Events January 11 - A 2 hour special on all networks celebrates the linking of the eastern and midwestern networks via coaxial cable January 22 - The first commercial television station west of the Mississippi River, KTLA, begins operation in Hollywood, California. January 31 - The first Emmy Awards are presented and broadcasted on television from Los Angeles May - The first telethon, benefitting the Damon Runyon Cancer Fund, is hosted by Milton Berle and lasts for 24 hours August 25 - RCA announces the development of a compatible color TV system. December 29 - KC2XAK of Bridgeport, Connecticut becomes the first Ultra high frequency (UHF) television station to operate a daily schedule. Martin Kane, Private Eye premieres on NBC, becoming the first detective series on television. For the first time, the Sears & Roebuck catalog includes televisions. Popular Television Shows January 3 - Colgate Theatre premieres on NBC. January 17 - The Goldbergs, the first sitcom on American television, debuts. The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971) Births January 10 - Teresa Graves, actress, comedienne (+ 2002) January 13 - Brandon Tartikoff, television executive (+ 1997) January 24 - John Belushi, actor, Saturday Night Live February 2 - Brent Spiner, actor February 9 - Judith Light, actress March 16 - Erik Estrada, actor, CHiPs March 17 - Patrick Duffy, actor, Dallas March 26 - Vicki Lawrence, actress, comedienne The Carol Burnett Show, Mama's Family, etc. June 22 - Lindsay Wagner, actress July 3 - Jan Smithers, actress, WKRP in Cincinnati August 23 - Shelley Long, actress September 10 - Bill O'Reilly, political commentator September 16 - Ed Begley, Jr, actor October 6 - Les Moonves, head of CBS November 6 - Arturo Sandoval, songwriter November 28 - Paul Shaffer, bandleader, The Late Show with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live, The Blues Brothers, etc Deaths