'The Today Show' debut of J. Fred Muggs, a chimpanzee dressed in diapers like a baby. Muggs became an overnight sensation and NBC signed him to a contract to appear daily. However, the introduction of a chimp to the morning show, and in a prominent role, caused Jim Fleming, the original newsreader, to quit. He was replaced by Frank Blair, who went on to become a legendary member of The Today Show and NBC News from 1953 to 1975. The addition of J. Fred Muggs boosted ratings and brought the network an estimated $100 million in advertising revenue. Muggs sat in host Dave Garroway's lap, mastered more than 500 words, and had a wardrobe of 450 outfits. He "read" the day's newspapers, imitated Popeye and once played the piano with Steve Allen. Merchandise featuring him included books, comics, and games. As a television star, he was called on to open supermarkets and commission US Navy ships.