Tonight in prime time history: July 26, 2021 (20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago)

[AKA]

Thursday, July 26, 2001
20 years ago:

8:00
ABC—Whose Line Is It Anyway?—Drew Carey
Included: “Questions Only,” set in an old saloon; the frisky old-people version of “The Millionaire Game.” Also: the “Got Arrested Hoedown.” Kathy Greenwood, Wayne Brady, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie. (Repeat)
CBS—Big Brother 2—Julie Chen
Strangers, totally cut off from the outside world, coexist in an isolated house.
Fox—Guiness World Records: Prime Time
The world’s smartest dog; the fastest wind speed; the largest bubble gum bubble blown from the nose.
NBC—Friends
“The One with Joey’s Award.” Rachel teaches Joey the fine art of losing after he’s nominated for an acting award; Monica fears marriage will end her love life; and Chandler drags Ross to an all-male meat market for the best tuna melt in New York. (Repeat)
UPN—WWF SmackDown!
Scheduled: Stone Cold and the Alliance battle Kurt Angle and the WWF. From Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh.
The WB—Gilmore Girls
“Rory’s Dance.” Lorelai persuades Rory to attend her first dance at Chilton, then sets out to make her daughter a dress for the occasion. A nervous Rory asks Dean to join her for the event, and Emily invites herself to Lorelai’s home to help with Rory’s party preparations. Part 1 of two. (Repeat)

8:30
ABC—Whose Line Is It Anyway?—Drew Carey
"Superheroes" include Presidential Candidate Man, Mosh Pit Kid and Can’t Control His Stallion Man. Also: “Sound Effects” with audience members; “Three Headed Broadway Star”; and the “I Got Mugged” Irish Drinking Song. Chip Esten, Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie. (Repeat)
NBC—Spy TV—Michael Ian Black
An over-the-top professional wrestling audition; gas station attendants check people’s oil; a magic doll comes to life in front of a surprised child.

9:00
ABC—Who Wants to Be a Millionaire—Regis Philbin
Top of the Charts edition.
CBS—CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
“$35K O.B.O.” Catherine investigates the collapse of an apartment building which resulted in the death of three elderly people; and a couple is attacked and killed after walking out of a fancy restaurant to their car, but when the team arrives on the scene, the only eye-witness is a young man who stayed behind to give his statements. (Repeat)
Fox—Night Visions—Henry Rollins
“Now He’s Coming Up the Stairs; Used Car.” A doctor (Luke Perry) absorbs maladies from patients’ minds, but develops trouble purging them; a used car comes with messages for the new owner (Sherilyn Fenn). Jack: Hart Bochner. Carol: Allison Hossack. Melissa: Jacqueline Samuda. Dr. Palmquist: Hrothgar Mathews. Mark: Bryce Hodgson.
NBC—Will & Grace
“Mad Dogs and Average Men.” Variations on the dating game find Will cold to a fawning beau (Peter Jacobson) and Grace hot for Karen’s handsome nephew (Paul Satterfield). Mrs. Pressman: Shirley Prestia. Karen: Megan Mullally. Ben: Bill Idelson. Jack: Sean Hayes. Will: Eric McCormack. Grace: Debra Messing. (Repeat)
The WB—Charmed
“The Demon Who Came in From the Cold.” Cole learns that the Brotherhood, an elite demonic group of which he was a member, is murdering street prophets to protect a secret plan involving a computer company, so he goes undercover as Belthazor to infiltrate the organization. (Repeat)

9:30
NBC—Just Shoot Me!
“Sid & Nina.” There’s a new light in Nina’s life: an ardent 13-year-old (Samm Levine), who cons her into attending his bar mitzvah. (Repeat)

10:00
ABC—PrimeTime Thursday—Diane Sawyer, Charles Gibson
The private life of Rep. Gary Condit (D—CA); children say their father pushes them too far.
CBS—48 Hours—Dan Rather
The increasingly popular and very dangerous drug Ecstasy.
NBC—ER
“Benton Backwards.” Frustrated Benton searches for a new position at a different hospital; a nursing-home patient (Alan Young) relives wartime incidents; pageant contestants are admitted after an accident at a beauty salon; a shooting occurs. Margie: Cynthia Mann Jamin. Audrey: Keri Lynn Pratt. Jesse: Andrew McFarlane. Miss Pruitt: Holly Haber. Benton: Eriq La Salle. Abby: Maura Tierney. Kovac: Goran Visnjic. (Repeat)

Late Night:

11:35
ABC—Nightline—Ted Koppel
CBS—Late Show with David Letterman
Scheduled: Actor Greg Kinnear; musical guests Afro Celt System and Peter Gabriel.
NBC—The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Scheduled: Actor Jackie Chan; actress Estella Warren; music by Alan Jackson.

