Mental Floss

TV

Karen Neoh, Flickr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

In 1988, one year before 'Cops' began asking the bad boys of America “What'cha gonna do when they come for you?,” noted victims’ advocate John Walsh was turning every American with access to Fox into a potential crime-solver on 'America’s Most Wanted'.

Jennifer M Wood








Pop TV

How reality TV and an heiress inspired the show's iconic characters—plus many more behind-the-scenes facts about 'Schitt's Creek.'

Erin McCarthy
Hulu

It was only a matter of time before the television remake trend found its way back to Hannibal, Murdock, Face, and B.A. Baracus, the four mercenaries better known as The A-Team.

Therese Oneill








Brendon Thorne, Getty Images

Dolly Parton is loved, lauded, and larger than life, and she might just be the most charitable celebrity on the planet.

Kristy Puchko, Erika Wolf
NBC

Until the impressive record was surpassed by 'The West Wing in 2000', 'Hill Street Blues' held the title of most Emmy-awarded freshman series, with eight trophies for its debut season alone (despite its basement-level ratings).

Roger Cormier


ABC

The nighttime soap you have to thank for the 1980s shoulder pad trend made its debut on this day in 1981.

Garin Pirnia






HBO

The Emmy-nominated HBO series, which was inspired by George W. Bush, spurred controversy within the Mormon community.

Garin Pirnia