Dateline: Events/Headlines – Week Of June 15, 1981 In News, Pop Culture, Tech, Celebrity, Sports, Entertainment & Fascinating Facts
In The News
Prime Minister Menachem Begin says he is ready to give U.S. special envoy Philip Habib a blunt ultimatum: Unless he achieves a diplomatic solution that ends in Syria moving its missiles out of Lebanon soon, Israel will take military action.
In Lancaster PA – 3 rescuers die trying to save an 8-year-old boy in a septic tank. The boy was rescued. All three were felled by methane gas.
President Reagan, taking aim at House Democrats charges that Congress is in danger of “backsliding” on federal spending cuts and delaying too long on tax reductions. In demanding that Congress speed up its work to deliver a tax bill and a budge before its scheduled recess in August, Reagan hinted he might keep the lawmakers in session.
The United States and the 14 other Security Council members unanimously pass a resolution strongly condemning Israel for the air attack that destroyed Iraq’s nuclear reactor.
Former Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz is sentenced to serve 30 days in jail and pay a $10 thousand fine on a federal income tax charge.
David Berkowitz, convicted “son of Sam” killer tells a state Supreme Court Justice that he was going stir crazy at the Attica Correctional facility where he is serving a 315-year term. He said that Attica’s special housing unit where he has been placed for his own protection has none of the variety that prison life has to offer. He’s locked in his cell 23 hours a day as a result of disciplinary problems, which he says, stem from boredom. The judge will take a look at the Attica situation.
Passing – John S. Knight – founder of the newspaper group that evolved into Knight-Ridder. He was 86.
Ad for the new Rubik’s Cube… “Over 3 billion combinations – yet, it has been solved in 3 minutes! $7.99
Sports news – June 15, 1981
Sports Illustrated and ESPN enter into an agreement through which advertisers can buy a package of advertising in the magazine and the sports cable network. For a minimum of $300,000 with increments of $100,000 up to a $1 million, advertisers can get half of their print ads in SI and the other half in ESPN spots.
Entertainment/Celebrity/Hollywood/Movie news – June 15, 1981
Hollywood news – Transamerica Corp. acknowledged that its total losses on the box office fiasco “Heaven’s Gate” could mount to $44 million. It could be the biggest flop in movie history. The film was made for $36 million and close to $8 million was spend on re-editing, advertising and promotion. Transamerica owns United Artists – producers of the movie.
Yippie Abbie Hoffman plans to use his celebrity status to fight heroin addiction in others Hoffman (44) serving a three-year sentence in New York for selling cocaine to undercover agents, is now working at the New York City Veritas therapeutic Community drug clinic under a prison work-release program.
Playing in Las Vegas –
Cher – Caesars Palace
Liberace – Hilton
Mel Tillis, Dottie West – Frontier
Glen Campbell – Sands
Charo, Jack Jones - Sahara
Television news – June 15, 1981
Trouble on the Tomorrow Show – Rona Barrett says she is not being treated as the West Coast anchor she is billed as and consequently doesn’t plan to return to the show after an upcoming vacation. Barrett, who left ABC to join NBC last October, said she hoped to continue contributing to the early-morning “Today” show.
Walter Cronkite’s Universe - Walter Cronkite returns to regular television on Sunday with a special hour-long program introducing his CBS News science magazine series.
Group W says an all-news service to compete with Cable News Network is “one possibility” but they are not letting anything out of the bag.
The National Coalition on Television Violence reports that “Riker” was the most violent program on prime-time television for the quarter ending May 23. Other violent shows include “Foul Play,” “Vegas,” Lobo,” “Greatest American Hero,” “Incredible Hulk,” “Concrete Cowboys,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Hart to Hart,” “Dukes of Hazzard,” “BJ and the Bear,” “Gangster Chronicles,” “Fantasy Island” and “Enos.”
The most violent Saturday morning cartoons include:
Daffy Duck
Bugs Bunny
Roadrunner
Plasticman
Baby Plas
Heathcliff & Dingbat
Fonz
Tom & Jerry
Popeye
Top TV shows/Nielsen ratings – June 15, 1981
MASH – 19.8
The Jeffersons – 19.3
60 Minutes – 19.2
The Facts of Life – 19.2
Three’s Company - 18.9
WBC Heavyweight Championship – 18.6
Diff’rent Strokes – 18.3
Alice – 18.1
20/20 – 18.1
House Calls – 17.9
Too Close for Comfort – 17.5
Dallas – 17.0
Dukes of Hazzard – 16.6
Laverne & Shirley – 16.5
Quincy, M.E. – 16.5
Love Boat – 16.4
Cable Television news update – June 15, 1981
Warner Amex Cable Communications activates a two-way CATV (cable) system in the greater Cincinnati suburban area, which like its original Qube operation in Columbus, will permit subscribers to express opinions, play games, shop at home, take courses and purchase movies on a per-view basis, as well as offer a 60-channel service.
Monday Night Television listings/programs/TV guide – June 15, 1981
CBS – WKRP In Cincinnati, Tim Conway Show, MASH, House Calls, CBS Reports
NBC – Little House on the Prairie, Flamingo Road, Tonight Show
ABC – Monday Night Football, ABC Comedy Special, Nightline
PBS – Great Performances, A Bayou Legend
On WKRP – Herb gives his kitchen a fresh coast of pink paint.
