‘Mission Impossible’ Debuted On This Day In 1966 [VIDEO]

Even though I'm a "Treker", my all-time favorite TV show isn't "Star Trek", it's "Mission Impossible" which debuted on this day in 1966. And, the show wouldn't have happened at all without Lucille Ball!

Here's more, according to Wikipedia:

"Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin.

The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.

Now, here's where Lucille Ball comes in, from Wikipedia:

"Desilu Productions was formed in 1950 using the combined names of "Desi Arnaz" and "Lucille Ball". Ball approved high quality, original production concepts (such as The Untouchables or Star Trek) for development into broadcast series. As a result, even decades after the absorption of Desilu Productions and the production end of all of the original television series Desilu approved for development, certain series have achieved enduring success and, in some cases, redevelopment into feature length motion picture franchises in their own right. Star Trek, Mission Impossible, and The Untouchables are examples."

Let's watch the classic show open complete with one of the most recognizable show themes in TV history: