1996/97 – ER was #1 on NBC Thursday, second year running.
Note: Any BOLD shows were cancelled in 1996 season; American Gladiators was
cancelled in the eighth season.
Anniversary:
America’s Most Wanted celebrated ten years on FOX.
48 Hours celebrated ten years on CBS.
20/20 celebrated twenty years on ABC.
Biggest New Hit: Suddenly Susan was #3 on NBC Thursday. This was Brooke Shields’ first TV show. She dumped her
rich fiancée at the altar and tries to make it on her own. You go, girl! She wants her independence and doesn’t want
to rely on a boyfriend. The show turned out to be the biggest failure for next season; the ratings fell through the roof on
Monday nights, #65, and the show never recovered.
British Ties: Men Behaving Badly was based on Men Behaving Badly. Wow! You got to be kidding me! LOL.
First Run: Viper returned to syndication after a two-year absence; it was a short lived NBC series in early 1994.
Movies to TV:
Buffy, The Vampire Slayer was based on the 1992 Luke Perry/Kristy Swanson comedy movie, written by Joss Whedon, who created
the supernatural TV show.
Clueless was based on the 1995 Alicia Silverstone movie. Stacey Dash, Donald Adeosun Faison, Elisa Donavan, Twink Caplan
and Wallace Shawn reprised their roles for the show. It originally intended to be a TV show, not a movie.
Dangerous Minds was based on the 1995 Michelle Pfeiffer movie. Annie Potts played the same character in the show.
FX: The Series was based on the 1986 Brian Dennehy movie.
Party Girl was based on the 1995 Parkey Posey movie.
Name Change:
Emergency Call to Emergency With Alex Paen.
Entertainers to Entertainers With Byron Allen.
The Extremists With Gabrielle Reece to The Extremists.
Later With Greg Kinnear to Later. Later only used guest hosts till 2000.
New Night: WB added Monday nights to the schedule on August 26, 1996 with 7th Heaven and Savannah.
The Return:
Michael J. Fox returned in Spin City after a seven-year absence. He reteams with the Family Ties creator, Gary David Goldberg,
for this hit ABC series.
The Sci Fi Channel picked up the cancelled series, Mystery Science Theater 3000, from Comedy Central. This time, MST3K
sorely focused on bad sci fi movies.
Switch Networks:
Brotherly Love went from NBC to WB.
The Jeff Foxworthy Show went from ABC to NBC.
Tidbits:
Here’s a gay first and a historic moment on network TV – Ellen Morgan, the lead character on Ellen, finally
came out of the closet on April 30, 1997. Ellen realized she was gay and fell for Susan, a producer. The one and only Oprah
Winfrey was her therapist to help her with the coming out process. In real life, Ellen DeGeneres is a lesbian.
The Feds episodes were shown in letter–box format. It was a TV first.
7th Heaven maintained the same time slot (Monday at 8) throughout its run in WB. It aired in other few time
slots like Sundays at 7 under the heading of 7th Heaven Beginnings.
7th Heaven was originally produced for FOX, but it ended up on WB. It lasted ten years on WB; it jumped over
to the new network, CW, in 2006.
Jessica Biel (Mary) played the oldest sister to Beverly Mitchell (Lucy) on 7th Heaven. In real life, Beverly
is one year older than Jessica.
Party Girl & Lush Life premiered AND cancelled on FOX the same day; 4 episodes each!
The Smart Guy, Tahj Mowry is the brother of the twin sisters, Tia & Tamera Mowry. The twins were in the popular sitcom,
Sister, Sister with Tim Reid & Jackee Harry.
Renegade moved to USA Network for the last season.
Lifetime aired the Global series, Traders, for a few months. Traders was more successful in their home country, Canada.
It lasted on Global from 1995–2000.
