Week of November 8, 1987

President Reagan says that the United states is ready to reopen substantive

discussions with Nicaragua’s leftist government once ‘serious negotiations” begin

between the Sandinistas and the U.S.-backed Contra rebels on reaching a

cease-fire.

leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev who had

criticized the slow pace of reform, is

removed as Moscow party boss. He’s

been replaced by Politburo member Lev

N. Zaikov - Communist Party Central

Committee secretary responsible for

defense industries.

In the face of increasing criticism,

President Reagan defends Atty. Gen.

Edwin Meese III, saying, “He’s no

embarrassment” and pronouncing him “of

sound mind and great loyalty and

capability.”

Baby M mom - Surrogate mother Mary Beth Whitehead and her husband receive

an uncontested divorce, with Whitehead saying they were still in love but were

unable to maintain their marriage because of the pressures of the celebrated

Baby M. custody case. Richard and Mary Beth Whitehead were married for 14

years.

The nation’s trade deficit decreased by $1.6

billion in September.

Enniskillen, Northern Ireland - a bomb

explodes as hundreds gathered for a

Remembrance Day ceremony honoring

Britain’s war dead. 11 are dead and 61

injured.

A commuter train carrying hundreds of

passengers rammed into the rear of another

crowded train stopped in a tunnel at a

downtown Boston train station, injuring as

Week of November 8, 1987

many as 100 passengers who were sent “flying down the aisle,” officials said.

Entertainment news -

Passing - Comedian Jackie Vernon (63).

Music news

On Saturday night - MTV Classic Concert: Huey Lewis, followed by MTV’s

Headbanger’s Ball.

More MTV - On Dec. 7, MTV debuts “Remote Control.” MTV says “Remote

Control” will be emceed by a young game-show fanatic who began his own

program in the remodeled basement of his home at 72 Little Fox Lane. A quartet

of college-aged kids serve as contestants, competing for possession of a remote-

control device that allows them to answer questions - largely based on TV and

pop culture trivia.

Television news -

producer Steven Bochco’s defection from “L.A. Law”

won’t hurt the series. Bocho is heading to ABC-TV to

develop new TV shows.

Mariette Hartley does an early exit from CBS’ “Morning

Program.” She told viewers she was leaving the

program before it ends to make a movie titled “1969.”

Sandy Hill will sit-in for Hartley until the show ends later

this month.

Tuesday night television -

CBS - Houston Knights, Jake and the Fatman, The Law

and Harry McGraw, NBC - Matlock, J.J. Starbuck, Crime Story, Tonight, David

Letterman

ABC - Who’s The Boss?, Growing Pains, Napoleon and Josephine: A Love

Story, Nightline

PBS - Nova, The Ring Of Truth

HBO - Joe Piscopo

The Law of Harry McGraw - Harry goes to the aide of a hockey player friend.

Tonight Show - Johnny Carson welcomes James Stuart and comedian Paula

Poundstone.

Week of November 8, 1987

Saturday night television -

NBC - Facts of Life, 227, Golden Girls, Amen, Hunter, Saturday Night Live

ABC - Sable, O’Hara, Hotel

HBO - Comic Relief ‘87

Showtime - Aretha!

CBS Movie - “Dean Man’s Folly” (1986) Peter Ustinov, Jean Stapleton.

Hotel - Peter’s plane crashes.

with musical guests Simply Red.

Comic Relief ’87 - (3 ½) hours - Includes Harry

Anderson, Billy Crystal, Bob Goldthwait, Paul

Reiser, Paul Rodriquez, Martin Short, Tracey

Ullman, Robin Williams, Steven Wright.

Aretha! - Aretha Franklin sings at a Detroit

concert.