# 1985–86 United States network television schedule

The 1985–86 network television schedule for the three major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 1985 through August 1986. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1984–85 season.
This was also the first television season wherein the Nielsen people meter technology was used for the nationwide audience measurement system, largely replacing the diaries system in place from the 1950-1951 television season.
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows released in May 1986 is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
New series are highlighted in bold.
Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by (R).
All times are U.S. Eastern and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska and Hawaii–Aleutian times.
Most of the ratings come from AmericanRadioHistory.com's PDF archive.

## Legend

* Gray indicates encore programming.
* Blue-gray indicates news programming.
* Light green indicates sporting events.
* Red indicates series being burned off and other regularly scheduled programs, including specials and movies.
* highlight Yellow highlights indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
* highlight Cyan highlights indicates numbers 11-20 most watched programs of the season.
* highlight Magenta highlights indicates numbers 21-30 most watched programs of the season.
* highlight Highlights indicates that it falls in multiple of the above categories.

## Sunday

| Network | Network | 7:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | MacGyver | MacGyver | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie |
| ABC | Winter | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | | | | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie |
| ABC | Spring | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie |
| ABC | Summer | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie |
| CBS | Fall | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | Trapper John, M.D. | Trapper John, M.D. |
| CBS | Winter | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) |
| CBS | Spring | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) |
| CBS | Summer | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | 60 Minutes (4/23.9) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) | CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) |
| NBC | Fall | Punky Brewster | Silver Spoons | Amazing Stories | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) |
| NBC | Winter | Punky Brewster | Silver Spoons | Amazing Stories | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) |
| NBC | Spring | Silver Spoons | Fathers and Sons | Amazing Stories | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) |
| NBC | Late spring | Silver Spoons | Punky Brewster | Amazing Stories | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) |
| NBC | Summer | Silver Spoons | Punky Brewster | Amazing Stories | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) |

## Monday

| Network | Network | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | Hardcastle and McCormick | Hardcastle and McCormick | Monday Night Football (15/19.8) | Monday Night Football (15/19.8) | Monday Night Football (15/19.8) | Monday Night Football (15/19.8) |
| ABC | Winter | Hardcastle and McCormick | Hardcastle and McCormick | ABC Monday Night Movie | ABC Monday Night Movie | ABC Monday Night Movie | ABC Monday Night Movie |
| ABC | Spring | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball |
| ABC | Summer | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball |
| CBS | CBS | Scarecrow and Mrs. King (28/17.4) | Scarecrow and Mrs. King (28/17.4) | Kate & Allie (14/20.0) | Newhart (16/19.6) | Cagney & Lacey | Cagney & Lacey |
| NBC | Fall | TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes | TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) |
| NBC | Winter | You Again? (19/19.2) | Valerie (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) |
| NBC | Spring | You Again? (19/19.2) | Valerie (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) |
| NBC | Summer | Amazing Stories (R) | Valerie (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3) (Tied with Hotel) |

## Tuesday

| Network | Network | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | Who's the Boss? (10/21.1) | Growing Pains (17/19.5) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Our Family Honor | Our Family Honor |
| ABC | Mid-fall | Who's the Boss? (10/21.1) | Growing Pains (17/19.5) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Winter | Who's the Boss? (10/21.1) | Growing Pains (17/19.5) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Spring | Who's the Boss? (10/21.1) | Perfect Strangers | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Late spring | Who's the Boss? (10/21.1) | Growing Pains (17/19.5) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Summer | Who's the Boss? (10/21.1) | Growing Pains (17/19.5) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Moonlighting (24/18.1) (Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie) | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| CBS | Fall | Hometown | Hometown | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Mid-fall | Various programming | Various programming | | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Late fall | Stir Crazy | Stir Crazy | | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Winter | Melba | Charlie & Co. | Trapper John, M.D. | Trapper John, M.D. | Various programming | Various programming |
| CBS | Mid-winter | Trapper John, M.D. | Trapper John, M.D. | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Spring | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Mary | Foley Square | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Mid-spring | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Various programming | Various programming | | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Summer | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Morningstar/Eveningstar | Various programming | Various programming | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| NBC | Fall | The A-Team (30/16.9) | The A-Team (30/16.9) | Riptide | Riptide | Remington Steele | Remington Steele |
| NBC | Winter | The A-Team (30/16.9) | The A-Team (30/16.9) | Riptide | Riptide | Remington Steele | Remington Steele |
| NBC | Spring | The A-Team (30/16.9) | The A-Team (30/16.9) | Hunter | Hunter | Stingray | Stingray |
| NBC | Summer | The A-Team (30/16.9) | The A-Team (30/16.9) | Hunter | Hunter | 1986 | 1986 |

