1989/90 – The Cosby Show was #1 on NBC Thursday, five years running.
Note: Any BOLD shows were cancelled in 1989 season; 227 was cancelled in the
fifth season.
ABC Mystery Movie: It added two new series, Kojak and Christine Cromwell on the new night, Saturday. There was four
rotating series with Columbo and B.L. Stryker.
Anniversary:
Saturday Night Live celebrated fifteen years on NBC.
Monday Night Football celebrated twenty years on ABC.
Biggest New Hit: America’s Funniest Home Videos was #5 on ABC Sunday. AFHV started the camcorder craze. Everyone
wanted to be on the hit program to win the grand prize, $100,000.
Daytime: 227 was on NBC weekdays from September 1989–July 1990.
Local TV: Comic Strip: Live was a Los Angeles local TV series on KTTV in the summer of 1988, then it was a FOX series.
Movies 2 TV:
Alien Nation was based on the 1988 James Caan movie.
Bagdad Cafe was based on the 1986 Marianne Sägebrecht movie.
Brewster Place was based on the 1989 TV movie, The Women Of Brewster Place.
The Outsiders was based on the 1983 movie. The movie starred Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Ralph Macchio, Emilio
Estevez and Tom Cruise.
Working Girl was based on the 1988 Melanie Griffith movie. Nancy McKeon supposed to play Tess in the series; Sandra Bullock
replaced her.
Name Change:
Sunday Night to Michelob Presents Night Music.
U.S.A Today On TV to U.S.A Today in January 1990.
New Night: FOX added Monday nights to the schedule with 21 Jump Street and Alien Nation.
Reruns: CBS aired repeats of the failed 1978 NBC series, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, during the summer of 1990.
The Return:
Lifetime revived The Days And Nights Of Molly Dodd for two more seasons. It last aired on NBC in 1988.
The Nashville Network revived Church Street Station for three more seasons. It last aired on TNN in 1987.
TV History:
This was the first time that two shows was #1 in the ratings of the season. The Cosby Show & Roseanne tied to be #1.
The producers of the shows didn’t care. It didn’t matter to them either way. Both shows were from the same producers!
The Simpsons is the longest running prime time cartoon ever since 1989.
Spin Offs:
Family Matters from Perfect Strangers, it was going to be about Harriet Winslow and her family, but as soon as Steve Urkel
arrived midseason, the series started to focus on him and his long lasting crush on Laura Winslow. Without Steve, the series
wouldn’t last a season. Aaaaw, the memories of Happy Days.
Booker from 21 Jump Street – Dennis Booker, cop turned detective, works for a large Japanese company.
Living Dolls from Who’s The Boss? – Four teenager girls want to be models under the guidance of Trish Carlin.
This was Halle Berry’s first series. She appeared on Knot Landing in a few episodes in 1991. She made her mark in the
movies; she won an Oscar for Monster’s Ball in 2002. This was Leah Remini’s first series as well. She appeared
on Saved By The Bell as Zack’ boss at the beach resort in 1991, then her fame grew on The King Of Queens, with Kevin
James, as her husband. Leah’s first speaking role was on Head Of The Class in 1988.
Tidbits:
Life Goes On is the first show to have a Down syndrome actor in the cast. The show premiered on September 12, 1989.
Bob Saget was on two series at one time – Full House and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
Ted Danson was the co–producer of Down Home. Ted was still on Cheers.
Adam 12 and Dragnet was only seen in Los Angeles and New York City in the first season, then the whole nation the following
season.
Sister Kate was Jason Priestley’s first series. Just like Kirk Cameron, the second series made him into a big star.
Beverly Hills 90210 was his ticket to fame, just like every actor on 90210.
CBS pulled Wolf off from the air in November. Wolf was returned in June 1990, then it was banished to CBS late night the
next month.
Peter Falk is the first actor to win a best lead actor for a drama on two networks, all for Columbo. Peter won in 1972
and 1976 on NBC and 1990 on ABC.
Steven Bochco and David E. Kelly created Doogie Howser M.D. David later created Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, Alley McBeal,
Snoops, Girls Club, The Practice, Boston Public, The Brotherhood Of Poland, N.H. and Boston Legal. David worked for Steven
on Hill Street Blues in the 1980's.
Merv Griffin was the executive producer of Monopoly.
Van Halen performed Sydney theme song, written by Eddie Van Halen, Valerie Bertinelli's husband.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 originally started on KTMA in Minneapolis on November 24, 1988, my nineteen birthday. See
that. My birthday brought luck to another long lasting TV series. The first one was Simon & Simon.
