1983/84 – Dallas was #1 on CBS Friday.
Note: Any BOLD shows were cancelled in 1983 season; Mama’s Family was
cancelled in the second season.
Anniversary:
The Jeffersons celebrated ten years on CBS. Moving on up did them very good.
The Tonight Show celebrated thirty years on NBC.
Biggest New Hit: Kate & Allie was #8 on CBS Monday. Best friends since childhood, divorcee and sharing the same
apartment with their kids. With great friends like this, it was a great living arrangement for them.
British Ties: Oh Madeline was based on Pig In The Middle.
Daytime: Benson was on ABC weekdays from September 1983–June 1984.
Death: Jack Barry died from a heart attack in New York City on May 4, 1984. Bill Cullen replaced Jack on The Joker's
Wild the following season.
First Run:
Fame returned to first run syndication after a year absence; it was previously on NBC.
The Paper Chase returned to cable TV network, Showtime, for three years. It was previous on CBS for the 1978/79 season.
Too Close For Comfort returned to syndication in January 1984. It was previously on ABC.
Local TV: Cowboys & Injuns was a Los Angeles local series, then it became a short-lived series on ABC Sundays at
6 PM. The last airing was December 31, 1950. Happy New Year!
Movies 2 TV:
Blue Thunder was based on the 1983 Roy Schneider movie. It was such a battle for the helicopters on TV in January 1984.
NBC's Riptide was the first one to get off the ground, followed by ABC's Blue Thunder three days later. The much popular Airwolf
blasted off three weeks later on CBS. Low and behold, here was a first. Two carbon copies outlasted the Original. JR Ewing
shot Blue Thunder down; it crash landed into the ocean to their death in September 1984.Soon thereafter, Riptide grounded
their helicopter for more standard detective series and Airwolf was the true remaining helicopter series on TV. Airwolf and
Riptide were flying high few more seasons.
The Four Seasons was based on the 1981 Alan Alda written/directed movie. Jack Weston, Beatrice Alda and Elizabeth Alda
reprised their roles for the series.
Name Change:
The American Parade to Crossroads in June 1984.
Monitor to First Camera.
The Return:
Kate Jackson returned in Scarecrow & Mrs. King after a four-year absence. She was previously one of the original Charlie’s
Angeles in the later 1970’s. This time, she stayed the whole series run, just like The Rookies.
Chuck Connors finally got his gun back with a Yellow Rose. Boy, howdy! Man, what a creep he turned out to be. He served
time for murder and was a illegitimate son. He wants what rightfully he deserves - his dead daddy's ranch. They better give
him the ranch before he kills them all. He ain't kidding! He was one cowboy that shouldn't be mess around with.
Desi Arnaz, Jr. returned in Automan after a twelve-year absence. He was last seen on his mother's show, Here's Lucy.
Eye On Hollywood returned to ABC Late Night. It was previously seen on ABC prime time in 1983.
Showtime revived The Paper Chase under a new name, The Paper Chase: The Second Year. It last seen in 1978/1979 on CBS.
Reruns: NBC aired Father Murphy reruns for the summer.
Spin Off: AfterMASH is what happened after M*A*S*H! LOL All I could say, this spin off didn’t do quite well.
I watched it few times as a kid; it wasn’t funny or interesting to watch. I much prefer M*A*S*H over this awful sequel
any day of the week. Interest of note: I just learned that there was a second sequel pilot named W*A*L*T*E*R, starring
Gary Burghoff AKA Radar O’Reilly, a newly police officer. Maybe, that pilot should have been made instead AfterMASH.
Tidbits:
Wheel Of Fortune begins a successful nighttime syndication run. Since then, it has been #1 for each season. There is no
end in sight. It original started on NBC daytime with Chuck Woolery. Pat Sajak and Vanna White are best known for the syndication
version.
Bette Davis, the famous movie star, was in the Hotel pilot. She supposed to recur as Laura Trent, the hotel owner, but
she was too ill to continue in the role. Laura showed up in the premiere, left Victoria in charge and went on an extended
trip.
Cinemax picked up the cancelled NBC series, SCTV, for the last season. Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy and Martin
Short were the only regulars on Cinemax.
Steve Martin produced Domestic Life. NBC turned the series down and CBS picked it up.
Webster was too criticized for being a “carbon copy” of Diff’rent Strokes. Both shows have dead parents,
black kids in white family, small kid actors, and you get the picture. In due time, Webster won us all over with his smile
and funny laugh. You gotta to love that cute kid.
Mr. Smith – OMG! What kind of monkey business is this? A talking orangutan was helping to run Washington! Dead lord!
What’s next? Oh, yeah, I forgot. The monkeys already run Washington. Why can’t they banana split and let real
educated people to take over? This non-talking orangutan was better off with Clint Eastwood; he was much loved to be Clint’s
funny sidekick in the movies. They were both any which way you can and every which way but loose. Hey, maybe, Tarzan would
give him another shot.
