Night Flight
Season 1987
Night Flight is a variety show that originated on the USA Network. An eclectic mix of short films, cartoons, B movies, stand up comedy, documentaries, music videos and more, Night Flight was broadcast, in various incarnations, from 1981 to 1996.
Where to Watch Night Flight • Season 1987
27 Episodes
- "Take Off" to IrelandE1
"Take Off" to IrelandNight Flight looks at the roots of Irish rock 'n' roll tonight in this original “Take Off” special from the mid-1980s. With Bodhrán, Fiddles, Uilleann pipes and Irish Harps in hand, we kick off with the Chieftans' "Irish Anthem" before looking at the Ireland’s strong music tradition. Dating back to Celtic culture, when poets were elevated to the status of aristocrats, we take a closer look at the island that produced '80s era acts like the Pogues, Van Morrison, Cactus World News, Bob Geldof, Zerra 1 and more. Stick around afterwards for some very rare animated cartoons & short films, including Ellen Foley in "Headshot." - The The Video Profile "Infected"E5
The The Video Profile "Infected"Tonight’s original Night Flight episode is Video Profile of The The, featuring the broadcast premiere of the band's video-album, Infected. Matt Johnson’s 1986 music video opus, described by host Pat Prescott as a “hard-hitting musical statement shot around the globe,” features the work of directors Tim Pope (The Cure), Peter Christopherson (Coil), Mark Romanek (Michael Jackson's "Scream") and many more. “Infected” is our anthem in these unreasonable times right now. - Art of Noise Video ProfileE6
Art of Noise Video ProfileOne of the most memorable episodes of Night Flight canon and the purest example of the original series' commitment to avant-garde music and experimental video. Stream the official Video Profile of musical groundbreaker trio, Art Of Noise: The low profile, high tech wiz’s of British music. A production trio with whose unique sonic approach defined the advent of sampling and whose background sounds enhanced the megahits of Yes, Pet Shop Boys and Kate Bush. Featuring an incredible lost interview with Art of Noise founders J. J. Jeczalik and Anne Dudley and a suite of the groups iconic music videos including those by Zbigniew Rybczyński, Anton Corbijn and more. (Yes, we’ve got both versions of “Close (To The Edit)”). - Best Of New SoundsE12300
Best Of New Sounds Welcome to the Best New Sounds of 1986 on Night Flight! In ’86, England’s unabashed Sigue Sigue Sputnik went Snap Crack and Fizzle, Simply Red cemented “red-haired soul,” The Cure firmly establish neo-gothic rock and Pete Burns of Dead or Alive became every dance fan’s brand new lover. What a year. Inquire within to relive the best in sound from a knockout year. - Dr. Demento's Comedy ClassicsE31300
Dr. Demento's Comedy Classics “Wind up your Television, Dementites and Dementoids, it’s time for Dr. Dementos’ Comedy Classics on Night Flight!” On this original 1987 episode, you’ll be seeing and hearing some favorites from the Dr. Demento radio show in a promo episode for his upcoming six-record Rhino Record’s release ““The Greatest Novelty Records of All Time.” Featuring selects like Demento discoveree Weird Al Yankovic, Barnes and Barnes “Fish Heads,” and more. - Comedy Cuts: Assaulted Nuts + New MoviesE32000
Comedy Cuts: Assaulted Nuts + New MoviesThis 1987 episode of Night Flight features classic Comedy Cut segments and England's favorite comedy team: Assaulted Nuts. Then Night Flight goes to the movies with features on Angel Heart, The Good Wife, Tin Men and John Hughe's Some Kind Of Wonderful. - R.E.M. Profile + Directions in JazzE41100
R.E.M. Profile + Directions in JazzHighlights from R.E.M.'s career to date in music video form are shown with some great interview bites from the group members. Whether or not you approved of the direction Kenny G, Branford Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin & Herb Alpert took this beloved genre back in the heady days of 1988, that was pretty much the best of what the mainstream had to offer and here it is in all of its pre-fab, slick and kid-friendly glory. Call it "Jazz" or what you will, you cannot deny the brassy entertainment value of the music videos you will see in this edition Night Flight's "Direction In Jazz"! Miles Davis does make an appearance, so there is a bit of credibility thrown in the mix, too. - Take Off to L.A. Rock + Take Off to Sports RockE50900