## Wednesday

| Network | Network | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | The Insiders | The Insiders | Dynasty (7/21.8) (Tied with The Golden Girls) | Dynasty (7/21.8) (Tied with The Golden Girls) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) |
| ABC | Winter | MacGyver | MacGyver | | Dynasty (7/21.8) (Tied with The Golden Girls) | Dynasty (7/21.8) (Tied with The Golden Girls) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) |
| ABC | Spring | MacGyver | MacGyver | Dynasty (7/21.8) (Tied with The Golden Girls) | Dynasty (7/21.8) (Tied with The Golden Girls) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) |
| ABC | Summer | MacGyver | MacGyver | Hardcastle and McCormick | Hardcastle and McCormick | | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) |
| ABC | Mid-summer | Perfect Strangers | Mr. Sunshine | MacGyver | MacGyver | | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) | Hotel (22/18.3) (Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) |
| CBS | Fall | Stir Crazy | Stir Crazy | Charlie & Co. | George Burns Comedy Week | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Mid-fall | Airwolf | Airwolf | | Charlie & Co. | George Burns Comedy Week | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Late fall | Mary | Foley Square | Charlie & Co. | George Burns Comedy Week | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Winter | Mary | Foley Square | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Mid-winter | Fast Times | Tough Cookies | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Spring | West 57th | West 57th | CBS Wednesday Night Movie | CBS Wednesday Night Movie | CBS Wednesday Night Movie | CBS Wednesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Summer | Foley Square | Newhart | Airwolf | Airwolf | West 57th | West 57th |
| NBC | Fall | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Hell Town | Hell Town | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |
| NBC | Winter | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Blacke's Magic | Blacke's Magic | | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |
| NBC | Spring | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Blacke's Magic | Blacke's Magic | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |
| NBC | Summer | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) | Gimme a Break! | You Again? (19/19.2) | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |

## Thursday

| Network | Network | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | The Fall Guy | The Fall Guy | Lady Blue | Lady Blue | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Mid-fall | ABC Thursday Night Movie | ABC Thursday Night Movie | ABC Thursday Night Movie | ABC Thursday Night Movie | | | | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Late fall | Shadow Chasers | Shadow Chasers | Dynasty II: The Colbys | Dynasty II: The Colbys | | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Winter | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | The Colbys | The Colbys | | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Spring | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | The Colbys | The Colbys | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Summer | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | The Colbys | The Colbys | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| CBS | Fall | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | Simon & Simon (29/17.2) | Simon & Simon (29/17.2) | Knots Landing (17/19.5) (Tied with Growing Pains) | Knots Landing (17/19.5) (Tied with Growing Pains) |
| CBS | Winter | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | Simon & Simon (29/17.2) | Simon & Simon (29/17.2) | Knots Landing (17/19.5) (Tied with Growing Pains) | Knots Landing (17/19.5) (Tied with Growing Pains) |
| CBS | Spring | Simon & Simon (29/17.2) | Simon & Simon (29/17.2) | Bridges to Cross | Bridges to Cross | | Knots Landing (17/19.5) (Tied with Growing Pains) | Knots Landing (17/19.5) (Tied with Growing Pains) |
| CBS | Summer | Price is Right Special | Price is Right Special | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | Trapper John, M.D. | Trapper John, M.D. |
| NBC | Fall | The Cosby Show (1/33.7) | Family Ties (2/30.0) | Cheers (5/23.7) | Night Court (11/20.9) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Winter | The Cosby Show (1/33.7) | Family Ties (2/30.0) | Cheers (5/23.7) | Night Court (11/20.9) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Spring | The Cosby Show (1/33.7) | All Is Forgiven | Cheers (5/23.7) | Night Court (11/20.9) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Mid-spring | The Cosby Show (1/33.7) | Family Ties (2/30.0) | Cheers (5/23.7) | Night Court (11/20.9) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Late spring | The Cosby Show (1/33.7) | All Is Forgiven | Cheers (5/23.7) | Night Court (11/20.9) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Summer | The Cosby Show (1/33.7) | Family Ties (2/30.0) | Cheers (5/23.7) | Night Court (11/20.9) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |

