leading CNN’s mobile app which averaged 4.4 million unique visitors.**In June, FOX News Digital was the top news brand with both multiplatform views and minutes, marking 40 consecutive months as the leader in multiplatform minutes.* During the month, FOX News Digital posted 3 billion multiplatform minutes, 1.6 billion multiplatform views and nearly 108 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors.*** Notably, FOX News Digital led CNN with total digital multiplatform unique visitors for the first time since February. FOX News Digital also led news brands with average views per visit in June, averaging 2.8 views per visit.

FOX News remained the most engaged brand on social media in the competitive set in the second quarter with 77.6 million total social interactions, notching the 41st consecutive quarter FOX News has placed on top, according to Emplifi. 

FOX News drove 24.2 million interactions on Facebook (up 39% year-over-year), 47.8 million Instagram interactions and 5.6 million X interactions for the quarter. On YouTube, FOX News secured 507.8 million according to Shareablee.

FOXBusiness.com notched 514 million multiplatform views, surpassing CNN Business for the ninth consecutive quarter. Additionally, the business network delivered 718 million multiplatform minutes and averaged 24.5 million total digital multiplatform unique visitors during the second quarter, seeing 4% year-over-year growth with unique visitors.****

FOX Business’ videos on YouTube remained the most viewed among the business news competitive set for the 21st straight quarter, driving 168.3 million views, according to Shareablee.****

SECOND QUARTER 2024 FOX NEWS DIGITAL VS. CNN.COM AND NYTIMES.COM

Multi-Platform Total Views
  • FOX News Digital – 4,823,000,000 (up 1% vs. 2Q 2023)
  • CNN.com – 3,398,000,000 (down 4% vs. 2Q 2023)
  • NYTimes.com – 4,621,000,000 (up 27% vs. 2Q 2023)
Multi-Platform Total Minutes
  • FOX News Digital – 9,199,000,000 (down 2% vs. 2Q 2023)
  • CNN.com – 5,466,000,000 (flat vs. 2Q 2023)
  • NYTimes.com – 4,867,000,000 (up 33% vs. 2Q 2023)
Avg. Monthly Total Digital Multi-Platform Unique Visitors
  • FOX News Digital – 104,291,000 (up 10% vs. 2Q 2023)
  • CNN.com – 105,877,000 (down 12% vs. 2Q 2023)
  • NYTimes.com – 75,790,000 (down 3% vs. 2Q 2023)

Peacock To Make Olympian Price Hike

NBC’s Peacock streaming service implemented a major price hike for new subscribers this week — days before the hotly anticipated 2024 Summer Olympics are set to begin, reports The NY Post.

On Thursday, the Comcast-owned streamer began charging new subscribers $7.99 for Peacock’s standard ad-supported tier, called “Premium.” That’s a 33% increase compared to its old price of $5.99 per month. The “Premium” tier’s annual cost jumped $20 to $79.99, up from $59.99.

The ad-free “Premium Plus” plan is even more expensive, with an updated price tag of $13.99 per month. Before the hike took effect, it cost $11.99 per month. The annual cost also increased $20 to $139.99 per year, up from $119.99 per year.

For existing Peacock subscribers, the price increase will take effect a bit later – on or after Aug. 19, depending on their next billing date.

NBC announced the pricing changes last April. It marked the second time in the last two years that the network has raised subscription prices for Peacock.

The network’s exclusive coverage of the 2024 Olympics in Paris begins on July 26 and runs through mid-August – with many events streaming on Peacock.

CBS To Air Bob Newhart Special Monday

CBS has announced a new ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT special, BOB NEWHART: A LEGACY OF LAUGHTER, to air Monday, July 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs)*.

Hosted by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT’s Nischelle Turner, this one-hour tribute honors the late comedian with a look back at his 70-year career, featuring never-before-seen interviews, and his final interview from his home in Los Angeles. 

The special takes an in-depth look at his journey from accountant to comedian to Hollywood icon, with rare behind-the-scenes footage of Bob on the set of his sitcoms and feature films, from the ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT vault. Included are new and archival interviews with some of Bob’s closest friends and co-stars, including Jim Parsons, Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Jason Bateman and Michael Weatherly. The show takes an intimate look inside Bob’s personal life and his marriage to the love of his life, Ginnie, with newly revealed stories about how he changed American culture through comedy.

