New Series 1988

48 Hours (1988 - ).
The Wonder Years (1988–1993).
America's Most Wanted (1988 - ).
Red Dwarf debuts (1988–1999).
In the Heat of the Night (1988–1994).
China Beach (1988–1991)
Yo! MTV Raps (1988–1995).
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1988–1991)
Garfield and Friends (1988–1995).
This Morning (1988 - ).
The American Experience (1988 - ).
Empty Nest (1988–1995).
Roseanne (1988–1997).
Paradise premieres (1988–1991).
Murphy Brown (1988–1998).
Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–1999)
The Adventures of Superboy (1988–1992).

Miniseries 1988

Dadah is Death
War and Remembrance
Roe vs. Wade

Most Watched 1988-1989

1. The Cosby Show
2. Roseanne
3. A Different World
4. Cheers
5. 60 Minutes
6. The Golden Girls
7. Who's the Boss?
8. Murder, She Wrote
9. Empty Nest
10. Anything But Love
11. Dear John
12. Matlock
13. L.A. Law
14. Growing Pains
15. Alf

Television News 1988

Vice President Bush and Dan Rather clash on "CBS Evening News" as Rather attempts to question Bush about his role in Iran-Contra affair

4 Billion tv-viewers watch Mandela's 70th Birthday Tribute

"60 Minutes" newscaster Diane Sawyer weds Mike Nichols

TNT launched in the US. showing Turner's 4th network.

Talk show host Geraldo Rivera's nose is broken during a taping of his show, when a fight erupts on the set between guests. The theme of the episode was "Young Hate Mongers" and the fight originated between white supremacist Tom Metzger and civil rights activist Roy Innis.

The song "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" experiences a surge in popularity sparked by television commercials featuring claymation raisin figures. The California Raisins version of the song peaks at #84 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart is the focus of a sex scandal, and later admits to being with prostitutes and steps down from his television ministry.

The Emmy's 1988 - 1989

Outstanding Drama Series -  L.A. Law
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Carroll O'Connor, In the Heat of the Night
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Dana Delany, China Beach
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Larry Drake, L.A. Law
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Melanie Mayron, thirtysomething
Outstanding Comedy Series - Cheers
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Richard Mulligan, Empty Nest
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Candice Bergen, Murphy Brown
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Woody Harrelson, Cheers
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Rhea Perlman, Cheers
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - The Tracey Ullman Show
Outstanding Miniseries - War and Remembrance (NBC)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special - James Woods, My Name Is Bill W.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special - Holly Hunter, Roe vs. Wade
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special - Derek Jacobi, Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Tenth Man
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Special - Colleen Dewhurst, Those She Left Behind
Outstanding Informational Series - Nature (PBS)
Outstanding Informational Special - Lillian Gish: The Actor's Life for Me (PBS)
Outstanding Children's Series (Daytime) - Newton's Apple
Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show - The $25,000 Pyramid
Outstanding Talk/Service Program - The Oprah Winfrey Show

Series End 1988

Play School (1964–1988)
Dennis the Menace (1986–1988)
Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
Hotel (1983–1988)
The Facts of Life (1979–1988)
Cagney & Lacey (1982–1988)
St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)
Punky Brewster (1984–1988)
Tales from the Darkside (1984–1988)
Solid Gold (1980–1988)
Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom (1963–1988)
Truth or Consequences (1950–1988)

TV Guide Schedule 1988