In 1957, radio legend Alan Freed was given a weekly prime-time TV series, The
Big Beat(which predated American Bandstand), on ABC. The show was scheduled
for a Summer run, with the understanding that if there were enough viewers, the
show would continue into the 1957-58 television season. Although the ratings for 
the first three episodes were strong, the show was suddenly canceled after the
fourth episode. During that episode, singer Frankie Lymon, after performing a
number with his group The Teenagers, was seen dancing with a white girl from
the studio audience. Reportedly, the incident offended the management of ABC’s
local affiliates in the southern states, and led to the show’s immediate cancellation
despite its growing popularity.

Comedian Milton Berle, was host of NBC’s Texaco Star Theater (1948–55). In
1948 he was the first major star of American television and as such became
known as Uncle Miltie and Mr. Television to millions of viewers during TV’s
great golden age. Berle died of colon cancer at the age of 93.

1956

Cheryl Ladd is a actress, singer and author. She is best known for her role as Kris Muntroe in the ABC television series Charlie’s Angels (1976- 1981). She was hired
prior to the shows second season to replace the departing Farrah Fawcett-Majors.