Newhart was known for his deadpan and stammering delivery style. Beginning as a stand-up comedian, he transitioned his career to acting in television. He received numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2002.

He came to prominence in 1960 when his record album of comedic monologues, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, became a bestseller and reached number one on the Billboard pop album chart; it remains the 20th-best-selling comedy album in history. The follow-up album, The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back! was also a success, and the two albums held the Billboard number one and number two spots simultaneously.

Newhart starred as Chicago psychologist Robert Hartley on the CBS television series THE BOB NEWHART SHOW from1972 to 1978, and then as Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon on NEWHART from 1982 to 1990, also on the Network. 

He had two other sitcoms on CBS in the 1990s, BOB and GEORGE AND LEO. Bob acted in feature films including “Catch-22” (1970), “Cold Turkey” (1971), “In and Out” (1997), and “Elf” (2003). He also voiced Bernard in the animated films “The Rescuers”  (1977) and “The Rescuers Down Under” (1990). Bob played the recurring role of Professor Proton on the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” from 2013 to 2018, for which he received his first Primetime Emmy Award.

*Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on-demand in the United States. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs in the U.S. only.

Radio History: July 20


Loomis in 1865
➦In 1872
...Mahlon Loomis was awarded a patent for wireless technology heralding the beginning of radio. Loomis was the first wireless telegrapher.

In the mid-1800s it had been well established that the Earth was surrounded by a significant electrical field, and Loomis felt passionately that this was an overlooked resource of vast potential, both for generating electrical power, and as a conduit that would support worldwide wireless communication.

Loomis was also a dentist, the inventor of artificial teeth (patent #10,847 May 2, 1854), and the earliest inventor of wireless communication (patent #129,971).

He was born July 26, 1826 in Oppenheim, New York and died, October 13, 1886 in Terra Alta, West Virginia.

Verna Felton
➦In 1890...Character actor Verna Felton born in Salinas, CA  (Died from a stroke – December 14, 1966). She was best known for providing many voices in numerous Disney animated films, as well as voicing Fred Flintstone's mother-in-law Pearl Slaghoople in Hanna-Barbera's The Flintstones (1962–1963).

She also had roles in live-action films; however, she was most active in radio programs. She was known for her husky voice and no-nonsense attitude. Two of her most famous roles were as Dennis Day's mother Mrs. Day on The Jack Benny Program (1939–1962) and as Hilda Crocker on the CBS sitcom December Bride (1952–1959).

Felton worked extensively in the 1930s and '50s in Hollywood radio, notably playing The Mom in The Cinnamon Bear, Junior the Mean Widdle Kid's grandmother on Red Skelton's radio series, Hattie Hirsch on Point Sublime, and Dennis Day's protective, domineering, and authoritative mother, Mrs Day, who was always looking out for him while trying to boss around Jack Benny on The Jack Benny Program. In addition, she performed on radio as a regular on The Abbott and Costello Show and The Great Gildersleeve.

➦In 1935…The crime drama G-Men debuted on NBC Radio. It was renamed Gang Busters in January 1936 and moved to CBS Radio. The series ran for 21 years.

➦In 1937…Guglielmo Marconi died in Rome on 20 July 1937 at age 63, following a series of heart attacks, and Italy held a state funeral for him.  As a tribute, all radio stations throughout the world observed two minutes of silence on the next day.


When Marconi made his famous first transatlantic radio transmission in 1901, rival inventor Nikola Tesla claimed that it was done with 17 Tesla patents. Thus began years of patent battles over radio with Tesla's patents being upheld in 1903, followed by a reverse decision in favor of Marconi in 1904.

In June 1943, the United States Supreme Court restored patent rights to Tesla, saying their decision had no bearing on Marconi's claim as the first to achieve radio transmission, just that because Marconi's claim to certain patents was questionable, he could not claim infringement on those same patents.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Evan Gershkovich Sentenced to 16 Years


Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter falsely accused by Russian authorities of spying, was sentenced to 16 years in a high-security penal colony, after a hurried, secret trial that the U.S. government has condemned as a sham.

WSJ reports the court’s verdict—after three days of hearings—was widely viewed as a foregone conclusion, since acquittals in Russian espionage trials are exceedingly rare. Gershkovich was afforded few of the protections normally accorded to defendants in the U.S. and other Western countries.

