Home | About Me | Each Season | Favorite Links | One Episode | TV Notes | 1946 | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010

TV Seasons

1981

1981/82 – Dallas was #1 on CBS Friday, second year running.

Note: Any BOLD shows were cancelled in 1981 season; Soap was cancelled in the fifth season.

Anniversary:

M*A*S*H celebrated ten years on CBS.

Wild Kingdom celebrated fifteen on TV.

Biggest New Hit: Falcon Crest was #13 on CBS Friday. Well, duh! It aired after Dallas. What a better way to get ratings for a new show. You better watch out for Angela Channing. She is one of the meanest and baddest women on Falcon Crest. She will fight tooth and nail for her vineyards whether you are a relative or not.

Contract Dispute:

Tom Wopat and John Schneider left their popular series, The Dukes Of Hazzard, in a dispute over their salaries and merchandising royalties. Warner Bros. replaced them with new Dukes for next season.

Lynn Redgrave left House Calls. Sharon Gless replaced her in the series.

Daytime: Diff'rent Stokes was on NBC weekdays from April 1982–December 1983 and July–September 1984.

Death: Slim Pickens died from a brain tumor after the first few Filthy Rich episodes were filmed. Forrest Tucker replaced him in the Big Guy role.

Movies 2 TV:

Fame was based on the 1980 Irene Cara movie. Debbie Allen, Albert Hague, Gene Anthony Ray and Lee Curreri reprised their roles for the series.

Herbie, The Love Bug was based on the Walt Disney movies. Dean Jones reprised his role from two movies, The Love Bug and Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo.

Name Change:

It’s A Living to Making A Living.

Harper Valley P.T.A. to Harper Valley.

SCTV Network 90 to SCTV Network.

Return: The $25,000 Pyramid returned to syndication as The $50,000 Pyramid after a two year absence.

Simultaneous:

A Martinez was on Cassie & Company and Born To The Wind in the same season. Born To The Wind started on August 19, 1982; Cassie & Company ended the very next day.

Slim Pickens was on The Nashville Palace and Filthy Rich in the same season. The Nashville Palace ended on August 7, 1982. Two days later, Filthy Rich started on CBS.

Spin Off: Bret Maverick from Maverick, James Garner FINALLY returned to Maverick...oops, I mean, Bret Maverick...after twenty one years. Didn't I mention that Bret Maverick was a spin off?

Switch Networks: The Wonderful World of Disney went from NBC to CBS.

TV History: – In the TV movie, Sidney Shorr: A Girl's Best Friend, Sydney was a known homosexual. It became a TV show, Love, Sydney, starring Tony Randall. His sexual orientation was never ever mention on the show. Thus, he, somehow, slipped back in the closet. Really, some groups pressured NBC to drop it from the show. Sadly, Sidney Shorr could have been the first gay lead character in primetime, but it wasn’t meant to be. The gay lead honors goes to Ellen DeGeneres on Ellen in 1997. The LGBT people came a long way since then.

Tidbits:

Falcon Crest was the third popular soap. The first ones were Dallas and Dynasty.

Simon & Simon premiered on my twelfth birthday – November 24, 1981. I brought them luck; they were on for eight years! LOL

Entertainment Tonight, the first of it’s kind, premiered this year; it is the longest entertainment magazine ever. There was turmoil with the hosts in the first year. When Mary Hart came aboard, it hits their stride. Mary is a favorite host; she is the longest running host. Leonard Martin, the movie critic, was there from the very beginning, as he is today.

Michael Landon was the creator/producer of Father Murphy, starring Merlin Olsen.

Lorenzo Lamas is the only actor to appear in all 227 episodes of Falcon Crest. His own father, Fernando Lamas, guest starred on Jane Wyman’s series in 1958 when Lance was just a baby. Falcon Crest made him world famous.

Delta Burke & Dixie Carter both starred on Filthy Rich, created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. The flop lasted for a few months on CBS. Delta, Dixie and Linda rejoined together for their biggest hit of their careers, Designing Women, in 1986. Linda created that show too.

Scott Baio & Ellen Travolta played mother/son on Joanie Loves Chachi. Ellen joined Charles In Charge in 1987. Once again, she played his mother.

Viewer Response: Cagney & Lacey started out very badly in the ratings, thou the TV movie was a big hit in October 1981with Loretta Swit and Tyne Daly. Loretta wasn't available for the series; she was doing M*A*SH at the time. Meg Foster flopped as Cagney; Sharon Gless replaced Meg in the second season and the ratings was still bad. Like any network does with a bad series, CBS cancelled the series at the end of the season. The letters poured into CBS and the summer reruns picked up new viewers to see what the fuss was about. Tyne Daly won the Emmy for best actress in September 1983. Cagney & Lacey returned the following March. It was #10 of the season.

