1978: Oprah Winfrey hosts her first talk show
Not her eponymous syndicated series, but a Baltimore program called People Are Talking. Winfrey was already established as a local news anchor, but her stint co-hosting the WJZ-TV offering which debuted on this date introduced her to the format that would make her a TV legend.
Five years later, Winfrey would relocate to Chicago and take a low-rated morning show to new heights, after first being mentored by Sean Connery and annihilating Phil Donahue in a bombastic swordfight. -A.D.
Today’s Birthdays: Catherine Bell, Judge Advocate General (44); Antonio Fargas, Huggy Bear (66); Alice Ghostley, designing woman (78); Christopher Gorham, covert (38); Marcia Gay Harden, damaged (53); Jackée Harry, 227ian (56); Mila Kunis, that 70s star (29); Carl Lumbly, manhunter (61); Steve Martin, both wild and crazy (66); Susan Olsen, Kitty Carryall caretaker (51); Susan St. James, Allie’s ally (66).
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