Russian authorities have produced no public evidence to support their allegations, which Gershkovich, the Journal and the U.S. government have vehemently and repeatedly denied. A court spokeswoman said that Gershkovich “did not admit guilt” during Friday’s proceedings.

“This fake, sham legal process that we are seeing play out has no bearing on the urgency that we have placed on seeking a release of Evan’s detention and seeking a release for Paul Whelan as well. And we’ll continue to work that process tirelessly,” Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the State Department, said Thursday.


Gershkovich, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen, has been imprisoned since March of last year, when he was detained by the country’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, while on a reporting assignment in Yekaterinburg, around 900 miles east of Moscow.

Trump Recounts Rally Shooting: "I'm Not Supposed To Be Here"


Former President Donald Trump recounted the assassination attempt that nearly killed him during his Republican National Convention acceptance speech in Milwaukee on Thursday night.

“I’m not supposed to be here tonight,” said a somber Trump, with a bandage covering his right ear, which was nicked by a bullet. “As you already know, the assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life.”

“I stand before you by the grace of almighty God,” Trump said before approaching and kissing the fire chief’s helmet of Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the shooting by Thomas Crooks in Butler Township, Pennsylvania, during a campaign rally Saturday.

“As Americans, we are bound together by a single fate and a shared destiny. We rise together. Or we fall apart,” said Trump on the eve of the eighth anniversary of his first nomination for the presidency.

“Despite such a heinous attack, we unite this evening more determined than ever. Our resolve is unbroken, and our purpose is unchanged — to deliver a government that serves the American people,” Trump said.


Trump also expressed his “gratitude to the American people for your outpouring of love and support following the assassination attempt.”

Biden's Reelection Campaign Is Toast


 Joe Scarborough, the former congressman, ally of President Biden and influential host of the MSNBC show “Morning Joe,” on Thursday morning all but called on Mr. Biden’s aides to help him exit the race, reports The NYTimes.

Scarborough has been blunt that the president’s debate performance against former President Donald J. Trump on June 27 was calamitous but has also interviewed Mr. Biden since and was sympathetic to him in the days following the debate. On Thursday, the host cited polling for the president that has taken a massive slide and fund-raising that has disappeared.

He did not lay the blame at Mr. Biden’s feet, but instead at what he described as a “bubble” of people around the president who were shielding him.

The host’s remarks came after a day of cascading events, including reports that Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, and Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, had both spoken to Mr. Biden and warned that his re-election chances were becoming dire, and that Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former speaker, had bluntly told the president that Democratic candidates were likely to lose down-ballot races. On the same day, California Senate candidate and Pelosi ally Adam Schiff publicly called on Mr. Biden to leave the race.

FNC Grabs More Than Three Quarters of the Primetime Audience


FOX News Channel (FNC) for the third consecutive night, trounced all of television for coverage of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Wednesday, July 17th, according to data from Nielsen Media Research. 

Occupying 76% of the primetime viewers, FNC remains the only network to grow its audience each night in primetime versus its 2016 RNC average. In contrast, the competition on CNN and MSNBC continued to dwindle, with CNN failing to reach 1 million viewers and shedding double-digits of their audience compared to the 2016 RNC. (CNN: -62% in total day and -67% in primetime) and (MSNBC: -26% in total day and -37% in primetime.)

For the three-day average of the RNC thus far, FNC has delivered 6 million viewers, a double-digit increase from 2016 and 2.8 million viewers in total day, also growing 23% in viewership. In primetime, CNN has averaged only 975,000 viewers and 524,000 in total day, losing 69% and 59% of its audience, respectively. MSNBC drew 684,000 viewers in total day, a 24% decline versus 2016 and 1.1 million in primetime, a 36% drop off.

FNC’s special coverage FOX News Democracy 2024: The Republican National Convention co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum (10 – 11:30 PM/ET) which featured vice-presidential candidate JD Vance’s speech averaged over 7 million viewers and 1,252,000 in A25-54, notching a 474% total viewer and 250% 25-54 demo advantage over CNN and a 638% and 776% advantage over MSNBC from 10:45-11:30 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity delivered 6.2 million viewers and 982,000 in the 25-54 demo, beating the competition with triple-digit percentages and again finishing as the most-watched program of the night.

