FEBRUARY 19, 1972

Full News Archive

• Headline: Family Reaches Out Amid Bombing Allegations. Impact: The bombing suspect’s family drama sparked a chain reaction leading to a new genre of reality TV: 'Family Visits Gone Wrong,' which would later inspire millions to tune in to their own family dysfunction.. Fact: K L Armstrong's parents later became motivational speakers, ironically focusing on the importance of choosing your friends wisely..
• Headline: Mil Bird Displays Versatility on Piano In Tully Hall Recital. Impact: The versatility displayed by Mil Bird on the piano led to the resurgence of piano bars, where patrons would pay to hear everything from Beethoven to the occasional cat fight.. Fact: Idil Biret’s performance was so captivating that it inspired a series of viral videos called 'Piano Recitals Gone Wild.'.
• Headline: Rifle Thief Pleads Guilty. Impact: This rifle theft incident sparked a nationwide trend of teenagers trying to one-up each other with increasingly ludicrous heists, leading to the eventual rise of reality heist shows.. Fact: M J Conley later claimed he only stole the rifles for a school project on 'How to Make Bad Decisions.'.
• Headline: A SCHOOL IN FLORIDA CLOSED AFTER FIGHTS. Impact: The closure of Ribault HS due to fights spurred a nationwide debate on school busing that culminated in a bizarre reality show where parents argued about school choices while riding a roller coaster.. Fact: The fights at Ribault HS were so intense that they inspired a series of motivational posters that read, 'Fight for Your Education!'.
• Headline: U.S. REPORT SAYS TOP DRUG PROBLEM IS ALCOHOL ABUSE. Impact: The report on alcohol abuse led to the invention of the 'Sober October' campaign, which has since become a yearly tradition for those who need a reason to complain about not drinking.. Fact: This report also led to the creation of a drink called the 'Mildly Concerned,' which is just a glass of water with a slice of lemon—very trendy at health retreats..
• Headline: Army Begins Courts‐Martial Stemming From Georgia Riot. Impact: The courts-martial following the Georgia riot resulted in a series of military dramas on TV that grossly exaggerated the events, inadvertently launching the 'military soap opera' genre.. Fact: The riot at Ft Gordon was so underreported that it inspired conspiracy theories about secret military training for reality TV stars..