January 24, 1942: Famous comedy Abie's Irish Rose was first aired on NBC as a stand-in for Knickerbocker Playhouse . The show was based on the hit production from Broadway, and it continued for approximately 2,000 episodes. Sydney Smith appeared in the title role of Abie while Rosemary Murphy was played by Betty Winkler. Abie's Irish Rose was written by American playwright Anne Nichols. It featured the story of an Irish girl who, despite the disapproval of her family, married a young man of Jewish descent. It lasted for more than two years, with the last episode airing on September 2, 1944.
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