39 years ago today, television viewers who were watching NBC primetime met a group of four former members of the Special Forces who, during the Vietnam War, were framed for a crime they didn’t commit.

The pilot for the A-Team first aired on January 23rd, 1983.  No one had much hope for the pilot, with the exception of star George Peppard who predicted the show would be a hit as soon as he read the script.  Producer Stephen J. Cannell hadn’t had a hit in a while.  When Cannell was hired by NBC, network president Brandon Tartikoff asked for one thing: “Mr. T driving a car.”

Despite what the critics thought and despite the skepticism of the network brass, The A-Team was an immediate success.  Audiences loved the four misfits who somehow always managed to win the day despite Face’s womanizing, Murdock’s insanity, and B.A.’s fear of flying.  A week after the pilot aired, the show’s first regular episode was broadcast directly after the Super Bowl.  The rest is history.

If you have a problem, the A-Team can help.  You just have to find them.

Previous Great Moments In Television History:

1. Planet of the Apes The TV Series
2. Lonely Water
3. Ghostwatch Traumatizes The UK
4. Frasier Meets The Candidate
5. The Autons Terrify The UK
6. Freedom’s Last Stand
7. Bing Crosby and David Bowie Share A Duet
8. Apaches Traumatizes the UK
9. Doctor Who Begins Its 100th Serial
10. First Night 2013 With Jamie Kennedy
11. Elvis Sings With Sinatra
12. NBC Airs Their First Football Game