What a dirty shame! Lottery didn't work out for Ben & Marshall. Ben gives the money away and greedy Marshall took the
money away. Oops, I mean, the money for the taxes. Hey, Ben, the next time, look for me and pretty please give me $25 million
bucks. For sure, I will watch other people win the money on the Lottery! Thanks, buddy! Marshall, don't call me. My people
would call you. Yeah, right! I don't want your greedy hands on my million bucks. Then again, I may end up like Richard Hatch
from Survivor! Me, bad!
1983/84 Fall Season
One Season (1983/84)
AfterMASH – 1983–1985, CBS, comedy, Harry Morgan, Jamie Farr
Hardcastle & McCormick 1983–1986, ABC, detective/adventure, Brian Keith, Daniel Hugh-Kelly
Hotel – 1983–1988, ABC, drama, James Brolin, Connie Sellecca
Scarecrow & Mrs. King – 1983–1987, CBS, adventure, Bruce Boxleitner, Kate Jackson
Webster – 1983–1987, ABC, 1987/88 in Syndication, comedy, Emmanuel Lewis, Susan Clark
Cancelled Shows
Bay City Blues – NBC, drama, Dennis Franz, Ken Olin, Sharon Stone
Boone – NBC, drama, Tom Byrd
Cutter To Houston – CBS, drama, Alec Baldwin
Emerald Point N.A.S. – CBS, drama, Dennis Weaver, Sela Ward, Susan Dey
For Love & Honor – NBC, drama, Keenen Ivory Wayans
It’s Not Easy – ABC, comedy, Ken Howard, Billy Jacoby
Jennifer Slept Here – NBC, comedy, Ann Jillian, John P. Navin, Jr., Glenn Scarpelli
Just Our Luck – ABC, comedy, T.K. Carter
Lottery – ABC, dramatic anthology, Ben Murphy, Marshall Colt
Manimal – NBC, crime drama/fantasy, Simon MacCorkindale
Mr. Smith – NBC, comedy, Leonard Frey
Oh, Madeline – ABC, comedy, Madeline Kahn
The Rousters – NBC, adventure, Chad Everett, Jim Varney
Trauma Center – ABC, drama, James Naughton, Wendie Malick
We Got It Made – NBC, comedy, Teri Copley, Tom Villard
Whiz Kids – CBS, detective/adventure, A Martinez, Todd Porter
The Yellow Rose – NBC, soap, Cybill Shepherd, Chuck Connors
5 out 0f 22 new series SURVIVED for 1984/85
ABC – 3/8, Hardcastle & McCormick, Hotel & Webster
CBS – 2/5, AfterMASH & Scarecrow & Mrs. King
NBC – 0/9,
Mid Season Shows
Airwolf – January 1984–1986, CBS, adventure, Jan-Michael Vincent, Ernest Borgnine
Double Trouble – April 1984–1985, NBC, comedy, Jean Sagal, Liz Sagal
Foul Ups, Bleeps & Blunders – January 1984–1985, ABC, comedy, Don Rickles, Steve Lawrence
Kate & Allie – March 1984–1989, CBS, comedy, Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin
Mike Hammer – January 1984–1986, CBS, detective drama, Stacy Keach
Night Court – January 1984–1992, NBC, comedy, Harry Anderson, John Larroquette
Riptide – January 1984–1986, NBC, detective drama, Perry King, Joe Penny
TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes – January 1984–1986, NBC, comedy, Dick Clark, Ed McMahon
Cancelled Mid Season Shows
A.K.A. Pablo – ABC, comedy, Paul Rodriguez
The American Parade – CBS, magazine, Charles Kuralt
Automan – ABC, police/sci fi, Desi Arnaz, Jr., Robert Lansing
Blue Thunder – ABC, crime drama, Dana Carvey
Comedy Zone – CBS, comedy, 4 episodes, Mark Linn–Baker
Domestic Life – CBS, comedy, Martin Mull
The Duck Factory – NBC, comedy, Jim Carrey
Empire – CBS, comedy, 5 episodes, Dennis Dugan
The Four Seasons – CBS, comedy, Barbara Babcock
Legmen – NBC, detective drama, Bruce Greenwood
Mama Malone – CBS, comedy, Lila Kaye
Masquerade – ABC, foreign intrigue, Kirstie Alley, Greg Evigan
The Master – NBC, adventure/drama, Lee Van Cleef
The New Show – NBC, comedy variety, Dave Thomas
Shaping Up – ABC, comedy, 5 episodes, Leslie Nielsen
Summer Sunday U.S.A – NBC, newsmagazine, LIVE, Andrea Mitchell
Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs – CBS, comedy, 6 episodes, Suzanne Pleshette
Cable
Church Street Station – March 1984–1987, TNN, music
Cover Story – March 1984–1989, USA, interview
You Can Be A Star – 1983–1989, TNN, talent, Jim Ed Brown
Syndication
Fame – 1983–1987, syndication, drama, Debbie Allen, Billy Hufsey
Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous – January 1984–1996, syndication, magazine, Robin Leach