12:05
ABC—Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher
Scheduled: Howie Mandel; CNN’s Tucker Carlson; actress Mimi Kennedy.

12:35
CBS—The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn
Scheduled: Actor Andy Dick.
NBC—Late Night with Conan O’Brien
Scheduled: Actress Janeane Garofalo; actor Tim Roth; Dom DeLuise.

1:35
NBC—Later Presents SCTV

[AKA]

Friday, July 26, 1991
30 years ago:

8:00
ABC—Full House
“One Last Kiss.” An old flame (Erika Eleniak) gives Jesse cold feet about marriage; Stephanie plans a surprise birthday party for the dog. Jesse: John Stamos. Danny: Bob Saget. Stephanie: Jodie Sweetin. (Repeat)
CBS—Verdict
“Florida vs. Bobbie Lee Robinson.” The trial of a convicted drug dealer, charged with ordering the murder of an anti-drug crusader.
Fox—America’s Most Wanted—John Walsh
From St. Louis: An illegal immigrant wanted for murder; an escapee convicted of three murders; a suspect in the murder of a handicapped boy.
NBC—NBC Movie: Opposites Attract
(Made for TV, 1990) Barbara Eden, John Forsythe. A woman’s campaign for mayor of her small beachside town runs aground when she begins to fall in love with the handsome actor running against her. (Repeat)

8:30
ABC—Family Matters
“Requiem for an Urkel.” Steve charges like a raging bull to the boxing ring when a bully threatens to pummel any guy who asks Laura out. Larenz Tate. Greg: Aaron Lohr. Fletcher: Arnold Johnson. Coach Redding: David Hayward. (Repeat)
CBS—Whose Side Are You On?—Charles Kuralt
Opposing lawyers argue whether rape victims’ names should be disclosed in the press.

9:00
ABC—Perfect Strangers
“Speak, Memory.” A temporary memory loss wrecks Larry’s plans to go the extra mile to get Jennifer’s skeptical mother (Marla Adams) to like him. Larry: Mark Linn-Baker. Jennifer: Melanie Wilson. Balki: Bronson Pinchot. Gorpley: Sam Anderson. (Repeat)
CBS—The Flash
“Ghost in the Machine.” A man comes out of a 35-year cryogenic sleep to resume his extortion plot thwarted in 1955 by the city’s first masked crime fighter. Dr. Desmond Powell: Jason Bernard. Ghost: Anthony Starke. Belle: Lois Nettleton. Skip: Ian Abercrombie. Flash: John Wesley Shipp. (Repeat)
Fox—Alien Nation
From 1989: “The Red Room.” Sikes learns that the officer investigating a break-in is a phony; George wrestles with his hazy recognition of two murder victims. Jeffries: John P. Connolly. Dr. Chris Pettit: Ray Reinhardt. Dr. Marcie Wright: Katherine Justice. (Repeat)

9:30
ABC—Hi Honey, I’m Home
“Make My Bed.” Honey can’t see the need for a lock on the front door—until she invites a burglar (James Michael Detmar) into her home. Barbara Billingsley has a cameo as June Cleaver. Honey: Charlotte Booker. Elaine: Susan Cella.

10:00
ABC—20/20—Hugh Downs/Barbara Walters
Scheduled: A report on Cuba’s efforts to attract foreign tourists back to its resort hotels.
CBS—Sweating Bullets
“Marissa.” A woman’s husband and their lawyer plot to convince her she is insane so they can take control of her inheritance. (Repeat)
NBC—Midnight Caller
“Ryder on the Storm.” Jack offers support to a radio rebel (Robert Klein) from the ’60s, who’s as radical as ever, but hasn’t made peace with his past. Tom: Jim Beaver. Kristen: Tracy O’Neil Heffernan. Vincent Vincent: Marcos Estebez. Ralph Gardina: Kenneth Grantham. Jack: Gary Cole. (Repeat)Jack offers support to a radio rebel (Robert Klein) from the ’60s, who’s as radical as ever, but hasn’t made peace with his past. Tom: Jim Beaver. Kristen: Tracy O’Neil Heffernan. Vincent Vincent: Marcos Estebez. Ralph Gardina: Kenneth Grantham. Jack: Gary Cole. (Repeat)