Originating from Milwaukee, Wisconsin the network’s programming delivered 6.4 million in primetime (8-11 PM/ET) and 994,000 in the 25-54 demo. In total day (3-3 AM/ET), the network notched over 2.8 million viewers and 402,000 in the 25-54 demo. Throughout primetime, FNC’s signature lineup crushed every hour among the competition, leading with The Ingraham Angle at 7 PM/ET (4.2 million P2+ and 567,000 A25-54) and Jesse Watters Primetime at 8 PM/ET secured nearly 6 million viewers and 795,000 in the 25-54 demo. Late-night show Gutfeld!, which aired in front of a live audience in Milwaukee from 11:30 PM/ET – 12:30 AM/ET, drew 3.3 million viewers and 631,000 in the 25-54 demo.

At 5 PM/ET, FNC’s powerhouse program and the year’s most-watched show in all of cable news, The Five, delivered 4.4 million viewers and 442,000 in the 25-54 demo. Following the hour, Special Report with Bret Baier had 3.6 million viewers and 457,000 in the 25-54 demo.

8-11 PM/ET
  • FNC –6,365,000 P2+; 994,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 998,000 P2+; 293,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,034,000 P2+; 139,000 A25-54
9-10 PM/ET

  • FNC – 6,199,000 P2+; 982,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 1,059,000 P2+; 308,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,206,000 P2+; 158,000 A25-54
10-11:30 PM/ET
  • FNC – 6,886,000 P2+; 1,204,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 1,224,000 P2+; 363,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 1,029,000 P2+; 141,000 A25-54
  • ABC – 1,937,000 P2+, 479,000 A25-54
  • CBS – 1,575,000 P2+, 332,000 A25-54
  • NBC – 2,695,000 P2+, 505,000 A25-54
11:30PM- 12:30AM/ET
  • FNC – 3,279,000 P2+; 631,000 A25-54
  • CNN – 711,000 P2+; 205,000 A25-54
  • MSNBC – 742,000 P2+; 92,000 A25-54

Pittsburgh Radio: Rob King New Radio Voice for NFL Steelers

Rob King

Rob King will take over as radio play-by-play broadcaster of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced via media partner iHeartMedia on Thursday. King succeeds longtime voice of the team Bill Hillgrove.

King, who will team with returning color analyst Craig Wolfley in the booth, has been working in the Pittsburgh market for almost a quarter century and spent the past 10 seasons as part of the Steelers Radio Network’s pregame show.

“I am humbled,” King said during a Thursday morning appearance announcing the hire on the Steelers’ flagship station, WDVE 102.5 FM. “It’s sort of a humbling moment in your career when that happens. I am grateful to Art Rooney II and the Pittsburgh Steelers for giving me this opportunity.

“There’s the old Muhammad Ali saying, before a fight he told his opponent, ‘If you ever even dream of beating me, you better wake up.’ To me, to even dream about something like that almost felt too big. You think about it, you dream about it — and when it comes, it’s humbling and it’s exciting.”

In February, Hillgrove announced he was stepping down after 30 seasons of Steelers play-by-play duties. The 83-year-old remains on Pitt broadcasts.

“Rob has done a great job in his 25-year career in the Pittsburgh market and is very respected among his peers in the business,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “We are excited for Steelers Nation to hear his unique perspective and excitement of making our fans feel they are in the stadium witnessing the action on the field. He has big shoes to fill with the legendary broadcasters that have come before him, but we are thrilled to have Rob step into his new role to bring Steelers football to our fans across the world.”

Nashville Radio: Woody and Jim Are Back


Woody Wood and Jim Chandler are making a comeback to Nashville radio.

After being let go from their long-time home at 107.5 The River (WRVW) in May, they are now set to return on a new station, 93.3 Totally Hits Nashville (WQZQ), starting July 22. Cromwell Media has hired them to bring their popular morning show back to the airwaves, and they will be on weekdays from 5-10a.

Market GM Shawn Fort added, “We are beyond excited to have Woody & Jim join our team. Their ability to not only entertain but connect and give back to the community perfectly aligns with our motto at Cromwell Media of ‘making a difference where you are.’ After our first meeting with them we knew we had to make this happen. Woody & Jim are back, and they found the perfect home.”

Crate “Atticus” Morat, the Director of Music Programming at Cromwell Media Nashville, is enthusiastic about the return of Woody and Jim to the airwaves. Their chemistry and connection with the community are highly valued, and they are eager to bring their energy and fun back to Nashville radio1.

Woody and Jim also expressed their excitement about reconnecting with their listeners and making mornings enjoyable again. 

