This was Television on March 9
1954: Murrow takes on McCarthy
Edward R. Murrow had regularly used his position as the face of CBS news to vocally oppose Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against alleged Communists. The broadcast of his newsmagazine See It Now which aired on this date was dedicated to spotlighting the senator’s demagogic tactics. “A Report on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy” has been credited as the beginning of the end for McCarthyism, as well as an example of the power of television to be a force for social good. -A.D.
Today’s Birthdays: Tom Amandes, doctor (54); Carl Betz, husband (d. 1978); Del Close, improv instructor (d. 1999); Will Geer, grandfather (d. 1978) Matthew Gray Gubler, behavioral expert (33); Jean Louisa Kelly, housewife (41); Emmanuel Lewis, orphan (42); Kerr Smith, creek dweller (41); Joyce Van Patten, character actress (79).
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