On MASH – Hawkeye bets B.J. he can go an entire day without telling a joke.
ABC Comedy Special – “Bulba.” The balmy existence of the U.S. Embassy staff in the mythical land of Bulba is threatened by the arrival of an official from the states.
A Bayou Legend – Gary Burgess stars in this three-act opera about a young idealist in love with a spirit.
On the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson – Dolly Parton, Patrick Duffy, Henny Youngman (repeat)
Radio news – June 15, 1981
WABC AM bounces up in the Media Trend ratings – up to a 2.4 after a low of 1.9. The station ran a countdown of the top 200 records as selected in a listener’s poll over the Memorial Day weekend. The top song was “Woman” by John Lennon. All-in-all, The Beatles had 13 songs in the survey.
ABC is adding two new networks – AOR/Top Tracks and Adult to its four existing networks.
ABC announces a 24-hour a day, seven-day a week satellite-delivered live music programming service – the second such service announced this year. ABC says it will differ from competitor Satellite Music Network as well as other proposed satellite delivered formats. Rick Sklar, ABC Radio vice president of programming will be in charge of music programming. Says Sklar – “ABC just gave me $6million to put some programming on a satellite. This will get me out of the ivory tower and maybe we’ll have some fun again.”
Lee Arnold leaves WHN to capitalize on TV and radio syndication opportunities.
More New York - WXLO-FM is changing its name to WRKS (Kiss 98.7) – just as soon as the FCC approves the change.
Actor Gordon Jump who portrays the station manager in “WKRP in Cincinnati” is starring in a series of 10 and 30-second spots for radio’s Charter Broadcasting Group. You can see the Jump ad in these markets, for these stations – KCBQ/San Diego, K101-FM/San Francisco, WOKY-AM/Milwaukee, KSLQ-FM/St. Louis and WDRQ-FM/Detroit. Charter says it will make the Gordon Jump spots available to other non-Charter stations, so get ready for the “Big Guy.”
Bob Hatrick, group program director of Doubleday Broadcasting is named to the new position of vice president of programming for the group.
Music news – June 15, 1981
Neil Bogart is expected back at his Boardwalk (Records) Century City office after surgery to remove an ailing kidney.
Steely Dan breaks up but Front Line Management says its two principals, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker expect the split to be temporary.
Studio 54 seems to making a comeback after its owners were convicted and imprisoned for tax evasion. For the past several months, the club has been conducting private weekend “We Are Family” disco parties/concerts.
Top pop hit music singles(top-40) – June 15, 1981
Medley: Venus/Sugar Sugar… - Stars on 45
Sukiyaki – A Taste of Honey
Bette Davis Eyes – Kim Carnes
A Woman Needs Love – Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio
Being With You – Smokey Robinson
All Those Years Ago – George Harrison
America – Neil Diamond
The One That You Love – Air Supply
You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall and John Oates
Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
I Love You – Climax Blues Band
Living Inside Myself – Gino Vanelli
Take It On The Run – REO Speedwagon
This Little Girl – Gary U.S. Bonds
Take It On The Run – REO Speedwagon
Top pop hit music singles in Britain – June 15, 1981
Being With You – Smokey Robinson
More Than In Love – Kate Robbins
Funeral Pyre – Jam
Stand and Deliver- Adam & The Ants
One Day In Your Life – Michael Jackson
Going Back To Our Roots – Odyssey
Will You – Hazel O’ Conner
Top Country Hit Music Singles - June 15, 1981
But You Know I Love You – Dolly Parton
Blessed Are The Believers – Anne Murray
Fire and Smoke – Earl Thomas Conley
I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool – Barbara Mandrell
Feels So Right – Alabama
It’s A Lovely, Lovely World – Gail Davies
By Now – Steve Wariner
Lovin’ Arms/You Asked Me To – Elvis Presley
Lovin Her Was Easier – Tompall & The Glaser Brothers
Top music albums – June 15, 1981
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap – AC/DC
Mistaken Identity – Kim Carnes
Hi Infidelity – REO Speedwagon
Fair Warning – Van Halen
Long Distance Voyager – Moody Blues
Hard Promises – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Zebop – Santana
Face Value – Phil Collins
Being With You – Smokey Robinson
Moving Pictures – Rush
A Woman Needs Love – Ray Parker Jr. & Raydio
Stars On Long Play – Stars on 45
Somewhere In England – George Harrison
Street Songs – Rick James
What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me – Chaka Khan
The Fox – Elton John
Christopher Cross – Christopher Cross
Winelight – Grover Washington Jr.
Face Dances – The Who
Working Class Dog – Rick Springfield
Wild Eyed Southern Boys - .38 Special
Rit – Lee Ritenour
The Dude – Quincy Jones
Top movies – June 15, 1981
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Clash of the Titans
History of the World Part 1
Nice Dreams
The Four Seasons
Bustin Loose
Outland
Kill and Kill Again
Legend of he Lone Ranger
On The Right Track
Excalibur
Breaker Morant
Polyester
Atlantic City
Take This Job & Shove It
Screamers