1989/90 Fall Season
One Season (1989/90)
Doogie Howser MD – 1989–1993, ABC, comedy, Neil Patrick Harris, Max Casella
Family Matters – 1989–1997, ABC; 1997/98, CBS, comedy, Jo Marie Payton, Reginald VelJohnson
Life Goes On – 1989–1993, ABC, drama, Bill Smitrovich, Patti LuPone, Christopher Burke
Major Dad – 1989–1993, CBS, comedy, Gerald McRaney, Shanna Reed
Prime Time Live – 1989–1998, ABC, newsmagazine, Diane Sawyer, Sam Donaldson
Rescue 911 – 1989–1996, CBS; informational, William Shatner
Totally Hidden Video – July 1989–1992, FOX, humor, Steve Skrovan
The Young Riders – 1989–1992, ABC, western, Ty Miller, Josh Brolin, Stephan Baldwin
Cancelled TV Shows
Alien Nation – FOX, sci-fi, Gary Graham
Baywatch – NBC, adventure, David Hasselhoff, Parker Stevenson
Booker – FOX, detective drama, Richard Grieco
Chicken Soup – ABC, comedy, Jackie Mason, Lynn Redgrave
Christine Cromwell – ABC, crime drama, Jaclyn Smith
Famous Teddy Z – CBS, comedy, Jon Cryer, Alex Rocco
Free Spirit – ABC, comedy, Corinne Bohrer
Hardball – NBC, police drama, John Aston, Richard Tyson
Homeroom – ABC, comedy, Darrly Sivad
Island Son – CBS, medical drama, Richard Chamberlain
Kojak – ABC, police drama, Telly Savalas, Andre Braugher
Living Dolls – ABC, comedy, Michael Learned, Leah Remini, Halle Berry
Mancuso, FBI – NBC, police drama, Robert Loggia
The Nutt House – NBC, comedy, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman
Open House – FOX, comedy, Allison LaPlaca, Ellen DeGeneres
A Peaceable Kingdom – CBS, drama, Lindsay Wagner, Tom Wopat
People Next Door – CBS, comedy, 4 episodes, Jeffrey Jones
Saturday Night With Connie Chung – CBS, newsmagazine, Connie Chung
Sister Kate – NBC, comedy, Stephanie Beacham, Jason Priestley
Snoops – CBS, detective drama, Danny Nucci
Top Of The Hill – CBS, political drama, William Katt
Wolf – CBS, detective drama, Jack Scalia
8 out of 30 new series SURVIVED for 1990/91
ABC – 5/11, Doogie Howser MD, Family Matters, Life Goes On, Prime
Time Live & Young Riders
CBS – 2/10, Major Dad & Rescue 911
FOX – 1/4, only Totally Hidden Video
NBC – 0/5,
Mid season shows
America’s Funniest Home Videos – January 1990–1999, ABC, comedy, Bob Saget
Bagdad Café – March 1990–1991, CBS, comedy, Whoopie Goldberg, Jean Stapleton
Carol & Company – March 1990–1991, NBC, comedy anthology, Carol Burnett
Equal Justice – March 1990–1991, ABC, legal drama, Jane Kaczmarek, Sarah Jessica Parker
Grand – Jan 1990–1991, NBC, comedy, John Randolph, Joel Murray
In Living Color – April 1990–1994, FOX, variety, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jim Carrey
Northern Exposure – July 1990–1995, CBS, drama, Rob Morrow, Janice Turner
Prime Time Pets – July 1990–1991, CBS, comedy, Wil Shriner
Seinfeld – May 1990–1998, NBC, comedy, Jerry Seinfeld, Julie Louis-Dreyfus
Shannon's Deal – April 1990–1991, NBC, legal drama, Miguel Ferrer
The Simpsons – Dec 1989–present, FOX, cartoon, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner
Top Cops – July 1990–1993, CBS, documentary
Totally Hidden Video – July 1989–1992, FOX, humor, Steve Shrovan
Twin Peaks – April 1990–1991, ABC, soap, Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee
Wings – April1990–1997, NBC, comedy, Timothy Daly, Steven Weber
Cancelled Mid Season Shows
Ann Jillian – NBC, comedy, Ann Jillian, Lisa Rieffel
The Bradys – CBS, drama, 6 episodes, Florence Henderson, Robert Reed
Brewster Place – ABC, drama, Oprah Winfrey
Capital News – ABC, newspaper drama, 4 episodes, Lloyd Bridges
City – CBS, comedy, Valerie Harper, Liz Torres
Dolphin Cove – CBS, adventure, Frank Converse
Down Home – April 1990–1991, NBC, comedy, Judith Ivery
Glory Days – FOX, drama, Brad Pitt
Grand Slam – CBS, adventure, John Schneider, Paul Rodriguez
