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Today in History - March 1: Pop duo who didn't speak any English mistakenly given hour-long variety show

Nick Pearson
Nick Pearson

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Widely considered one of the worst shows of all time, Pink Lady debuted on American TV on March 1, 1980.

Japanese pop duo Pink Lady had been chosen as the hosts of an American variety show, based on their immense popularity in their home country.

Attribution: NBC
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At the time the contract was signed, producers had been assured that Mitsuyo Nemoto (Mie) and Keiko Masuda (Kei) spoke fluent English.

But the pair did not speak English at all, and had to learn all their lines phonetically.

This made for an immensely difficult production. The pair had to fill an hour with jokes they didn't understand and lip-sync to songs they didn't know.

Attribution: Supplied
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For five episodes the pair tried their best, along with US co-star Jeff Altman.

Due to contractual disputes, the show was alternatingly named Pink Lady, or Pink Lady and Jeff.

Attribution: NBC
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Welsh prince Gruffudd ap Llywelyn ab Iorwerth fell to his death in a failed escape attempt on March 1, 1244.

Gruffudd had been locked up in the Tower of London as a hostage of King Henry III.

But he attempted a jailbreak by making a rope from sheets and clothes and lowering himself from his window.

But the rope broke and he died from the fall.

Attribution: Public Domain
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