Category Archives: Television 1980s

‘James Bond: The First 21 Years’ debuts on ITV 30 years ago today (1983)


Video: 'JAMES BOND OO7: The First 21 Years - Part 1 of 5'

(Friday, May 27, 1983)James Bond: The First 21 Years, a documentary designed to promote the upcoming release of the film Octopussy, premiered today on ITV in the UK. The program featured many celebrities, including former Beatle Paul McCartney (on part 3 at 7:30). Continue reading ‘James Bond: The First 21 Years’ debuts on ITV 30 years ago today (1983)

Michael Jackson introduces ‘moonwalk’ dance on Motown special 30 years ago this hour (1983)


Video: 'Moonwalk - Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - The First Moonwalk King Of Pop'

(Monday, May 16, 1983, 9:00 p.m. EST)Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever was broadcast tonight on NBC. The highlight was Michael Jackson lip syncing and dancing to his song “Billie Jean” and performing for the first time his “moonwalk” dance. In 2004, TV Guide rated it as the 27th most memorable TV moment of all time. Continue reading Michael Jackson introduces ‘moonwalk’ dance on Motown special 30 years ago this hour (1983)

‘Gandhi’ wins Best Picture at 55th Academy Awards 30 years ago this hour (1983)


Video: '1982 Oscar Winners'

(Monday, April 11, 1983, 9:00 p.m. EST)Gandhi won eight Oscars tonight at the 55th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Richard Attenborough for Best Director and Ben Kingsley for Best Actor. Meryl Streep won Best Actress for Sophie’s Choice. Continue reading ‘Gandhi’ wins Best Picture at 55th Academy Awards 30 years ago this hour (1983)

‘The A-Team’ debuts on NBC-TV 30 years ago this hour (1983)


Video: 'A-Team Intro High Quality'

(Sunday, January 23, 1983, 9:00 p.m. EDT)The A-Team, an action-adventure television series about a fictional group of ex–United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a “crime they didn’t commit,” debuted tonight on NBC-TV.

It starred George Peppard, Dirk Benedict, Dwight Schultz, Mr. T, Melinda Culea, Marla Heasley, Eddie Velez and Robert Vaughn.

Actor Jack Webb dies of a heart attack 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'Dragnet - Joe Friday Being a Cop Speech'

(Thursday, December 23, 1982) — Actor, television producer, director, and screenwriter Jack Webb, probably best known for his role as Sergeant Joe Friday in TV’s Dragnet, died today of a heart attack in West Hollywood, California. He was 62.

‘St. Elsewhere’ debuts on NBC-TV 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: St. Elsewhere 'Pilot' (Oct. 26, 1982)

(Tuesday, October 26, 1982, 10:00 p.m. EDT)St. Elsewhere, a medical drama television series set at fictional St. Eligius, a decaying urban teaching hospital in Boston’s South End neighborhood, debuted tonight on NBC-TV. It starred Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd, William Daniels, David Birney, Ed Begley, Jr., Denzel Washington, Bonnie Bartlett, Christina Pickles, Mark Harmon, David Morse, Cynthia Sikes, Howie Mandel, Kim Miyori and Bruce Greenwood.

‘Newhart’ debuts on CBS-TV 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'In The Beginning...' (Oct. 25, 1982)

(Monday, October 25, 1982, 9:30 p.m. EDT)Newhart, a situation comedy series about an author and wife who owned and operated an inn located in a small, rural Vermont town that was home to many eccentric characters, debuted tonight on CBS-TV. It starred Bob Newhart, Mary Frann, Jennifer Holmes, Julia Duffy, Tom Poston, Steven Kampmann, Peter Scolari, William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss and John Volstad.

‘Remington Steele’ debuts on NBC-TV 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'License to Steele' (Oct. 1, 1982)

(Friday, October 1, 1982, 10:00 p.m. EDT)Remington Steele, a comedy-drama-detective television series about a licensed female private detective who invents a fictitious male superior to attract more business to her detective agency, debuted tonight on NBC-TV. It starred Stephanie Zimbalist, Pierce Brosnan and Doris Roberts.

‘Did You See the Sunrise?’ episode airs on ‘Magnum, P.I.’ 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'Did You See the Sunrise?' (clip)

(Thursday, September 30, 1982, 8:00 p.m. ET) — Magnum, T.C., and an ex-army buddy named Nuzzo try to track down Ivan, a Russian who held them captive during the Vietnam War and won’t stop until he kills them all on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV series Magnum, P.I..

This episode is listed as #98 on TV Guide‘s 2009 list of Top 100 Episodes of All Time.

Starr tapes an appearance for ‘Parkinson in Australia’ 30 years ago today (1982)


'Honey Don't'

(Tuesday, September 28, 1982) — Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr taped an appearance today for Parkinson in Australia in North Ryde, Australia. Ringo played drums on Honey Don’t with Glenn Shorrock on vocals for airing on October 8.