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TV Seasons

1988

1988/89 – The Cosby Show was #1 on NBC Thursday, fourth year running.

Note: Any BOLD shows were cancelled in 1988 season; Duet was cancelled in the third season.

ABC Mystery Movie: It combined three rotating series - Columbo, B.L. Stryker & Gideon Oliver. Columbo was part of the original NBC Mystery Movie of the 1970's.

Anniversary: Knots Landing celebrated ten years on CBS.

Australia Ties: Beyond Tomorrow was based on Beyond 2000.

Biggest New Hit: Roseanne was #2 on ABC Tuesday. It was the first comedy to focus on a heavyweight couple, Roseanne and Dan Connor, and their three kids with real problems and struggles to make it in the world. The show was very realistic; it even had some gay characters throughout the years.

British Ties: Dear John was based on BBC’s Dear John.

Contract Dispute: John Haymes Newton wanted a raise. The producers retracted the raise and dismissed him from Superboy; he was busted for DUI in Orlando. John "would go back and do things different," but John can't. Hello, Superboy! Yes, you can! You can go back in time and save your career! Superman saved Lois Lane from dying in a earthquake in Superman 2. Yo, Superboy, take me back in time! There are some things I will do different too.

Daytime:

The Golden Girls was on NBC weekdays from July 1989–August 1990.

Perfect Strangers was on ABC weekdays from August 1989–July 1990.

Movies 2 TV:

Baby Boom was based on the 1987 Diane Keaton movie. The show wasn't that successful as the hit movie.

Dirty Dancing was based on the 1987 Patrick Swayze/Jennifer Grey movie. Once again, another failed movie-based series.

Name Change:

U.S.A Today–The Television Series to U.S.A Today On TV in January 1989.

Valerie’s Family to The Hogan Family in June 1988.

The Return:

Family Feud returned to syndication after a three–year absence.

The Gong Show returned to syndication after a eight–year absence.

The New Liar's Club returned to syndication after a ten–year absence. It was previously known as The Liar's Club.

Mission: Impossible returned after a fifteen–year absence. Jim Phelps was once again the head of IMF; his successor was killed. Grant Collier, the son of the original IMF member, Greg Collier, was a part of the new IMF team. Yet, this revival wasn't successful. Sometimes, it used scripts from the original. Many fans were pretty upset with the 1996 Tom Cruise movie; there was no way that Jim Phelps was a traitor. Jon Voight took over the Jim Phelps role in the movie. Peter Graves was offered the part, but he declined to be in the movie after he learned that Jim will die in the movie. Reportedly, Greg Morris hated the movie so much that he left the movie early.

Spin Off:

Jesse Hawkes from High Mountain Rangers.

A Man Called Hawk from Spenser: For Hire.

TV History: Cops is the longest running reality show ever since 1988. It is a Saturday night staple with America’s Most Wanted on FOX.

Tidbits:

The Munsters Today woke up from a 20-year sleep. Say what?!? How could it be? There was a 1981 reunion TV movie.

Dynasty was the first “big” 1980’s soap to be cancelled.

Tattingers, a drama, returned to NBC in April 1989, this time as a comedy!!

The second season of The Cavanaughs started in August 1988. Coming Of Age replaced it in October 1988; it was on the fall schedule, not The Cavanaughs. The Cavanaughs' final episodes was in the summer of 1989.

 

1988/89 Fall Season

A writer’s strike delayed the 1988/89 Season.

One Season (1988/89)

Beyond Tomorrow – 1988–1990, FOX, informational, Randy Meier

Dear John – 1988–1992, NBC, comedy, Judd Hirsh, Ben Savage

Empty Nest – 1988–1995, NBC, comedy, Richard Mulligan,

Magical World Of Disney – 1988–1990, NBC, anthology

Midnight Caller – 1988–1991, NBC, drama, Gary Cole

Mission: Impossible – 1988–1990, ABC, international intrigue, Peter Graves, Thaao Penghis

Paradise – 1988–1991, CBS, western, Lee Horsley

Roseanne – 1988–1997, ABC, comedy, Roseanne Barr, John Goodman

Unsolved Mysteries – 1989–1997, NBC; April 1998–1999, CBS, public service, Robert Stack

 

