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"Gunsmoke" was CBS' groundbreaking foray into the world of television westerns for an adult audience, and it paid off incredibly well for them. The popular western drama lasted for 20 seasons and five television movies, all of which were led by James Arness as the steadfast Marshal Matt Dillon. Although he was the face of "Gunsmoke," the series grew out its ensemble cast with characters like Doc Adams (Milburn Stone) and Long Branch Saloon owner Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake). For the series' first nine seasons, the role of Dillon's right hand man went to Dennis Weaver as the timid, boyish non-deputy Chester Goode. The character was a holdover from the popular radio series who couldn't keep up physically with the Marshal on account of his limp, but his spirit made him a valuable presence in the show.

When Weaver left the show to take on new career opportunities, there was...

The producers of "Gunsmoke" were worried about Burt Reynolds for one really good reason. The beloved TV show's team knew that he was destined to be a leading man, and they couldn't keep him in a supporting role forever. Norman MacDonnell was a producer on "Gunsmoke" and told TV Guide (credit to Western Official for archiving the quote) that, "I have the feeling that if he ever got the bit in his teeth, he'd run away with it. He's not afraid of man, beast, or God."

James Arness was the man at the top of the marquee for "Gunsmoke's" run, and Reynolds famously enjoyed his time working alongside the man who played Marshal Dillon. Honestly, Amanda Blake is right up there too, with her memorable turn as Miss Kitty. But, everyone on that set understood the potential Burt Reynolds had as a true star in the industry. It was...

It's hard to undersell the impact "Gunsmoke" had on the television landscape when it first aired. Westerns for the small screen were largely occupied by kid-friendly fare like Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy at the time, but the presence of an adult-driven series led to the development of countless genre programs in its wake. But the series outlasted all of them as the longest-running television western of all time with 20 seasons under its holster, with "Death Valley Days" wagon-trailing just behind it. The town of Dodge City was like a beacon for all manner of stories, with James Arness' steadfast Marshal Matt Dillon often finding himself in the center of the episode's conflict. The lawman would often be surrounded by a recurring cast of characters, like saloon owner Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) and resident bullet extractor Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), with one of them being his first right-hand man.

For...

Television westerns are few and far between now, but there was a time where they ruled supreme on all the big networks, with "Gunsmoke" having one of the biggest impacts on CBS. It was notable for being one of the first series westerns for an adult audience, in addition to lasting a then-unprecedented 20 season run across two decades. The craziest part is that the show maintained consistent ratings to the point that its cancellation came as a surprise to everyone involved. As is the case with any long-lasting show, however, it's not at all uncommon for some of the main cast to jump ship in the manner that Dennis Weaver and Amanda Blake did.

But let no one accuse series lead James Arness of never giving 100% to "Gunsmoke" as he played Marshal Matt Dillon, Dodge City's purveyor of justice, through and though for all 635 episodes of the series' run.

Prior...

In the "Gunsmoke" episode "The Jailer", Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake) and Matt Dillon (James Arness) are kidnapped by a bitter old woman in a black dress. Her name is Etta Stone, and she was played by the legendary Bette Davis (who was credited as "Miss Bette Davis"). Etta aims to hang Matt, as he killed her husband — a criminal — several years before. The old woman feels as if Matt himself committed a crime with his murder, however, and needed to face her own frontier justice. The episode also starred "Gunsmoke" regular-guest Bruce Dern (star of "Nebraska") as Etta Stone's son.

Working with a star of Davis' stature was, according to the trivia section on IMDb, intimidating for the "Gunsmoke" cast. Even though the show had been a hit for 12 seasons by the time "The Jailer" aired, there were still levels of fame that Arness and especially Blake weren't used to dealing with.

Every principal cast member on the CBS western drama "Gunsmoke" had their part to play, and for the most part, they maintained their small screen occupations over the course of their tenures. If trouble ever came to the Long Branch Saloon, Amanda Blake's (unmarried) Miss Kitty was always thrust in the middle of it. Should an outsider present a threat to the folks of Dodge City, James Arness' Marshal Matt Dillon was often the purveyor of justice. But Milburn Stone's Galen Adams, otherwise referred to as Doc, was always front and center whenever someone fell ill or needed a bullet pulled out of them.

Where most of the "Gunsmoke" characters are proficient at taking lives, Doc is saddled with the greater responsibility of saving them. Stone was the only other actor in the "Gunsmoke" lineup, besides Arness, who was present throughout its staggering 20-season run. He brought a grandfatherly approach to the role,...

