Category Archives: Television 1980s

‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name’ by Gary Portnoy peaks at #83 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 21 1983)

(Saturday, May 21, 1983) — “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” the theme song from the television sitcom Cheers, by Gary Portnoy peaked at #83 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name’ by Gary Portnoy peaks at #83 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 21 1983)

121.6 million people watch finale of American war comedy-drama television series ‘M*A*S*H’ on CBS 40 years ago this hour (Feb 28 1983)


Video: 'M.A.S.H -Final episode (Goodbye,Farewell and Amen) FHD quality'

(Monday, February 28, 1983, 8:30 p.m. EST) — 121.6 million people tuned in tonight to watch the 251st and final episode of the American war comedy-drama television series M*A*S*H on CBS, a two-and-a-half hour film titled “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” Continue reading 121.6 million people watch finale of American war comedy-drama television series ‘M*A*S*H’ on CBS 40 years ago this hour (Feb 28 1983)

‘Cheers’ situation comedy series debuts on NBC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 30 1982)


Video: 'Cheers first scene HD'

(Thursday, September 30, 1982, 9:00 p.m. EDT)Cheers, an American sitcom television series set in the Cheers bar (named for the toast “Cheers”) in Boston, Massachusetts, where a group of locals meet to drink, relax, chat and have fun, debuted tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Cheers’ situation comedy series debuts on NBC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 30 1982)

‘Family Ties’ sitcom television series starring Michael J. Fox debuts on NBC 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 22 1982)


Video: 'First ever Family Ties scene - S1E1 - Pilot'

(Wednesday, September 22, 1982, 9:30 p.m. EDT)Family Ties, a situation comedy television series reflecting the move in the United States from the cultural liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s to the conservatism of the 1980s, debuted tonight on NBC. Continue reading ‘Family Ties’ sitcom television series starring Michael J. Fox debuts on NBC 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 22 1982)

Comedian John Belushi, 33, found dead of a drug overdose in rented Hollywood bungalow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 5 1982)


Video: 'John Belushi - Milton Berle + Bob Greene on his passing - Nightline 3/5/82'

(Friday, March 5, 1982, 12:15 p.m. PST) — Comedian John Belushi, whose wayward eyebrows and bulging belly animated his portrayal of the consummate slob on the NBC-TV sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live and in the movie Animal House, was found dead today in his garden bungalow at the Chateau Marmont hotel on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. He was 33 years old. Continue reading Comedian John Belushi, 33, found dead of a drug overdose in rented Hollywood bungalow 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 5 1982)

84 people lost as oil-drilling rig Ocean Ranger capsizes and sinks in a storm off Newfoundland 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 15 1982)


Video: ‘Disasters of the Century | Season 1 | Episode 37 | Ocean Ranger | Ian Michael Coulson’

(Monday, February 15, 1982, 12:52 a.m. Newfoundland Standard Time)Ocean Ranger, a semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit, sank in a storm 166 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, early this morning. All 84 men aboard perished in 50-foot seas. Continue reading 84 people lost as oil-drilling rig Ocean Ranger capsizes and sinks in a storm off Newfoundland 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 15 1982)

‘Late Night with David Letterman’ talk show debuts on NBC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 2 1982)


Video: ‘Late Night with David Letterman FIRST FULL EPISODE (2/1/82)’

(Tuesday, February 2, 1982, 12:30 a.m. EST)Late Night with David Letterman premiered on NBC-TV early this morning from NBC Studio 6A at the RCA (later GE) Building at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Continue reading ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ talk show debuts on NBC-TV 40 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 2 1982)

‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ by Steve Carlisle peaks at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1981)

(Saturday, December 26, 1981) — “WKRP in Cincinnati” by Steve Carlisle peaked at #65 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for four weeks. Continue reading ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ by Steve Carlisle peaks at #65 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1981)

‘Hill Street Blues’ by Mike Post peaks at #10 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1981)

(Saturday, November 14, 1981) — “Hill Street Blues,” the theme from the TV series Hill Street Blues by Mike Post, peaked at #10 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks. Continue reading ‘Hill Street Blues’ by Mike Post peaks at #10 in USA 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1981)

Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach tape joint interview for ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1981)


Video: 'WGN Channel 9 - Donahue - "Ringo Starr & Barbara Bach" (Open & Break, 1981)'

(Monday, March 23, 1981) — Former Beatle Ringo Starr and his fiancée, actress Barbara Bach, taped an appearance on the The Phil Donahue Show syndicated TV talk show today in Chicago to promote their film Caveman, which would open in New York on Apr. 17, 1981.
Continue reading Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach tape joint interview for ‘The Phil Donahue Show’ 40 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 23 1981)