14 Impressive Firsts In TV History

By:
14 Impressive Firsts In TV History

It’s hard to imagine a time when streaming wasn’t readily available and the F-bomb wasn’t dropped on the daily. It feels weird even censoring “the F-bomb” considering it’s so commonplace in TV shows. But someone had to say it on TV first, and it wasn’t that long ago that network TV (and thus the FCC) had a stronghold on television consumption. Luckily, our TV shows nowadays aren’t all Leave It To Beaver (read on to see what taboo even the stereotypical wholesome show touched on) and are more reflective of the audience watching, including their language use. 

Pop culture is often representative of the larger culture so historic moments in TV history can reflect changing social views. From the shocking (at the time) implication that humans use the bathroom (gasp!) to showing the first gay kiss, we can see how social norms have shifted in the relatively short time span that television has existed. 

The First Birth

I Love Lucy 1953 CRACKED.COM The first televised birth (well, not graphic birth) goes to Lucille Ball, who wasn't even allowed to say the word 'pregnant' because it was too taboo.

Source: AV Club

First Gay Couple

Hot L Baltimore 1975 CRACKED.COM George and Gordon were the first gay couple to be shown on TV. The show ran with a disclaimer about 'mature themes.'

Source: ABC News

First Animated Show

Crusader Rabbit 1950 CRACKED.COM This cartoon was the first made-for-TV animated show, created by Alexander Anderson and Jay Ward who also created Rocky and Bullwinkle.

Source: ScreenRant

First Drama

The Queen's Messenger 1928 CRACKED.COM The first televised drama was broadcast on September 11, 1928, from Schenectady, New York. It was a radio drama that was adapted for this new-fangled thing called television.

Source: PBS

First Interracial Kiss

You in Your Small Corner 1962 CRACKED.COM The first interracial kiss on TV was actually on a live televised play. It features a passionate kiss and implied post-sex scene. If a play doesn't quite count, Emergency Ward 10 also included a kiss before the famous Star Trek smooch.

Source: The Guardian

The First (Kind Of) Toilet

Leave It to Beaver 1957 CRACKED.COM Although not quite the first show to feature a toilet (it was edited out for being too scandalous), it was the first show to show a toilet tank and certainly one of the first to even include a bathroom.

Source: Snopes

First Abortion Storyline

Another World 1964 CRACKED.COM The soap opera was the first TV show to address abortion. It would be another eight years until Maude's famous abortion storyline.

Source: MIC

First Trans Actor Who Played a Trans Character

Dirty Sexy Money 2007 CRACKED.COM The first TV show to feature a recurring trans actor playing a trans character was Candis Cayne's role in Dirty Sexy Money. Also noteable was Alexandra Billings, who played a trans character in the TV movie Romy and Michele: In the Beginning two years earlier.

Source: Out

First Kiss Between Two Men

Dawson's Creek 2000 CRACKED COM The first passionate kiss (not just a peck like Will & Grace) shared between two men was on the teen soap opera.

Source: Bustle

First Same-Sex Kiss

L.A. Law 1991 CRACKED.COM The show featured a bisexual woman who kissed a colleague. It was the first same-sex kiss shown on U.S. television.

Source: Bustle

First U.S. Sitcom, First Time a Married Couple Shared a Bed, and First Time a Woman's Pregnancy Was Shown

Mary Kay and Johnny 1947-1950 CRACKED.COM The very first U.S. sitcom featured the first time a couple slept in the same bed and the first time a woman's pregnancy was shown on TV.

Source: Snopes

Scroll down for the next article

MUST READ

Forgot Password?