Today in Nerd History | September 10

Nerd culture is a vibrant tapestry of events, releases, and milestones that have shaped the entertainment landscape. From iconic movies to groundbreaking games and significant literary contributions, this article takes a trip down memory lane to explore the notable nerd culture events that occurred on September 10th in history. Let’s celebrate these cherished moments that have left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans around the world.

Photo Credit: Lovefood

Dinner Ready for TV

On September 10, 1954, the first Swanson TV dinners were made available for purchase. The frozen meals consisted of turkey, cornbread dressing, peas, and sweet potatoes that could be heated and eaten while watching television. Swanson expected to sell about 5,000 TV dinners in the first year, but they sold over 10 million instead.

Nerdy Fact: In 1999, Swanson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for its contribution to American entertainment culture.

Photo Credit: British Vogue

West Philadelphia, Born and Raised

On September 10, 1990, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered. This sitcom starring Will Smith follows the adventures of a street-smart teenager who moves from Philadelphia to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, Los Angeles.

Nerdy Fact: The final episode of the show aired on May 20, 1996, and it was watched by over 24 million viewers. It ended with a tearful farewell scene, where Will and the Banks family hugged each other and said goodbye. The last shot showed Will turning off the lights and leaving the empty mansion, accidentally (and comically) leaving Carlton behind in the bathroom.

Photo Credit: MovieWeb

The Truth is Out There

On September 10, 1993, The X-Files premiered. This science fiction drama television series follows two FBI agents, Mulder and Scully, who investigate unsolved cases involving paranormal phenomena and a government conspiracy to hide the truth about aliens.

Nerdy Fact: DC Talk recorded a song called “The Truth”, utilizing the famous line from The X-Files, with hopes of having it included in the soundtrack of the X-Files movie Fight the Future. Unfortunately, the song didn’t make the cut, but was released on the band’s album Supernatural.

Photo Credit: NPR

A Parody and an Homage

On September 10, 2017, The Orville premiered. This sci-fi comedy-drama series was created by and starred Seth MacFarlane as the captain of a starship in the 25th century. The show follows the adventures of the Orville and its crew as they explore the galaxy and deal with various challenges, both external and internal.

Nerdy Fact: The show is a homage to and a parody of Star Trek, and many Star Trek alumni have appeared or worked on the show. For example, Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation, has directed several episodes of The Orville.

Today in Nerd History is produced by Radio Matt & Deidra for Rise & Shine, Nerds, LTN’s official Nerdy Morning News Show.