Not every actor can be one of the greats, but they make a memorable impression based on how filmmakers play to their strengths. Charles Bronson is one of those actors. He didn't exactly break the mold as an expressive actor, but there's a flexibility in his stoicism that could present a two-way mirror depending on the kind of character he was playing. Legends like Sergio Leone ("Once Upon a Time in the West") and John Sturges ("The Great Escape") knew as much.

If there's one film that defines the definitive Bronson look and feel, it's Michael Winnerman's revenge fantasy "Death Wish." Paul Kersey is an architect turned nighttime vigilante who vows to clean up the streets after his wife is murdered and his daughter is sexually assaulted during a home invasion. Not much changes when it comes to Bronson's performance across the increasingly ridiculous five film series, as the character's quiet bloodthirst remains fairly consistent.

A new show is burning up the Nielsen streaming charts — and it aired its last episode almost fifty years ago. Gunsmoke, the longest-running Western TV show in history, has just ridden on to the Acquired streaming charts, landing at #8. The series, which starred James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon, is currently streaming on Paramount+ and Peacock.

It's no surprise to see a Western on the streaming charts: shows like Yellowstoneand 1923 have been solid successes for Paramount+. However, even on Nielsen's list of Acquired streaming shows, which includes shows that premiered on linear TV before making their way to streaming, Gunsmoke stands out. It's up there with shows like NCIS, The Big Bang Theory, and Bob's Burgers — venerable series all, but they all made their debuts this century. Not so for Gunsmoke, which aired its first episode on CBS in 1955. According to Nielsen, this has been a long time coming,...

The television landscape is always evolving with the times, which is why westerns don't exactly make it to primetime television anymore — if at all. But there was a period where venerated networks like CBS would invest in programs such as "The Wild Wild West," "Have Gun, Will Travel," and the Clint Eastwood-starring vehicle "Rawhide." Having grown up in the presence of my father, of whom westerns were as vital as water, I became intimately familiar with most of them.

The titan among these titles, however, was "Gunsmoke," which stayed on the air for an unprecedented 20 seasons as the longest-running western series of all time on any network.

If there's any image that sums up the series' iconography, it's the showdown intro that remained a "Gunsmoke" staple for its first 12 seasons. It set the tone for the kind of peril James Arness' Marshal Matt Dillon would get himself into every week,...

Whether he's piloting the Millennium Falcon, cracking a whip, or telling Gary Oldman to get off his plane, Harrison Ford is one of our great movie stars. He's possessed with a sly charisma that can't be matched, even when he's playing a grump. In his golden years, Ford's grown very selective about his big screen roles, often relegating himself to installments in franchises like "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," "Blade Runner," and (with "Captain America: Brave New World") the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He loves money, and I can't blame him.

For all of the riskier roles Ford has avoided in the world of film, his late career pivot to television, however, has been a welcome surprise. He's hilarious in the Apple TV+ comedy series "Shrinking" as Paul, a senior therapist who also acts as the mentor figure for just about every character on the show. On the other side of that...

Once upon a time, in the days before streaming, the goal of television creators was to craft series that would captivate viewers long enough to reach 100 episodes -- i.e. the industry-accepted threshold where a show could be profitably sold into syndication. This is a major reason why the TV landscape, then and now, is riddled with so many unambitious, formulaic shows. While it might be nice to shake up the medium with an out-of-nowhere broadcast sensation like "Twin Peaks," such shows only tend to burn bright for a very brief time. So, if longevity and syndication dollars are your thing (and that 100-episode threshold has now dropped below 50), the history of the medium bellows loud and clear that you should probably pitch a sitcom or procedural of some sort.

This kind of unadventurous thinking may sound cynical, but there's no reason you can't create a cherished, influential show while coloring inside the lines.

Jan Shepard, who acted opposite Elvis Presley in 1958’s King Creole and 1966’s Paradise, Hawaiian Style, and appeared in more than 30 TV Westerns, died Jan. 17 at a hospital in Burbank, Calif. of pneumonia brought on by respiratory failure. She was 96.

In King Creole, noted as Presley’s favorite of his films, she portrayed his on-screen sister Mimi. Eight years later, Shepard played Presley’s business partner’s wife in the ’60s buddy musical comedy. In an interview from last year, Shepard said she wasn’t a fan of Presley’s ahead of working with him, but “once I met him, I just adored him.”

Per an official obituary, Presley and Shepard got on well and went to off-set lunches (where Marlon Brando once made a chance appearance). Describing him as a “big teddy bear,” Shepard once recalled that he gave her a pair of 10-cent earrings as a joke before...

Jan Shepard, who guest-starred on Rawhide, The Virginian, Gunsmoke and two dozen other TV Westerns and played opposite Elvis Presley in movies eight years apart, has died. She was 96.