 

1981/82 Fall Season

A writer’s strike delayed the 1981/82 Season.

One Season (1981/82)

The Fall Guy – 1981–1986, ABC, adventure, Lee Majors, Heather Thomas

Falcon Crest – 1981–1990, CBS, soap, Jane Wyman, Robert Foxworth, Susan Sullivan

Father Murphy – 1981–1983, NBC, drama, Merlin Olsen

Gimme A Break! – 1981–1987, NBC, comedy, Nell Carter, Dolph Sweet

Love, Sidney – 1981–1983, NBC, comedy, Tony Randall

Simon & Simon – November 1981–1989, CBS, detective drama, Gerald McRaney, Jameson Parker

 

Cancelled TV Shows

Best Of The West – ABC, comedy, Joel Higgins

Bret Maverick – NBC, western, James Garner

Code Red – ABC, adventure, Lorne Greens, Adam Rich

Darkroom – ABC, occult anthology, James Coburn

Fitz & Bones – NBC, comedy/drama, 4 episodes, Dick & Tom Smothers

Jessica Novak – CBS, drama, Helen Shaver

Lewis & Clark – NBC, comedy, Gabe Kaplan

Maggie – ABC, comedy, Doris Roberts

McClain’s Law – NBC, crime drama, James Arness

Mr. Merlin – CBS, comedy, Barnard Hughes

The Nashville Palace – NBC, variety, Slim Pickens

Shannon – CBS, crime drama, Kevin Dobson

Strike Force – ABC, crime drama, Robert Stack

Today’s FBI – ABC, crime drama, Mike Connors

 

6 out of 20 new series SURVIVED for 1982/83

ABC – 1/7, Fall Guy

CBS – 2/5, Cagney & Lacey, Falcon Crest & Simon & Simon

NBC – 3/8, Father Murphy, Gimme A Break & Love, Sidney

 

Mid season shows

Cagney & Lacey – March 1982–1988, CBS, crime drama, Tyne Daley, Meg Foster

Fame – January 1982–1983, NBC, drama, Debbie Allen, Albert Hague

Filthy Rich – August 1982–1983, CBS, comedy, Dixie Carter, Delta Burke

Joanie Loves Chachi – March 1982–1983, ABC, comedy, Scott Baio, Erin Morin

9 To 5 – March 1982–1984, ABC, comedy, Rita Moreno, Jeffrey Tambor

T.J. Hooker – March 1982–1987, ABC, crime drama, William Statner, Heather Locklear

Teachers Only – April 1982–1983, NBC, comedy, Norman Fell, Lynn Redgrave

 

Cancelled Mid Season Shows

Baker's Dozen – CBS, comedy, Ron Silver, Sam McMurray

The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour – NBC, comedy variety, 5 episodes, Billy Crystal

The Book Of Lists – CBS, variety, 4 episodes, Bill Bixby

Born To The Wind – NBC, adventure, A Martinez

Bret Maverick – NBC, western, James Garner

Cassie & Company – NBC, detective drama, Angie Dickinson, A Martinez

Chicago Story – NBC, drama, Dennis Franz, Craig T. Nelson

Counterattack: Crime In America – ABC, information/public affairs, George Kennedy

Foul Play – ABC, detective, 5 episodes, Barry Bostwick

Herbie, The Love Bug – CBS, comedy, 5 episodes, Dean Jones

Inside America – ABC, magazine, 4 episodes, Dick Clark

King’s Crossing – ABC, soap, 7 episodes, Mary Frann, Linda Hamilton

Making The Grade – CBS, comedy, 6 episodes, James Naughton

No Soap, Radio – ABC, comedy, 5 episodes, Steve Guttenberg, Edie McClurg

One Of The Boys – NBC, comedy, Nathan Lane, Meg Ryan, Mickey Rooney

Open All Night – ABC, comedy, Jay Tares

The Phoenix – ABC, sci fi, 5 episodes, Judson Scott

Police Squad – ABC, comedy, 6 episodes, Leslie Nielson

Q.E.D. – CBS, adventure, 6 episodes, Sam Waterston

Report To Murphy – CBS, comedy, 6 episodes, Michael Keaton

Television: Inside And Out – NBC, magazine, Wil Shriner

 

Syndication

Entertainment Tonight – 1981–present, Syndication, news/gossip, Tom Hallick

The People's Court – 1981–1993, syndication, courtroom, Judge Joseph Wapner

The $50,000 Pyramid – syndication, quiz, Dick Clark

 

Late Night

Behind The Screen – CBS, soap, Mel Ferrer

Late Night With David Letterman – February 1982–1993, NBC, talk, David Letterman

 

Two Seasons (1980/81)

Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters – 1980–1982, NBC, variety

