The Best Night of TV on TV

Thursday nights on NBC are still the best night on TV, well except for THE APPRENTICE. The line-up featured here was the beginnings of what would eventually become "Must See TV". FAME, based on the great theatrical film, was  canceled by NBC, but then had a long life as a weekly syndicated series. A short-lived revival, FAME L.A., surfaced in the 1990s and a new theatrical disaster was released a year ago. See my review here.

CHEERS went on to become a long-running hit for NBC and Paramount, spawning two spin-offs, the underrated THE TORTELLIS and the overrated FRASIER. Rumor has it that Kelsey Grammer wants to revive the character in new series.

TAXI had just moved to NBC after several successful seasons as the jewel in ABC's crown. This was it's final run.

HILL STREET BLUES begat NYPD BLUE which begat HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET which begat LAW & ORDER, which begat SOUTHLAND, etc. etc.