Emmy Winners of the 1980s

The Eighties Club

The Politics and Pop Culture of the 1980s

Table of Contents Television

Cheers, Hill Street Blues, thirtysomething

1980-1981

This telecast might have been called the "Hill Street Blues" Awards Program, since NBC's critically-acclaimed cop-show-with-a-heart (and soul) pretty much swept the drama categories. Of course "Taxi" did the same thing in the comedy categories. The very popular (and very good) miniseries "Shogun" won an award, and a couple of Brits (Anthony Hopkins and Vanessa Redgraves) made off with the best actor and actress awards for limited series work.

Outstanding Drama:

Hill Street Blues (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Daniel J. Travanti, Hill Street Blues

Lead Actress, Drama:

Barbara Babcock, Hill Street Blues ("Fecund Hand Rose")

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Michael Conrad, Hill Street Blues

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Nancy Marchand, Lou Grant

Directing, Drama:

Robert Butler, Hill Street Blues ("Hill Street Station")

Writing, Drama:

Michael Kozoll & Steven Bochco, Hill Street Blues

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Taxi (CBS)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Judd Hirsch, Taxi

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Isabel Sanford, The Jeffersons

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Danny DeVito, Taxi

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Eileen Brennan, Private Benjamin

Directing, Comedy:

James Burrows, Taxi ("Elaine's Strange Triangle")

Writing, Comedy:

Michael Leeson, Taxi ("Tony's Sister and Jim"

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

Lily: Sold Out (CBS)

Outstanding Limited Series:

Shogun (NBC)

Outstanding Drama Special:

Playing for Time (CBS)

Lead Actor, Limited Series:

Anthony Hopkins, The Bunker

Lead Actress, Limited Series:

Vanessa Redgraves, Playing for Time

Outstanding Animated Program:

Life is a Circus, Charlie Brown (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The $20,000 Pyramid (ABC)

Outstanding Talk/Service Series:

Donahue

1981-1982

Everyone must have been REALLY surprised when "Hill Street Blues" made off with a bunch more Emmys. (Not!) At least they spread the awards around in the comedy categories, with "Taxi" having to share with "Barney Miller," "One Day at a Time" and "M*A*S*H". Some Hollywood greats -- Mickey Rooney and Ingrid Bergman -- copped the best actor and actress awards in the limited series category, while for one of the few times in the decade a game show besides "The $25,000 Pyramid" (formerly $20,000) got a statue.

Outstanding Drama Series:

Hill Street Blues (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Daniel J. Travanti, Hill Street Blues

Lead Actress, Drama:

Michael Learned, Nurse

Supporting Actor:

Michael Conrad, Hill Street Blues

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Nancy Marchand, Lou Grant

Directing, Drama:

Harry Harris, Fame ("To Soar and Never Falter")

Writing, Drama:

Steven Bochco et al, Hill Street Blues ("Freedom's Last Stand")

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Barney Miller (ABC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Alan Alda, M*A*S*H

Lead Actress Comedy:

Carol Kane, Taxi ("Simka Returns")

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Christopher Lloyd, Taxi

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Loretta Swit, M*A*S*H

Directing, Comedy:

Alan Rafkin, One Day at a Time ("Barbara's Crisis")

Writing, Comedy:

Ken Estin, Taxi ("Elegant Iggy")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

Night of 100 Stars (ABC)

Outstanding Limited Series:

Marco Polo (NBC)

Outstanding Drama Special:

A Woman Called Golda

Lead Actor, Limited Series:

Mickey Rooney, Bill

Lead Actress, Limited Series:

Ingrid Bergman, A Woman Called Golda

Outstanding Animated Program:

The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (ABC)

Outstanding Game Show:

Password Plus (NBC)

Outstanding Talk/Service Series:

The Richard Simmons Show

1982-1983

Daniel J. Travanti ("Hill Street Blues") was probably relieved that he didn't take yet another Outstanding Actor/Drama award this time around. In fact, "St. Elsewhere" made a very credible showing in the drama categories. Even though it was new, everyone could tell that there was something special about "Cheers" -- hence its Outstanding Comedy Series nod, but "Taxi" still ruled in the comedy categories. Tommy Lee Jones won a much-deserved Emmy for his work in "The Executioner's Song."

Judd Hirsch and Shelley Long with their trophies

Outstanding Drama Series:

Hill Street Blues (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Ed Flanders, St. Elsewhere

Lead Actress, Drama:

Tyne Daly, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actor, Drama:

James Coco, St. Elsewhere ("Cora and Arnie")

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Doris Roberts, St. Elsewhere ("Cora and Arnie")

Directing, Drama:

Jeff Bleckner, Hill Street Blues ("Life in the Minors")

Writing, Drama:

David Milch, Hill Street Blues ("Trial by Fury")

Outstanding Comedy:

Cheers (NBC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Judd Hirsch, Taxi

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Shelley Long, Cheers

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Christopher Lloyd, Taxi

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Carol Kane, Taxi

Directing, Comedy:

James Burrows, Cheers ("Showdown, Part 2")

Writing, Comedy:

Glen Charles & Les Charles, Cheers ("Give Me A Ring Sometime")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

Motown 25 (NBC)

Outstanding Limited Series:

Nicholas Nickleby

Lead Actor, Limited Series:

Tommy Lee Jones, The Executioner's Song

Lead Actress, Limited Series:

Barbara Streisand, The Thorn Birds, Part I

Outstanding Drama Special:

Special Bulletin (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Program:

Ziggy's Gift (ABC)

Outstanding Game Show:

The New $25,000 Pyramid (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Series:

This Old House (PBS)

1983-1984

Did they even bother opening the envelope to find out the winner in the Outstanding Drama Series category? A couple of pleasant surprises: Tom Selleck and John Ritter getting best actor statues. "Cheers" racked up plenty of awards in the comedy categories, while Laurence Olivier won an Emmy -- which probably meant there weren't any more awards left for him to win.

Outstanding Drama Series:

Hill Street Blues (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Tom Selleck, Magnum P.I.

Lead Actress, Drama:

Tyne Daly, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Bruce Weitz, Hill Street Blues

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Alfre Woodard, Hill Street Blues ("Doris in Wonderland")

Directing, Drama:

Corey Allen, Hill Street Blues ("Goodbye, Mr. Scripps")

Writing, Drama:

John Noonan et al, St. Elsewhere ("The Women")

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Cheers (NBC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

John Ritter, Three's Company

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Jane Curtin, Kate and Allie

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Pat Harrington, Jr., One Day at a Time

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Rhea Perlman, Cheers

Directing, Comedy:

Bill Persky, Kate and Allie ("A Very Loud Family")

Writing, Comedy:

David Angell, Cheers ("Old Flames")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

6th Annual Kennedy Center Honors

Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special:

ABC Theatre: Something About Amelia

Outstanding Limited Series:

American Playhouse: Concealed Enemies (PBS)

Lead Actor, Limited Series:

Laurence Olivier, King Lear

Lead Actress, Limited Series:

Jane Fonda, The Dollmaker

Outstanding Animated Program:

Garfield on the Town (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The $25,000 Pyramid (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Series:

Woman to Woman

1984-1985

"Hill Street Blues" was finally knocked off its perch in the Outstanding Drama Series category, while "The Cosby Show" made its presence known in its very first year on the air. Tyne Daly of "Cagney and Lacey" seemed to have established a monopoly on the Outstanding Actress/Comedy award, with her third in a row, and Edward James Olmos ("Miami Vice") proved you could win an Emmy even though you showed absolutely no emotion for the entire season.

Outstanding Drama Series:

Cagney and Lacey (CBS)

Lead Actor, Drama:

William Daniels, St. Elsewhere

Lead Actress, Drama:

Tyne Daly, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Edward James Olmos, Miami Vice

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Betty Thomas, Hill Street Blues

Directing, Drama:

Karen Arthur, Cagney and Lacey ("Heat")

Writing, Drama:

Patricia Green, Cagney and Lacey ("Who Said It's Fair, Pt. 2")

Outstanding Comedy:

The Cosby Show (NBC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Robert Guillaume, Benson

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Jane Curtin, Kate and Allie

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

John Larroquette, Night Court

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Rhea Perlman, Cheers

Directing, Comedy:

Jay Sandrich, The Cosby Show ("The Younger Woman")

Writing, Comedy:

Ed Weinberger & Michael Leeson, The Cosby Show (premiere)

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

Motown Returns to the Apollo (NBC)

Outstanding Limited Series:

Masterpiece Theatre: The Jewel in the Crown (PBS)

Lead Actor, Limited Series/Special:

Richard Crenna, The Rape of Richard Beck

Lead Actress, Limited Series/Special:

Joanne Woodward, Do You Remember Love

Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special:

Do You Remember Love (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program/Daytime:

Muppet Babies (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program/Primetime:

Garfield in the Rough (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The $25,000 Pyramid (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Program:

Donahue

1985-1986

The Year of the Women -- with "Cagney and Lacey" dominating the drama categories and "The Golden Girls" earning several awards in the comedy categories. And look, they finally remembered that Tyne Daly had a partner! As for winning the Outstanding Animated Program (Primetime) award, it was by now obvious that all you had to do was make another Garfield special. Dustin Hoffman graces the small screen with his not-inconsiderable presence and takes home an Emmy.