H.E.L.P. – ABC, adventure, John Mahoney, Wesley Snipes
His & Hers – CBS, comedy, Martin Mull, Richard Kline
The Marshall Chronicles – ABC, comedy, 6 episodes, Joshua Rifkind
Max Monroe: Loose Cannon – CBS, crime drama, 8 episodes, Shadoe Stevens
Molloy – FOX, comedy, 4 episodes, Mayim Bialik, Jennifer Aniston
Monopoly – ABC, quiz, Michael Reilly
Nasty Boys – NBC, crime drama, Benjamin, Dennis Franz
New Attitude – ABC, comedy, Sheryl Lee Ralph
Normal Life – CBS, comedy, Cindy Williams, Maxwell Gail
The Outsiders – FOX, drama, David Arquette, Sean Kanan
Room For Romance – CBS, comedy/drama anthology, Dom Irrera
Singer & Sons – NBC, comedy, 4 episodes, Esther Rolle
Small Talk – CBS, comedy, 4 episodes, Roger Rose
Sugar And Spice – CBS, comedy, 7 episodes, Stephanie Hodge
Sunday Beat – ABC, crime drama, 2 episodes, George Clooney
Sydney – CBS, comedy, 13 episodes, Valerie Bertinelli, Matthew Perry
Tim Conway's Funny America – ABC, comedy, Tim Conway
True Blue – NBC, crime drama, Eddie Velez, Grant Show
Wish You Were Here – CBS, comedy/adventure, 6 episodes, Lew Schneider
Working Girl – NBC, comedy, 6 episodes, Sandra Bullock
Cable
The Ben Stiller Show – MTV, comedy, Ben Stiller
Caroline's Comedy Hour – January 1990–1995, A&E, comedy
Church Street Station – March 1989–1992, TNN, music
A Conversation With Dinah – 1989–1991, TNN, talk, Dinah Shore
The Days And Nights Of Molly Dodd – 1989–1991, Lifetime, comedy/drama, Blair Brown
Just Say Julie – 1989–1992, MTV, comedy, Julie Brown
Make The Grade – 1989–1991, Nickelodeon, quiz, Lew Schneider
Mystery Science Theater 3000 – 1989–1991, Comedy Channel, comedy, Joel Hodgson
On Stage – 1989–1992, TNN, music
Rodeo Drive – Lifetime, quiz, Louis DuArt
Shadow Theater – USA, documentary, Robert Englund
Supermarket Sweep – February 1990–1998, Lifetime, quiz, David Ruprecht
Tales From The Crypt – 1989–1996, HBO, horror anthology, John Kassir
The Texas Connection – March 1990–1992, TNN, music
Top Card – TNN, quiz, Jim Caldwell, Blake Pickett
Zorro – January 1990–1993, Family, western, Duncan Regehr
Syndication
Adam 12 – 1989–1990, syndication, crime drama, Ethan Wayne, Peter Parros
After Hours – syndication, magazine, Heidi Bohay
American Gladiators – 1989–1997, Syndication, game/sports, Mike Adamle
The Byron Allen Show – 1989–1992, syndication, talk, Byron Allen
Crime Stoppers 800 – 1989–1991, syndication, public service, Edwin Hart
Crimewatch Tonight – syndication, public service, Ike Pappas
Dionne And Friends – syndicated, music, Dionne Warwick
Dragnet – 1989–1991, syndication, crime drama, Jeff Osterhage
Hard Copy – 1989–1999, Syndication – weekdays, newsmagazine, Teri Murphy
Insport – 1989–1991, syndication, sports magazine, Ahmad Rashad
Missing Reward – 1989–1992, syndication, public service, Stacy Keach
The New Lassie – 1989–1991, Syndication, adventure, Christopher Stone, Dee Wallace Stone
Smash Hits – 1989–1991, syndication, music videos, Scott Shannon
Late Night
Comic Strip: Live – 1989–1994, FOX, comedy, John Mulrooney
Into The Night Starring Rick Dees – July 1990–1991, ABC, comedy/variety, Rick Dees
The Midnight Hour – CBS, talk, Jennifer Martin
Overtime...With Pat O'Brien – CBS, talk, 3 episodes, Pat O'Brien
Two Seasons (1988/89)
Anything But Love – March 1989–1992, ABC, comedy
B.L. Stryker – Feb 1989–1990, ABC, detective drama
Beyond Tomorrow – 1988–1990, FOX, informational
Bordertown – January 1989–1991, Family Channel, adventure
Coach – Feb 1989–1997, ABC, comedy
Columbo – Feb 1989–1990, ABC, crime drama
Cops – March 1989–present, FOX, police reality
Dear John – 1988–1992, NBC, comedy
Doctor, Doctor – June 1989–1991, CBS, comedy
Empty Nest – 1988–1995, NBC, comedy
FM – August 1989–1990, NBC, comedy