1996/97 Fall Season
One Season (1996/97)
Clueless – 1996/97, ABC; 1997–1999, UPN, comedy, Rachel Blanchard
Cosby – 1996–2000, CBS, comedy, Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad
Early Edition – 1996–2000, CBS, fantasy/adventure, Kyle Chandler
Everybody Loves Raymond – 1996–2005, CBS, comedy, Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton
The Jamie Foxx Show – 1996–2001, WB, comedy, Jamie Foxx, Garrett Morris
Malcolm and Eddie – 1996–2000, UPN, comedy, Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Men Behaving Badly – 1996–1998, NBC, comedy, Rob Schneider, Justice Bateman
Millennium – 1996–1999, FOX, police drama, Lance Henriksen, Bill Smitrovich
Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher – 1996–1998, WB, comedy, Portia de Rossi
The Pretender – 1996–2000, NBC, sci-fi, Michael T. Weiss
Profiler – 1996–2000, NBC, police drama, A Martinez
Promised Land – 1996–1999, CBS, adventure, Gerald McRaney, Wendy Phillips
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch – 1996–2000, ABC; 2000–2003, WB, comedy, Melissa Joan Hart
7th Heaven – 1996–2006, WB; 2005 – present, CW, drama, Stephen Collins, Catherine Hicks
Something So Right – 1997, NBC; 1997/98, ABC, comedy, Jere Burns
Sparks – 1996–1998, UPN, comedy, James Avery, Robin Givens
Spin City – 1996–2002, ABC, comedy, Michael J. Fox, Michael Boatman, Richard Kind
The Steve Harvey Show – 1996–2002, WB, comedy, Steve Harvey
Suddenly Susan – 1996–2000, NBC, comedy, Brooke Shields, Kathy Griffin
Cancelled TV Shows
Big Deal – FOX, game, 4 episodes, Mark DeCarlo
Burning Zone – UPN, drama, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Common Law – ABC, drama, 4 episodes, Greg Giraldo
Dangerous Minds – ABC, drama, Annie Potts
Dark Skies – NBC, sci-fi, Eric Close
Goode Behavior – UPN, comedy, Sherman Hemsley
Homeboys in Outer Space – UPN, comedy, Darryl M. Bell
Life With Roger – WB, comedy, Mike O'Malley
Life's Work – ABC, comedy, Lisa Ann Walker
Love and Marriage – FOX, comedy, 2 episodes, Patricia Healy
Lush Life – FOX, comedy, 4 episodes, Lori Petty
Mr. & Mrs. Smith – CBS, foreign intrigue, Scott Bakula
Mr. Rhodes – NBC, comedy, Tom Rhodes, Farrah Forke
Moloney – CBS, police drama, Peter Strauss
Party Girl – FOX, comedy, 4 episodes, Christine Taylor, Swoosie Kurtz
Pearl – CBS, comedy, Rhea Perlman, Carol Kane, Nikki Cox
Relativity – ABC, comedy/drama, Kimberly Williams
Townies – ABC, comedy, Molly Ringwald, Jenna Elfman
18 out of 37 new series SURVIVED for 1997/98
ABC – 3/8, Clueless, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch & Spin City
CBS – 4/7, Cosby, Early Edition, Everybody Loves Raymond &
Promised Land
FOX – 1/5, Millennium
NBC – 5/7, Men Behaving Badly, The Pretender, Profiler, Something
So Right & Suddenly Susan
UPN – 2/5, Malcolm and Eddie & Sparks
WB – 4/5, The Jamie Foxx Show, Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher, 7th
Heaven & The Steve Harvey Show
Mid season shows
Buffy, The Vampire Slayer – March 1997–2001, WB; 2001–2003, UPN, supernatural, Sarah Michelle Gellar
Fired Up – April 1997–1998, NBC, comedy, Sharon Lawrence, Leah Remini
Just Shoot Me – March 1997–2003, NBC, comedy, David Spade, Laura San Giacomo
The Practice – March 1997–2004, ABC, legal drama, Dylan McDermott
Smart Guy – April 1997–1999, WB, comedy, Tahj Mowry
Soul Man – April 1997–1998, ABC, comedy, Dan Aykroyd
Cancelled Mid Season Shows
Arsenio – ABC, comedy, 6 episodes, Arsenio Hall, Vivica A. Fox
Chicago Sons – NBC, comedy, Jason Bateman, D.W. Moffett
Coast To Coast – CBS, newsmagazine, 8 episodes, Bernard Goldberg
Crisis Center – NBC, medical drama, 6 episodes, Kellie Martin, Dana Ashbrook
