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The year '1986 in television' involved some significant events.
Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.
''For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.''

Contents

Events

Debuts

Miniseries

Television shows

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

Returning in 1986

Ending this year

Changes of network affiliation

Births

Deaths

Events

★ January 6 - A Vicks Formula 44 cough medicine ad premieres, starring Peter Bergman from ''All My Children'', in which he told the viewing audience "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." This phrase, first used in the early 1970s by Robert Young of ''Marcus Welby, M.D.'' fame, was subsequently parodied in many pop culture references.

★ January 28 - NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger spacecraft explodes, live on television.

★ February 11 - Culture Club lead singer Boy George appears on an episode of ''The A-Team''.

★ February 14 - Frank Zappa appears on an episode of the popular television series ''Miami Vice''. Zappa portrays a crime boss named "Mr. Frankie".

★ February 22 - In honor of the 20th anniversary of ''The Monkees'' premiering on television, MTV broadcasts "Pleasant Valley Sunday," a 22-hour marathon of Monkees episodes.

★ February - On the soap opera ''Search for Tomorrow'', the entire town of Henderson is washed away in a flood. Lead character Joanne Tourneur's (Mary Stuart) motel is the only structure in town left standing.

★ March 10 - The first advert for a sanitary towel is broadcast on British television, on Channel 4.

★ Spring - after four seasons, NBC cancels ''Remington Steele''. This announcement results in series star Pierce Brosnan being named the newest actor to play James Bond. As a result of the media frenzy surrounding Brosnan's appointment, as well as the corresponding upswing in ''Steele's'' ratings, NBC reverses its decision and announces ''Steele'' will return midway through the 1986–87 season. This results in the Bond film producers withdrawing their offer to Brosnan, though he would reacquire the 007 role in 1995.

★ April 27 - A man calling himself Captain Midnight jams HBO's signal to protest its monthly fee of $12.95.

★ May 8 - NBC unveils its new Peacock logo.

★ May 10 - Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe marries actress Heather Locklear.

★ May 16 - Bobby Ewing is revealed to be alive and showering in his ex-wife Pam's bathroom in the season finale of ''Dallas''; in the September 26 season premiere, it was shown that the entire 1985–86 season was a dream of hers the night after they agreed to remarry.

★ May 22 - Cher calls David Letterman an "asshole" on the air during a taping of ''Late Night with David Letterman''.

★ June 18 - In the British soap opera ''Coronation Street'' the Rovers Return pub was gutted by fire with landlady Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) trapped inside.

★ June - The Yorkshire Television ITV region becomes the first UK terrestrial channel to broadcast 24 hours a day, initially simulcasting the cable and satellite music video channel Music Box throughout the night. The other ITV regions gradually switch to 24 hour television over the next two years.

★ July 18 - A tornado is broadcast live on KARE TV in Minneapolis when the station's helicopter pilot makes a chance encounter.

★ September 1 - For one week, ''CBS Evening News'' anchor Dan Rather attempts to initiate the use of the word "Courage" as a slogan. The attempt is a failure, and is noticed by other members of the press.

★ September 6 - Part One of ''The Trial of a Time Lord'' is broadcast on BBC1, marking the return to air of ''Doctor Who'' after an 18-month hiatus.

★ September 27 - On ''The Facts of Life'', Charlotte Rae leaves the role of Mrs. Garrett (who marries her old friend Bruce Gaines, played by Robert Mandan) and is replaced by Cloris Leachman, who played Beverly Ann Stickle, Mrs. Garrett's sister.

★ October 9 - The Fox Broadcasting Company becomes the United States' fourth commercial broadcast television network.

★ December 25 - 30.15 million tune in to watch "Dirty" Dennis Watts hand wife Angie her divorce papers in ''EastEnders'', making it the highest rated episode of any soap in British television history.

★ ABC becomes the second American station to discontinue use of chime intonations at the beginning of telecasts, as the network moves to satellite feed activation.

★ Rod Roddy becomes the permanent announcer on the long-running CBS daytime game show ''The Price is Right''.