Father Dowling Mysteries – Jan 1989, NBC; Jan 1990–1991, ABC, detective drama
Family Feud – 1988–1995, syndication, quiz
Freddie’s Nightmares – 1988–1990, Syndication, horror anthology
Half Hour Comedy Hour – 1988–1993, MTV, comedy
Inside Edition – January 1989–present, syndication, newsmagazine
It’s Garry Shandling’s Show – March 1988–1990, FOX, comedy
Later With Bob Costas – 1988–1994, NBC, talk
Magical World Of Disney – 1988–1990, NBC, anthology
Midnight Caller – 1988–1991, NBC, drama
Mission: Impossible – 1988–1990, ABC, international intrigue
Monsters – 1988–1990, syndication, horror anthology
The Munsters Today – 1988–1991, Syndication, comedy
Murphy Brown – Nov 1988–1998, CBS, comedy
My Secret Identity – 1988–1991, Syndication, comedy
Paradise – 1988/89–1991, CBS, western
The Pat Sajak Show – January 1989–1990, CBS, talk
Quantum Leap – March 1989–1993, NBC, sci-fi
Rin Tin Tin K–9 Cop – 1988–1993, Family, adventure
Roseanne – 1988–1997, ABC, comedy
Superboy – 1988–1992, syndication, adventure
13 East – July 1989–1990, NBC, comedy
U.S.A Today On TV – 1988–1990, syndication, magazine
Unsolved Mysteries – 1988–1997, NBC; April 1998–1999, CBS, public service
War Of The Worlds – 1988–1990, syndication, sci-fi
Three 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
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, comedy
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, comedy
Michelob Presents Night Music – 1987–1990, syndication, musical variety
My Two Dads – 1987–1990, NBC, comedy
Out Of This World – 1987–1991, Syndication, comedy
Star Trek: The Next Generation – 1987–1994, Syndication, sci-fi
Remote Control – December 1987–1990, MTV, quiz
The Reporters – July 1988–1990, FOX, newsmagazine
T. And T. – January 1988–1989, syndication; 1990, Family, detective drama
Thirtysomething – 1987–1991, ABC, drama
Tour Of Duty – 1987–1990, CBS, drama
Wiseguy – 1987–1991, CBS, crime drama
Win, Lose Or Draw – 1987–1990, syndication, quiz
The Wonder Years – March 1988–1993, ABC, comedy
Four Seasons (1986/87)
Alf – 1986–1990, NBC, comedy
Amen – 1986–1991, NBC, comedy
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
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
Five Seasons (1985/86)
Crook And Chase – April 1986–1993, TNN, magazine
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
Perfect Strangers – March 1986–1993, ABC, comedy
227 – 1985–1990, NBC, comedy
Six 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
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
Mr. Belvedere – March 1985–1990, ABC, comedy
Murder, She Wrote – 1984–1996, CBS, detective drama
Showbiz Today – 1984–2001, CNN, newsmagazine
Who’s The Boss? – 1984–1992, ABC, comedy
Seven Seasons (1983/84)
Friday Night Videos – 1983–2000, NBC, music
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
Eight Seasons (1982/83)
At The Movies – 1982–1990, syndication, commentary
Cheers – 1982–1993, NBC, comedy
Nashville Now – March 1983–1993, TNN, talk/variety, LIVE
Newhart – 1982–1990, CBS, comedy
Nine 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
Eleven Seasons (1979/80)
Knots Landing – December 1979–1993, CBS, soap
Twelve Seasons (1978/79)
PM Magazine – 1978–1990, syndication, magazine
Thirteen Seasons (1977/78)
Dallas – April 1978 1991, CBS, soap
20/20 – June 1978–present, ABC, newsmagazine
Fifteen Seasons (1975/76)
Saturday Night Live – 1975–present, NBC; variety
Twenty Seasons (1970/71)
Monday Night Football, 1970–2006, ABC, sports
Twenty two Seasons (1968/69)
Hee Haw – 1971–1993, syndication, variety
60 Minutes – 1968–present, CBS, newsmagazine
Thirty six Seasons (1954/55)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – 1962–1992, NBC, talk/variety
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