This Was Television On November 27
1978: The White Shadow debuts
The CBS drama starred Ken Howard as Ken Reeves, an ex-NBA player who becomes the basketball coach at Carver High in south central Los Angeles and mentor to his charges. Notable as one of the first prime time dramas to boast a predominantly African-American cast (other than the titular Caucasian coach), The White Shadow ran for three seasons. -A.D.
Today’s Birthdays: Kirk Acevedo, federal agent (38); Barbara Anderson, secret agent (67); Curtis Armstrong, junior detective (59); James Avery, uncle in Bel-Air (64); William Fichtner, fugitive chaser (56); Robin Givens, classmate (48); Samantha Harris, hostess (39); Patricia McPherson, auto mechanic (58); Brooke Langton, Melrose Placer (42); Bill Nye, science guy (57); Alison Pill, news producer (27); Michael Rispoli, mob boss (52); Kimmy Robertson, small town receptionist (58); Fisher Stevens, sidekick (49); Michael Vartan, CIA handler (44); Jaleel White, scene-stealing neighbor (36).
This Was Television 
One Response to “This Was Television On November 27”
“Laps, ladies!” Boy, THE WHITE SHADOW was a very good show (that weakened considerably after most of its cast members left/graduated). There’s certainly nothing like it on the networks today–a drama with humor that made an effort to examine important topical issues and had a primarily black cast.