Shepard died Jan. 17 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank of pneumonia brought on by respiratory failure, her son, Hollywood prop master, Brandon Boyle, told The Hollywood Reporter. “She was a good one and will be dearly missed,” he said.

Shepard portrayed Mimi, the sister of Presley’s Danny Fisher, in the Michael Curtiz-directed King Creole (1958) and the wife of Danny Kohana (James Shigeta), who partners with Presley’s Rick Richards in a helicopter business, in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966).

“The first time, I found him to be just the cutest kid around, a big teddy bear, a lot of fun,” she said in an interview for Boyd Magers and Michael G. Fitzgerald’s 1999 book, Westerns Women. But on their next movie,...

It's curious that "Gunsmoke" isn't talked about more in the modern pop discourse, given how persistent and ubiquitous it once was. Perhaps "Gunsmoke" is seen as something of a relic because Westerns, as many famous ones as there are, aren't dominating the present-day landscape. If "Gunsmoke" were a sci-fi or superhero show, many pundits might be pointing to it as a precedent for everything that is currently popular. The long-running Western, however, still kind of is. Its characters and settings -- having so deeply entrenched themselves into the zeitgeist over a full two decades of airtime -- can serve as a widespread template for just about everything that came after. "Gunsmoke" is one of televised medium's grandparents. It ran on the radio from 1951 until 1961, and on TV from 1955 until 1975 when it was somewhat abruptly canceled.

For those unfamiliar, "Gunsmoke" takes place in Dodge City, Kansas in the years following the U.

Cheetah or leopard print shoes? Spotting the difference can be tricky! Both prints feature similar warm tones and patterns, so it’s no surprise they’re often confused. But don’t worry — we’re here to clarify things and help you distinguish between the two.

This image compares leopard and cheetah prints: the leopard print (left) has irregular black rosettes, while the cheetah print (right) features evenly spaced solid black spots

What Makes Leopard Print Unique?

Leopard print is defined by its signature rosette-shaped spots: black markings that form a circle or horseshoe shape around a darker center, all set against a golden-yellow background.

Unlike shoe styles, sizes, or colors, which often vary, leopard print tends to remain consistent. A perfect example? These chic calf hair pointed-toe pumps from Sam Edelman showcase the classic leopard print beautifully:

Leopard Print Sam Edelman ‘Hazel’ Pumps, $48.00 – $140.00

What Sets Cheetah Print Apart?

Cheetah print...

Most long-running Western programs mustered up some sort of holiday spirit throughout their run. Given that Gunsmoke hit a record 20 seasons between 1955 and 1975, it's, frankly, a miracle that there weren't more of them. But there's one Dodge City-centered Christmas that stands out above all the others. Yes, Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness), Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), and the rest of the cast are there to celebrate, but there's one future star who, believe it or not, found her way to the Old West as early as nine-years-old: Jodie Foster. If you're looking for a great Christmas Western with a notable cast, then Season 17's "P.S. Murry Christmas" ought to be at the top of the list.

Several seasons of one of the longest-running television shows of all time are coming to Peacock in December. Seasons seven through 15 of the classic Western, Gunsmoke, will debut on the streaming service on Dec. 9.

Starring James Arness as Marshal Dillon and based in Dodge City, Kansas, Gunsmoke ran for a total of 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975. Its considered to be one of the greatest Western television shows of all time and started its life as a radio series. It was adapted into a television show because of its popularity on the radio airwaves. On TV, Gunsmoke first aired in half-hour installments from 1955 to 1961 and then hour-long shows from 1961 to 1975.

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Related This Underrated Western Series Offers A New Perspective on the Genre

Combining crime drama with supernatural thriller, Dark Winds has revolutionized the western genre through the lens of a Native American perspective.

Additionally, the show spawned five made-for-television movies. The...

Gunsmoke the TV series was a staple of television for 20 years. The iconic Western starring James Arness, Amanda Blake, and Milburn Stone ran on the CBS network from 1955 to 1975, having itself been transitioned from a radio show that would run concurrently with the television series until 1961. But in 1955, the idea of a hard-driving Western action that would appeal to adults was not without detractors. The genre had been seen mostly as a vehicle for children, via such programs as Hopalong Cassidy and The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.

Yet Gunsmoke transcended what could be considered, for the time, unacceptable concepts on primetime television. Tackling serious subjects such as race, religion, and violence, the sprawling narrative enabled the characters a chance to illustrate themes that laid the groundwork for future Western-driven development in television, movies, and books. From this diverse and long history, there are several highlights to be drawn in spotlighting the show's epic appeal.

