Category Archives: Television 1980s

‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Barney Miller’ top Emmys 30 years ago tonight (1982)


Video: 'Ingrid Bergman' s Emmy for GOLDA'

(Sunday, September 19, 1982) — The late Ingrid Bergman won an Emmy tonight for her portrayal of Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, while Hill Street Blues was the big winner for the second straight year with six awards, including best dramatic series. Continue reading ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Barney Miller’ top Emmys 30 years ago tonight (1982)

Wrestler appears to knock Andy Kaufman out of chair on ‘Letterman’ show 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: 'David Letterman - Jerry Lawler - Andy Kaufman - Unedited'

(Wednesday, July 28, 1982) — Entertainer Andy Kaufman and wrestler Jerry Lawler appear to get in a fight today during a taping of NBC-TV’s Late Night with David Letterman, with Lawler knocking Kaufman out of his chair. It was later revealed to have been staged.

McCartneys appear on ‘Top of the Pops’ in London 30 years ago this hour (1982)

(Thursday, May 6, 1982, 7:25 p.m. local time) — Paul and Linda McCartney made a guest appearance tonight on Top of the Pops at the BBC TV Centre in Wood Lane, London, after the Ebony and Ivory video had been shown.

‘Up in the Air’ airs on ‘Three’s Company’ 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'Up in the Air' clip

(Tuesday, May 4, 1982, 9:00 p.m. ET) — Jack takes one of Larry’s tranquilizers to deal with his fear of flying, but then experiences unpredictable side effects after ignoring warnings not to drink alcohol on tonight’s episode of the ABC-TV sitcom Three’s Company.

The Weather Channel debuts 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: Pre-launch ceremony from Las Vegas and Atlanta (30 minutes) followed by first 30 minutes of the Weather Channel's broadcast

(Sunday, May 2, 1982) — The Weather Channel (TWC), a U.S. cable and satellite television network that broadcasts weather forecasts and weather-related news, debuted today.

‘Up and Down the Dial’ airs as series finale on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'WKRP in Cincinnati' (season 1 open)

(Wednesday, April 21, 1982, 8:30 p.m. EST) — Just as WKRP hits #6 in the ratings, Mama Carlson announces that she plans to switch the format of the station to 24 hours a day of news on tonight’s final episode of the CBS-TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.

Paul McCartney tapes interview for ‘Today’ show 30 years ago today (1982)


Video: McCartney interviewed Apr. 17, 1982 (part 1)

(Saturday, April 17, 1982) — Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney was interviewed today by Bryant Gumbel at the RCA Building in New York for the Apr. 26-29 editions of NBC-TV’s Today show, promoting his new album Tug of War. Continue reading Paul McCartney tapes interview for ‘Today’ show 30 years ago today (1982)

‘The Creation of Venus’ episodes airs on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'The Creation of Venus' (part 1)

(Wednesday, March 31, 1982, 8:30 p.m. ET) — When Venus lets it slip that he was a schoolteacher before he came to WKRP, Andy has to tell Mama Carlson the truth about how he hired Gordon Sims as a DJ and how they came up with the persona of Venus Flytrap on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Continue reading ‘The Creation of Venus’ episodes airs on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ 30 years ago this hour (1982)

‘Dear Liar’ episodes airs on ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ 30 years ago this hour (1982)


Video: 'Dear Liar'

(Wednesday, March 24, 1982, 8:30 p.m. ET) –When Bailey writes a news story on the Northside Children’s Clinic, Les steals it and reads it on the air on tonight’s episode of the CBS-TV sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.