Today…..
January 14, 1952……
Network TV’s first early-morning show, Today, debuts on NBC. Dave Garroway was Today‘s first host, hosting until 1961. Still running, it is now the fifth-longest-running U.S. television series. In 1953, to boost sagging ratings the chimpanzee J. Fred Muggs was added to the cast. He was an instant hit and it’s estimated that Muggs earned the network over $100 million in advertising and merchandising.