Theres something to be said about the enduring legacy of Gunsmoke, the Western that became an institution on both radio and television, and a big part of that includes the late actor, Burt Reynolds. Created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston, the radio series ran from 1952 to 1961 and the Gunsmoke show ran for 20 years on CBS, from 1955 to 1975. It was a feat unheard of for live-action prime-time television until the record was finally broken by NBCs Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, which premiered in 1999 and is still active 25 years later.

The wildly successful Gunsmoke follows U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon as he fights for justice in 1870s Dodge City, Kansas. Dillon was played by actor James Arness, who was joined by an ensemble of previously established stars rounding out the Gunsmoke cast, including Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, Glenn Strange, Buck Taylor, and Ted Jordan. When...

Though Audie Murphy is known to be the leading man in several B-Western films, there are still plenty of entries in his filmography that are enjoyed by fans of the genre. Murphy initially gained fame in America following his service in World War II. Following his rise to fame, Murphy was invited to begin his acting career by acclaimed actor James Cagney. While Murphy did act in a few different genres, he is best remembered for his work in Western films in the 50s and 60s.

Without a doubt, Murphy's best performance is in No Name on the Bullet. The film effectively shows a different side to the charismatic leading man audiences had known Murphy to be at that point in his career. Even though most of Murphy's other Westerns didn't receive as much love from critics, audiences, especially earnest fans of the genre, are still able to appreciate the traditional Western stories told.

Gunsmoke was one of the longest-running TV shows in history, but only two cast members appeared in every season. Starting life as a popular radio drama before making the transition to television, Gunsmoke followed the exploits of Marshal Dillon as he oversaw law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. Despite rumors to the contrary, John Wayne was never offered Gunsmoke's Marshal Dillon role, though he suggested James Arness for the role and even recorded an introduction for the very first episode.

Gunsmoke was noted for being darker and grittier than the average Western show when it debuted on CBS in 1955, though of course, it would seem quaint to modern standards. The series ran from 1955 to 1975 and saw a range of future Hollywood stars passing through as guest stars, including Charles Bronson, Harrison Ford and Jodie Foster. Burt Reynolds had an extended run on Gunsmoke as Dillon's sidekick Quint too.

Norman Macdonnell and John Meston's "Gunsmoke" drama series aired on CBS for 20 uninterrupted seasons (!), a feat that feels even more impressive due to the consistent quality maintained throughout its run. Initially a radio series that broadcast between 1952 and 1961, "Gunsmoke" gained steady enough popularity to warrant a television adaptation in 1955, whose half to one-hour episodes culminate to form an epic Western saga for the ages. The nexus of "Gunsmoke" is one lawman Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) tasked to maintain order in Dodge City, Kansas, and his exploits underline the brutality of the Old West, challenging stereotypes attached to similar figures molded as unambiguously heroic. Although the show did employ archetypal characters — such as the loyal sidekick Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver) and the trustworthy town physician Doc Adams (Milburn Stone) — an appropriate amount of nuance grounds "Gunsmoke," which works best when rooted in morally grey vignettes.

However, we're not here...

Amanda Waller believes the ends justify the means, and she is not above using brutal methods to save the world. Waller's history of personal loss drives her to create the Suicide Squad to protect people the government otherwise wouldn't protect. Waller's ultimate goal is to gain total control over Earth and strip superpowers from its inhabitants, believing it's for the greater good.

There are tons of dangerous and maniacal villains in the DC Universe, but Suicide Squad founder Amanda Waller has always been one of the more complicated ones. Waller isn't seeking domination over Earth just to have it, she truly believes that the ends justify the means. This is why she's created teams such as Task Force X. While her methods are brutal, Waller might just be the hero DC needs.

Readers get to see Waller's ultimate reasoning in Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4 by Nicole Maines and Eddy Barrows.

Glenn Strange's departure from Gunsmoke was abrupt and left a void that the show never fully recovered from. Despite his declining health, Strange continued acting on the show until his final episodes were aired posthumously. Before becoming a beloved Western TV bartender, Glenn Strange was best known for his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in classic Hollywood movies.

Veteran character actor Glenn Strange made a big mark on the popular Western series Gunsmoke, and his sudden departure left a hole that was never truly filled. Starting its unprecedented TV run in 1955, Gunsmoke follows Marshall Matt Dillon (James Arness) as he tries to maintain law and order in the Wild West town of Dodge City, Kansas. Pushing the boundaries of what was possible on TV at the time, Gunsmoke capitalized on the popularity of Westerns while also adding prestige to the growing TV medium. The series ran for 20 seasons and featured an ensemble cast,...

