1987/88 – The Cosby Show was #1 on NBC Thursday, third year running.
Note: Any BOLD shows were cancelled in 1987 season; The Colbys was cancelled
in the second season.
Anniversary:
PM Magazine celebrated ten years in syndication.
Hee Haw celebrated twenty years on TV.
60 Minutes celebrated twenty years on CBS.
Biggest New Hit: A Different World was #2 on NBC Thursday. No surprise there! Yes, it was a top 10 hit. After all,
A Different World was right after The Cosby Show. It didn’t really take off till the show focus on Dwayne and Whitney
after Denise left the series altogether.
British Ties: Top Of The Pops was based on the hugely popular music BBC series. Top Of The Pops lasted from 1964–2006
in Britain.
Daytime:
Growing Pains was on ABC weekdays from July 1988–August 1989.
Mr. Belvedere was on ABC weekdays from September 1987–January 1988.
First Run:
Webster begun a one year Syndication, it was previously on ABC (1983–1987).
We Got It Made returned to Syndication after a three-year absence with two original cast members, Teri Copley and Tom Villard.
It was previously on NBC.
Movies to TV:
The Dirty Dozen was based on the 1967 Lee Marvin movie.
Down And Out In Beverly Hills was based on the 1985 Richard Dreyfuss/Bette Milder movie. Mike The Dog was the only one
to reprise his role for the series. Yes, folks. Mike is really a nasty dog. BOW WOW!
In The Heat Of The Night was based on the 1967 Sidney Poitier movie. Sidney played Virgil Tibbs in the movie; Howard Rollins
played him in the series.
Name Change:
Second Chance returned in midseason as Boys Will Be Boys.
Valerie to Valerie’s Family. Valerie Harper left the show. Good riddance!
Reruns:
NBC aired Blacke's Magic reruns in the summer of 1988.
NBC aired Sara reruns in June 1998. It was last seen in 1985 on NBC.
The Return: Carroll O’Connor returned in In The Heat Of The Night with his real life son, Hugh O’Connor.
He was no Archie Bunker, that’s for sure! It felt so strange of seeing Carroll as a different character; he pulled it
off greatly! He is best known for All In The Family.
Spin Off:
Beverly Hills Buntz was a short-lived spin off comedy from Hill Street Blues. Lt. Norman Buntz quit the police force and
became a dick in Beverly Hills.
A Different World from The Cosby Show, Denise Huxtable left home for a collage life at Hillman Collage.
Just The Ten Of Us from Growing Pains.
The Law & Harry McGraw from Murder, She Wrote. Jerry Orbach was popular enough to get his own spin off. Jerry became
more famous on Law & Order few years later.
TV History – America’s Most Wanted is the longest running public service TV series ever. Also, 893 fugitives
have been captured since 1987.
Tidbits:
Hey, hey, hey! It’s the new Monkees! We just don’t give a damn! We want the original Monkees!
Marisa Tomei was on the first season of A Different World with Lisa Bonet; she later became an Oscar winning actress for
My Cousin Vinny in 1992.
Third time’s the charm for John Stamos. Full House was his biggest hit. It made stars out of Bob Saget, Dave Coulier,
John Stamos and the ever popular, The Olsen Twins – Mary Kate and Ashley.
Candace Cameron (Full House) is related to Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains); they are siblings. Both are on ABC hits.
Brett Butler got her start on Dolly. She did her comedy act once, then a skit with Dolly Parton for the second time. Dolly
hired her to be a writer.
CBS Summer Playhouse. Just what the name said. It only aired in the summers of 1987–1989. There was no hosts in the
last two summers.
Well Publicized: Valerie Harper left Valerie in a dispute with the producers. Assuming, over money. Therefore, her
Valerie character died on the show.