Outstanding Drama Series:

Cagney and Lacey (CBS)

Lead Actor, Drama:

William Daniels, St. Elsewhere

Lead Actress, Drama:

Sharon Gless, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actor, Drama:

John Karlen, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Bonnie Bartlett, St. Elsewhere

Directing, Drama Series:

George Stanford Brown, Cagney and Lacey ("Parting Shots")

Writing, Drama:

Tom Fontana et al, St. Elsewhere ("Time Heals")

Outstanding Comedy Series:

The Golden Girls (NBC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Michael J. Fox, Family Ties

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Betty White, The Golden Girls

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

John Larroquette, Night Court

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Rhea Perlman, Cheers

Directing, Comedy:

Jay Sandrich, The Cosby Show ("Denise's Friend")

Writing, Comedy:

Barry Fanaro & Mort Nathan, The Golden Girls ("A Little Romance")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

A Celebration of the Performing Arts

Outstanding Miniseries:

Peter the Great (NBC)

Lead Actor, Miniseries/Special:

Dustin Hoffman, Death of a Salesman

Lead Actress, Miniseries/Special:

Marlo Thomas, Nobody's Child

Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special:

Love Is Never Silent (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Program/Daytime:

Muppet Babies (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program/Primetime:

Garfield's Halloween Adventure (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The $25,000 Pyramid (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Program:

Donahue

1986-1987

There's a new kid in town and his name is "L.A. Law." Speaking of overnight sensations, Bruce Willis made off with an Emmy for his role in "Moonlighting." The current score in the Lead Actress/ Drama category: Tyne Daly - 3, Sharon Gless - 2. Stay tuned. John Larroquette seems to have a lock on the Supporting Actor/ Comedy award, winning his third in a row. And I bet we were all on the edge of our seats wondering what the best game show was. (In case you're not counting, "The $25,000 Pyramid" has taken 6 of 7 so far.)

Outstanding Drama Series:

L.A. Law (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Bruce Willis, Moonlighting

Lead Actress, Drama:

Sharon Gless, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actor, Drama:

John Hillerman, Magnum P.I.

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Bonnie Bartlett, St. Elsewhere

Directing, Drama:

Gregory Hoblit, L.A. Law (premiere)

Writing, Drama:

Steven Bochco & Terry Louise Fisher, L.A. Law ("Venus Butterfly")

Outstanding Comedy Series:

The Golden Girls (NBC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Michael J. Fox, Family Ties

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Rue McClanahan, The Golden Girls

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

John Larroquette, Night Court

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Jackee Harry, 227

Directing, Comedy:

Terry Hughes, The Golden Girls ("Isn't It Romantic")

Writing, Comedy:

Gary Goldberg & Alex Uger, Family Ties ("'A,' My Name Is Alex")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

The 1987 Tony Awards (CBS)

Outstanding Miniseries:

A Year in the Life (NBC)

Lead Actor, Miniseries or Special:

James Woods, Promise

Lead Actress, Miniseries or Special:

Gena Rowlands, The Betty Ford Story

Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Promise (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program/Daytime:

Muppet Babies (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program/Primetime:

Cathy (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The $25,000 Pyramid (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Show:

The Oprah Winfrey Show

1987-1988

Tyne Daly pulls ahead of Sharon Gless 4-2 in the ongoing "Cagney and Lacey" Lead Actress/Drama sweepstakes. Michael J. Fox makes it three in a row, John Larroquette makes it four in a row, ditto Jim Henson's "Muppet Babies." This year the Emmys cover all "The Golden Girl" bases by giving the nod to Beatrice Arthur and Estelle Getty. (They'd already gotten Rue McClanahan the year before, and Betty White the year before that.) Makes you wonder what they're gonna do NEXT year, as they've run out of Golden Girls.

