Events in Film & Television in 1996

Jan 9 1st episode of TV sitcom "3rd Rock from the Sun" by Bonnie and Terry Turner and starring John Lithgow and Kristen Johnston screens on NBC

Jan 21 53rd Golden Globes: "Sense and Sensibility", Nicolas Cage, & Sharon Stone win

Feb 2 Ali Landry, 22, (Louisiana), crowned 45th Miss USA

Feb 15 Tamil romantic comedy film "Poove Unakkaga" released directed by Vikraman, starring Sangita and Vijay in his breakthrough role

Feb 23 "Trainspotting" directed by Danny Boyle based on the book by Irvine Welsh, starring Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller opens in cinemas in the UK and Ireland

Feb 27 American film production company "Happy Madison Productions" is founded by Adam Sandler

Mar 8 "Fargo" directed and written by Joel and Ethan Coen, starring Frances McDormand, William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi released in the US

Mar 10 22nd People's Choice Awards: Tom Hanks & Demi Moore win (Dramatic Motion Picture) and Tim Allen & Candice Bergen win (TV)

Mar 25 68th Academy Awards: "Braveheart", Nicolas Cage & Susan Sarandon win

Mar 31 WrestleMania XII, Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, CA - Shawn Michaels beats Bret Hart for WWF Heavyweight title

Apr 4 Revival of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's stage drama "Inherit the Wind", starring George C. Scott and Charles Durning, opens at Royale Theater, NYC; runs for 45 performances

Apr 6 American actor Marlon Brando makes anti-Semitic remarks about Hollywood on "Larry King Live", stating that the 'Jews control Hollywood'

Apr 12 Rock for the Rainforest benefit concert held at Carnegie Hall, NYC; performers include: Sting, Elton John, James Taylor, Don Henley, Diana Ross, Robin Williams, Branford Marsalis, and Kenny Kirkland

Apr 14 Trish Vradenburg's play "Apple Doesn't Fall.." directed by Leonard Nimoy opens and closes at Lyceum Theater NYC after 1 performance

Apr 18 Second successful revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", starring Nathan Lane, opens at St James Theater NYC for 715 performances

Apr 29 "Rent", starring Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs, opens at Nederlander Theater NYC

May 7 Comedian Martin Lawrence suffers a nervous breakdown

May 10 "Twister" disaster film written by Michael Crichton starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton premieres

May 22 Emmy 23rd Daytime Award presentation - Susan Lucci loses for 16th time

Jun 1 Woody Harrelson is arrested in Lee County, Kentucky, after he symbolically planted four hemp seeds to challenge the state law which did not distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana

Jun 10 Variety talk show "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" hosted by Rosie O'Donnell premieres

Jun 14 "Cable Guy" starring Jim Carrey is released

Jun 25 "Independence Day", directed by Roland Emmerich, and starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum premieres in Westwood, California

Jun 28 "Nutty Professor" starring Eddie Murphy opens in theaters in the USA

Aug 1 George R.R. Martin publishes the epic fantasy novel "A Game of Thrones", the first in his series "A Song of Ice and Fire"

Aug 21 Revival of Eugene O'Neill's' drama "Hughie", directed by Al Pacino, and starring Pacino and Paul Benedict, opens at Circle in the Square Theater, NYC; runs for 56 performances

Aug 26 "7th Heaven", starring Jessica Biel, debuts on The WB

Aug 28 53rd Venice Film Festival: "Michael Collins" directed by Neil Jordan wins Golden Lion

Sep 2 Jerry Lewis' 31st Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $49,200,000

Sep 8 August Wilson's drama "Seven Guitars" closes at Walter Kerr Theater, NYC, after 188 performances

Sep 16 Courtroom reality show "Judge Judy" with Judge Judith Sheindlin premieres in the US

Sep 20 Paramount Pictures releases cult revenge comedy "The First Wives Club" starring Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, and directed by Hugh Wilson

Nov 6 "The English Patient" based on the novel by Michael Ondaatje, directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche and Kristen Scott Thomas premieres in Los Angeles (Best Picture 1997)

Nov 18 "Star Trek: First Contact" film directed by Jonathan Frakes and starring Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes premieres

Dec 19 Revival of Mary Rodgers and Marshall Barer's musical comedy "Once Upon a Mattress", starring Sarah Jessica Parker, opens at Broadhurst Theatre, NYC; runs for 188 performances

Dec 20 Horror film classic "Scream", starring Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, is released