1987 Television Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1987 Television Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 23 Mar The Bold and the Beautiful TV Show Premieres: The popular American soap opera 'The Bold and the Beautiful' debuts on CBS, introducing a new daytime drama series that would become a long-running television staple.
- 05 Apr Fox TV Network launches with iconic shows: On April 5, 1987, the Fox Broadcasting Company expanded its programming into prime time, debuting with the sitcom "Married... with Children" and the sketch comedy series "The Tracey Ullman Show." These shows marked the network's first prime-time lineup, each airing three times that evening. The launch was part of Fox's strategy to establish itself as a competitive fourth network in the television industry. source: forbes.com
- 19 Apr The Simpsons debut as animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show: On April 19, 1987, The Simpsons made their television debut as animated shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. Created by Matt Groening, these brief segments introduced the Simpson family to audiences, marking the beginning of what would become a long-running animated series. The shorts were featured on the show for three seasons before evolving into a half-hour prime time series. source: britannica.com
- 23 Apr The Simpsons' first TV appearance on The Tracey Ullman Show: The Simpsons made their first television appearance on April 23, 1987, as a short segment on The Tracey Ullman Show. This marked the beginning of the iconic animated series, which later became a standalone show in 1989. The characters quickly gained popularity, leading to the long-running series we know today. source: bbc.com
- 15 Jul Boy George barred from British TV show, he may be a bad influence: On July 15, 1987, British singer Boy George was banned from appearing on British television shows due to concerns that his behavior and image might negatively influence children. This decision followed a series of controversies, including his arrest in 1986 for heroin possession and public disputes regarding his drug use. source: brainyhistory.com
- 28 Sep Star Trek: The Next Generation debuts on television: Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered on September 28, 1987, as a sequel to the original Star Trek series. The show introduced a new crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D and expanded the Star Trek universe, becoming a significant part of popular culture. It ran for seven seasons and is credited with revitalizing the franchise. source: startrek.com
- 29 Sep Thirtysomething TV series premiere: Thirtysomething is an American drama television series that premiered on September 29, 1987, on ABC. The show focuses on a group of baby boomers in their thirties living in Philadelphia, exploring their personal and professional lives. It aired for four seasons, concluding on May 28, 1991. source: britannica.com
- 25 Dec Hilda Ogden's departure from Coronation Street: Hilda Ogden, portrayed by Jean Alexander, left Coronation Street on December 25, 1987, after 23 years on the show. Her final scenes, which included a farewell party at the Rovers Return Inn and a rendition of "Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye," attracted nearly 27 million viewers, making it one of the highest-rated episodes in British television history. source: theguardian.com
What happened in 1987?
Discover what the world looked like in 1987: