And then came The Master: Lee Van Cleef as an aging ninja roaming America in a van with his young student, tossing shuriken and Zen wisdom while hunted by Sho Kosugi. Totally ridiculous, totally ’80s, and undeniably cool—even if Dallas killed it.
Pure late-’80s first-run syndication excess: T & T.
🎶 mmmmm I put my faith in himmmmmmmmm 🎵
Weekends glued to syndicated action hour after action hour...pure 80s energy!
NBC’s Friday nights kicked off with Legmen; college roommates paying rent by doing bail-bond legwork in sunny SoCal. Rock theme, stolen cars, and beautiful distractions. It only lasted 8 eps, but it set the tone: don’t take this night too seriously.
#OnThisDay 1980: Here’s Boomer debuted on NBC.
Peak late-70s/early-80s TV trend: the wandering miracle dog. 🐕
A stray shows up, helps people solve their problems, then trots off before the credits.
Benji did it. The Littlest Hobo did it. Boomer did it.
Did this ever happen to you? 😄
On this day in 1986, the Challenger disaster became one of the most sobering moments of the 1980s. A decade of optimism paused as millions watched live. It shattered the illusion that spaceflight was routine and left a lasting mark on culture, media, and a generation that never forgot.
#OnThisDay in 1987: OHARA debuted on ABC.
For a moment, it was Mr. Miyagi as a cop: Yes, Pat Morita playing a meditative, martial-arts-using LAPD detective. Then came the dreaded NETWORK RETOOLING, stripping away everything cool because reasons. Classic ’80s TV whiplash.
Rest in peace to T.K. Carter (69), who was found Friday at his home in Duarte, CA. An 80s screen icon, he is best remembered for his roles in The Thing, Punky Brewster, and Doctor Detroit. From Runaway Train to voicing The Transformers, he left an indelible mark on the decade.
#OnThisDay 1989: NBC aired “A Very Brady Episode” on Day By Day—a full-on Brady Bunch dream parody with original cast members, recreated credits, and tons of inside jokes. Peak late-’80s nostalgia and a preview of the Brady revival to come. 📺
Laverne & Shirley premiered 50 years ago today! Airing from January 27, 1976 – May 10, 1983. The show starred Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams in the title roles.
The man...the machine...Street Hawwwwkkkkk.
A jet-powered motorcycle, neon visuals, and a Tangerine Dream theme that screamed 80s excess...
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Forgotten TV
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#OnThisDay 1980: Here’s Boomer debuted on NBC.
The family series followed a wandering stray dog who traveled the country helping people in need before moving on. The star was Johnny, a rescued shelter dog trained by Ray Berwick.
Full article & podcast at Forgotten TV.
#OnThisDay in 1984: LEGMEN debuted on NBC.
College roommates Bruce Greenwood & John Terlesky paid the bills as bail bond “legmen” in this breezy Friday-night opener—proof NBC wasn’t taking things too seriously. Rock theme, roaming credits, lots of guest stars. Only 8 episodes.
Yes, it was NBC not ABC...so here you go. 😆
#OnThisDay in 1988, T & T hit U.S. syndication. Mr. T starred as T.S. Turner, a framed ex-boxer turned private eye, mixing street justice with courtroom drama. Loud theme, self-aware tone, peak late-’80s Saturday TV energy.
#OnThisDay in 1989: Day By Day aired “A Very Brady Episode” on NBC.
Ross dreams himself as a “lost” Brady, with recreated credits and appearances by 6 OG cast members.
Packed with Brady in-jokes, it marked Maureen's final appearance as Marcia, and kind of funny what CD Barnes later starred in...
#OnThisDay in 1985: Street Hawk debuted on ABC. Rex Smith was Jesse Mach, ex-cop turned vigilante riding a jet-powered motorcycle to fight crime. Tangerine Dream theme, wild tech, rough scheduling, and demise due to TGIF—only 13 eps, but pure ’80s style.
