1986–87 United States network television schedule

The 1986–87 network television schedule for the three major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 1986 through August 1987. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1985–86 season.

Although Fox debuted as a fourth network effort in October 1986, the network waited until April 1987 to commence offering prime time programming, effectively deferring its first Fall programming season until September 1987.

PBS is not included, as member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedule and broadcast times for network shows vary.

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported in: Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine. .

Legend

Schedule New series are highlighted in bold. All times are U.S. Eastern Time and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska and Hawaii–Aleutian times.

Sunday Network7:00 p.m.7:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABCThe Disney Sunday MovieThe ABC Sunday Night MovieCBS FallMurder, She Wrote Winter Designing Women Nothing is EasyHard Copy Spring SummerFox April21 Jump StreetMarried... with Children The Tracey Ullman ShowMr. PresidentDuet SummerDuet NBC FallOur House Easy StreetValerie Winter SpringRags to Riches SummerThe A-Team Our House Mid-summerOur House Rags to Riches Late summerFamily Ties Family Ties

Note: The "opening night" of the Fox network on April 5, 1987 featured the premieres of Married... with Children and The Tracey Ullman Show at 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. respectively, both shows being repeated twice. 21 Jump Street debuted on April 12 with two episodes airing back-to-back. Duet aired its first two episodes on April 19. Down and Out in Beverly Hills premiered on April 26, but was put on hiatus and eventually aired during the summer. Its slot was taken over by Mr. President, which premiered on May 3. Fox Night at the Movies aired on an irregular basis at 8 p.m. during the summer. Family Ties consisted of assorted repeats of previous seasons, with current reruns airing on the show's regular 8:30 p.m. Thursday night slot.

Monday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallMacGyver WinterThe ABC Monday Night Movie SpringMonday Night Baseball SummerCBS FallKate & Allie My Sister Sam Newhart Designing WomenCagney & Lacey Winter The Cavanaughs SpringDesigning Women Summer NBC FallALF Amazing Stories Winter SpringValerie Summer

Tuesday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWho's the Boss? Growing Pains Moonlighting Jack and Mike Winter SpringMax Headroom SummerSpenser: For Hire CBS FallThe WizardCBS Tuesday Night Movie WinterSpies SpringWest 57th SummerThe Wizard Mid-summer Simon & Simon Houston Knights Night HeatNBC FallMatlock Crime Story1986 Mid-fallHill Street Blues WinterRemington Steele SpringGimme a Break! Easy StreetHill Street Blues Mid-spring The Tortellis SummerNBC Tuesday Night at the Movies

Note: Jack and Mike premiered with a 90-minute pilot on September 16 at 9 p.m.

Wednesday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallPerfect StrangersHead of the Class Dynasty Hotel Winter Spring Harry Mid-springHead of the Class Mariah SummerMacGyver HotelCBS Fall Together We Stand Better DaysMagnum, P.I.The Equalizer Late fallThe New Mike Hammer Winter SpringHouston Knights Mid-spring Roxie Take Five Late springThe New Mike Hammer Mid-summerThe EqualizerNBC FallHighway to Heaven Gimme a Break! You Again?St. Elsewhere WinterThe Tortellis SpringNight Court The Bronx Zoo Mid-spring Easy Street SummerThe Facts of Life Night Court St. Elsewhere Mid-summerNight Court Late summerThe Bronx Zoo

Note: On CBS, Roxie and Take Five premiered on April 1, 1987 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. respectively, but were both cancelled after only two episodes.

Thursday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallOur WorldThe Colbys20/20 Winter SpringJack and Mike SummerHeart of the City Mid-summerStarman Our World Late summerSledge Hammer! The Charmings CBS FallSimon & SimonKnots Landing Kay O'Brien Mid-fall The Twilight ZoneSimon & Simon Designing WomenKnots Landing WinterShell GameSimon & Simon Mid-winterThe Wizard Spring SummerScarecrow and Mrs. King Mid-summerCBS Thursday Night MovieNBC FallThe Cosby Show Family Ties Cheers Night Court Hill Street Blues Mid-fallL.A. Law Winter Spring Nothing in Common Summer The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Late summerNight Court

Note: Crime Story premiered with a two-hour pilot on September 18 at 9 p.m.

