Throwback Thursday: ‘Chicago P.D.,’ ‘Shameless,’ ‘9-1-1,’ and Some LGBTQ+ TV Moments
Welcome to a new year and with that a whole new Throwback Thursday. This week we will focus on the dates January 2-9. (Adding a day this week allows us to lump in a couple of premieres from last week).
Looking back at TV moments there are some really fun episodes to reflect back on. The LGBTQ+ community saw some really great representation moments with Brothers & Sisters showing Kevin and Scotty choosing to adopt a child and with Schitt’s Creek detailing the awkward first day of David and Patrick’s relationship. Then on This Is Us the Pearson’s come together for group therapy at Kevin’s rehab.
There are so many great TV premieres this week as well — from all genres of TV. Starting in 1965 with the premiere of ABC World News Tonight going through shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Medium, and 2019’s The Masked Singer.
Fasten your seatbelts…it’s going to be a bumpy ride through TV history.
Major TV Moments:
Kevin and Scotty choose adoption (Brothers & Sisters Season 5 Episode 12, “Thanks for the Memories”) (January 9, 2011)
During Season 5, Kevin and Scotty make some major steps forward in their relationship. They look at alternative options to have a child after their surrogate situation doesn’t work out.
They meet with a young girl, Olivia, and during “Thanks for the Memories” they decide to move forward with the process of adopting her. It’s so sweet to watch them interact with her and show this young girl just how much they love her.
It’s a clear indication early on that this child was meant to be the one to complete their little family. Kevin and Scotty become parents in the best way possible and their unwavering love for her shines through in every scene — even when she steals Scotty’s wallet.
The Pearsons Go To Therapy (This Is Us Season 2 Episode 11, “The Fifth Wheel”) (January 9, 2018)
Part of Kevin’s rehab is doing a group therapy session with his family. This episode of This Is Us stands out for how uncomfortable their therapy session is while still remaining realistic and relatable.
Grievances are all laid out amongst The Big Three and their mom. Kevin has his own to air out that he has been working through during his solo sessions, but what comes as a bit of a surprise is his family having their own.
Things turn heated and uncomfortable fast as they work through truths they’ve all kept buried for quite a long time. Coupled with a backdrop of flashbacks to one particular family trip that caused many problems later on, this moment really hits all the right emotional moments.
David and Patrick Become a “We” (Schitt’s Creek Season 4 Episode 1, “Dead Guy in Room 4”) (January 9, 2018)
Defining a relationship during those early days is awkward enough, but to add in some miscommunication about a dead guy your first day as a couple is both awkward and hilarious. David and Patrick find that out first hand during the Season 4 premiere of Schitt’s Creek.
The best part about this moment is Patrick’s vulnerability about being in uncharted waters is met with nothing short of support and respect from David — who even tries to show this is new for him as well. It’s a sweet moment that fans go back to time and time again because their conversation and intimacy after are heartwarming and well worth the wait.
Of course, in true David and Patrick fashion, the serious moment has to be broken by David and Patrick teasing one another about their word choice. Despite what they say it is both “good” and “nice.”
Premieres:
Once January hits, winter TV picks up steam. So many great shows premiere during the month of January to give us content while our fall TV shows take a hiatus.
Some notable TV shows this week include 9-1-1, Shameless, Empire, Chicago P.D., and Galavant. Going even further back in history we find some other great shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman that are still popular binges to this day.
All My Children also premiered this week in 1970 and ran episodes clear up to 2013. To this day it is a staple in American TV history.
Here are a few TV shows that premiered this week in TV History:
- 1965 – ABC World News Tonight
- 1967 – The Newlywed Game
- 1970 – All My Children
- 1973 – Schoolhouse Rock!
- 1975 – Wheel of Fortune
- 1982 – Fame
- 1984 – Night Court
- 1985 – Larry King Live
- 1989 – The Arsenio Hall Show
- 1993 – Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman
- 1993 – Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
- 1996 – 3rd Rock from the Sun
- 1998 – Kids Say the Darnedest Things
- 1999 – Cold Case Files
- 1999 – Ed, Edd n Eddy
- 2000 – Malcolm in the Middle
- 2004 – BBQ with Bobby Flay
- 2005 – Medium
- 2010 – Worst Cooks in America
- 2010 – 18 to Life
- 2011 – Bob’s Burgers
- 2011 – Shameless (US)
- 2014 – Chicago P.D.
- 2015 – Galavant
- 2015 – Empire
- 2015 – Agent Carter
- 2018 – 9-1-1
- 2018 – Grown-ish
- 2018 – The Chi
- 2019 – The Masked Singer
Tell-Tale TV Archives:
Digging into the past is always fun — it reminds us of things long forgotten. Like that time we announced Alexis Bledel joining the cast of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Or the year we listed out why you should be watching The CW’s The 100. You might even want to look into our past by checking out our list of TV Premieres to look forward to in 2018 — a big year for new TV.
2015
2017
Gilmore Girls Star Alexis Bledel Joining the Cast of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
2018
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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.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.