Everyone's favorite reindeer is back this Friday. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer first aired on NBC on December 6th, 1964, exactly 42 years ago today. Since then, it has become the longest running, highest rated television special in history, as far as holiday shows go. When it first ran, it was on CBS as part of the G.E. Fantasy Hour. General Electric actually brought in Burl Ives (pictured) to give the show more selling power.
Before Rudolph hit the small screen, he was in the department store game. The story was originally created by Robert L. May for the Montgomery Ward company in 1939. The book was used as a promotional gimmick to give to customers during the holiday season.
There is more information on the show (then you'll ever need) at this site, one fact includes that on the Island of Misfit Toys, the Misfit Girl Doll's problem was more psychological than physical. Learn something new everyday! If you want to watch before Friday, you can check out a bunch of clips at YouTube.
