This Month In YesterYear History - December

   

In "This Month in YesterYear History," we look back at the big pop culture moments from 

20 (2005), 25 (2000), and 30 (1995) years ago!   

Below, you'll find a little time capsule of what was significant during this month in history.  Hopefully, as you read these brief recaps of the past, you'll remember the who, when, and where of some long-tucked-away memories!  That's the whole point of this site! 

POINTS OF REFERENCE

2005:  On the 3rd, XCOR Aerospace makes the first manned rocket delivery of U.S. Mail in the Mojave Desert of California.  Guess that didn't catch on?  For the 4th, the first half of a two-part biopic film about Pope John Paul II airs on CBS.  The UK's Civil Partnership Act takes effect on the 5th, allowing the first civil partnerships to become formally recognized.  American Idiots Green Day, 50 Cent, and Mariah Carey take top honors at the 16th Billboard Awards on the 6th.  On the 9th, Brokeback Mountain is released in theaters.  On the same day, Paramount Pictures and Viacom pay $1.6 billion to purchase Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg's animation and film studio, DreamWorks SKG.  On the 11th, the Billy Joel rock ballet "Movin' Out" comes to an end on Broadway after 1,303 performances.  On the 15th, the U.S. Air Force introduced the F-22 Raptor.  On the 20th, Mary G. Blige's 7th studio album, "The Breakthrough," debuts.  It will win 3 Grammys and sell 3 million copies.  Also on the 20th, the New York City Transportation Workers Union goes on strike over pay and benefits, shutting down the city's subway and bus service for 3 days.  On the 21st, the Colorado Avalanche's Joe Sakic was named Captain of the Canadian Olympic team.  On the 23rd, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 217 from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Aktau, Kazakhstan, crashes shortly after takeoff, killing 23 people.  On the 30th, Tropical Storm Zeta forms in the Atlantic, marking the latest a tropical cyclone formed in the Atlantic basin.  Jamie Dimon was named CEO of JPMorgan Chase on the 31st.

2000:  On the 5th, the smash hit soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" is released.  At the 11th Billboard Awards on the 6th, Destiny's Child, the Dixie Chicks, 'N Sync, and Faith Hill win big.  On the 12th, the Supreme Court released its 5-4 decision in Bush vs Gore, settling the recount dispute in Florida's 2000 election in George W. Bush's favor, handing him the Presidency.  The next day, on the 13th, Al Gore finally gave his concession speech.  Also on the 13th, the "Texas 7" escaped from the John Connally Unit near Kenedy, Texas, and later went on a crime spree and killed police officer Aubrey Hawkins.  On Christmas Eve, the "Texas 7" held up a store in Irving, Texas.  On the 27th, Pittsburgh Penguins center and part-owner Mario Lemieux scored a goal and 2 assists in his return to the NHL after missing more than 3 years with cancer treatment and back injuries.  On the 28th, legendary retailer Montgomery Ward announced that after 128 years, it would be going out of business.  

1995:  On the 2nd, Montreal Canadiens coach Mario Tremblay leaves goaltender Patrick Roy in the game after Roy allowed an embarrassing 9 goals in an 11-1 loss to Detroit.  After the game, Roy is furious and immediately demands a trade, which is granted, and he is sent to Colorado, where he wins the Stanley Cup later that season.  On the 3rd, Pete Sampras beat Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the Dennis Cup in Moscow.  Hootie and the Blowfish and TLC win at the 6th Annual Billboard Awards on the 6th.  On the 6th, Michael Jackson collapses while rehearsing for an HBO special.  Following the death of Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead officially broke up on the 7th.  Also on the 7th, the U.S. spacecraft Galileo began orbiting Jupiter.  On the 10th, the two new NBA expansion teams meet for the first time, and the Toronto Raptors defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 93-81.  The worst snowfall in 24 hours hit Buffalo, New York, on the 10th, when 37.9" fell.  This record was easily broken in 2022, when 72" (6 feet) fell in some parts of the city in just 24 hours.  On the 11th, Thomas O'Hicks purchased the Dallas Stars hockey team for $84 million.  On the 12th, the NBA referees return to work after striking.  On the 13th, actor Christopher Reeve is released from physical rehab after falling from his horse.  Also on the 13th, the United States Federal Court of Appeals ruled that cable companies must carry local television stations.  The movie "Heat," starring Al Pacino, Robert de Niro, and Val Kilmer, was released on the 15th.  After a 36-year ban, Playboy is back on store shelves in Ireland on the 17th.  American Airlines Flight 965 crashed into a mountain in Buga, Colombia, on the 20th.  159 die, 5 survive.  On the 21st, the city of Bethlehem passes from Israeli to Palestinian control.  On the 22nd, pitcher David Cone signed a (at the time) eyebrow-raising $19.5 million 3-year contract with the New York Yankees.  On the 25th, Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith scored an NFL record 25th touchdown of the season in a 37-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals.

