The top shows of the night were Cheers and Hill Street Blues. Cheers won its second straight Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, while Hill Street Blues made history. It became the first show to win the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series four times. This record still stands today, but has been tied by L.A. Law, The West Wing, Mad Men and Game of Thrones. Hill Street Blues also added to another streak. It received at least 14 major nominations for the fourth straight year, winning four. Cheers received the most nominations on the comedy side (10), winning three.
Hill Street Blues (NBC): "Grace Under Pressure" – Story by : Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis and David Milch Teleplay by : Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Wagner, Karen Hall and Mark Frost
St. Elsewhere (NBC): "All About Eve" – John Masius and Tom Fontana
St. Elsewhere (NBC): "Newheart" – John Masius, Tom Fontana, Garn Stephens and Emilie R. Small
St. Elsewhere (NBC): "Qui Transulit Sustinet" – Story by : John Masius and Tom Fontana Teleplay by : John Tinker and Mark Tinker