Cancelled TV Shows

Annie McGuire – CBS, comedy, Mary Tyler Moore, Adrien Brody

Baby Boom – NBC, comedy, Kate Jackson, Joy Behar

Dirty Dancing – CBS, comedy, Patrick Cassidy, Melora Hardin

High Risk – CBS, magazine, Wayne Rogers

Incredible Sunday – ABC, documentary, John Davidson

Knightwatch – ABC, drama, Benjamin Bratt

Murphy’s Law – ABC, detective drama, George Segal

Police Story – ABC, police anthology

Raising Miranda – CBS, comedy, James Naughton, Bryan Cranston

Something Is Out There – NBC, sci-fi, Joe Cortese

TV 101 – CBS, drama, Sam Robards, Matt LeBlanc

Tattingers – NBC, drama, Stephen Collins

The Van Dyke Show – CBS, comedy, Dick Van Dyke

 

9 out of 22 new series SURVIVED for 1989/90

ABC – 2/6, Mission: Impossible & Roseanne

CBS – 1/7, Paradise

FOX – 1/1, Beyond Tomorrow

NBC – 5/8, Dear John, Empty Nest, Magical World Of Disney, Midnight Caller & Unsolved Mysteries

 

Mid season shows

Anything But Love – March 1989–1992, ABC, comedy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Richard Lewis

B.L. Stryker – Feb 1989–1990, ABC, detective drama, Burt Reynolds, Ossie Davis

Coach – Feb 1989–1997, ABC, comedy, Craig T. Nelson, Jerry Van Dyke, Shelley Fabares

Columbo – Feb 1989–1990, ABC, crime drama, Peter Falk

Cops – March 1989–present, FOX, police reality

Doctor, Doctor – June 1989–1991, CBS, comedy, Matt Frewer, Julius Carry

FM – August 1989–1990, NBC, comedy, Robert Hays, Patricia Richardson

Father Dowling Mysteries – Jan 1989, NBC; Jan 1990–1991, ABC, detective drama, Tom Bosley, Tracy Nelson

Quantum Leap – March 1989–1993, NBC, sci-fi, Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell

13 East – July 1989–1990, NBC, comedy, Wayne Powers

 

Cancelled Mid Season Shows

Almost Grown – CBS, drama, Timothy Daly

Dream Street – NBC, drama, Thomas Calabro

Family Classics – ABC, dramatic anthology

A Fine Romance – ABC, adventure, Margeret Whitton

Gideon Oliver – ABC, adventure, Louis Gossett, Jr.

Great Circuses Of The World – ABC, variety, Mary Hart

Hard Time On Planet Earth – CBS, sci fi, Martin Kove

Have Faith – ABC, comedy, Joel Higgins, Ron Carey

Heartland – CBS, comedy, Brian Keith

Jesse Hawkes – CBS, adventure, Robert Conrad, Christian Conrad

The Jim Henson Hour – NBC, variety, Jim Henson

Knight & Daye – NBC, comedy, 7 episodes, Jack Warden

Live–In – CBS, comedy, Chris Young

A Man Called Hawk – ABC, drama, Avery Brooks

Men – ABC, drama, 5 episodes, Ted Wass, Ving Rhames

Nearly Departed – NBC, comedy, 4 episodes, Eric Idle

Nightingales – NBC, medical drama, Suzanne Pleshette, Gil Gerard

One Of The Boys – NBC, comedy, 5 episodes, Michael DeLuise

The Robert Guillaume Show – ABC, comedy, Robert Guillaume

Studio 5–B – ABC, drama, 3 episodes, Jeffrey Tambor, Justin Deas

This Is America, Charlie Brown – CBS, cartoon, 8 episodes

Unsub – NBC, crime drama, 8 episodes, David Soul

 

Cable

Bordertown – January 1989–1991, Family, adventure, Richard Comar

Esquire: About Men, For Women – Lifetime, magazine, Matt Lauer

Half Hour Comedy Hour – 1988–1993, MTV, comedy

Rin Tin Tin K–9 Cop – 1988–1993, Family, adventure, Jesse Collins

 

Syndication

Cop Talk: Behind The Shield – syndication, interview/discussion, Sonny Grosso

Crimes Of The Century – syndication, documentary, Mike Connors

Dick Clark's Golden Greats – syndication, music, Dick Clark

Family Feud – 1988–1995, syndication, quiz, Ray Combs

Freddie’s Nightmares – 1988–1990, Syndication, horror anthology, Robert Englund

The Gong Show – syndication, comedy/audience participation, Don Bleu

Inside Edition – January 1989–present, syndication, newsmagazine, David Frost

Learning The Ropes – syndication, comedy, Lyle Alzado

The New Liar's Club – syndication, quiz, Eric Boardman

Life's Most Embarrassing Moments – syndication, comedy, Roy Firestone

Monsters – 1988–1990, syndication, horror anthology

The Munsters Today – 1988–1991, Syndication, comedy, John Schuck

My Secret Identity – 1988–1991, Syndication, comedy, Jerry O'Connell

Starting From Scratch – syndication, comedy, Bill Daily, Connie Stevens

Superboy – 1988–1992, syndication, adventure, John Haymes Newton

U.S.A Today–The Television Series – 1988–2000, syndication, magazine, Robin Young