EZ Streets – CBS, drama, Ken Olin
Feds – CBS, legal drama, 6 episodes, Blair Brown
Gun – ABC, dramatic anthology
Ink – CBS, comedy, Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen
Lawless – March 22, 1997, FOX, detective drama, 1 episode, Brian Bosworth
Leaving L.A. – ABC, crime drama, Melina Kanakaredes, Hilary Swank
Life...And Stuff – CBS, comedy, 4 episodes, Pam Dawber
Ordinary/Extraordinary – CBS, documentary, 6 episodes, John Schneider
Orleans – CBS, legal drama, 8 episodes, Larry Hagman
Pacific Palisades Pacific Blue – FOX, soap, Michelle Stafford, Greg Evigan
The Pauly Shore Show – FOX, comedy, 5 episodes, Pauly Shore
Prince Street – NBC, crime drama, 2 episodes, Steve Martini
Public Morals – October 30, 1996, CBS, comedy, 1 episode, Justin Louis
Roar – FOX, adventure, 8 episodes, Heath Ledger
Social Studies – UPN, comedy, 6 episodes, Julia Duffy
Spy Game – ABC, foreign intrigue/comedy, 9 episodes, Linden Ashby
Temporarily Yours – CBS, comedy, 6 episodes, Joanna Gleason, Seth Green
Vital Signs – ABC, medical documentary, Robert Urich
World Of Discovery – ABC, documentary, James Brolin
Cable
Angry Beavers – April 1997–2001, Nickelodeon, cartoon, Nick Bakay
Apt. 2–F – MTV, comedy, Randy Sklar, Jason Sklar
The Big Easy – 1996–1997, USA, crime drama, Susan Walters, Barry Corbin
Claude's Crib – USA, comedy, Claude Brooks
Daria – March 1997–2001, MTV, cartoon, Tracy Grandstaff
Dexter's Laboratory – 1996–1998, Cartoon, cartoon, Christine Cavanaugh
The Dish – Lifetime, magazine, Tracee Ross
Idiot Savants – MTV, quiz, Greg Fitzsimmons
The Jenny McCarthy Show – MTV, comedy/variety, Jenny McCarthy
Kenan & Kel – 1996–2000, Nickelodeon, comedy, Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell
La Femme Nikita – January 1997–2001, USA, adventure/espionage, Peta Wilson
Lost On Earth – USA, comedy, Tim Conlon
Loveline – 1996–2000, MTV, advice, Adam Carolla, Dr. Drew Pinsky
The Men's Room – Lifetime, discussion
The New Adventures Of Robin Hood – January 1997–1998, TNT, adventure, Matthew Porretta
Pacific Blue – 1996–2000, USA, crime drama, Jim Davidson
Pandora – Lifetime, astrology, Ellee Devers
The Rodman World Tour – MTV, interview, 13 episodes, Dennis Rodman
The RuPaul Show – 1996–1998, VH1, talk, RuPaul
Three Blind Dates – Lifetime, comedy, Johnny Biehle, Jr.
Traders – Lifetime, drama, 13 episodes, Sonja Smits
The Wire – Lifetime, magazine
The Wubbulous World Of Dr. Seuss – Nickelodeon, children's
Yesterday & Today – March 1997–1998, TNN, music documentary
Syndication
America's Dumbest Criminals – 1996–2000, syndication, comedy/police, Daniel Butler
Access Hollywood – 1996–present, syndication, magazine, Larry Mendt
The Adventures Of Sinbad – 1996–1998, syndication, fantasy adventure, Zen Gesner
Beach Patrol – syndication, documentary, Ian Ziering
Bounty Hunters – 1996–1998, syndication, reality, Dan Cueller
Could It Be A Miracle – syndication, religious/paranormal, Robert Culp
FX: The Series – 1996–1998, syndication, crime drama, Kevin Dobson
PSI Factor: Chronicles Of The Paranormal – 1996–2000, syndication, supernatural, Paul Miller
Strange Universe – 1996–1998, syndication, paranormal magazine, Emmett Miller
Tarzan: The Epic Adventures – syndication, adventure, Joe Lara
Two – syndication, drama, Michael Easton
Viper – 1996–1999, syndication, police drama/sci-fi, Jeff Kaake
Two Seasons (1995/96)
Almost Perfect – 1995–fall of 1996, CBS, comedy
Baywatch Nights – 1995–1997, syndication, detective drama
Brotherly Love – 1995/96, NBC; 1996/97, WB, comedy
Caroline in the City – 1995–1999, NBC, comedy
Coast Guard – 1995–1997, syndication, documentary