Late Night:

Various time slots:
SYNDICATED—The Arsenio Hall Show
Scheduled: Singer Chaka Khan; actor/filmmaker Mel Brooks; TV host Pauly Shore.
SYNDICATED—Party Machine with Nia Peeples
Tony! Toni! Toné!; Tara Kemp. (Repeat)

11:30
ABC—Nightline—Ted Koppel
CBS—Dark Justice
“Brother Mine.” Nick (Ramy Zada) discovers that a crime family wanted for arms smuggling is also responsible for the deaths of his wife and daughter. Thomas: Stephen Burleigh. Danny: J. Eddie Peck. Cat: Begona Plaza. (Repeat)
NBC—The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Scheduled: Actress Susan Sarandon; country singer Lyle Lovett; bee expert Norman Gray.

12:30
CBS—Night Heat
(Repeat)
NBC—Late Night with David Letterman
Scheduled: Actor Adam West; singer Wayne Newton.

1:30
NBC—Friday Night Videos
Music videos by Aretha Franklin (“Everyday People”); DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (“Summertime”). Host: Tom Kenny. Guest: Bobcat Goldthwait.

[AKA]

Sunday, July 26, 1981
40 years ago:

7:00
ABC—Those Amazing Animals
Scheduled: The man-killing image of the fierce grizzly bear is examined; a look at adventurous parents raising a chimp along with their baby daughter. Burgess Meredith, Jim Stafford and Priscilla Presley host. (Repeat)
CBS—60 Minutes
In repeat segments, Dan Rather looks at the “Goon Squads” in prisons; Morley Safer investigates the “off-the-book” income of Americans; and Harry Reasoner reports on the chaos in Naples, Italy.
NBC—Disney’s Wonderful World
“The Misadventures of Chip ’n’ Dale.” Animated hour starring two mischievous chipmunks who visit the big city and become involved in various adventures. (Repeat)

8:00
ABC—ABC News Closeup
“Social Security: Myths and Realities.” An examination of the problems facing America’s massive Social Security system and what may lie ahead for today’s elderly, for middle-aged wage earners and for the children of the “Baby Boom” who are still many years from retirement. Frank Reynolds anchors.
CBS—Archie Bunker’s Place
“La Cage Aux Bunker.” Archie schedules a conference with Stephanie’s prospective choir teacher, but is unprepared for the reception. Carroll O’Connor. Victoria Springer: Olive Dunbar. Stephanie: Danielle Brisebois. Veronica: Anne Meara. Murray: Martin Balsam. (Repeat)
NBC—CHiPs
“The Hawk and the Hunter.” Baricza’s father needs help when his crop-dusting is sabotaged by a crazed ecology fanatic. (Repeat)

8:30
CBS—One Day at a Time
“Wicked Ann.” Alex accuses Ann of keeping his father and mother apart. Bonnie Franklin. First Violinist: Frank DeVol. Nick: Ron Rifkin. Second Violinist: Harold Green. (Repeat)

9:00
ABC—The ABC Sunday Night Movie: City in Fear
(Made for TV, 1980) David Janssen, Robert Vaughn. When a psychotic killer of women terrifies a city, an ambitious columnist capitalizes on the panic, under orders from his circulation hungry publisher, and turns the murderer into a page-one celebrity. (Repeat)
CBS—Alice
“Macho, Macho Mel.” When Mel recounts the story of the old lady who mugged him, the old lady becomes four toughs. Vic Tayback. Mugger: Florence Halop. Alice: Linda Lavin. Cop: Andy Romano. Vera: Beth Howland. Customer: Walt Robles. Belle: Diane Ladd. (Repeat)
NBC—Greatest Heroes of the Bible
“Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar.” Daniel (Donny Most) is a young Hebrew who refuses to compromise his religious convictions despite facing death. Stars David Hedison, Hans Conried, Vic Morrow. “The Story of Esther.” The beautiful queen (Victoria Principal) conceals her identity from a Persian king while using her influence to save her captive people. Robert Mandan. (Repeat)