TOP MOVIES

2005: "The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" - 

This epic fantasy film was based on C.S. Lewis's 1950 novel.  Directed by Andrew Adamson and written by Ann Peacock, Andrew Adamson, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely, the film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media.  The film follows the four Pevensie siblings, Peter (William Moseley), Susan (Anna Popplewell), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), and Lucy (Georgie Henley), who are evacuated to the English countryside during World War II.  The siblings discover a magical wardrobe leading to Narnia, a fantastical land under the grip of the tyrannical White Witch (Tilda Swinton), who has cast an eternal winter.  Guided by the lion Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), the siblings unite with Narnian creatures to battle the Witch and fulfill a prophecy to restore peace. 

Blending adventure, coming-of-age themes, and a rich visual tapestry, the film was also infused with Christian themes.  C.S. Lewis, a devout Christian, incorporated religious themes into the novel, and the film followed suit with allegorical Christian themes.  Aslan, the lion, serves as a Christ figure, embodying sacrifice and resurrection; his death at the Stone Table to save Edmund and subsequent return mirror Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection, symbolizing redemption and hope.  The White Witch represents evil or Satan; her temptation of Edmund with Turkish Delight parallels sin’s allure.  The Pevensies’ journey reflects spiritual growth, with Edmund’s betrayal and redemption highlighting forgiveness and grace.  While the film maintains broad family appeal, these themes provide a moral undercurrent that resonates with Christian audiences while remaining accessible to secular viewers, as Lewis intended.  

Filming began in June 2004, primarily in New Zealand, leveraging its diverse landscapes for Narnia’s fantastical settings, with additional scenes shot in Poland, the Czech Republic, and the UK.  The production, backed by a $180 million budget, emphasized practical effects and CGI.  Rated PG in the U.S. for “battle sequences and frightening moments,” it opened in 3,616 theaters, earning $65.6 million in its U.S. opening weekend, securing the number-one spot.  It grossed $291.7 million domestically and $453.3 million internationally, totaling $745 million worldwide, making it the third-highest-grossing film of 2005, behind Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. 

 

2000: "What Women Want" -  

This romantic comedy from Paramount Pictures starred Mel Gibson as Nick Marshall, a chauvinistic Chicago advertising executive who gains the ability to hear women’s thoughts after a freak accident involving a hairdryer and a bathtub.  This newfound gift allows Nick to navigate his professional and personal life in unexpected ways, particularly in his rivalry with colleague Darcy Maguire (Helen Hunt) and his strained relationship with his teenage daughter, Alex (Ashley Johnson).  The film blends humor and romance as Nick uses his ability to outmaneuver competitors, win clients, and reconnect with the women around him, including his love interest, Darcy, and his ex-wife’s friend, Lola (Marisa Tomei).  Supporting roles by Mark Feuerstein, Lauren Holly, and Bette Midler add depth to the workplace and family dynamics, delivering a lighthearted exploration of gender perspectives and personal growth.

Filming took place in 1999, primarily in Chicago and Los Angeles, capturing the bustling world of an ad agency and the urban settings that ground the film’s fantastical premise.  With a $70 million budget, the film leaned into Gibson’s comedic timing and charm, casting him as a flawed but redeemable Playboy.  Hunt’s casting as Darcy brought a sharp, professional foil to Nick, while the ensemble was rounded out by seasoned actors.  

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language, it opened in 3,012 theaters, earning $33.6 million in its debut weekend and securing the number-one spot at the U.S. box office, overtaking How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  It grossed $182.8 million domestically and $191.3 million internationally, totaling $374.1 million worldwide, making it the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2000, behind Mission: Impossible 2, Gladiator, and Cast Away.  Its strong performance, particularly during the holiday season, was driven by its broad appeal to both male and female audiences, with an estimated 55 million tickets sold globally based on average ticket prices for the period.

1995: "Toy Story" -  

This classic animated comedy marked Pixar Animation Studios’ first feature film and the first ever entirely computer-animated feature.  Produced by Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures, with a screenplay by Joss Whedon, Andrew Stanton, Joel Cohen, and Alec Sokolow, it follows a group of toys that come to life when humans aren’t watching.  The story centers on Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll and leader of young Andy’s toys, who grapples with jealousy when Andy’s new favorite, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), a space ranger action figure, arrives.  When Buzz is accidentally knocked out a window, Woody’s quest to rescue him leads to adventures involving a cast that includes Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, and Annie Potts.  

