1986 in television

Events

• 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.
• May 10 - Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe marries actress Heather Locklear.
• May 22 - Cher calls David Letterman an "A**hole" on the air during a taping of Late Night with David Letterman.
• September 8 - A.M. Chicago changes its name to the Oprah Winfrey Show[?] and premieres on national television
• October - The FOX Broadcasting Company becomes the United States' fourth commercial broadcast television network.

Popular Television Shows

• The A-Team (1983-1987)
• All My Children (1970-present)
• Cheers (1982-1993)
• The Cosby Show (1984-1992)
• Dallas (1978-1991)
• Dr Who (1963-1989)
• Family Ties (1982-1989)
• Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)
• Jeopardy! (1984-present)
• Late Night with David Letterman (1982-1993)
• Miami Vice[?] (1984-1989)
• MTV (1981-present)
• Saturday Night Live (1975-present)
• Sesame Street (1969-present)
• St. Elsewhere[?] (1982-1988)
• The Tonight Show (1954-present)
• Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)

Births

• April 2 - Christopher Walberg[?], voice actor ("Stinky Peterson" from Hey Arnold!)
• June 13 - The Olsen twins

Deaths

• January 14 - Donna Reed[?], actress