Richard Bartlett "Ricky" Schroder, Jr.

Schroder debuted in the 1979 hit film The Champ, going on to become
a child star on the NBC sitcom Silver Spoons (1982-1986). He continued
acting as an adult, notably on the western Lonesome Dove and the ABC 
television crime drama NYPD Blue (1993- 2005).

Ricky Schroder, left, and Dennis Franz in NYPD Blue

Mike Gracia

David Michael Letterman is 67 today

Stephen Tyrone Colbert

Colbert was named the new host of "The Late Show” today, taking over for
David Letterman when he retires next year. Stephen is the current host of
”The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central. The political satirist will be 50
next month.

From left: Guest star Douglas Fairbanks and show host Bob Hope.
Other guests included Dinah Shore, and the Mexico City Boys Choir
singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

It was Easter Sunday, April 9, 1950 and the national TV debut of Bob
Hope on NBC in a 90 minute variety extravaganza called The Star
Spangled Review. He had previously appeared on a 1947 West
Coast broadcast, but this was a Big Deal, his first national television
appearance.

The TV special, produced by Max Liebman who was also responsible
for Sid Caesar & Imogene Coca’s “Your Show of Shows” at the time.

The show was a ratings success and Hope agreed to become the host
on a regular basis. It was much like Hope’s radio show, a mixture of jokes,
skits, and musical quest stars. It was eventually renamed the Bob Hope
Special and aired as a staple on NBC until 1997.

Learned played the role of the mom, Olivia on the CBS television series,
The Waltons (1972-1981). She has appeared in many stage productions
both on and off Broadway.