1987/88 Fall Season
One Season (1987/88)
Beauty & The Beast – 1987–1990, CBS, fantasy, Linda Hamilton, Ron Pearlman
A Different World – 1987–1993, NBC, comedy, Lisa Bonet, Jasmine Guy
Full House – 1987–1995, ABC, comedy, Bob Saget, John Stamos
Hooperman – 1987–1989, ABC, comedy, John Ritter, Barbara Bosson
Jake & The Fatman – 1987–1992, CBS, drama, William Conrad, Joe Penny
My Two Dads – 1987–1990, NBC, comedy, Paul Reiser, Greg Evigan
Thirtysomething – 1987–1991, ABC, drama, Ken Olin, Timothy Busfield
Tour Of Duty – 1987–1990, CBS, drama, Terrence Knox
Wiseguy – 1987–1991, CBS, crime drama, Ken Wahl
Cancelled TV Shows
Buck James – ABC, medical drama, Dennis Weaver
Dolly – ABC, musical variety, Dolly Parton
Everything’s Relative – CBS, comedy, 6 episodes, Jason Alexander
Frank’s Place – CBS, comedy, Tim Reid, Daphne Maxwell Reid
I Married Dora – ABC, comedy, Daniel Hugh-Kelly
J.J. Starbuck – NBC, adventure, Dale Robertson
The Law & Harry McGraw – CBS, detective, Jerry Orbach
Leg Work – CBS, detective, Margaret Colin
Oldest Rookie – CBS; police drama, Paul Sorvino, D.W. Moffett
Once A Hero – ABC, fantasy/adventure – first cancellation, Jeff Lester
Private Eye – NBC, detective drama, Josh Brolin
Second Chance – FOX, comedy, Matthew Perry, Kiel Martin
Slap Maxwell Story – ABC, comedy, Dabney Coleman
Women In Prison – FOX, comedy, Wendie Jo Sperber
A Year In The Life – NBC, drama, Adam Arkin, Sarah Jessica Parker
9 out of 24 new series SURVIVED for 1988/89
ABC – 3/8, Full House, Hooperman & Thirtysomething
CBS – 4/9, Beauty & The Beast, Jake & The Fatman, Tour
Of Duty & Wiseguy
FOX – 0/2,
NBC – 2/5, A Different World & My Two Dads
Mid Season shows
America’s Most Wanted – April 1988–present, FOX, public service, John Walsh
China Beach – April 1988–1991, ABC, drama, Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger
Coming Of Age – March 1988–1989, CBS, comedy, Paul Dooley
Day By Day – Feb 1988–1989, NBC, comedy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Courtney Thorne-Smith
48 Hours – Jan 1988–present, CBS, newsmagazine, Dan Rather
Heartbeat – March 1988–1989, medical drama, Kate Mulgrew
In the Heat Of The Night – March 1988–1992, NBC; 1992–1994, CBS, crime drama, Carroll O'Connor
It’s Garry Shandling’s Show – March 1988–1990, FOX, comedy, Garry Shandling
Just The Ten Of Us – April 1988–1990, comedy, Bill Kirchenbauer, Frank Bonner
The Reporters – July 1988–1990, FOX, newsmagazine, Steve Dunleavy
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour – March 1988–1989, CBS, comedy/variety, Dick Smothers
Sonny Spoon – Feb 1988–1989, NBC, detective drama, Mario Van Peebles
West 57th – August 1985–1989, CBS, newsmagazine, Meredith Vieira
The Wonder Years – March 1988–1993, ABC, comedy, Fred Savage, Daniel Stern
Cancelled Mid Season Shows
Aaron's Way – NBC, drama, Merlin Olsen, Belinda Montgomery
Beverly Hills Buntz – NBC, comedy, Dennis Frantz, Peter Jurasik
Blue Skies – CBS, drama, Tom Wopat
The Dirty Dozen – FOX, war drama, 7 episodes, Ben Murphy
Down And Out In Beverly Hills – FOX, comedy, 8 episodes, Hector Elizondo
Eisenhower & Lutz – CBS, comedy, Scott Bakula, Patricia Richardson
Family Double Dare – FOX, quiz, Marc Summers
Family Man – ABC, comedy, Alison Sweeney
First Impressions – CBS, comedy, Brad Garrett, James Noble
George Schlatter's Funny People – NBC, comedy, Leeza Gibbons
High Mountain Rangers – CBS, adventure, Robert Conrad
The Highwayman – NBC, adventure, Sam Jones
Hothouse – ABC, medical drama, Alexis Smith
Just In Time – ABC, comedy, 6 episodes, Tim Matheson
Probe – ABC, mystery, 8 episodes, Parker Stevenson
Pursuit Of Happiness – ABC, comedy, Brian Keith
Sable – ABC, adventure, 7 episodes, Rene Russo
Summer Showcase – NBC, documentary
Supercarrier – ABC, military drama, 8 episodes, Matthew Walker
The Thorns – ABC, comedy, 7 episodes, Lori Petty
Trial And Error – CBS, comedy, 3 episodes, Eddie Velez, Paul Rodriguez
Cable
Club MTV – 1987–1992, MTV, music, Downtown Julie Brown
Remote Control – December 1987–1990, MTV, quiz, Ken Ober
Syndication
D.C. Follies – 1987–1989, syndication, comedy, Fred Willard
The Dom DeLuise Show – syndicated, comedy, Dom DeLuise
Friday The 13th: The Series– 1987–1990, syndication, horror/drama, Chris Wiggins
George Schlatter's Comedy Club – syndication, comedy/variety, George Schlatter
Marblehead Manor – syndication, comedy, Paxton Whitehead
The Morton Downey, Jr. Show – May 1988–1989, syndication, talk/debate, Morton Downey, Jr.
