Throwback Thursday: ‘Dickinson’, ‘The Morning Show’, ‘Arrested Development’, and the Ghosts of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

November, otherwise known as the month of thanks. This Throwback Thursday we start our month off right with a look back at November 1 – November 7.

This means we get to explore moments like the introduction of a minor, yet well-loved character on Glee. As well as digging up the ghosts of Grey’s Anatomy past for a Dia de Los Muertos episode. 

When it comes to tv premieres we have some of the best with The Nanny, Arrested Development, and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives just to name a few. There were even some big premieres last year with the wildly popular Dickinson and The Morning Show.

Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a bumpy ride through TV history.

Major TV Moments:

Sweet Little Irish King, Rory Flanagan (Glee Season 3 Episode 4, “Pot O Gold”) (November 1, 2011)

For the many fans of Glee most would agree that you can’t help falling in love with the character, Rory Flanagan on sight. This Irish Exchange student is played by Glee Project Winner, Damien McGinty in a guest role throughout Season 3. 

Rory adds a bit of charm to the ever-growing band of misfits known as The New Directions. He joins the glee club in order to make some friends while at McKinley and to gain more favor with Brittany — whom he is living with.

He may only be in a handful of episodes but from that first moment we meet him, we are struck by his natural instinct to protect and accept Brittany as she is. Even if it means he pretends to be a leprechaun for an entire episode. 

Ghosts of Meredith’s Past (Grey’s Anatomy Season 15 Episode 6, “Flowers Grow Out Of My Grave”) (November 1, 2018)

One of the things about Grey’s Anatomy is they always know how to pack a punch — often when we least expect it. The Dia de Los Muertos themed episode during Season 15, is a prime example, especially the final scene as Meredith leaves the hospital. 

Meredith has just learned a valuable lesson from her patient’s celebration of the Day of the Dead. As she reflects on that lesson and walks through the hospital to go home we get to see the passing images of characters who have died during the show’s run.

It really brings us to tears seeing George, Lexie, Ellis, Derek, the dog Doc, and Mark. However, the biggest punch comes from the song playing in the background — a Spanish version of “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol, which has been a recurring presence on the show.

Athena Now and Then (9-1-1 Season 3 Episode 7, “Athena Begins”) (November 4, 2019)

9-1-1‘s strongest episodes are when it explores the career and backstory of the main characters. No episode was executed more thoroughly and successfully as “Athena Begins.”

With flashes between present-day Athena working on a case that she caught as a rookie and rookie Athena first trying the case, this episode tells a story in it’s fullest form. This keeps us all interested and rooting for Athena both past and present as she asserts her right to be present in a heavily male field.

This episode serves to cement Athena in TV history as one of the strongest, most fearless female law enforcement officers of all time. Even when she was just starting out and more at risk of getting fired she faced the world with no fear and stood proud for what she believes in. 

TV Premieres:

This week, things pick up a little bit with regards to new TV content. It’s a big week for TV lovers of all shapes and sizes.

Back in the 90s TV created some iconic children’s TV programs we still know to this day. Shows like Little Bear and Franklin (the famous turtle originally voiced by Schitt’s Creek‘s Noah Reid) taught children lessons such as sharing and being a good friend.

Throughout history, people have turned to TV to get the latest news and information. So it should come as no shock that some programs that are still around today have actually been on the air for decades — Meet the Press (1947), Face the Nation (1954), and Good Morning America (1975).

Here are a few TV shows that premiered this week in TV History:

• 1947 – Meet the Press
• 1954 – Face the Nation
• 1975 – Good Morning America
• 1978 – Diff’rent Strokes
• 1993 – The Nanny
• 1995 – Little Bear
• 1997 – Franklin
• 1998 – Becker
• 2002 – Codename: Kids Next Door
• 2003 – Arrested Development
• 2004 – Nanny 911
• 2005 – The Boondocks
• 2006 – Rob & Big
• 2006 – Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
• 2007 – Gangland
• 2007 – Chowder
• 2009 – V
• 2010 – Shake It Up
• 2019 – Dickinson
• 2019 – The Morning Show

Tell-Tale TV Archives:

We decided to only focus on interviews this week when we went deep diving into the archives. It isn’t often that our interviews get the spotlight, but they really should — they give us a peek behind the curtains.

This week we focused on some fun, informative, and most of all exciting interviews from Jonathon Bennett, Alison Thornton, and Miranda Edwards. We hope that you enjoy these conversations as much as we do!

2015

Jonathan Bennett Talks Pranks, Cake Wars, and His First Action Role [Exclusive Interview]

2016

Alison Thornton Talks ‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ [Exclusive Interview]

2018

Miranda Edwards on the New ‘Arrow’ Villain and Upcoming Series ‘Snowpiercer’ [Exclusive Interview]

—

What are some major TV premieres, finales, or moments you remember? Sound off in the comments below and your choice just might be featured in a future Throwback Thursday column.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

TV News Wrap-Up: CBS Cuts Episode Orders for Broadcast Series, Uzo Aduba Cast in HBO’s ‘In Treatment,’ ‘Ginger Snaps’ TV Series Adaptation in the Works