1955: First Broadcast of ‘The $64,000 Question’

Now known as the iconic game show that it was, The $64,000 Question had trouble getting sponsors when the show was pitched to CBS. The creator of the program, Louis G. Cowan (who created the radio show Quiz Kids and TV game show, Stop the Music found that some advertisers that the show sounded too glamourous for their company. However, it was on this day in 1955 that the show first appeared with Revlon as its sponsor. It was filmed in CBS’ Studio 52 in New York (which ironically became Studio 54 during the disco era) and was hosted by actor Hal March. The first contestant didn’t make it to the top prize but she did win a Cadillac convertible. The show ran through November 2, 1958. It was later revived as The $128,000 Question and aired in syndication from September 1976 to September 1978. Another revival of the show was pitched to ABC in 1999 but was abandoned for a new American version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? instead. After Millionaire’s success, another version was pitched to CBS to be called The $1,064,000 Question to be hosted by Greg Gumbel, but that never materialized. (Image: Wikimedia)

1975: ‘Thank God I’m a County Boy’ Becomes #1 Song

Country singer John Denver recorded and released about 300 songs of which he composed about two thirds of them, but on this day in 1975, one of his biggest songs, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” became a #1 hit. It was part of a string of other #1 hits including “Sunshine on My Shoulders.” “Annie’s Song,” and “I’m Sorry” from three No.1 albums: John Denver’s Greatest Hits, Back Home Again and Windsong.

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