Outstanding Drama Series:

thirtysomething (ABC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Richard Kiley, A Year in the Life

Lead Actress, Drama:

Tyne Daly, Cagney and Lacey

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Larry Drake, L.A. Law

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Patricia Wettig, thirtysomething

Directing, Drama:

Mark Tinker, St. Elsewhere ("Weigh In, Way Out")

Writing, Drama:

Paul Haggis & M. Herskovitz, thirtysomething ("Business as Usual")

Outstanding Comedy Series:

The Wonder Years (ABC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Michael J. Fox, Family Ties

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Beatrice Arthur, The Golden Girls

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

John Larroquette, Night Court

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Estelle Getty, The Golden Girls

Directing, Comedy:

Gregory Hoblit, Hooperman (pilot)

Writing, Comedy:

Hugh Wilson, Frank's Place ("The Bridge")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday (CBS)

Outstanding Miniseries:

The Murder of Mary Phagan (NBC)

Lead Actor, Miniseries/Special:

Jason Robards, Inherit the Wind

Lead Actress, Miniseries/Special:

Jessica Tandy, Foxfire

Oustanding Drama/Comedy Special:

Inherit the Wind (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Program/Daytime:

Muppet Babies (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program/Primetime:

Claymation Christmas Celebration (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The Price Is Right (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Show:

The Oprah Winfrey Show

1988-1989

Yuppie favorites "L.A. Law" and "thirtysomething" battled it out in the drama categories, while for the first time in six years someone who didn't star in "Cagney and Lacey" won the Best Actress/Drama award. This year a miniseries that actually WAS outstanding won an Emmy. James Woods returned in another Hallmark Hall of Fame drama special and won a second Emmy, while Garfield reclaimed his rightful throne in the primetime animated special category.

Outstanding Drama Series:

L.A. Law (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Carroll O'Connor, In the Heat of the Night

Lead Actress, Drama:

Dana Delaney, China Beach

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Larry Drake, L.A. Law

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Melanie Mayron, thirtysomething

Directing, Drama:

Robert Altman, Tanner '88 ("The Boiler Room")

Writing, Drama:

Joseph Dougherty, thirtysomething ("First Day/Last Day')

Outstanding Comedy Series:

Cheers (NBC)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Richard Mulligan, Empty Nest

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Candice Bergen, Murphy Brown

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Woody Harrelson, Cheers

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Rhea Perlman, Cheers

Directing, Comedy:

Peter Baldwin, The Wonder Years ("Our Miss White")

Writing, Comedy:

Diane English, Murphy Brown ("Respect")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program:

The Tracey Ullman Show (Fox)

Outstanding Miniseries:

War and Remembrance (NBC)

Lead Actor, Miniseries/Special:

James Woods, My Name Is Bill W.

Lead Actress, Miniseries/Special:

Holly Hunter, Roe vs. Wade

Outstanding Comedy/Drama Special:

AT&T Presents: Day One (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program (Daytime):

New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (ABC)

Outstanding Animated Program (Primetime):

Garfield: Babes and Bullets (CBS)

Outstanding Game Show:

The $25,000 Pyramid (CBS)

Outstanding Talk/Service Program:

The Oprah Winfrey Show

1989-1990

"L.A. Law" pretty much establishes itself as the premier drama of the second half of the decade, having won three of the last four Outstanding Drama Series Emmys. For the first time both the writing and directing awards in either the comedy or drama categories go to a single episode. "Murphy Brown" gives "Cheers" a real run for its money in the comedy categories.

Outstanding Drama Series:

L.A. Law (NBC)

Lead Actor, Drama:

Peter Falk, Columbo

Lead Actress, Drama:

Patricia Wettig, thirtysomething

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Jimmy Smits, L.A. Law

Supporting Actress, Drama:

Marg Helgenberger, China Beach

Directing, Drama:

Thomas Carter, Equal Justice ("Promises to Keep")

Writing, Drama:

David E. Kelley, L.A. Law ("Blood, Sweat and Fears")

Outstanding Comedy:

Murphy Brown (CBS)

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Ted Danson, Cheers

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Candice Bergen, Murphy Brown

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Alex Rocco, The Famous Teddy Z

Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Bebe Neuwirth, Cheers

Directing, Comedy:

Michael Dinner, The Wonder Years ("Good-Bye")

Writing, Comedy:

Bob Brush, The Wonder Years ("Good-Bye")

Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special:

Sammy Davis Jr.'s 60th AnniversaryCelebration (CBS)

Outstanding Miniseries:

Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (NBC)

Lead Actor, Miniseries/Special:

Hume Cronyn, Age-Old Friends

Lead Actress, Miniseries/Special:

Barbara Hershey, A Killing in a Small Town

Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Caroline (CBS)

Outstanding Animated Program (Daytime):

Beetlejuice (ABC), The New Adventures of Winne the Pooh (ABC) (tie)

Outstanding Game Show:

Jeopardy!

Outstanding Talk/Service Show:

Sally Jessy Raphael