The Programming Insider: Monday, October 19, 2026

TODAY IN HISTORY

Television 
In 1953, Arthur Godfrey fired singer Julius La Rosa during the live radio broadcast of “Arthur Godfrey Time.” Considered one of the great mistakes in the history of broadcasting, the once beloved Godfrey’s career spiraled downward from that moment on.

ABC sitcom “Perfect Strangers” hit the 100 episode mark in 1990. It concluded on August 6, 1993 at the 150 episode mark…Competition series “The Biggest Loser,“ hosted by Caroline Rhea, debuted in 2004. It ran for 17 editions on NBC, through 2016, and USA Network revived it for an 18th season in 2020. Alison Sweeney took over as host in the fifth edition, while trainer Bob Harper stepped in for the 17th edition.

Movies
“Dances with Wolves” directed by Kevin Costner and starring Costner and Mary McDonnell premiered in Washington, D.C. on this day in 1990. It won seven Oscars (including Best Picture and Best Director).

Music
Single “Believe” was released by Cher in 1999. It won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and the Billboard Song of the Year.

News
Australia’s Sydney Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973…A bill was passed by the senate limiting the number of ads that can be shown during children’s TV programs in 1988.

Celebrity Birthdays
Actor John Lithgow (“Third Rock From the Sun”) is 81, Ty Pennington (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) is 62; psychic John Edward is 57; “South Park” co-creator Trey Parker is also 57.

Did You Know?
“I Love Lucy,” which aired on CBS in the Monday 9 p.m. half-hour for its entire six season (1951-57) run, followed “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts.” The Godfrey talent competition ran for one final season in 1957-58 into sitcom “The Danny Thomas Show” (which was originally titled “Make Room for Daddy”).

NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tubi Announces New Variety Series “The Anania Show”
Tubi is expanding its original programming lineup with “The Anania Show,” a new variety series hosted by Internet personality “Anania Williams,” creator and host of the digital quiz show “Gaydar.” The series is scheduled to begin streaming Nov. 23, adding another personality-driven offering to the ad-supported streaming platform’s growing slate of original entertainment.

TV/FILM/STREAMING

HBO’s “True Detective” Taps Nicolas Cage and Antonio Banderas for Season Five
Nicolas Cage (“Spider-Noir”) and Antonio Banderas (“Genius”) will star as the leading duo in the fifth season of HBO’s anthology crime drama “True Detective.” Issa López, who served as showrunner for “True Detective: Night Country,” will return to lead the new installment, which will be set in Jamaica Bay, New York. The upcoming season continues the franchise’s tradition of introducing a new storyline and cast with each installment.

Apple TV Sets Season Seven Cast for ‘Slow Horses’
Apple TV has announced five new cast members for the seventh season of its espionage drama “Slow Horses.” They are Varada Sethu, Ethan Moorhouse, Tuppence Middleton, Merab Ninidze and Joshua McGuire. James Callis will also return. Adapted from Mick Herron’s Bad Actors, part of his “Slough House” novel series, the new season follows Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) and his team of disgraced MI5 agents as they attempt to uncover a mole within the British government before the traitor can destabilize the state.

Season six of “Slow Horses” is set to conclude this week, while an eighth season has also been announced.

BUSINESS

How Shayan Shokri Uses AI to Help Businesses Navigate Risk – Click here or on image

ON THE AIR TONIGHT
For the listings for Monday, October 19, click here

TV TRIVIA TIME   
Happy Birthday, John Lithgow

John Lithgow is best known for his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Dick Solomon on the sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun.” But which other iconic television character was originally written with Lithgow in mind? Your clue: Ha, ha ha, ha! I think you know this answer.

a) Frasier Crane
b) Lenny Kosnowski
c) Cosmo Kramer
d) “Trapper” John McIntyre
e) Mike Stivic
 
The answer to Friday’s question…

Which one of the following five options was not the title of a television sitcom? Your clue: I have no recollection of a character named Diane in this series.

a) “George & Leo”
b) “Hope & Gloria”
c) “Jack & Bobby”
d) “Joe & Valerie”
e) “Walter & Emily”

…ic) “Jack & Bobby,” which aired on The WB from 2004 to 2005 and followed two brothers growing up with their unconventional single mother, one of whom would eventually become President of the United States. The drama starred Matt Long, Logan Lerman, Christine Lahti, Jessica Paré, John Slattery, Edwin Hodge, Keri Lynn Pratt and Bradley Cooper.

The hint of Diane was to the song “Jack & Diane” by John Mellencamp, which was released in 1982.

Kudos List
Tom Condosta, Reid Davis, Joel Dearing, Bob Eisensteadt, Maureen Goldman, Bob Ingersoll, Synda Kollman, Jody McIntyre, Tom Moore, Marianne O’Leary, Aaron Paquette, Gordon Purcell, Joe Swaney