★ Merv Griffin sells his company, Merv Griffin Enterprises to The Coca-Cola Company for $250,000,000.

★ Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman and Kevin Nealon join ''Saturday Night Live''.

★ Helen Martin joins the cast of 227, after appearing every episode in the 1985-86 season, replacing Kia Goodwin, who was dropped from the cast after the first season, who portrayed Rose's (Alaina Reed) daughter, Tiffany, before written off the show initinally in 1988.

★ Ringo Starr narrates his last ever ''Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends'' episode, the second series finale, Thomas & the Missing Christmas Tree

Debuts

★ January - ''Hey Dad...!'' premieres in Australia (1986–1994).

★ January 6 - the revival of ''Card Sharks'' premieres on CBS with host Bob Eubanks, replacing ''Body Language'' (1986-1989).

★ January 12 - ''Catchphrase'' premieres on ITV in the UK (1986-2002).

★ February 2 - ''The Disney Sunday Movie'' (1986–1988) (revival of 1954–1983 series).

★ February 26 - ''Dragon Ball'' premieres on Fuji TV in Japan.

★ March 1 - ''The Hogan Family'' premieres on NBC (1986–1991).

★
★ ''Choushinsei Flashman'' premieres on TV Asahi (1986-1987)

★ March 25 - ''Perfect Strangers'' premieres on ABC (1986–1993).

★ April 25 - ''Comic Relief'' (UK) premieres on BBC One (1986— ).

★ September - The syndicated version of ''Card Sharks'' premieres with host Bill Rafferty (1986-1987).

★ September 6 -

★
★ ''Casualty'' (UK) premieres on BBC One (1986— ).

★
★ ''WWF Superstars of Wrestling'' debuts on syndication (1986-2001).

★ September 8 - ''A.M. Chicago'' changes its name to ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' and premieres on national television (1986— ).

★ September 13 - ''Pee-wee's Playhouse'' (1986–1991) on CBS.

★ September 15 - ''L.A. Law'' premieres on NBC (1986–1994).

★
★ the first true revival of ''The Hollywood Squares'' (1986–1989) premieres with host John Davidson.

★ September 22 - ''ALF'' (1986–1990) on NBC.

★ September 23 - ''Matlock'' (1986–1995) on NBC.

★
★ ''Sledge Hammer!'' (1986–1988) on ABC.

★ September 27 - ''Amen'' (1986–1991) on NBC.

★ September 28 - ''WWF Wrestling Challenge'' debuts on syndication (1986-1996).

★ September 29 - ''Designing Women'' (1986–1993) on CBS.

★ October 6 - ''Double Dare'' (1986–1993) on Nickelodeon.

Miniseries

★ ''The Singing Detective'' (UK) (November 16–December 21) on BBC One

★ ''Lost Empires''

★ ''The Great Bookie Robbery''

★ ''Cyclone Tracy''

★ ''Alice To Nowhere''

★ ''Robbery Under Arms''

★ ''A Fortunate Life''

★ ''The Challenge''

★ ''Sword Of Honour''

★ ''Lancaster-Miller Affair''

★ ''Dream West''

★ ''The Last Frontier''

★ ''North and South: Book II''

★ ''Sins''

Television shows

1940s

★ ''Meet the Press'' (1947— )

★ ''Candid Camera'' (1948— )

★ ''Truth or Consequences'' (1950–1988)

★ ''Come Dancing'' (UK) (1949–1995)

1950s

★ ''Hallmark Hall of Fame'' (1951— )

★ ''American Bandstand'' (1952–1989)

★ ''Guiding Light'' (1952— )

★ ''The Today Show'' (1952— )

★ ''Panorama'' (UK) (1953— )

★ ''Face the Nation'' (1954— )

★ ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992)

★ ''This Is Your Life'' (UK) (1955–2003)

★ ''As the World Turns'' (1956— )

★ ''The Edge of Night'' (1956–1975, CBS; 1975–1984, ABC)

★ ''What the Papers Say'' (UK) (1956— )

★ ''The Sky at Night'' (UK) (1957— )

★ ''Blue Peter'' (UK) (1958— )

★ ''Grandstand'' (UK) (1958-2007)

1960s

★ ''Coronation Street'' (UK) (1960— )

★ ''Four Corners'' (Australia) (1961— )

★ ''It's Academic'' (1961— )

★ ''The Late Late Show'' (Ireland) (1962-present).