Cybill – January 1995–1998, CBS, comedy
The Daily Show – July 1996–present, Comedy Central, comedy
The Drew Carey Show – 1995–2004, ABC, comedy
The Extremists – 1995–1997, syndication, sports anthology
Flipper – 1995–1997, syndication, adventure
JAG – 1995/96, NBC; 1996–2005, CBS, legal drama
The Jeff Foxworthy Show – 1995/96, ABC; 1996/97, NBC, comedy
King Of The Hill – January 1996–present, FOX, cartoon
Kirk – 1995–1997, WB, comedy
LAPD: Life On The Beat – 1995–1999, syndication, police documentary
Life And Times Of... – January 1996–2001, Nashville, biography
Mad TV – 1995–present, FOX, comedy
Moesha – January 1996–2001, UPN, comedy
Murder One – 1995–1997, ABC, legal drama
The Naked Truth – 1995/96, ABC; January 1997–1998, NBC, comedy
Nash Bridges – March 1996–2001, CBS, police drama
Ned and Stacey – 1995–1997, FOX, comedy
New York Undercover – 1994–1998, FOX, police drama
Night Stand With Dick Dietrick – 1995–1997, syndication, comedy
The Outer Limits – 1995–2001, Showtime; 2001/02, Sci-Fi Channel, sci-fi
Poltergeist: The Legacy – 1995–1998, Showtime; 1999, Sci Fi, sci fi
Prime Time Country – January 1996–1999, TNN, variety
Remember WENN – January 1996–1998, AMC, comedy/drama
Save Our Streets – 1995–1999, syndication, informational
Second Noah – January 1996–1997, ABC, drama
The Sentinel – March 1996–1999, UPN, sci-fi/police drama
The Single Guy – 1995–1997, NBC, comedy
Space Cases – March 1996–1997 Nickelodeon, sci fi
3rd Rock from the Sun – January 1996–2001, NBC, comedy
Three Seasons (1994/95)
Aaahh!! Real Monsters – 1994–1997, Nickelodeon, cartoon
All That – December 1994–2000, Nickelodeon, comedy/variety
Chicago Hope – 1994–2000, CBS, medical drama
Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist – May 1995–1999, Comedy Central, cartoon
ER – 1994–present, NBC, medical drama
Entertainers With Byron Allen – 1994–present, syndication, celebrity talk
Extra – 1994–present, syndication, news/gossip
Friends – 1994–2004, NBC, comedy
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys – January 1995–2000, syndication, adventure
High Tide – 1994–1997, syndication, adventure
The Late Late Show With Tom Synder – January 1995–1999, CBS, talk
New York Undercover – 1994–1998, FOX, police drama
NewsRadio – March 1995–1999, NBC, comedy
The Parent 'Hood – January 1995–1999, WB, comedy
Party of Five – 1994–2000, FOX, drama
The Secret World Of Alex Mack – 1994–1998, Nickelodeon, comedy/adventure
Sliders – March 1995–1997, FOX; June 1998–2000, Sci-Fi Channel, sci-fi
Star Trek: Voyager – January 1995–2001, UPN, sci-fi
Touched by an Angel – 1994–2003, CBS, fantasy
The Wayans Bros. – January 1995–1999, WB, comedy
Unhappily Ever After – January 1995–1999, WB, comedy
Four Seasons (1993/94)
American Journal – 1993–1998, syndication, magazine
Boy Meets World – 1993–2000, ABC, comedy
Court TV–Inside America's Court – 1993–1997, syndication, legal/information
Dave’s World – 1993–1997, CBS, comedy
Diagnosis: Murder – October 1993–2000, CBS, detective drama
Duckman – March 1993–1997, USA, cartoon
Ellen – March 1994–1998, ABC, comedy
Frasier – 1993–2004, NBC, comedy
Grace Under Fire – 1993–1998, ABC, comedy
The John Larroquette Show – 1993–1997, NBC, comedy
Late Show With David Letterman – 1993–present, CBS, talk
Living Single – 1993–1998, FOX, comedy
Lois & Clark – 1993–1997, ABC
NYPD Blue – 1993–2005, ABC, crime drama
The Nanny – 1993–1999, CBS, comedy
Politically Incorrect – January 1997–2002, ABC, comedy/talk
Rivera Live – February 1994–2001, CNBC, talk
Rocko's Modern Life – 1993–1996, Nickelodeon, cartoon
Sister, Sister – April 1994–1995, ABC; 1995–1999, WB, comedy
