On this day September 12 1987, Down and Out in Beverly Hills aired its final episode, closing out the short lived sitcom based on the 1986 film of the same name. The series brought the eccentric and comedic culture clash of the movie to television,
On this day September 12 1981, The Smurfs premiered on NBC, introducing American audiences to the tiny blue characters that would become icons of 1980s Saturday morning television. Based on the Belgian comic series created by Peyo, the show followed Papa Smurf and his village
On this day September 12 1988, USA Today The Television Show premiered in syndication, bringing the format of the popular national newspaper to television screens. Modeled after the paper’s colorful sections, the program aimed to deliver news and features in a fast paced, visually engaging
On this day September 12 1987, Showtime at the Apollo made its syndicated television debut, showcasing the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem as a stage for emerging and established talent. The series built on the theater’s long history as a launchpad for African American performers
On this day September 12 1988, Wipeout premiered in syndication, adding a new twist to the era’s wave of television game shows. Hosted by Peter Tomarken, best known for Press Your Luck, the show challenged contestants with a mix of trivia questions and strategy based
On this day September 12 1981, Space Stars premiered on NBC, bringing together a collection of space themed animated adventures into one Saturday morning block. Produced by Hanna Barbera, the series combined new and classic characters in a shared universe that appealed to young sci
On this day September 12 1981, Spider Man and His Amazing Friends premiered on NBC, giving Marvel fans a Saturday morning favorite that brought superheroes into animated team adventures. The series followed Spider Man as he joined forces with Iceman and a new character, Firestar,
On this day September 12 1989, Chicken Soup premiered on ABC, a sitcom that paired two well known comedic talents in an attempt to create a heartfelt and humorous series. The show starred Jackie Mason as Jackie Fisher, a Jewish man, and Lynn Redgrave as
On this day September 12 1989, Life Goes On premiered on ABC, breaking new ground as the first network television series to feature a major character with Down syndrome. The family drama followed the Thacher family, led by parents Drew and Libby, as they navigated
On this day September 12 1988, Sweethearts premiered in syndication, adding a romantic twist to the game show scene of the late 1980s. Hosted by Charles Nelson Reilly, the show focused on couples and their love stories, blending humor with lighthearted competition. The format featured