60 YEARS AGO TODAY:
6/16/66 – The Beatles make their last appearance on the British TV Show “Top Of The Pops,” performing their latest single, “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” live on the programme. (The quality's not the greatest ... but this is some pretty rare footage)
Also on 6/16 - Rowan and Martin begin hosting a new comedy/variety show that airs as a summer series replacement for The Dean Martin Show. While this series wasn't regarded as any particular notable success at the time, it will ultimately earn the boys their own television series down the road. (Ironically, it was a brand new, one-off television special that aired on September 9th, 1967, that launched the hit variety series, "Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In.")
Was it a big hit? You bet your sweet bippy!!! "Laugh-In" is still considered to be a revolutionary, landmark series ... and was definitely a cult favorite (and ratings topper) for NBC at the time, kicking off in 1968 and running for five years. (How big was it??? They even got President Richard Nixon to make an appearance and ask, "Sock It To Me???") I'm telling you, EVERYBODY watched and loved this show! It became the #1 show on television.