Distinguished by a golden-tipped cane and a black derby hat, Bat Masterson was a distinctive, sophisticated figure in the Wild West scene. Despite being canceled due to competition, Bat Masterson's unique visual appeal could captivate a modern, diverse audience. With a revival possible, Bat Masterson's concealed sword and stylish flair could bring a fresh spin to the Western genre today.

With the medium of television becoming a new and prominent feature in the household during the Golden Age of America, many different genres would suddenly have a turn in a more visual type of spotlight. For science fiction fans, there was Space Patrol, The Invisible Man, and, of course, The Twilight Zone. For those more inclined toward fantasy sitcoms, Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves, and the lesser-known series Topper are some great picks. While similar in nature, family sitcoms quickly amassed audiences with titles like Father Knows Best, Leave It to Beaver,...

Gunsmoke was the longest-running live-action primetime series in history, with the highest number of scripted episodes. Gunsmoke revolutionized the Western genre and launched the careers of future Hollywood stars. The cancelation of Gunsmoke was unexpected and left the cast and crew without a proper series finale.

When the Western drama television series Gunsmoke ended in 1975 after twenty seasons and a whopping 635 episodes, it was the longest-running live-action primetime series in history and had the highest number of scripted episodes. Gunsmoke held the former record until September 2019, when the crime drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit entered its 21st season, while the animated sitcom The Simpsons surpassed Gunsmoke in total scripted episodes in April 2018.

Gunsmoke was unparalleled in terms of how it revolutionized the Western genre and the remarkable consistency of the show’s cast, led by series star James Arness, who appeared in every episode of Gunsmoke as United States Marshal Matt Dillon,...

"Gunsmoke" ran for a very, very long time. Beginning as a half-hour adaptation of a similarly long-running radio show in 1955, it transitioned to an hour-long show in its 7th season, which gave its stock Western storylines a greater sense of place, and more opportunities for great, up-and-coming actors to star in them. Over the course of 20 seasons, the show told every story under the sun (often multiple times over) about the frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas.

The show's protagonist was ostensibly Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness), whose casting has been attributed to no less a Western star than John Wayne. But the world of "Gunsmoke" went far beyond him, especially as the show went on. While Arness appeared in every one of the show's 635 episodes, he often looked more like a guest star the further along it went, showing up for scenes here and there while the supporting cast...

There was barely a dry eye in the house at the Los Angeles premiere three decades ago of HBO’s landmark AIDS’ film “And the Band Played On.” During the end credit sequence set to Elton John’s “The Last Song” was a montage of well-known people who had died of AIDS or were HIV positive including Ryan White, Rock Hudson, Anthony Perkins, Rudolf Nureyev, Arthur Ashe, Michael Bennett, Liberace, Halston, Peter Allen, Denholm Elliott, Brad Davis, Amanda Blake and Robert Reed.

No wonder emotions were running high. Deaths were rising every year. According to Social Security Administration, some 37,000 people died of HIV Illness in 1993. And it would be three years before the introduction of Haart-highly active antiretroviral therapy-that is often called the anti-hiv “cocktail.”

Based on Randy Shilts’ 1987 best-seller, “And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic,” the acclaimed film, which premiered on HBO on Sept.

“My preoccupation with animals is an open secret,” wrote Betty White in her 2011 book “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo.” The legendary star, who died this week at age 99, was known for more than just her TV and film work. She was a self proclaimed “zoo nut” who spent her life advocating for animal welfare.

White’s parents were animal lovers and she grew up going to zoos regularly. As her profile as an actor and TV personality grew, it became natural for her to use her platform to spotlight that passion.

In 1971, White created and hosted “The Pet Set,” a syndicated series that featured White interviewing celebrity guests including Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett and Doris Day, and their pets and animal trainer Ralph Helfer. She produced the series herself along with her husband, longtime “Password” host Allen Ludden. “The Pet Set” ran for 39 half-hour episodes, and was...

On a recent L.A. afternoon, Brandi Carlile is talking about the moment when everything changed for her. It was the 2019 Grammys, when she played her ballad “The Joke” live and took home three awards. “I was 39, kind of an outlier underdog character,” says Carlile. That week, her sixth album, By the Way, I Forgive You, went to Number 22. She recently sold out Madison Square Garden. “I went on vacation, and never put down my phone,” she says of the award show’s aftermath. “I was obsessed.”

“I’ve been there,...

