November 17, 1946…TV’s 1st Magazine Style Show Debuts

“Television Screen Magazine” was the show, and it may have been the second ever NBC network series, but it was certainly among the first. NBC’s “Hour Glass” variety show came first with a debut on May 9, 1946. At the time, NBC’s television network included only three stations in New York, Schenectady and Philadelphia.

This weekly half hour program ran until July 23, 1949 and covered a lot of topics, but certain “sections” were recurring and were hosted by their “editors”. To reinforce the magazine format, magazine pages were turned before each new segment.

The lady in these photos (from 1948) is Ursula Halloran, who was a publicity agent for stars like Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Bob Hope and more.

Although it was not well known, Ursula and Bob had a very long affair, and once she finally gave up hope (literally), that Bob would leave his wife for her, the former beauty queen overdosed on sleeping pills.

The show ran on Sunday nights at 8:30 and the only other regular NBC network shows that year were, “Hour Glass”, “You Are An Artist” with John Gnagy (remember that?), and boxing shows that came from both Madison Square Garden and St. Nicholas Arena. -Bobby Ellerbee

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