The New Monkees – Syndication, comedy, Marty Ross
Out Of This World – 1987–1991, Syndication, comedy, Donna Pescow, Maureen Flanningan
Sea Hunt – syndication, adventure, Ron Ely
She’s the Sheriff – 1987–1989, Syndication, comedy, Suzanne Somers
Speaking Of Everything – syndication, interview/discussion, Howard Cosell
Star Trek: The Next Generation – 1987–1994, Syndication, sci-fi, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes
The Street – syndication, crime drama, Stanley Tucci
Sunday Night – 1987–1990, syndication, musical variety, David Sanborn
T. And T. – January 1988–1989, syndication; 1990, Family, detective drama, Mr. T.
Webster – Syndication, comedy, Emmanuel Lewis
We Got It Made – Syndication; comedy, Teri Copley, Tom Villard
Win, Lose Or Draw – 1987–1990, syndication, quiz, Bert Convy
You Can't Take It With You – syndication, comedy, Harry Morgan
Late Night
Diamonds – CBS, detective, Nicholas Campbell
Top Of The Pops – CBS, music, Gary Davies, Nia Peeples
The Wilton North Report – FOX, comedy/newsmagazine, Phil Cowan
Two Seasons (1986/87)
Alf – 1986–1990, NBC, comedy
Amen – 1986–1991, NBC, comedy
The Bronx Zoo – March 1987–1988, NBC, drama
CBS Summer Playhouse – 1987–1989, CBS, anthology
Charles In Charge – January 1987–1991, Syndication, comedy
The Charmings – March 1987–1988, ABC, comedy
The Colbys – 1986–1988, ABC, soap
Crime Story – 1986–1988, NBC, crime drama
A Current Affair – 1986–1996, syndication, newsmagazine
The Days And Nights Of Molly Dodd – May 1987–1988, NBC, comedy/drama
Designing Women – 1986–1993, CBS, comedy
Double Dare – 1986–1993, Nickelodeon, quiz
Duet – April 1987–1989, FOX, comedy
Head Of The Class – 1986–1991, ABC, comedy
Houston Knights – March 1987–1988, CBS, crime drama
LA Law – 1986–1994, NBC, drama
Mama’s Family – 1986–1990, syndication; comedy
Matlock – 1986–1992, NBC; Jan 1993–1995, ABC, drama
Married With Children – April 1987–1997, FOX, comedy
Max Headroom – March 1987–1988, ABC, sci-fi
Mr. President – May 1987–1988, FOX, comedy
My Sister Sam – 1986–1988, CBS, comedy
New Adventures of Beans Baxter – July 1987–1988, FOX, adventure
The New Gidget – 1986–1988, Syndication, comedy
9 to 5 – 1986–1988, syndication, comedy
Ohara – Jan 1987–1988, ABC, crime drama
Our House – 1986–1988, NBC, drama
Rags To Riches – March 1987–1988, NBC, comedy/drama
Robert Klein Time – 1986–1988, USA, talk
Siskel & Ebert – 1986–1999, syndication, commentary
Sledge Hammer – 1986–1988, ABC, comedy
The Tracey Ullman Show – April 1987–1990, FOX, variety
Throb – 1986–1988, syndication, comedy
21 Jump Street – April 1987–1990, FOX; 1990/91, Syndication, crime drama
Werewolf – July 1987–1988, FOX, supernatural
Three Seasons (1985/86)
Check It Out – 1985–1988, syndicated, comedy
Crook And Chase – April 1986–1993, TNN, magazine
The Equalizer – 1985–1989, CBS, detective drama
An Evening At The Improv – 1985–1995, A&E, comedy
The Golden Girls – 1985–1992, NBC, comedy
Growing Pains – 1985–1992, ABC, comedy
Valerie’s Family – March 1986–1990, NBC; 1990/91, CBS, comedy
MacGyver – 1985–1992, ABC, adventure
New Leave It To Beaver – 1986–1989, WTBS, comedy
Perfect Strangers – March 1986–1993, ABC, comedy