SiriusXM Inks New Multi-Year Agreement with SmartLess Media


SiriusXM has announced a new, multi-year agreement with SmartLess Media and its founders, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, that will bring certain exclusive advertising and distribution rights, content, events, and more for their iconic flagship podcast “SmartLess” and select shows from the SmartLess Media slate to the audio entertainment company and its industry-leading SiriusXM Podcast Network. The deal will commence late in the summer.

As part of the new agreement, SiriusXM gains access to extensive exclusive content for its subscribers, consisting of early access to new episodes of “SmartLess” and SmartLess Media podcasts “Just Jack & Will,” “Bad Dates,” and “Owned,” as well as the opportunity to be in the live audience for special tapings, and more. Additionally, the majority of the “SmartLess” library will be available exclusively to SiriusXM, making it the only destination for fans to access the podcast’s complete catalog.

The award-winning “SmartLess” podcast was launched in July 2020 and is consistently among the top 5 most listened-to podcasts monthly. Guests have included President Joe Biden, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Greta Gerwig, Idris Elba, Pedro Pascal, Selena Gomez, and many more. “SmartLess” is produced by Michael Grant Terry, Bennett Barbakow, and Rob Amjärv.

SiriusXM Media, the company’s advertising division, gains exclusive global ad sales rights to the “SmartLess” podcast hosted by Arnett, Bateman, and Hayes, as well as select SmartLess Media shows “Just Jack & Will,” “Bad Dates,” and “Owned.” The SiriusXM Podcast Network reaches 1 in 2 podcast listeners in the US each month, and with the addition of these SmartLess Media podcasts, it will be easier than ever for advertisers to tap into the power of podcasting at scale with ease, courtesy of SiriusXM Media.

“At SiriusXM, we are proud to be home to the stars, and with Jason, Sean, and Will joining us, that statement has never been more true. Over the past several years, we have doubled down on our commitment to podcasting, and with the addition of “SmartLess,” we are strengthening our leadership position in podcasting,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM. “This groundbreaking new collaboration showcases our power to drive growth for an established podcast while bringing unique value back to our subscribers through exclusive content and events. I’m looking forward to new “SmartLess” listeners discovering this one-of-a-kind trio’s inimitable style on SiriusXM, and for current fans to see what magic happens when we team up together.”

Podcasts play a central role in the new SiriusXM app, which features transcription, playback speed adjustment, key moment markers, auto downloads, and an expanded library, with more to come in future releases. With discovery at the heart of the listening experience, SiriusXM offers a new platform for “SmartLess” to engage and connect with fans.

Kinsgton ON Radio: Corus Blows Out Radio Staff


The local Kingston voices on the airwaves for Corus Entertainment went silent suddenly on Thursday, with all local radio personalities laid off and changes to Global TV Kingston forthcoming as well.

On Thursday afternoon, the regular daily radio shows featuring local jocks were notably absent from the Fresh Radio and Big FM websites. Its daily radio shows featured the likes of Sideshow, Monica and Jesse, as well as shows featuring Bill Welychka, Care and Derek Bolduc.

The Whig-Standard reports that along with cutting all of its on-air talent on both radio stations, Corus also made deep cuts to its Global TV Kingston staff, though an exact number wasn’t clear by Thursday afternoon.

In a statement released by a Corus Entertainment spokesperson late Thursday, the company confirmed it made cuts to staff, without confirming how many, but said it plans to keep the stations active in the market.

“As part of our efficiency review process across Corus, we have made some difficult but necessary changes to create a more sustainable future for the company,” the statement read. “As a result, certain roles have been impacted across our news and audio business.

“On the audio side, BIG 96.3 and Fresh 104.3 will remain in Kingston, and the stations will utilize voice tracking to continue to produce local content made for and reflecting Kingston. In the news division, we have reimagined our broadcast schedule in Kingston, Peterborough, and Kelowna with a focus on supper hour and late-night news programming. Additionally, our local online team will now operate under a new model to better support local breaking news.

All staff were informed of the cuts on Thursday morning, the Whig has learned, with many staff sent home Thursday.

The company reported a significant net loss of $769.9 million CAD, with revenue dropping to $331.8 million CAD from $397.3 million CAD in Q3 20231. Radio revenues fell by 9.9% year-over-year to $23.6 million CAD, and television revenue saw a substantial 17% decline from $371.2 million CAD to $308.2 million CAD.