Weird Science – March 1994–1998, USA, comedy
The X Files – 1993–2002, FOX, fantasy drama
Five Seasons (1992/93)
Babylon 5 – January 1993–1998, syndication, sci-fi
Beavis & Butthead – March 1993–1997, MTV, cartoon
Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman – Jan 1993–1998, CBS, western
Fishin' With Orlando Wilson – January 1993–2000, TNN, fishing
Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper – 1992–1997, ABC, comedy
Highlander – 1992–1998, Syndication, adventure
Homicide: Life on the Street – January 1993–1999, NBC, police drama
Mad About You – 1992–1999, NBC, comedy
Martin – 1992–1997, FOX, comedy
Renegade – 1996–1997, USA, adventure
The Shadetree Mechanic – 1992–2000, TNN, instruction
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Jan 1993–1999, Syndication, sci-fi
Walker, Texas Ranger – April 1993–2001, CBS, crime drama
Six Seasons (1991/92)
Baywatch – 1991–2001, Syndication, adventure
Dateline NBC – March 1992–present, NBC, newsmagazine
Emergency With Alex Paen – 1991–1998, syndicated, documentary
Home Improvement – 1991–1999, ABC, comedy
Melrose Place – July 1992–1999, FOX, soap
Silk Stalkings – 1991–1999, USA, crime drama
The Statler Brothers Show – 1991–1999, TNN, variety
Step By Step – 1991–1997, ABC; 1997/98, CBS, comedy
Talk Soap – December 1991–2002, E!, comedy
Seven Seasons (1990/91)
Beverly Hills 90210 – 1990–2000, FOX, soap
Club Dance – April 1991–1999, TNN, dance
Law & Order – 1990–present, NBC, crime drama
Eight Seasons (1989/90)
American Gladiators – 1989–1997, Syndication, game/sports
America’s Funniest Home Videos – January 1990–1999, ABC, comedy
Family Matters – 1989–1997, ABC; 1997/98, CBS, comedy
Hard Copy – 1989–1999, Syndication – weekdays, newsmagazine
Mystery Science Theater 3000 – February 1997–1999, sci fi, comedy
Prime Time Live – 1989–1998, ABC, newsmagazine
Seinfeld – May 1990–1998, NBC, comedy
The Simpsons – Dec 1989–present, FOX, cartoon
Supermarket Sweep – February 1990–1998, Lifetime, quiz
Wings – April 1990–1997, NBC, comedy
Nine Seasons (1988/89)
Coach – Feb 1989–1997, ABC, comedy
COPS – March 1989–present, FOX, police reality
Inside Edition – January 1989–present, syndication, newsmagazine
Later – 1996–2000, NBC, talk
Murphy Brown – Nov 1988–1998, CBS, comedy
Roseanne – 1988–1997, ABC, comedy
Unsolved Mysteries – 1988–1997, NBC; April 1998–1999, CBS, public service
Ten Seasons (1987/88)
America’s Most Wanted – April 1988–present, FOX, public service
48 Hours – Jan 1988–present, CBS, newsmagazine
Eleven Seasons (1986/87)
Married With Children – April 1987–1997, FOX, comedy
Siskel & Ebert – 1986–1999, syndication, commentary
Thirteen Seasons (1984/85)
The George Michael Sports Machine – 1991–present, syndication, sports highlights
Jeopardy – 1984–present, syndication, game
Larry King Live – June 1985–present, CNN, discussion
Showbiz Today – 1984–2001, CNN, newsmagazine
Fourteen Seasons (1983/84)
Friday Night – 1983–2000, NBC, music
Wheel Of Fortune – 1983–present, syndication, game
Sixteen Seasons (1981/82)
Entertainment Tonight – 1981–present, Syndication, news/gossip
Late Night With Conan O'Brien – 1993–2009, NBC, talk
Twenty Seasons (1977/78)
20/20 – June 1978–present, ABC, newsmagazine
Twenty two Seasons (1975/76)
Saturday Night Live – 1975–present, NBC, variety
Twenty seven Seasons (1970/71)
Monday Night Football – 1970–2006, ABC, sports
Twenty nine Seasons (1968/69)
60 Minutes – 1968–present, CBS, newsmagazine
Forty three Seasons (1954/55)
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno – May 1992–2009, NBC, talk/variety
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