★ ''Doctor Who'' (UK) (1963–1989, 1996, 2005— )

★ ''General Hospital'' (1963— )

★ ''Another World'' (1964–1999)

★ ''Crossroads'' (UK) (1964–1988, 2001–2003)

★ ''Top of the Pops'' (UK) (1964-2006)

★ ''Days of Our Lives'' (1965— )

★ ''Play School'' (1966— )

★ ''The Money Programme'' (UK) (1966— )

★ ''60 Minutes'' (1968— )

★ ''One Life to Live'' (1968— )

★ ''Hee Haw'' (1969–1993)

★ ''Sesame Street'' (1969— )

★ ''The Benny Hill Show'' (UK) (1969–1989)

1970s

★ ''All My Children'' (1970— )

★ ''Monday Night Football'' (1970— )

★ ''Masterpiece Theatre'' (1971— )

★ ''Whistle Test'' (UK) (1971–1987)

★ ''Soul Train'' (1971— )

★ ''Emmerdale Farm'' (UK) (1972— )

★ ''John Craven's Newsround'' (UK) (1972— )

★ ''The Price Is Right'' (1972— )

★ ''Last of the Summer Wine'' (UK) (1973— )

★ ''The Young and the Restless'' (1973— )

★ ''Countdown'' (Australia) (1974–1987)

★ ''Derrick'' (1974–1998)

★ ''Wish You Were Here...?'' (UK) (1974— )

★ ''Arena'' (UK) (1975— )

★ ''Good Morning America'' (1975— )

★ ''Jim'll Fix It'' (UK) (1975–1994)

★ ''Ryan's Hope'' (1975–1989)

★ ''Saturday Night Live'' (1975— )

★ ''the fifth estate'' (Canada) (1975— )

★ ''Wheel of Fortune'' (1975— )

★ ''The P.T.L. Club'' (1976–1987)

★ ''20/20'' (1978— )

★ ''3-2-1'' (UK) (1978–1987)

★ ''Dallas'' (1978–1991)

★ ''Grange Hill'' (UK) (1978— )

★ ''Knots Landing'' (1979–1993)

★ ''The Facts of Life'' (1979–1988)

★ ''You Can't Do That on Television'' (Canada) (1979–1990)

★ ''Antiques Roadshow'' (UK) (1979— )

★ ''Nightline'' (1979— )

★ ''This Old House'' (1979— )

1980s

★ ''Magnum, P.I.'' (1980–1988)

★ ''Solid Gold'' (1980–1988)

★ ''Dynasty'' (1981–1989)

★ ''Entertainment Tonight'' (1981— )

★ ''Falcon Crest'' (1981–1990)

★ ''Gimme a Break!'' (1981–1987)

★ ''Hill Street Blues'' (1981–1987)

★ ''Simon & Simon'' (1981–1988)

★ ''Smurfs'' (1981-1990)

★ ''Today's Special'' (Canada) (1981–1987)

★ ''What Now'' (1982— )

★ ''Timewatch'' (UK) (1982— )

★ ''Cagney & Lacey'' (1982–1988)

★ ''Capitol'' (1982–1987)

★ ''Cheers'' (1982–1993)

★ ''Fame'' (1982–1987)

★ ''Family Ties'' (1982–1989)

★ ''Late Night with David Letterman'' (1982–1993)

★ ''Newhart'' (1982–1990)

★ ''Remington Steele'' (1982–1987)

★ ''Silver Spoons'' (1982–1987)

★ ''St. Elsewhere'' (1982–1988)

★ ''The Journal'' (Canada) (1982–1992)

★ ''The A-Team'' (1983–1987)

★ ''Fraggle Rock'' (1983–1988)

★ ''Loving'' (1983–1995)