9:30
CBS—The Jeffersons
“And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds.” Louise makes a journey to the house she grew up in after learning that it’s scheduled for demolition. George: Sherman Hemsley. Florence: Marla Gibbs. Bentley: Paul Benedict. Jimmy: Carl Lumbly.(Repeat)

10:00
CBS—Trapper John, M.D.
“A Case of Crazies.” When a child at the hospital’s day-care center suffers a serious accident, the teacher must deal with her guilt. Pernell Roberts, Gregory Harrison. Scott: K.C. Martel. Riverside: Charles Siebert. Marty: John Karlen. Slocum: Simon Scott. (Repeat)

[AKA]

Monday, July 26, 1971
50 years ago:

7:30
ABC—Let’s Make a Deal—Monty Hall
CBS—Gunsmoke
From 1966: “Snap Decision.” Matt turns in his badge after he’s forced to kill a horse thief who was once his friend. Matt: James Arness. Tucker: Claude Akins. Shaver: Michael Strong. Kipp: Michael Cole. Doc: Milburn Stone. Kitty: Amanda Blake. Thad: Roger Ewing. (Repeat)
NBC—From a Bird’s Eye View
“Millie’s Movable Feast.” Millie (Millicent Martin) loses her job when she spills sauce on the personnel manager of the airline. (Repeat)

8:00
ABC—The Newlywed Game—Bob Eubanks
NBC—Joe Garagiola’s Baseball World

8:15
NBC—Major League Baseball
Chicago Cubs at Montreal Expos, from Jarry Park Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek report the action. (Live)

8:30
ABC—It Was a Very Good Year—Mel Tormé
There may be some arguments on It Was a Very Good Year: 1941 was not the best of years. Europe was involved in World War II, and America got into the conflict on Dec. 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. No guests here, but Mel Tormé is your host as usual.
CBS—The Lucy Show
From 1967: “Lucy the Fight Manager.” Lucy helps a retired boxer (Don Rickles) get money to buy a flower shop. Lucille Ball. Mooney: Gale Gordon. Ike: Cliff Norton. Nick: Lewis Charles. (Repeat)

9:00
ABC—The ABC Monday Night Movie: 24 Hours to Kill
(1965) Lex Barker, Mickey Rooney. Two pilots of an international airliner, forced to land in Beirut, find themselves in the middle of an elaborate smuggling and murder plot.
CBS—Mayberry R.F.D.
“Howard the Dream Spinner.” Dick Whittinghill cameos as a TV announcer when Howard (Jack Dodson) becomes the host of a literary program on Mayberry television. Edna: Margaret Ann Peterson. Goober: George Lindsey. Emmett: Paul Hartman. Sam: Ken Berry. (Repeat)

9:30
CBS—The Doris Day Show
From last season: “The Forward Pass.” Doris is used as bait to snare a magazine interview with a pro football quarterback (Dick Gautier), and soon finds herself trying to elude his passes. (Repeat)

10:00
CBS—The CBS Newcomers
Dave Garroway plays host to acrobat Kay Bruce, Comedian Rodney Winfeld and singer Rex Allen Jr.

Late Night:

11:30
ABC—The Dick Caveat Show
Carrol Righter, Arlene Dahl, Jack Bradford, The Huggers, Mike Garrett and Bill Corrato are guests.
CBS—The Merv Griffin Show
NBC—The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Scheduled: Alan King substitutes as host. Guests include Oliver Reed, Sergio Mendes and Brasil ’66, Max Schulman and Eloise Laws.

[AKA]

I won't make this an everyday feature, because 1.) it's a little time consuming, and 2.) I don't want to clog the board with these posts, but depending on feedback, I'll do something like this every once in a while. If so, it won't always be in 10-year increments and will likely often go back further than 50 years.

[Dr. Jazz]

Great feature Brad. I’m sure I was watching some of these shows as they aired. Good having you back on the board buddy.

[AKA]

Originally Posted by Dr. Jazz

Great feature Brad. I’m sure I was watching some of these shows as they aired. Good having you back on the board buddy.

Thanks, Doc! Good seeing you, too.

[AMackII]

Good Job on the listings that happen on the same date 20, 30, 40 & 50 years ago to be exact.