On This Day in Sitcom History — April 7th

1963: Rocky Graziano and Sugar Ray Robinson Appear on Car 54 Where Are You?

Joe E. Ross, Rocky Graziano, & Fred Gwynne in Car 54 Where Are You? (1963)

The penultimate episode of Car 54 Where Are You?, “Puncher and Judy,” aired on this day in 1963. It guest starred boxers Rocky Graziano and Sugar Ray Robinson as well as Shari Lewis in her second appearance on the show.

1984: Mama’s Family Final Network Broadcast

Vicki Lawrence in Mama’s Family (1984)

The season two finale of Mama’s Family, “A Grave Mistake,” aired on this day in 1984. It was the last episode broadcast on NBC after the network canceled it. Two years later, the show was picked up for syndication and re-tooled. The new version earned higher ratings, and the show continued for four more seasons.

1991: Married… with Children Backdoor Pilot with Matt LeBlanc

Matt LeBlanc in Married… with Children (1991)

The Married… with Children episode, “Top of the Heap,” aired on this day in 1991. It served as a backdoor pilot for the spinoff of the same name and featured a young Matt LeBlanc (of Friends fame) as Vinnie, the dimwitted son of Al’s (Ed O’Neill) childhood buddy.