Production began in 1991, with Pixar, then a small studio, leveraging new CGI technology to create a visually innovative film on a $30 million budget.  Director John Lasseter, inspired by his love of toys and earlier Pixar shorts like Tin Toy, collaborated with Disney to refine the story, initially pitched as a buddy comedy.  The animation process, using Pixar’s proprietary RenderMan software, required meticulous handcrafted digital models, a first for feature films.  Challenges included early script disputes, with Disney pushing for a darker tone before Lasseter and team pivoted to a warmer, character-driven narrative.  Randy Newman’s score and songs, like “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” became iconic, enhancing the film’s emotional depth and playful energy.

Toy Story premiered on November 19, 1995.  It was rated G and grossed $29.1 million in its debut weekend, reaching number one after Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls.  It earned $146.2 million domestically and $181.8 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $327.9 million, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1995, behind Batman Forever. 

The film received three Oscar nominations: Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, and Best Song (“You’ve Got a Friend in Me”).  Lasseter earned a Special Achievement Academy Award for its CGI innovation.  It won eight Annie Awards, including Best Animated Feature, and was later inducted into the National Film Registry in 2005.

TOP SONGS

2005:  "Run It" by Chris Brown

2000:  "Independent Woman Part I" by Destiny's Child

1995:  "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

TOP TELEVISION NEWS

December 2005:

1st:  Oprah Winfrey makes a celebrated appearance on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman, making her first appearance on a Letterman-hosted show in over 16 years.  

2nd:  A Knots Landing retrospective, Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again, is broadcast (appropriately) by CBS.

2nd:  ABC World News Now anchor Heather Cabot leaves the program due to pregnancy. 

5th:  Bob Woodruff and Elizabeth Vargas begin anchoring duties for ABC News' World News Tonight, replacing Peter Jennings, who had recently passed away from cancer.  

6th:  8.9 million people tune in to see the 2005 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS.

19th:  Howie Mandel led the game show "Deal or No Deal", which debuted on NBC.

26th:  ABC broadcasts its 555th and final telecast of Monday Night Football, featuring the Patriots taking on the Jets.   

31st:  The original Viacom officially breaks into two companies.  The CBS Television Network and pay-TV Showtime Networks become part of CBS Corporation, while the MTV Networks group of channels (MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and BET) becomes part of the new Viacom.  The greatest casualty of the division was Paramount Television, which had become part of CBS Corporation and ceased operations after 38 years of television production.  It was reopened as CBS Paramount Television in January 2006, and then changed again to CBS Television Studios.  The Paramount name was revived for the streaming network in 2021. 

December 2000:  

6th:  "Queer as Folk" debuted on Showtime.  "The Jeff Corwin Experience" debuted on Animal Planet.

13th:  "Normal, Ohio" was cancelled on FOX.

22nd:  In a "groundbreaking" event on the soap opera All My Children, Bianca Montgomery (Eden Riegel) reveals herself as a lesbian to her mother, Erica Kane (Susan Lucci).  

24th:  "Barket Beauties" Janice Pennington and Kathleen Bradley both leave The Price is Right.  Rumors suggest they refused to defend the show and Bob Barker in a wrongful termination suit and were dismissed.  Pennington had been with the show for over 28 years.  Auditions for replacements began the next day, and eventually Claudia Jordan and Heather Kozar were selected.  

26th:  "Suddenly Susan" was cancelled by NBC after having been on the air since 1996.

31st:  For the first time ever, ABC broadcasts "Dick Clark's Primetime New Year's Rockin' Eve" at 10PM Eastern.  It was followed by the local news, and then returned before midnight for "New Year's Rockin' Eve."  

Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) aired its final syndicated program, ECW Hardcore TV.  

December 1995:

8th:  Tattoed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills, the animated children's television series produced by DIC Entertainment, debuts on USA Network.  It ran from 1994 to 1995.  Reruns of the show would air on the "Cookie Jar Toons" block on USA from 2011 to 2012.  The series follows four teens who are chosen by an alien to fight monsters while overcoming problems at school.  

11th:  On NBC, The Today Show becomes the highest-rated morning news program (and would remain so until 2012).

18th:  As part of the Monday Night War, World Championship Wrestling booker Eric Bischoff has WWF performer Alundra Blayze (now going by the name Madusa) appear on TNT's WCW Monday Nitro, where she throws her WWF Women's Championship into a trash can.

22nd:  Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego comes to an end.  It and its banger theme song had run on PBS since 1991.

31st: Cartoon Network broadcasts the World Premiere Toons Countdown Call-In Show, a three-hour marathon during New Year's Eve, where viewers decide to vote and call for their favorite What a Cartoon!  Short.  The Dexter's Laboratory pilot was chosen as the winner and later greenlit as a full animated series that premiered the following year.