The best mini-series in the history of television hit the screen tonight in 1989. “Lonesome Dove” told the tale of a cattle drive from a small Texas town to the greener pastures of Montana. Led by two former Texas Rangers played by Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, the series was a huge ratings hit and received universal acclaim from critics.

The baby in “She’s Having a Baby” turns 25-years old today. And while dad is trying to catch a serial killer and mom is off in England being a countess, nobody is really sure what happened with the male offspring. Considering how good the soundtrack was, he’s probably fronting an indie band that plays in all the cool clubs in Chicago.

There was the “young cop,” “the funny cop,” and “the megaphone cop,” in the only memorable scene from “Loaded Weapon I” which came out today in 1993. They were played by the dream trio of Cory Feldman, Phil Hartman and J.P. Hubbell. It was memorable because my brother spent an afternoon with Phil Hartman and talks about what a great guy he was.

Your writer didn’t stand much of a chance in this showdown with JP

Before their was “Brokeback Mountain,” there was “Personal Best,” which came out today (see what I did there) in 1982. The movie was about a group of female athletes who were trying to qualify for the 1980 Olympics, only to see their hopes dashed when the Unites States decided to boycott the games as a political stand against the USSR. The film was praised by critics and cheered for its sensitive portrayal of the relationship between a lesbian and the bisexual lead character played by Mariel Hemingway.

Happy Birthdays to Hank Aaron and Don Cherry, (79), Roger Staubach (71) and Christopher Guest (65).

— Bill Hubbell