Stars: Jake Cannavale, Angelique Rivera, Sarah Yarkin, Jim Titus, Ty Headlee, Kristin Daniel, Patrick Fabian | Written by Mike Herro, David Strauss | Directed by Rodman Flender

Back in 1999 I fell in love with the teen horror comedy Idle Hands, with its mix of gore, laughs and a teen cast that felt totally beliveable and altogether likeable. Now, some ten years later, that films director returns with Eat Brains Love, based on the young adult novel of the same name by Jeff Hart, which once again captures that exact blend of horror and comedy to perfection.

High schooler Jake Stephens longs for the unreachable Amanda Blake (Angelique Rivera), who’s dating Chazz (Ty Headlee) the head jock. So how can Jake woo Amanda away from Chazz who, in typical high-school movie fashion, is the schools resident meat-head bully. Well how about he and Amanda get infected by a sexually transmitted zombie virus,...

1957: CBS aired the last episode of daytime soap Valiant Lady.

1985: General Hospital's Celia and Jimmy Lee married.

2007: Guiding Light's Olivia ran into Reva during Josh's wedding.

2007: One Life to Live's Asa Buchanan died."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1957: The final episode of daytime soap opera Valiant Lady aired on CBS radio and television. The show, which debuted in 1953, was a follow up to the radio soap opera of the same name that ran from 1938 to 1952. Flora Campbell starred as Helen Emerson during the show's final three years.

1971: On The Doctors,...

World AIDS Day takes place on December 1st each year. It's an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

1957: CBS aired the last episode of daytime soap Valiant Lady.

1985: General Hospital's Celia and Jimmy Lee married.

2007: Guiding Light's Olivia ran into Reva during Josh's wedding.

2007: One Life to Live's Asa Buchanan died."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1957: The final episode of daytime soap opera Valiant Lady aired on CBS radio and television. The show, which debuted in 1953, was a follow up to the radio soap opera of the same name that ran from 1938 to 1952. Flora Campbell starred as Helen Emerson during the show's final three years.

1971: On The Doctors,...

Milton Caniff’s Steve Canyon (1947-1988) was one of the most celebrated adventure comic strips of the 1950s. The blond, square-jawed hero was on the cutting edge of action as he took to the skies and had adventures around the world. Caniff populated the strip with memorable supporting characters and adversaries so it was a rich reading experience.

The strip was so popular that when Captain Action was introduced in 1966, Canyon was one of the first heroes he could turn into. Somewhat earlier, Canyon also served as inspiration for an NBC prime time series that, sadly, bore little resemblance to the strip (a common problem back then).

In 2008, John R. Ellis brought us this forgotten gem with The Complete Steve Canyon on TV Volume 1 and followed up a year later with Volume 2. The silence until late last year when the anticipated Volume 3 finally arrived, completing the run. Thankfully it came...

Pioneering woman director Lois Weber socially conscious drama 'Shoes' among Library of Congress' Packard Theater movies (photo: Mary MacLaren in 'Shoes') In February 2015, National Film Registry titles will be showcased at the Library of Congress' Packard Campus Theater – aka the Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation – in Culpeper, Virginia. These range from pioneering woman director Lois Weber's socially conscious 1916 drama Shoes to Robert Zemeckis' 1985 blockbuster Back to the Future. Another Packard Theater highlight next month is Sam Peckinpah's ultra-violent Western The Wild Bunch (1969), starring William Holden and Ernest Borgnine. Also, Howard Hawks' "anti-High Noon" Western Rio Bravo (1959), toplining John Wayne and Dean Martin. And George Cukor's costly remake of A Star Is Born (1954), featuring Academy Award nominees Judy Garland and James Mason in the old Janet Gaynor and Fredric March roles. There's more: Jeff Bridges delivers a colorful performance in...

After appearing on The CW's "Arrow", the character 'Amanda Waller' and her 'Task Force X', aka 'Suicide Squad' will be relaunched in a new DC Comics' series:

Available July 9, 2014, "New Suicide Squad" will be written by Sean Ryan and illustrated by Jeremy Roberts, including 'Deadshot', 'Harley Quinn', 'Joker’s Daughter', 'Deathstroke' and 'Black Manta', while their leader Waller deals with a new set of challenges including power struggles and less autonomy.

The CW's "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu and Bryan Q. Miller, directed by Larry Teng, aired March 19, 2014, with Waller sending the squad on their first mission:

"...following the return of 'Slade' (Manu Bennett) and his promise to make good on his threat to destroy the loved ones of 'Oliver', Oliver focuses all his energy on preparing for battle with his former friend. 'Sarah' (Caity Lotz) tries to help but, fearing for her safety,...