## Friday

| Network | Network | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Diff'rent Strokes | Benson | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Mid-fall | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Diff'rent Strokes | Benson | Our Family Honor | Our Family Honor |
| ABC | Winter | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Diff'rent Strokes | He's the Mayor | The Fall Guy | The Fall Guy |
| ABC | Spring | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Mr. Sunshine | Joe Bash | The Fall Guy | The Fall Guy |
| ABC | Mid-spring | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie |
| ABC | Summer | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Growing Pains (R) | Mr. Sunshine | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| CBS | Fall | The Twilight Zone | The Twilight Zone | Dallas (6/21.9) | Dallas (6/21.9) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) |
| CBS | Winter | The Twilight Zone | The Twilight Zone | Dallas (6/21.9) | Dallas (6/21.9) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) |
| CBS | Spring | Charlie & Co. | Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills | Dallas (6/21.9) | Dallas (6/21.9) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) |
| CBS | Summer | The Twilight Zone | The Twilight Zone | | Dallas (6/21.9) | Dallas (6/21.9) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) | Falcon Crest (24/18.1) (Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) |
| NBC | Fall | Knight Rider | Knight Rider | Misfits of Science | Misfits of Science | Miami Vice (9/21.3) | Miami Vice (9/21.3) |
| NBC | Winter | Misfits of Science | Misfits of Science | Knight Rider | Knight Rider | | Miami Vice (9/21.3) | Miami Vice (9/21.3) |
| NBC | Late winter | Riptide | Riptide | | Knight Rider | Knight Rider | Miami Vice (9/21.3) | Miami Vice (9/21.3) |
| NBC | Spring | Riptide | Riptide | The Last Precinct | The Last Precinct | | Miami Vice (9/21.3) | Miami Vice (9/21.3) |
| NBC | Summer | Riptide | Riptide | Knight Rider | Knight Rider | | Miami Vice (9/21.3) | Miami Vice (9/21.3) |
Note: Diff'rent Strokes 1-hour Season 8 Premiered on September 27 at 9:00pm

## Saturday

| Network | Network | 8:00 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 10:00 p.m. | 10:30 p.m. |
| ABC | Fall | Hollywood Beat | Hollywood Beat | Lime Street | Lime Street | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| ABC | Mid-fall | The Fall Guy | The Fall Guy | Lady Blue | Lady Blue | | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| ABC | Winter | The Redd Foxx Show | Benson | Fortune Dane | Fortune Dane | | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| ABC | Spring | The Redd Foxx Show | Benson | The Love Boat | The Love Boat | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| ABC | Mid-spring | Diff'rent Strokes | Benson | The Love Boat | The Love Boat | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| ABC | Summer | Diff'rent Strokes | Benson | The Love Boat | The Love Boat | The Love Boat | The Love Boat |
| CBS | Fall | Airwolf | Airwolf | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie |
| CBS | Winter | Airwolf | Airwolf | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie |
| CBS | Spring | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie | CBS Saturday Night Movie |
| CBS | Mid-spring | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | Airwolf | Airwolf | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. |
| CBS | Summer | Crazy Like a Fox | Crazy Like a Fox | Airwolf | Airwolf | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. |
| NBC | Fall | Gimme a Break! | The Facts of Life (27/17.7) | The Golden Girls (7/21.8) (Tied with Dynasty) | 227 (20/18.8) | Hunter | Hunter |
| NBC | Winter | Gimme a Break! | The Facts of Life (27/17.7) | The Golden Girls (7/21.8) (Tied with Dynasty) | 227 (20/18.8) | Hunter | Hunter |
| NBC | Spring | Gimme a Break! | The Facts of Life (27/17.7) | The Golden Girls (7/21.8) (Tied with Dynasty) | 227 (20/18.8) | Remington Steele | Remington Steele |
| NBC | Summer | Gimme a Break! | The Facts of Life (27/17.7) | The Golden Girls (7/21.8) (Tied with Dynasty) | 227 (20/18.8) | Remington Steele | Remington Steele |
Note: Due to the death of Samantha Smith and her father in a plane crash, ABC ceased production on Lime Street and was forced to move Lady Blue into its slot.

## By network
### NBC

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.
^ Diff'rent Strokes switched networks for the 1985–1986 season.
+ Mike Hammer abruptly ended production after series star Stacy Keach was sentenced to six months in prison for cocaine possession. Production resumed during the 1986–1987 season.
@ T. J. Hooker continued production for CBS' late night schedule for the 1985–1986 season.