★ ''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' (1983–1987)

★ ''Webster'' (1983–1989)

★ ''The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes'' (UK) ('1984–1988', 1991–1994)

★ ''Highway to Heaven'' (1984–1989)

★ ''Jeopardy!'' (1964–1975, '1984— ')

★ ''Kate and Allie'' (1984–1989)

★ ''Miami Vice'' (1984–1989)

★ ''Mother and Son'' (Australia) (1984–1994)

★ ''Murder, She Wrote'' (1984–1996)

★ ''Night Court'' (1984–1992)

★ ''Punky Brewster'' (1984–1988)

★ ''Santa Barbara'' (1984–1993)

★ ''Tales from the Darkside'' (1984–1988)

★ ''The Bill'' (UK) (1984— )

★ ''The Cosby Show'' (1984–1992)

★ ''Who's the Boss?'' (1984–1992)

★ ''227'' (1985–1990)

★ ''EastEnders'' (UK) (1985— )

★ ''Growing Pains'' (1985–1992)

★ ''It's a Living'' (1980–1982, '1985–1989')

★ ''MacGyver'' (1985–1992)

★ ''Moonlighting'' (1985–1989)

★ ''Mr. Belvedere'' (1985–1990)

★ ''Neighbours'' (Australia) (1985— )

★ ''Only Fools and Horses'' (UK) (1981–1983, '1985–1993', 1996–1997, 2001–2003)

★ ''Sally'' (1985–2002)

★ ''T-Bag Strikes Again'' (There were various T-Bag series between 1985 and 1992)

★ ''The Golden Girls'' (1985–1992)

★ ''The Gummi Bears'' (1985-1991)

★ ''The Twilight Zone'' (1959–1964, '1985–1988', 2002)

★ ''What's Happening Now!!'' (1985–1988)

Returning in 1986

★ ''Mama's Family'' (1983–1984, '1986–1990')

Ending this year

★ March 7 - ''Diff'rent Strokes'' (1978–1986)

★ April 19 - ''Benson'' (1979–1986)

★ May 2 - ''The Fall Guy'' (1981–1986)

★ August 8 - ''Knight Rider'' (1982–1986)

★ September 4 - ''Trapper John, M.D.'' (1979–1986)

★ September 5 - ''The Love Boat'' (1977–1986)

★ September 26 - ''Press Your Luck'' (1983–1986)

★ December 26 - ''Search for Tomorrow'' airs its final episode after 35 years on the air (1951–1986)

★ ''The Merv Griffin Show'' (1972-1986)

★ ''Schoolhouse Rock!'' (1973–1986)

Changes of network affiliation

★ ''Silver Spoons'' moves from NBC to first-run syndication.

★ ''The Wuzzles'' moves from CBS to ABC.

Births

★ April 2 - Christopher Walberg, voice actor ("Stinky Peterson" from ''Hey Arnold!'')

★ April 3 - Amanda Bynes, actress

★ June 13 - Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, actresses

★ November 18 - Joseph Ashton, voice actor ("Otto Rocket" from ''Rocket Power'')

Deaths

★ January 14 - Donna Reed, 64, actress (''The Donna Reed Show'', ''Dallas'')

★ January 24 - Gordon MacRae, 64, actor, singer

★ May 28 - Don MacLaughlin, 78, longtime actor as Chris Hughes on ''As the World Turns''

★ July 15 - Florence Halop, 63, actress (Mrs. Hufnagel on ''St. Elsewhere'' and Florence on ''Night Court'')

★ August 26 - Ted Knight, 62, actor (Ted Baxter on ''The Mary Tyler Moore Show'' and Henry on ''Too Close for Comfort''

★ September 18 - Patricia Phoenix, 61, actress (Elsie Tanner in ''Coronation Street'')

★ November 2 - Paul Frees, 66, voice actor (Boris Badenov on ''Rocky and Bullwinkle''; Ludwig von Drake on ''The Wonderful World of Disney'')

★ December 2 - Desi Arnaz, 69, actor, musician (Ricky Ricardo on ''I Love Lucy'')