Sneak Peek more footage from The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airing March 19, 2014, as 'AmandaWaller' sends the 'Suicide Squad' out on their first mission:

"...following the return of 'Slade' (Manu Bennett) and his promise to make good on his threat to destroy the loved ones of 'Oliver', Oliver focuses all his energy on preparing for battle with his former friend. 'Sarah' (Caity Lotz) tries to help but, fearing for her safety, Oliver pushes her away. Meanwhile, 'Diggle' (David Ramsey) is recruited by 'Amanda Waller' (Cynthia Addai-Robinson and 'A.R.G.U.S.' to stop a warlord (Lee Majdoub) he knew from his time in Afghanistan.

"Always the soldier, Diggle agrees to help. However, he’s not prepared when Amanda introduces him to the rest of the team – 'Deadshot' (Michael Rowe), 'Bronze Tiger' (Michael Jai White) and...

Sneak Peek more footage from The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airing March 19, 2014, as 'AmandaWaller' sends the 'Suicide Squad' out on their first mission:

"...following the return of 'Slade' (Manu Bennett) return and his promise to make good on his threat to destroy the loved ones of 'Oliver', Oliver focuses all his energy on preparing for battle with his former friend. 'Sarah' (Caity Lotz) tries to help but, fearing for her safety, Oliver pushes her away. Meanwhile, 'Diggle' (David Ramsey) is recruited by 'Amanda Waller' (Cynthia Addai-Robinson and 'A.R.G.U.S.' to stop a warlord (Lee Majdoub) he knew from his time in Afghanistan.

"Always the solider, Diggle agrees to help. However, he’s not prepared when Amanda introduces him to the rest of the team – 'Deadshot' (Michael Rowe), 'Bronze Tiger' (Michael Jai White...

Sneak Peek footage, images and synopsis from The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airing March 19, 2014, as 'AmandaWaller' sends the 'Suicide Squad' out on their first mission:

"...following the return of 'Slade' (Manu Bennett) return and his promise to make good on his threat to destroy the loved ones of 'Oliver', Oliver focuses all his energy on preparing for battle with his former friend. 'Sarah' (Caity Lotz) tries to help but, fearing for her safety, Oliver pushes her away. Meanwhile, 'Diggle' (David Ramsey) is recruited by 'Amanda Waller' (Cynthia Addai-Robinson and 'A.R.G.U.S.' to stop a warlord (Lee Majdoub) he knew from his time in Afghanistan.

"Always the solider, Diggle agrees to help. However, he’s not prepared when Amanda introduces him to the rest of the team – 'Deadshot' (Michael Rowe), 'Bronze Tiger' (Michael Jai White...

Sneak Peek more new images from The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airing March 19, 2014:

Guest cast includes Michael Rowe as 'Floyd Lawton'/'Deadshot', Michael Jai White as 'Ben Turner'/'Bronze Tiger' and Cynthia Addai-Robinson as 'Amanda Waller'.

Also starring are Ben Browder as 'Ted Gaynor' and Audrey Marie Anderson as 'Lyla Michaels'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under the command of government agent 'Dr. Amanda Blake Waller'.

Nicknamed 'The Wall', Waller is a former...

Sneak Peek more new images of the "Arrow" villains team-up called the 'Suicide Squad', based on the DC Comics characters, appearing in The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airing March 19, 2014:

Guest cast includes Michael Rowe as 'Floyd Lawton'/'Deadshot', Michael Jai White as 'Ben Turner'/'Bronze Tiger' and Cynthia Addai-Robinson as 'Amanda Waller'.

Also starring are Ben Browder as 'Ted Gaynor' and Audrey Marie Anderson as 'Lyla Michaels'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under...

Sneak Peek your first look @ "Arrow" villains, the 'Suicide Squad', appearing in The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airing March 19, 2014:

Guest cast includes Michael Rowe as 'Floyd Lawton'/'Deadshot', Michael Jai White as 'Ben Turner'/'Bronze Tiger', Cynthia Addai-Robinson as 'Amanda Waller', Ben Browder as 'Ted Gaynor' and Audrey Marie Anderson as 'Lyla Michaels'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under the command of government agent 'Dr. Amanda Blake Waller'.

Nicknamed 'The Wall', Waller is...

The CW's upcoming "Arrow" episode, titled "Suicide Squad", written by Keto Shimizu, Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Larry Teng, airs March 19, 2014, showcasing the DC Comics characters, 'Deadshot' and 'Bronze Tiger' :

Guest cast includes Michael Rowe as 'Floyd Lawton'/'Deadshot', Michael Jai White as 'Ben Turner'/'Bronze Tiger', Cynthia Addai-Robinson as 'Amanda Waller', Ben Browder as 'Ted Gaynor' and Audrey Marie Anderson as 'Lyla Michaels'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under the command of government agent 'Dr. Amanda Blake Waller'.

