1982 in television

Table of contents

1 Events
2 Debuts
3 Popular Television Shows
4 Ending this year
5 Births
6 Deaths

Events

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).
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 Young Ones premieres on the BBC (1982, 1984) (UK)

January 19 - Jodie Sweetin
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 23 - Jack Webb, actor, producer, best known for Dragnet