Category Archives: Television 1980s

‘Cheers’ and ‘Hill Street Blues’ top Emmys 30 years ago this hour (1983)

1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'BARBARA STANWYCK 1983 EMMY AWARD for The THORN BIRDS'

(Sunday, September 25, 1983, 8 p.m. EDT) — Cheers, a situation comedy set in Boston about a group of locals who meet to drink, relax, chat and have fun, captured top honors tonight at the 35th Primetime Emmy Awards, winning four Emmys including Outstanding Comedy Series.

Hill Street Blues, a serial police drama about a staff of a single police precinct in an unnamed American city, was hailed as the Outstanding Drama Series for the third year in a row.

Tonight’s ceremonies at Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, were hosted by Eddie Murphy and Joan Rivers.


Video: 'Richard Chamberlain Emmy Awards 1983'

Kiss appears without makeup for the first time 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s


Video: 'MTV Special: KISS Unmasking - September 18, 1983'

(Sunday, September 18, 1983) — The rock band Kiss officially appeared in public without makeup for the first time during an appearance today on MTV, which coincided with the release of the band’s new album, Lick It Up.

George Harrison interviewed for ‘Film ’83’ 30 years ago today (1983)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


(Monday, September 12, 1983) — An interview with ex-Beatle George Harrison was aired today on the BBC1 show Film ’83, shot on location in Henley about his new Handmade movie Bullshot starring Billy Connolly (click here to download and watch).

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

1980s, James Bond, Movies 1980s, Television 1980s, The Beatles 1980s


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)

1980s, Popular Music 1980s, Television 1980s


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)

1980s, Movies 1980s, Television 1980s


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)

1980s, Television 1980s


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)

1980s, Television 1980s


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)

1980s, Television 1980s


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)

1980s, Television 1980s


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.