1) Rhoda: Before we get to a ton of series premieres that took place on this date, consider the third-season premiere of this show. Remember what it was about? Hint: The episode title is "The Separation"--you know, because people in happy relationships "aren't funny."
2) Hispanic Heritage Month: It began September 15. It's almost a week later, and I'm still waiting for Sony to put more Viva Valdez on its Classic TV Rewind YT channel.
3) Matlock: The long-running legal drama premiered on NBC 40 years ago. Andy Griffith finally gave audiences a memorable character to stand beside, if not supplant, his seminal role of Sam in Pray for the Wildcats.
4) Batman: Yesterday was Batman Day, so chosen to commemorate...uh, DC Comics wanting to celebrate Batman. Nothing says Batman like third Saturday in September! We of course talk about Bats in our Super Friends and Legends of the Superheroes episodes. Shout-out to one of the greatest Batmen of all, Olan Soule.
5) All's Fair: Norman Lear's sitcom premiered 50 years ago tonight. featuring Richard Crenna and Bernadette Peters as conservative and liberal journalists who fall in love, and, boy, does this premise hit differently in 2026.
6) Van Dyke and Company: Dick Van Dyke's comedy-variety show also debuted on this Monday in 1976. Flip Wilson and Chevy Chase guested. The series lasted a mere 11 episodes yet still won an Emmy in 1977. It's only the second-most notable misfire by a sitcom legend, though, because...
7) Life with Lucy: Let's go September 20 in 1986 and the debut of Lucille Ball's ill-fated final sitcom, a series that not only flopped, but it made many fans of the icon scared to watch for fear of seeing her hurt herself.
8) National Pepperoni Pizza Day: Here's a celebration we can all support! Nothing like sitting in front of the tube with a pizza, a cold beverage, and a pronounced aversion to doing something for your own health or for the general betterment of society.
9) Disneyland Presents Captain EO: On this night in 1986, NBC premiered a special devoted to the grand opening of Captain EO at Disney World. Note it didn't show the actual movie--that was exclusive to the theme parks--nor did Jacko himself show up. Yet the Michael Jackson hype was so strong then that NBC aired a hype program with music from Starship and banter from hosts Justine Bateman and Patrick Duffy, plus some making-of footage.
10) R.I.P. Bob Mackie: We always wanted to work with him for the podcast, but now I will have to continue my signature look of TV-related t-shirts and shorts.
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