Puttin' On The Hits – 1985–1988, syndication, music/competition
Small Wonder – 1985–1989, Syndication, comedy
Spenser: For Hire – 1985–1988, ABC, detective drama
The New $100,000 Pyramid – 1985–1988, syndication, quiz
227 – 1985–1990, NBC, comedy
What’s Happening Now!! – 1985–1988, syndication, comedy
Four Seasons (1984/85)
Cosby Show – 1984–1992, NBC, comedy
Dr. Ruth – 1984–1991, Lifetime, discussion/advice
The George Michael Sports Machine – 1984–1991, NBC, sports highlights
Highway To Heaven – 1984–1989, NBC, drama
Hollywood Insider – May 1985–1995, USA Network, news/gossip
Hunter – 1984–1991, NBC, crime drama
Jeopardy – 1984–present, syndication, game
Larry King Live – June 1985–present, CNN, discussion
Miami Vice – 1984–1989, NBC, crime drama
Mr. Belvedere – March 1985–1990, ABC, comedy
Moonlighting – March 1985–1989, ABC, comedy/drama
Murder, She Wrote – 1984–1996, CBS, detective drama
Showbiz Today – 1984–2001, CNN, newsmagazine
Tales From The Darkside – 1984–1988, syndication, horror/supernatural
Who’s The Boss? – 1984–1992, ABC, comedy
Five Seasons (1983/84)
Cover Story – March 1984–1989, USA, interview
Friday Night Videos – 1983–2000, NBC, music
Hotel – 1983–1988, ABC, drama
Kate & Allie – March 1984–1989, CBS, comedy
Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous – January 1984–1996, syndication, magazine
Love Connection – 1983–1995, Syndication – weekdays, game
Night Court – Jan 1984–1992, NBC, comedy
Star Search – 1983–1995, Syndication, talent
Wheel Of Fortune – 1983–present, syndication, game
You Can Be A Star – 1983–1989, TNN, talent
Six Seasons (1982/83)
At The Movies – 1982–1990, syndication, commentary
Cheers – 1982–1993, NBC, comedy
Family Ties – 1982–1989, NBC, comedy
Nashville Now – March 1983–1993, TNN, talk/variety, LIVE
Newhart – 1982–1990, CBS, comedy
St. Elsewhere – 1982–1988, NBC, drama
Seven Seasons (1981/82)
Cagney & Lacey – March 1982–1988, CBS, crime drama
Entertainment Tonight – 1981–present, Syndication, news/gossip
Falcon Crest – 1981–1990, CBS, soap
Late Night With David Letterman – February 1982–1993, NBC, talk
The People's Court – 1981–1993, syndication, courtroom
Simon & Simon – Nov 1981–1989, CBS, detective drama
Eight Seasons (1980/81)
Dynasty – Jan 1981–1989, ABC, soap
Magnum P.I. – Dec 1980–1988, CBS, detective drama
Solid Gold – 1980–1988, syndication, music
Nine Seasons (1979/80)
The Facts Of Life – August 1979–1988, NBC, comedy
Knots Landing – December 1979–1993, CBS, soap
Ten Seasons (1978/79)
PM Magazine – 1978–1990, syndication, magazine
Eleven Seasons (1977/78)
Dallas – April 1978–1991, CBS, soap
20/20 – June 1978–present, ABC, newsmagazine
Thirteen Seasons (1975/76)
Saturday Night Live – 1975–present, NBC; variety
Eighteen Seasons (1970/71)
Monday Night Football, 1970–2006, ABC, sports
Twenty Seasons (1968/69)
Hee Haw – 1971–1993, syndication, variety
60 Minutes – 1968–present, CBS, newsmagazine
Twenty one Seasons (1967/68)
Wild Kingdom – 1971–1988, syndication, wildlife
Thirty four Seasons (1954/55)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – 1962–1992, NBC, talk/variety
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