Nicknamed 'The Wall', Waller is a former...

Sneak Peek actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson ("Spartacus: War Of The Damned") as 'A.R.G.U.S.' agent 'Amanda Waller' in charge of the 'Suicide Squad', appearing in Season 2 of  The CW's "Arrow":

The sixth episode of the new season, titled "Keep Your Enemies Closer" features Waller sending out a team to kidnap Oliver's friend and right-hand man 'Diggle'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government...

...undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under the command of government agent 'Dr. Amanda Blake Waller'.

Nicknamed 'The Wall', Waller is a former congressional aide and government agent often placed in charge of the Squad.

Sneak Peek actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson ("Spartacus: War Of The Damned") as 'A.R.G.U.S.' agent 'Amanda Waller' in charge of the 'Suicide Squad', appearing in Season 2 of  The CW's "Arrow":

The sixth episode of the new season, titled "Keep Your Enemies Closer" will feature Waller sending out a team to kidnap Oliver's friend and right-hand man 'Diggle'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government...

...undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under the command of government agent 'Dr. Amanda Blake Waller'.

Nicknamed 'The Wall', Waller is a former congressional aide and government agent often placed in charge of the Squad.

The CW comfirms that actress Cynthia Addai-Robinson ("Spartacus: War Of The Damned") will join the cast of "Arrow" Season 2 as 'Amanda Waller', an 'A.R.G.U.S.' agent in charge of the 'Suicide Squad'.

The sixth episode of the new season, titled "Keep Your Enemies Closer" will feature Waller sending out a team to kidnap Oliver's friend and right-hand man 'Diggle'.

"The Suicide Squad", aka "Task Force X", debuted in DC Comics' "The Brave and the Bold" (vol. 1) #25 (1959), then revived in DC's "Legends" #3 (1987). 

The current 'Suicide Squad', created by John Ostrander is an anti-hero team of incarcerated super-villains who act as assets for the Us government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences.

The group operates out of 'Belle Reve Penitentiary', under the command of government agent 'Dr. Amanda Blake Waller'. Nicknamed 'The Wall', she is a former congressional aide and government agent...

CBS is slowly rolling out on DVD television's longest running show, Gunsmoke. Season 7 (Volume 1) of this 20-year series continues the saga of Dodge City, Kansas, where American western tropes are hashed out—and rehashed—each week. There are cowboys, prostitutes, and outlaws galore in this surprisingly heartwarming series.

Just like Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, too, has an episodic formula. Each episode features a small group of new characters who in some way get involved with Dodge City and the main characters of the show. Usually they cause trouble that requires the attention of Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) and almost always results in the death of one of the guest stars. Other main characters include saloon-owner Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake), Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), and Dillon's deputy sidekick Chester (Dennis Weaver). While there are no real recurring stories, there are solid relationships between the main characters that keep viewers engaged—especially...

"I know exactly what you used to do for the Brazilians before you got your power and I know exactly how much you enjoyed yourself while doing it. Now get to it, killer."--Amanda Waller --> Comic Book History Who is Amanda Waller? Dr. Amanda Blake Waller is a DC Comics character who first appeared in Legends #1 in 1986. She was created by John Ostrander, Len Wein, and John Byrne. Despite not possessing any superpowers, she has persistently proven herself a powerful foe of the superheroes of the DC universe and antiheroine. First Appearance Amanda Waller, nicknamed "the Wall", is a former congressional aide and government agent often placed in charge of the Suicide Squad, a semi-secret government-run group of former supervillains working in return for amnesty. Amanda Waller is a widow who escaped Chicago's Cabrini–Green housing projects with her surviving family after one of her sons, one of her...

Here's the latest celeb gossip excerpt from a post originally featured on Green Celebrity Network (http://greencelebrity.net), a green gossip website that shares unique lifestyle reviews about Hollywood star celebs featured in movies, on television, and whose names recently made front page headlines in entertainment news. The website says...

Go West! James Arness, Amanda Blake, and John Wayne Hollywood American heroes as star celebs in Westerns? [Jun. 5] Gunsmoke was a popular television series based on life in the Wild, Wild West that aired from 1955 to 1975. Recently deceased actor James Arness played the lead role Marshal Matt Dillon, while his love interest Miss Kitty was played by the lovely red headed actress Amanda Blake. The Marshal's assistant was named Chester, a character played by actor Dennis Weaver. He won an Emmy for playing that role; however, when he left the show, the beloved and quirky character of Festus Haggen took over as a TV show favorite,...