Bosom Buddies – 1980–1982, ABC, comedy

Dynasty – January 1981–1989, ABC, soap

Flamingo Road – January 1981–1982, NBC, soap

The Greatest American Hero – March 1981–1983, ABC, adventure

Harper PTA – January 1981–1982, NBC, comedy

Hill Street Blues – January 1981–1987, NBC, crime drama

Making A Living – 1980–1982, ABC, comedy

Magnum PI – 1980–1988, CBS, detective drama

NBC Magazine – 1980–1982, NBC, newsmagazine

Nurse – April 1981–1982, CBS, drama

Private Benjamin – April 1981–1983, CBS, comedy

Solid Gold – 1980–1988, syndication, music

Too Close For Comfort – 1980–1983, ABC, comedy

Two Of Us – April 1981–1982, CBS, comedy

 

Three Seasons (1979/80)

Archie Bunker’s Place – 1979–1983, CBS, comedy

Benson – 1979–1986, ABC, comedy

The Facts Of Life – August 1979–1988, NBC, comedy

Fridays – April 1980–1982, ABC, comedy/variety

Hart To Hart – 1979–1984, ABC, adventure

Here’s Boomer – March 1980, 1981/82, NBC, adventure

House Calls – December 1979–1982, CBS, comedy

Knots Landing – December 1979–1993, CBS, soap

That’s Incredible – March 1980–1984, ABC, documentary

Walter Cronkite's Universe – July 1980–1982, CBS, science magazine

 

Four Seasons (1978/79)

Dance Fever – January 1979–1987, syndication, dance

Diff’rent Stokes – November 1978–1985, NBC; 1985/86, ABC, comedy

The Dukes Of Hazzard – January 1979–1985, CBS, comedy/adventure

Mork & Mindy – 1978–1982, ABC, comedy

PM Magazine – 1978–1990, syndication, magazine

Real People – April 1979–1984, NBC; human interest

Taxi – 1978–1982, ABC; 1982/83, NBC, comedy

WKRP In Cincinnati – 1978–1982, CBS, comedy

 

Five Seasons (1977/78)

Chips – 1977–1983, NBC, crime drama

Dallas – April 1978–1991, CBS, soap

Family Feud – 1977–1985, syndication, quiz

Fantasy Island – January 1978–1984, ABC, romantic drama

The Incredible Hulk – March 1978–1982, CBS, adventure

Lou Grant – 1977–1982, CBS, drama

The Love Boat – 1977–1986, ABC, comedy

SCTV Network – May 1981–1983, NBC, comedy

Soap – 1977–1982, ABC, comedy

That's Hollywood – 1977–1982, syndication, documentary

20/20 – June 1978–present, ABC, newsmagazine

 

Six Seasons (1976/77)

Alice – 1976–1985, CBS, comedy

In Search Of... – 1976–1982, syndication, documentary

The Joker's Wild – 1976–1986, syndication, quiz

Quincy, M.E. – 1976–1983, NBC, crime drama

Three’s Company – March 1977–1984, ABC, comedy

 

Seven Seasons (1975/76)

Laverne & Shirley – January 1976–1983, ABC, comedy

Match Game P.M. – 1975–1982, syndication, game

Nashville On The Road – 1975–1983, syndication, music

One Day At A Time – December 1975–1984, ABC, comedy

Saturday Night Live – 1975–present, NBC, variety

 

Eight Seasons (1974/75)

Barney Miller – January 1975–1982, ABC, comedy

The Jeffersons – January 1975–1985, CBS, comedy

Little House On The Prairie – 1974–1983, NBC, drama

Pop! Goes The Country – 1974–1982, syndication, music

 

Nine Seasons (1973/74)

Happy Days – January 1974–1984, ABC, comedy

Tomorrow Coast To Coast – 1973–1982, NBC, talk

 

Ten Seasons (1972/73)

M*A*S*H – 1972–1983,CBS, comedy

 

Twelve Seasons (1970/71)

Monday Night Football – 1970–2006, ABC, sports

That Good Ole Nashville Music – 1970–1985, syndication, music

 

Fourteen Seasons (1968/69)

Hee Haw – 1971–1993, syndication, variety

60 Minutes – 1968–present, CBS, newsmagazine

 

Fifteen Seasons (1967/68)

Wild Kingdom – 1971–1988, syndication, wildlife

 

Twenty one Seasons (1961/62)

The David Susskind Show – 1961–1987, syndication, talk

 

Twenty eight Seasons (1954/55)

The Lawrence Welk Show – 1971–1982, syndication, music

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – 1962–1992, NBC, talk/variety

Walt Disney – 1954–1983, anthology

 

Copyright © 2006 Kazz Falcon.  All rights reserved.
Any reproduction, duplication, or distribution in any form is expressly prohibited.
 
TV Seasons.......unlike any blog and web site you NEVER EVER read.