War Of The Worlds – 1988–1990, syndication, sci-fi, Jared Martin

 

Late Night

Later With Bob Costas – 1988–1994, NBC, talk, Bob Costas

The Pat Sajak Show – January 1989–1990, CBS, talk, Pat Sajak

 

Two Seasons (1987/88)

America’s Most Wanted – April 1988–present, FOX, public service

Beauty & The Beast – 1987–1990, CBS, fantasy

China Beach – April 1988–1991, ABC, drama

Club MTV – 1987–1992, MTV, music

Coming Of Age – March 1988–1989, CBS, comedy

D.C. Follies – 1987–1989, syndication, comedy

Day By Day – Feb 1988–1989, NBC, comedy

A Different World – 1987–1993, NBC, comedy

48 Hours – Jan 1988–present, CBS, newsmagazine

Friday The 13th: The Series– 1987–1990, syndication, horror/drama

Full House – 1987–1995, ABC, drama

Heartbeat – March 1988–1989, medical drama

Hooperman – 1987–1989, ABC, comedy/drama

In the Heat Of The Night – March 1988–1992, NBC; 1992–1994, CBS, crime drama

Jake & The Fatman – 1987–1992, CBS, drama

Just The Ten Of Us – April 1988–1990, ABC, comedy

The Morton Downey, Jr. Show – May 1988–1989, syndication, talk/debate

My Two Dads – 1987–1990, NBC, comedy

Out Of This World – 1987–1991, Syndication, comedy

Remote Control – December 1987–1990, MTV, quiz

The Reporters – July 1988–1990, FOX, newsmagazine

She’s the Sheriff – 1987–1989, Syndication, comedy

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour – March 1988–1989, CBS, comedy/variety

Sonny Spoon – Feb 1988–1989, NBC, detective drama

Star Trek: The Next Generation – 1987–1994, Syndication, sci-fi

Sunday Night – 1987–1990, syndication, musical variety

T. And T. – January 1988–1989, syndication; 1990, Family, detective drama

Thirtysomething – 1987–1991, ABC, drama

Tour Of Duty – 1987–1990, CBS, drama

West 57th – August 1985–1989, CBS, newsmagazine

Wiseguy – 1987–1991, CBS, crime drama

Win, Lose Or Draw – 1987–1990, syndication, quiz

The Wonder Years – March 1988–1993, ABC, comedy

 

Three Seasons (1986/87)

Alf – 1986–1990, NBC, comedy

Amen – 1986–1991, NBC, comedy

CBS Summer Playhouse – 1987–1989, CBS, anthology

Charles In Charge – January 1987–1991, Syndication, comedy

A Current Affair – 1986–1996, syndication, newsmagazine

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

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

Siskel & Ebert – 1986–1999, syndication, commentary

The Tracey Ullman Show – April 1987–1990, FOX, variety

21 Jump Street – April 1987–1990, FOX; 1990/91, Syndication, crime drama

 

Four Seasons (1985/86)

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

The Hogan 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

Small Wonder – 1985–1989, Syndication, comedy

227 – 1985–1990, NBC, comedy

 

Five Seasons (1984/85)

The 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

Who’s The Boss? – 1984–1992, ABC, comedy

 

Six Seasons (1983/84)

Cover Story – March 1984–1989, USA, interview

Friday Night Videos – 1983–2000, NBC, music

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

 

Seven 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

 

Eight Seasons (1981/82)

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

 

Nine Seasons (1980/81)

Dynasty – Jan 1981–1989, ABC, soap

 

Ten Seasons (1979/80)

Knots Landing – December 1979–1993, CBS, soap

 

Eleven Seasons (1978/79)

PM Magazine – 1978–1990, syndication, magazine

 

Twelve Seasons (1977/78)

Dallas – April 1978–1991, CBS, soap

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

 

Fourteen Seasons (1975/76)

Saturday Night Live – 1975–present, NBC; variety

 

Nineteen Seasons (1970/71)

Monday Night Football, 1970–2006, ABC, sports

 

Twenty one Seasons (1968/69)

Hee Haw – 1971–1993, syndication, variety

60 Minutes – 1968–present, CBS, newsmagazine

 

Thirty five Seasons (1954/55)

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

 

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