What was on TV November 1st through 7th, 1980

1980, like this year, was an election year.  My first thought looking at this cover was, "I didn't know Phil Donahue ran for president."  It's actually John Anderson, whom I've never heard of before.  He did win 6% of the popular vote in that election, but of course Ronald Reagan won with 50.7% of the vote carrying 44 states.  And no, this is not an invitation to get political (past or present) in the comments.

Election night, along with State of the Union night, were the worst TV nights for a kid growing up in the '70's and early '80's.  Three major networks all carrying the same thing, preempting "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley". Savages!

Now instead of boiling your lobster alive, you can watch it beat its claws against your microwave door as its eyes bulge and explode.

Remember. Dietac=Heart Attack.

Is anyone else creeped out by the fact the set dresser was attracted to and married the actress who was playing a 13-year-old?

Hey! Mail Order Marketing! Back atcha, ya jerk!

This Saturday morning line-up looks really bad. I'm not sure how I got through 1980.  Although, I do recall enjoying "Drawing Power" which was about an animation studio and starred Lenny Schultz and Bob Kaliban.

But, Mr. Rourke, you cannot marry a woman with gills. You're from two different worlds. Oh, I've wasted my life.

Another classic episode of WKRP with Les doing traffic reports from a WW I biplane.

Is "most deadly" more deadly than "deadliest?" Or is it deadlier?

With all that hair and nose, it's hard to tell where Kris Kristopherson ends and Barbra Streisand begins!

A definite "jump the shark" moment for me was when "Archie Bunker's Place" opened with the death of Edith.  Jean Stapleton reflecting on Edith's death:

Back when "In a wood-grain cabinet" was a selling point with televisions.

And back when $16.95 per VHS tape was saving "bucks on blanks".

Uncle Toot reminds me of an uncle I had who always asked me to pull his finger.

Half man, half hulk, all disturbing!

Neither of Tim Conway's solo shots at a show succeeded.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe he just played better off of the other actors on Carol Burnett.

That's all for this week. Tune in next time.