Love Connection – 1983–1995, Syndication – weekdays, game, Chuck Woolery
On Stage America – syndication, variety/magazine, Steve Edwards
Star Search – 1983–1995, Syndication, talent, Ed McMahon
This Week In Country Music – 1983–1987, syndication, magazine, Lorianne Crook, Charlie Chase
Too Close For Comfort – January 1984–1985, syndication; comedy, Ted Knight
Wheel Of Fortune – 1983–present, syndication, game, Pat Sajak, Vanna White
Late Night
Eye On Hollywood – February 1984–1986, ABC, magazine, Chuck Henry
Friday Night Videos – 1983–2000, NBC, music
Thicke Of The Night – syndication, talk/variety, Alan Thicke
Two Seasons (1982/83)
The A Team – January 1983–1987, NBC, adventure
At The Movies – 1982–1990, syndication, commentary
Buffalo Bill – May 1983–1984, NBC, comedy
Cheers – 1982–1993, NBC, comedy
Family Ties – 1982–1989, NBC, comedy
First Camera – March 1983–1984, NBC, newsmagazine
Fraggle Rock – January 1983–1987, HBO, puppets
Goodnight, Beantown – April 1983–1984, CBS, comedy
Knight Rider – 1982–1986, NBC, adventure
Lorne Greene's New Wilderness – 1982–1986, syndication, wildlife/nature
Mama’s Family – January 1983–1984, NBC, comedy
Matt Houston – 1982–1985, ABC, detective drama
The Mississippi – March 1983–1984, CBS, drama
Nashville Now – March 1983–1993, TNN, talk/variety, LIVE
Newhart – 1982–1990, CBS, comedy
The Paper Chase – February 1983–1986, Showtime, drama
Remington Steele – 1982–1987, NBC, detective drama
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not – 1982–1986, CBS, variety
St. Elsewhere – 1982–1988, NBC, drama
Silver Spoons – 1982–1986, NBC, comedy
Two Marriages – August 1983–1984, ABC, drama
Three Seasons (1981/82)
Cagney & Lacey – March 1982–1988, CBS, crime drama
Entertainment Tonight – 1981–present, syndication, news/gossip
Fall Guy – 1981–1986, ABC, adventure
Falcon Crest – 1981–1990, CBS, soap
Gimme A Break – 1981–1987, NBC, comedy
Late Night With David Letterman – February 1982–1993, NBC, talk
9 to 5 – March 1982–1984, ABC, comedy
The People's Court – 1981–1993, syndication, courtroom
Simon & Simon – Nov 1981–1989, CBS, detective drama
TJ Hooker – March 1982–1987, ABC, crime drama
Four Seasons (1980/81)
Dynasty – January 1981–1989, ABC, soap
Hill Street Blues – January 1981–1987, NBC, crime drama
Magnum P.I. – Dec 1980–1988, CBS, detective drama
Solid Gold – 1980–1988, syndication, music
Five Seasons (1979/80)
Benson – 1979–1986, ABC, comedy
The Facts Of Life – August 1979–1988, NBC, comedy
Knots Landing – December 1979–1993, CBS, soap
Hart To Hart – 1979–1984, ABC, adventure
That’s Incredible – March 1980–1984, ABC, documentary
Trapper John MD – 1979–1986, CBS, drama
Six 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
PM Magazine – 1978–1990, syndication, magazine
Real People – April 1979–1984, NBC, human interest
Seven Seasons (1977/78)
Dallas – April 1978–1991, ABC, soap
Family Feud – 1977–1985, syndication, quiz
Fantasy Island – January 1978–1984, ABC, romantic drama
The Love Boat – 1977–1986, ABC, comedy
SCTV – 1983–1984, Cinemax, comedy
20/20 – June 1978–present, ABC, newsmagazine
Eight Seasons (1976/77)
Alice – 1976–1985, CBS, comedy
The Joker's Wild – 1976–1986, syndication, quiz
Three’s Company – March 1977–1984, ABC, comedy
Nine Seasons (1975/76)
One Day At A Time – December 1975–1984, ABC, comedy
Saturday Night Live – 1975–present, NBC, variety
Ten Seasons (1974/75)
The Jeffersons – January 1975–1985, CBS, comedy
Eleven Years (1973/74)
Happy Days – January 1974–1984, ABC, comedy
Fourteen Seasons (1970/71)
Monday Night Football, 1970–2006, ABC, sports
That Good Ole Nashville Music – 1970–1985, syndication, music
Sixteen Seasons (1968/69)
Hee Haw – 1971–1993, syndication, variety
60 Minutes – 1968–present, CBS, newsmagazine
Seventeen Seasons (1967/68)
Wild Kingdom – 1971–1988, syndication, wildlife
Twenty three Seasons (1961/62)
The David Susskind Show – 1961–1987, syndication, talk
Thirty Seasons (1954/55)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – 1962–1992, NBC, talk/variety
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