The company is facing a challenging advertising environment, which has heavily impacted its financial performance. In response, Corus is implementing cost-cutting measures, including a 25% workforce reduction and cuts to radio and TV channels2. These steps are part of a broader strategy to right-size the business and improve profitability.

With 500 cuts made earlier this year across the company, it now intends to cut 300 more positions by the end of August.

Tampa Radio: iHM Launches 'The Beat" On The Suncoast


iHeartMedia West Central Florida has announced the debut of 106.5/102.9 The Beat, The Suncoast’s Throwback Station.

106.5/102.9 The Beat will broadcast a mix of classic Hip Hop and R&B throwbacks with songs from artists including Eminem, 50 Cent, 2Pac, Mariah Carey, Nelly and more. The station will be anchored by one of Tampa Bay’s most beloved personalities, Anjali “Queen B” McGuire.

“We are excited to launch this fresh brand which is dedicated to curating over 25 years of iconic music for the Suncoast which encompasses the Tampa and Sarasota markets,” said Tommy Chuck, SVP/Programming. “106.5/102.9 The Beat offers a fun playlist that will resonate with a diverse group of listeners across many generations.”

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of this exceptional new brand,” said Chris Soechtig, Division President. “106.5/102.9 The Beat is poised to offer a playlist that’s as diverse as it is vibrant, providing the perfect backdrop for listeners and a prime platform for advertisers seeking to forge meaningful connections with the Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton and Sarasota communities.”

Spanish language programming previously aired on 106.5/102.9 is now available at 95.7 FM.

Tampa Radio: Rumba 95.7 FM Moves To Full Signal


iHeartMedia Tampa Bay has announced the debut of Rumba 95.7, # 1 Para Hits Y Variedad. 

Rumba 95.7 will air high energy contemporary top 40 hits from the most popular genres in Latin music today, such as Reggaetón, Urban Pop, Bachata, Salsa and more. The brand, established in 2015, was previously found at 106.5-FM.

“Rumba 95.7 will feature a special mix of music tailored specifically to the local Latino community in Tampa Bay,” said P.J. Gonzalez, Senior VP of Programming for iHeartLatino. “We’re also excited to have Enrique Santos hosting our morning show on a far superior signal, ensuring that his unique content reaches even more listeners.”

“We are thrilled to expand coverage of Rumba 95.7 on a massive 100,000-Watt signal, in addition to being available across multiple platforms via the iHeartRadio app, dedicated to serving and celebrating the vibrant Latino community in Tampa Bay,” said Chris Soechtig, Division President. “This station will provide a platform for diverse voices, culture and music, and we are excited to foster stronger connections within our community.”

“I’m thrilled to provide our listeners with our brand Rumba and to become the largest Spanish-language station with the strongest signal in all of Tampa Bay,” said Super Martinez, Program Director.

“Sunday Night Slow Jams” Reaches 30-Year Milestone


“Sunday Night Slow Jams,” the #1 weekend radio show in America, is celebrating 30 big years!

R Dub!, Creator, Producer and Host, “Sunday Night Slow Jams,” first aired the show on July 17, 1994 – when he was just 16 years old – at a tiny AM station in the middle of the Tucson, AZ, desert. Today, “Sunday Night Slow Jams” is heard on over 200 radio stations in 14 countries and currently reaches over three million listeners per week. 

The program is also available in a weeknight version which airs Monday through Thursday from 10PM-12M. “Sunday Night Slow Jams” is available to a wide variety of formats in multiple versions for Top 40, Hot AC, Urban, Urban AC, Rhythmic/Hip-Hop, and Classic Hip-Hop stations.

For more information visit slowjams.com

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero presented an official proclamation from the City of Tucson on June 21st honoring “Sunday Night Slow Jams,” the successful internationally syndicated radio show created in Tucson by on-air host and producer R Dub!. Mayor Romero officially proclaimed the day as “Slow Jams Day” in the City of Tucson. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also presented an official proclamation in June from the City of San Diego in honor of the show’s 30th Anniversary.

In the run-up to the 30th Anniversary, the program and its Tucson affiliate, KSZR (97.5 The Vibe), presented the “Sunday Night Slow Jams” 30th Anniversary Party and Concert on Friday, June 21st, at Desert Diamond Casino. R Dub! hosted the live event and concert, which featured live performances by musical guests Hi-Five and 112. The party included a 90-minute hang session with R Dub!, who took photos with listeners and told stories on stage recapping the last 30 years of Slow Jams.