Friday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWebsterMr. Belvedere Sidekicks Sledge Hammer!Starman Late fall Dads Gung Ho Winter Gung Ho Dads Mid-winterThe ABC Friday Night Movie Late winterThe CharmingsWebster Spring Summer Sledge Hammer!Mr. Belvedere Mid-summer Webster Late summerMax Headroom Starman CBS FallScarecrow and Mrs. KingDallas Falcon Crest Winter Spring Nothing Is Easy The Popcorn Kid SummerCBS Summer PlayhouseHard Copy Mid-summerAdderlyNBC FallThe A-TeamMiami Vice L.A. Law Mid-fallCrime Story Winter Stingray Spring Roomies Amazing StoriesStingray SummerStingrayCrime Story Late summerRags to Riches

Saturday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC Fall Life with Lucy The Ellen Burstyn ShowHeart of the CitySpenser: For Hire Late fallSidekicksSledge Hammer! WinterOhara SpringStarman SummerWebster SidekicksGung Ho Dads Starman Mid-summerThe ABC Saturday Night Movie Late summer Animal Crack-UpsThe Ellen Burstyn ShowThe ABC Saturday Night MovieCBS FallDowntownThe New Mike HammerThe Twilight Zone Mid-fallThe Wizard Late fallDowntown WinterOutlawsThe CBS Saturday Night Movie SpringThe CBS Saturday Night MovieWest 57th SummerFox Mid-summer Down and Out in Beverly HillsThe New Adventures of Beans Baxter WerewolfKaren's Song Late summer Werewolf Down and Out in Beverly HillsNBC FallThe Facts of Life227 The Golden Girls Amen Hunter Winter Spring Sweet Surrender Me & Mrs. C Late spring227 Summer227 Me & Mrs. CAmen Mid-summer The Facts of Life227

Notes: The Fox network added its Saturday night line-up on July 11, 1987 with the two-hour premiere of Werewolf. The New Adventures of Beans Baxter and Karen's Song premiered on July 18 (the former with an hour-long episode), and Down and Out in Beverly Hills joined the line-up on July 25. Animal Crack-Ups was a "summer preview" of the Saturday morning series.

By network ABC

Returning Series 20/20 The ABC Friday Night Movie The ABC Monday Night Movie The ABC Saturday Night Movie The ABC Sunday Night Movie The Colbys The Disney Sunday Movie Dynasty Growing Pains Hotel MacGyver Mr. Belvedere Monday Night Baseball Monday Night Football Moonlighting Perfect Strangers Spenser: For Hire Webster Who's the Boss?

New Series The ABC Saturday Night Movie Animal Crack-Ups * + The Charmings * Dads * The Ellen Burstyn Show Gung Ho * Harry * Head of the Class Heart of the City Jack and Mike Life with Lucy Mariah Max Headroom * Ohara * Our World Sidekicks Sledge Hammer! Starman

Not returning from 1985–86: The ABC Thursday Night Movie Benson Diff'rent Strokes The Fall Guy Hardcastle and McCormick Hollywood Beat The Insiders Lady Blue Life's Most Embarrassing Moments Lime Street The Love Boat Our Family Honor The Redd Foxx Show Ripley's Believe It or Not! Shadow Chasers

+ Animal Crack-Ups had a short run in prime time before moving to Saturday mornings in the fall of 1987.

CBS

Returning Series 60 Minutes Cagney & Lacey CBS Sunday Movie Dallas The Equalizer Falcon Crest Kate & Allie Knots Landing Magnum, P.I. The New Mike Hammer + Murder, She Wrote Newhart Scarecrow and Mrs. King Simon & Simon The Twilight Zone West 57th *

New Series Better Days The Cavanaughs * CBS Summer Playhouse * Designing Women Downtown Hard Copy * Houston Knights * Kay O'Brien My Sister Sam Outlaws * The Popcorn Kid * Roxie * Shell Game * Spies * Take Five * Together We Stand/Nothing Is Easy The Wizard

Not returning from 1985–86: Airwolf Bridges to Cross Charlie & Co. Crazy Like a Fox Fast Times Foley Square George Burns Comedy Week Hometown Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills Mary Melba Morningstar/Eveningstar Stir Crazy Tough Cookies Trapper John, M.D.

+ This was a revival of the 1984–1985 series following star Stacy Keach's release from prison on drug charges.

Fox New Series 21 Jump Street Down and Out in Beverly Hills Duet Fox Night at the Movies Karen's Song Married... with Children Mr. President The New Adventures of Beans Baxter The Tracey Ullman Show Werewolf

NBC

Returning Series 1986 227 The A-Team Amazing Stories Cheers The Cosby Show The Facts of Life Family Ties Gimme a Break! The Golden Girls Highway to Heaven Hill Street Blues Hunter Me & Mrs. C * Miami Vice NBC Sunday Night Movie NBC Monday Night at the Movies Night Court Remington Steele * St. Elsewhere Stingray * Valerie You Again?

New Series ALF Amen The Bronx Zoo * Crime Story The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd * Easy Street L.A. Law Matlock Nothing in Common * Our House Rags to Riches * Roomies * Sweet Surrender * The Tortellis *

Not returning from 1985–86: Alfred Hitchcock Presents (Moved to USA Network) All Is Forgiven Blacke's Magic Fathers and Sons Hell Town Knight Rider The Last Precinct Misfits of Science Punky Brewster ^ Riptide Silver Spoons ^ TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason. An ^ indicates a show that continued in first-run syndication after the network cancelled it.

See also

1986–87 United States network television schedule (daytime) 1986–87 United States network television schedule (late night)

Notes

References