Netflix
In one of the slimmest weeks of the year, only two new series and two TV movies made their debuts on network, cable and streaming networks. 1976 gave us the two TV movies, one a biography of a famous astronaut, the other a remake of a remake of a remake of a comedy-drama, then musical, feature film that was to set up a TV series that never happened. A 1996 show brought in the rebirth of the hidden camera prank series despite being cancelled quickly for litigious reasons, and 2016 brought the first streaming late night talk show. Scroll down to see all four programs that premiered this week, and tell us if you remember any of these shows.
1956
- No new shows premiered this week in 1956.
1966
- No new shows premiered this week in 1966.
1976
- May 14 – Return to Earth (ABC, TV movie)
- May 14 – State Fair (CBS, TV movie)
Return to Earth was based on Buzz Aldrin’s book of the same name detailing the emotional difficulties of Aldrin’s life following his Apollo 11 trip to the moon. Shirley Knight played Joan Aldrin.
State Fair was based on the 1932 novel of the same name, which had been produced as a comedy-drama film in 1932, and as Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals in 1945 and 1962. This non-musical version, with most of the names changed and new characters added, was produced as a pilot for a potential TV series, and was included as an extra on the DVD release of the 1945 film. Vera Miles starred.
1986
- No new shows premiered this week in 1986.
1996
MTV
- May 13 – Buzzkill (MTV, One season, 7 episodes)
Buzzkill was a hidden camera prank show, with each episode set in a different location with three separate pranks. One prank featured cast member Frank Hudetz disguised as fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, and the likeness was so uncanny he fooled Whitney Houston at an awards show. When she discovered the prank, she felt she was made a fool of and vowed to never appear on MTV again. The show was cancelled due to legal concerns, but led to the development of shows like The Tom Green Show, Jackass and Punk’d.
2006
- No new shows premiered this week in 2006.
2016
- May 11 – Chelsea (Netflix, Two seasons, 120 episodes)
Chelsea was a late night talk show hosted by Chelsea Handler, following her E! series, Chelsea Lately, and Netflix documentary series, Chelsea Does. It was Netflix’s first talk show, and was to have 90 episodes per year, but only 30 were produced for the second season. The first season aired three nights a week, while Season 2 only aired once a week.