Does anyone else remember those horrifically delectable ‘Battle Of The Network Stars’ shows that were all the rage in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s? You know the ones I’m talking about, where cast members from the different TV networks’ series would battle each other in events like basketball, swimming, and of course the dreaded obstacle course that ended every show. The show was on the air from 1976 through 1985, and then after a two year lapse returned for a final show in 1988. Howard Cosell hosted or co-hosted the show each year except for 1985 when it was hosted by Joan Van Ark and Dick Van Dyke.

I’m not sure what was worse, the quality of the cast members or those dreadful color coordinated uniforms.

Yes, I am.

It was the uniforms.

BOTNS

BOTNS BOTNS

Let’s have a look at some of the notable competitors/cast members:Gabe Kaplan
Lynda Carter
Farrah Fawcett
Ron Howard
Hal Linden
Penny Marshall
Telly Savalas
Adrienne Barbeau
Gary Burghoff
Mackenzie Phillips
Loretta Swit
Todd Bridges
Dick Van Patten
Robert Conrad
Melissa Sue Anderson
LeVar Burton
Willie Aames
Ed Asner
Kristy McNichol
Jaclyn Smith
Sonny Bono
Mike Farrell
Randi Oakes
Cathy Lee Crosby
Rob Reiner
Dan Haggerty
Jane Seymour
Cheryl Ladd
Charlene Tilton
Catherine Bach
Suzanne Somers
Jimmie Walker
Jamie Farr
Patrick Duffy
Tom Selleck
Robert Urich
Linda Evans
Ann Jillian
Lorenzo Lamas
Debby Boone
Victoria Principal
Melissa Gilbert
Billy Crystal
Mark Harmon
Heather Thomas
Joyce DeWitt
Robin Williams
Valerie Bertinelli
William Shatner
Joan Collins
Heather Locklear
Delta Burke
Scott Baio
Donna Pescow
Lou Ferrigno
Ricky Schroeder
Nancy McKeon
C. Thomas Howell
Leif Garrett
Michael J. Fox
Tony Danza
Emma Samms
Lisa Bonet
Erin Gray
Nicollette Sheridan
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Tina Yothers

There it is… the good, the bad, and the ugly of The Battle of the Network Stars.