Lori Acken's Articles

Lori Acken

CINDERELLA, Julie Andrews, aired March 31, 1957

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’: The Live TV Spectacle That Made Julie Andrews a Star

A record-breaking 107 million viewers tuned in to watch it the live musical.

Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983) Karen Grassle, Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, Melissa Gilbert & Lindsay Greenbush

What Happened On ‘Little House on the Prairie’s First Episode?

The Ingalls family began their journey west … and encountered a lot of unexpected surprises along the way.

CAGNEY AND LACEY, Tyne Daly, Sharon Gless, 1982-88,

6 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Cagney & Lacey,’ the Groundbreaking Cop Drama That Changed TV Forever

Sharon Gless was actually the third Cagney.

Singer Chaka Khan in 1980 and 2023 composite image

9 Fun & Funky Facts About Chaka Kahn & Her Upcoming ‘The Queens’ Tour

Chaka Kahn is hitting the road this summer along with Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills.

William Katt from Greatest American Hero and now

8 Fun Facts About ‘The Greatest American Hero’ William Katt

We first fell in love with him as Sissy Spacek’s prom date in ‘Carrie.’

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, Snow White, 1937

How ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ the First Disney Animated Movie, Was Made

Though Walt Disney’s dream took four years and $1.5 million to make, its payoff proved worthwhile.

ANNE MURRAY: SOUNDS OF LONDON, Anne Murray, 1983,

7 Fun Facts About Country Pop Star Anne Murray

Ann Murray is about to receive her 26th Juno award over the course of her 50 year career.

THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO, Robert Culp, William Katt, 1981-1983,

Remembering ‘The Greatest American Hero’: 8 High-Flying Fun Facts About the Show

44 years ago, the theme song almost hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

MALIBU, CA - JUNE 1 : Andrew Rob Gibb, known as Andy Gibb was a British singer, songwriter, performer, and teen idol. He was the youngest brother of the Bee Gees: Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. He died in England in 1988 .In 1982 Andy Gibb was in a relationship with actress Victoria Principal, photographed at her home when they lived on the beach June 1,1982 in Malibu

Andy Gibb’s Love Life: The Famous Women Who Stole His Heart

The youngest Gibb brother found love — and heartbreak — with a number of high-profile women.

THE LOVE BOAT, from left: Ted Lange, Gavin MacLeod, Jill Whelan, Bernie Kopell, Lauren Tewes, Fred Grandy, 1977-1986. Composite image

Exciting & New! 7 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About ‘The Love Boat’

Come aboard! We’re expecting you!

View of American Rock musician Nancy Wilson, of the group Heart, as she plays a Fender Telecaster electric guitar, seated on a stereo speaker, during an interview on MTV at Teletronic Studios, New York, New York, April 22, 1982.

5 Fun Facts About Heart’s Nancy Wilson That You Will Love

From Tom Cruise to Van Halen, Nancy Wilson has some incredible showbiz stories.

Melissa Gilbert with heart background graphic

Did Melissa Gilbert Date Billy Idol? All About the ‘Little House’ Star’s Past Loves

Now happily married, Melissa Gilbert had quite a busy love life before she found true love.

LOVE BOAT,

Do You Remember ‘The Love Boat’ Mermaids?

Well before ‘Lois & Clark’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’ Teri Hatcher made her TV debut splash as a dancing “Mermaid.”

DONNY AND MARIE, Marie Osmond, 1976-79.

Who Were Marie Osmond’s Famous Boyfriends?

“I was not a nun,” the singer told People Magazine in 2019.

A DIFFERENT WORLD, Jasmine Guy, (1991), 1987-1993.

5 Fun Facts About Jasmine Guy, Who Played Whitley Gilbert From ‘A Different World’

She originally wanted to be a dancer.

UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01: Photo of Andy GIBB; Posed studio portrait of Andy Gibb

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Andy Gibb, Pop Idol & Baby Brother of the Bee Gees

Teen heartthrob Gibb died 37 years ago, five days after his 30th birthday.

DONNY AND MARIE, from left: Marie Osmond, Donny Osmond, 1976-79

The Osmonds’ Greatest Comebacks: From Donny the “Mystery Artist” to Vegas

For the musical siblings, resilience and reinvention has always been a family affair.

Danny Kaye graphic

5 Fun Facts About Comedian & ‘White Christmas’ Star Danny Kaye

Kaye died 38 years ago. Do you remember his “The Vessel With the Pestle” routine?

EMERGENCY!, from left: Kevin Tighe, Randolph Mantooth, 1972-79.

Who’s Still Alive From the Medical Drama ‘Emergency!’?

Who’s still around from the series that taught America about paramedics and emergency services?

HEAD OF THE CLASS, Howard Hesseman, 1986-91,

Howard Hesseman’s ‘Head of the Class’ Mates Share Memories of the Late Star

He was “sometimes really tender, sometimes cantankerous,” as one former co-star recalled.

Shirley Temple with Oscar statue graphic

Have You Ever Heard of the Juvenile Oscar? All About the Discontinued Award Shirley Temple Once Won

This rare award was only given out a dozen times in Oscar history.

Grace Slick of The Jefferson Airplane and Jim Morrison graphci

Grace Slick Recounts One Wild Night With Jim Morrison As Jefferson Airplane Marks 60 Years

“We don’t know anything about anything except having fun” Slick said.

ONE TRICK PONY, Paul Simon, 1980,

The Rhythms of Paul Simon: 7 Fun Facts You Never Knew!

Simon will be touring this summer, after previously announcing his retirement.

Johnny Cash as Caleb Hodgekiss on LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE --

Remember When Johnny Cash Guest Starred on ‘Little House on the Prairie?’

His wife, June Carter Cash, also guest starred.

YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS, Sid Caesar, Carl Reiner, Imogene Coca, Howard Morris, 1950-54.

8 Fun Facts About ‘Your Show of Shows,’ the ’50s Comedy Variety Show That Gave Us Sid Caesar, Mel Brooks & More

75 years ago, it paved the way for future comedy variety shows.

Karen Grassle from Little House on the Prairie

8 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘Little House on the Prairie’ Star Karen Grassle

The actress, who turns 83 today, auditioned for the role of Ma Ingalls under the name “Gabriel Tree.”

Mister Rodgers

Get to Know Fred Rogers from ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’

TV turned an aspiring presbyterian minister into every child’s best friend.

SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, George Burns, Peter Frampton, Robin Gibb, 1978

10 Things You Didn’t Know About the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ Movie

Fin out how a hit Beatles album became a failed film.

UNPLUGGED, Eric Clapton, 1992. ©MTV / courtesy Everett Collection

‘Eric Clapton Unplugged…Over 30 Years Later’ Revisits the Show That Redefined Slowhand’s Career

On January 16, 1992, he stepped onstage at Bray Studios in Windsor, Berkshire, and unwittingly made music history.

Val Kilmer turned down roles collage

Val Kilmer Could Have Been Ponyboy? Johnny Castle?

He turned down some big-deal parts.