1982 in television: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

See also: 1981 in television, other events of 1982, 1983 in television and the list of 'years in television'.

Events

• March 26 - The final episode of the soap opera Search for Tomorrow airs on CBS. NBC picks it up immediately; the first new episode of the serial airs on the network March 29.
• July 28 - Comedian Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler Jerry Lawler get into an on-air fight during an interview on the Late Night with David Letterman show. (The event was later revealed to be a hoax).
• November 2 - Channel 4 starts broadcasting in the UK.
• December 29 - A puzzling appearance by Nastassja Kinski on Late Night with David Letterman. Kinski appears with an unusual hair style, which Letterman described as looking like there was an owl perched on top of her head. Kinski seemed to be somewhat oblivious to the jokes and everything else that was going on around her. The show's second guest, comedian John Candy, came out with his hair moussed up in a pile.
• Surround Sound is introduced for home use by Dolby

• Late Night with David Letterman debuts on NBC after The Tonight Show (1982-1993)
• Cheers debuts on NBC (1982-1993)
• Family Ties debuts on NBC (1982-1989)
• St. Elsewhere premieres on NBC (1982-1988)
• Newhart premieres on CBS (1982-1990)
• Silver Spoons premieres on NBC (1982-1987)
• Knight Rider premieres on NBC (1982-1986)
• Fame, adapted from the 1980 film of the same name, premieres on NBC (1982-1987)
• The short-lived Police Squad! airs on ABC
• Square Pegs premieres on CBS (1982-1983)
• The Journal premieres on CBC (1982-1992)
• The Young Ones premieres on the BBC (1982, 1984) (UK)
• Boys from the Blackstuff (BBC TWO)

• Alice (1976-1985)
• Archie Bunker's Place (1979-1983)
• All My Children (1970-present)
• Dallas (1978-1991)
• Dr Who (1963-1989)
• The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985)
• Dynasty (1981-1989)
• Falcon Crest (1981-1990)
• Happy Days (1974-1984)
• Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)
• Knots Landing (1979-1993)
• Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983)
• Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983)
• The Love Boat (1977-1986)
• M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
• Saturday Night Live (1975-present)
• Sesame Street (1969-present)
• 60 Minutes (1968-present)
• Taxi (1978-1983)
• Three's Company (1977-1984)
• The Tonight Show (1954-present)
• Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)
• Walt Disney (1954-1983)

• Barney Miller (1975-1982)
• The Lawrence Welk Show (1955-1982)
• Lou Grant (1977-1982)
• The Match Game (1973-1982)
• Mork & Mindy (1978-1982)
• WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982)

• Search for Tomorrow moves from CBS to NBC

• January 1 - Fearne Cotton, British television presenter
• January 19 - Jodie Sweetin
• July 17 - Brooke Kinsella
• October 15 - Toran Caudell, voice actor ("Arnold" from Hey Arnold! in 1996-1997 and "Wolfgang" in 1997)

• January 5 - Hans Conried, actor
• January 10 - Paul Lynde, actor and comedian known for his work on Bewitched and Hollywood Squares
• January 18 - Trent Lehman, a former child actor on Nanny and the Professor, suicide
• March 5 - John Belushi, actor
• May 15 - Hugh Beaumont, actor on Leave it to Beaver
• July 21 - Dave Garroway, journalist, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
• December 7 - Will Lee, actor who played Mr. Hooper on Sesame Street
• December 23 - Jack Webb, actor, producer, best known for Dragnet