AK-HI Radio; Kim Williams Named Area President For iHM


Kim Williams has been appointed as the new Area President for iHeartMedia’s Alaska and Hawaii markets, effective October 1, following the retirement of Andy Lohman. 

Kim Williams
She will oversee more than 17 stations across Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Honolulu12. Williams has a strong background in the industry, having served as Market President for Fairbanks and held roles such as Account Executive for Pacific Star AM/FM and Sales Manager for Clear Channel Communications in Anchorage.

Williams expressed her excitement about the new role, highlighting the diversity and beauty of Alaska and Hawaii, and her eagerness to work with the teams in these markets. Division President Dan Lankford also praised her passion and experience.

"I have had the privilege of working with Kim over the past four years while she served as Market President for Fairbanks. I'm excited to see Kim's passion and experience expand to all of the iHeartMedia stations across the entire Alaska and Hawaii area," said iHeartMedia Division President Dan Lankford.

"I am grateful to iHeart and thrilled for the opportunity to work with these incredible markets. Alaska and Hawaii are two of the most diverse, extreme, and beautiful states. I'm incredibly proud to learn from and contribute to our amazing teams in Honolulu, Fairbanks, and Anchorage," added Williams.

Netflix Says It Has Added 8M Subs During 2Q


Netflix said on Thursday it added more than 8 million subscribers in its second quarter as the streaming service benefited from a password-sharing crackdown and the popularity of such titles as "Bridgerton," "Baby Reindeer" and "The Roast of Tom Brady."

While the subscriber gains topped analyst predictions of 5 million, Netflix issued cautious guidance for the third quarter and said its advertising business would not become a primary driver of revenue growth until at least 2026.

Reuters reports Netflix shares reversed initial losses after it reported results to trade up 1% in after-hours trading. The stock has surged nearly a third so far this year.

"Netflix is still the best and most profitable streaming company out there, but with technology stocks generally retreating over the last several days, some investors may sell on the generally good news and taking profits now while waiting for a possible better re-entry point for the stock," said Michael Ashley Schulman, chief investment officer at Running Point Capital.

The streaming video pioneer is facing saturation in the United States and plans to stop regularly reporting new subscriber additions next year. Investors have been zeroing in on the company's relatively new advertising business as a potential source of growth.

On Thursday, Netflix said third-quarter subscriber gains would be lower than the comparable period in 2023 when it had just started the password clamp-down.

R.I.P.: Bob Newhart, Comedian and Sitcom Legend


Bob Newhart has died at age 94. He passed away from natural causes following a series of short illnesses on Thursday morning at his home in Los Angeles, according to his publicist, Jerry Digney. The comedian was surrounded by his family.

The actor was known for his hit sitcom, "The Bob Newhart Show," in the '70s. Newhart went on to have two additional shows named after him, "Newhart" and "Bob."

"Bob Newhart’s groundbreaking work in stand-up and television – and his beloved deadpan delivery – have left an indelible mark on the art form of comedy and will be treasured by comedy fans for generations to come. We are proud to celebrate and preserve his extraordinary work at National Comedy Center," Journey Gunderson, National Comedy Center executive director, shared in a statement with Fox News Digital.

Newhart first began his career in comedy in the 1950s. He released his comedy routine on vinyl, "The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart," in 1960. He was later received the Grammy Award for album of the year.

He transitioned to television in 1961 with the launch of "The Bob Newhart Show." The half-hour variety show ran for one season before its cancellation, despite being nominated for numerous awards.

Ten years later, in 1972, Newhart went on to premiere another "The Bob Newhart Show," which proved to be a great hit. The series ran through 1978 and featured the comedian portraying a Chicago psychologist living with his wife.

A few years later, "Newhart" premiered. The sitcom showcased a New York writer who embarks on a journey to reopen an abandoned Vermont inn.

The show's finale is one of the most talked about in the sitcom world. In the final episode, Newhart's character wakes up next to his wife, Mary Frann, claiming he's had a bad dream. Except it's not Frann next to him, it's Suzanne Pleshette – who played his wife Emily on the "The Bob Newhart Show."

The entirety of the "Newhart" show was billed to be a dream from "The Bob Newhart Show."