Take Off to L.A. Rock + Take Off to Sports RockL.A. Rock: Since the ‘60s, LA’s been a mecca for the music industry. Night Flight brings us up to date (1987) with LA’s bustling music scene that finds us watching and listening to videos from The Untouchables in their award-winning video for “Free Yourself,” Oingo Boingo, Concrete Blonde, Suicidal Tendencies, and Thelonius Monster. Sports Rock: “Today’s fitness craze even spreads to rock,” Pat Prescott declares, as she introduces the first videos, including the Los Angeles Rams’ theme song, questionably named “Let’s Ram It,” and The Chicago Bears’ “Super Bowl Shuffle.” - Independent Filmmaker Showcase + Cars Video ProfileE52300
Independent Filmmaker Showcase + Cars Video ProfileSeasoned Night Flight viewers always knew to expect the unexpected; this unique approach to curating our content and exposing underexposed artists, musicians and filmmakers of the era was built into the show's DNA. In this week's new arrival from the archive, we deal in the latter with a look at independent filmmaking. Kicking off with Academy Award winning animated short "Special Delivery," and ending with a long-form dance off performance video for UTFO deep cut, this episode is FULL of surprises. - Short Film Showcase + Directions in JazzE53000
Short Film Showcase + Directions in JazzNight Flight's independent filmmaker showcase featuring Ilene Segalove's "Why I Got Into TV and other stories," Daniel Reeves' "Thousands Watch," "Mirage" and a special directions in Jazz special, featuring members of Steely Dan's live band. - Take Off to Country Jam + Duran Duran Video ProfileE61200
Take Off to Country Jam + Duran Duran Video Profile"Take Off" to Country Jam features Nashville faves such as Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam, KD Lang, Hank Williams Jr and others. Following that is Night Flight's Video Profile of the most glamorous pop stars to come from Birmingham, England- none other than Duran Duran. - Night Flight - Flash TracksE62000
Night Flight - Flash TracksIn this excellent Flash Tracks episode from June, 1987 Night Flight covers Women in Rock including Siouxsie and the Banshees, Yazoo's Alison Moyet and Suzanne Vega. Born Susan Janet Ballion in a London suburb, Siouxsie Sioux cut her musical teeth on rock legends the Sex Pistols and David Bowie. Siouxsie Sioux brought unrestrained fashion and rock together, (what Night Flight's Pat Prescott calls a modern day "Mata Hari") with a style imitated all over England. Performing since 1976, Siouxsie and the Banshees unique sound smacks of their fascination of the bizarre. - Short Film ShowcaseE103000
Short Film ShowcaseIn this original episode from October 30th, 1987 Night Flight presents two independent shorts as a part of our "Short Film Showcase" segment. The first up is the criminal-comedy “The Lemon Man,” by Super 8 auteur Michael Legge, followed by the mysterious experimental animation called “Xidu,” by Australian filmmaker Michelle Mahrer. - Short Film Showcase + Video Classics Pt. 1E111400
Short Film Showcase + Video Classics Pt. 1Tonight's Night Flight original comes in the form of a 1987 Short Film Showcase and Classic Video Medley. Kicking off with directors Michael Nankin and David Wechter's short film "Gravity" (the pair created another Night Flight Plus exclusive Junior High School) and eventually arriving at an alien abduction psychedelic fever dream called "Skin Deep From Outer Space," Night Flight once again delivers the ultimate rarities. Stay tuned for Side B of this episode which is a Video Classic segment featuring videos by the Buggles, Devo, Falco, the Pretenders, Talking Heads and much, much more! - Goes to the Movies + Latin SoundsE121100
Goes to the Movies + Latin SoundsThis edition of Night Flight Goes to The Movies looks at the holiday new releases for 1987 including "Throw Momma From The Train", "The Last Emperor" & "Overboard". Latin Sounds features sizzling South-of-the-border inspired music videos from Miami Sound Machine, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Madonna and more! - Night Flight Christmas SpecialE122500
Night Flight Christmas Special"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at Night Flight!” Pat Prescott says at the beginning of our 1987 Christmas Special, featuring the most eclectic collection of Christmas sounds ever to grace late night television. Inquire within for Christmas tunes from Run DMC, David Bowie and Bing Crosby, Max Headroom, Timbuk3, Weird Al Yankovich and in Night Flight’s classic elegant style, a little Tony Bennett for the closer. We suggest you gather around the TV this holiday with the entire family and travel back to a snowy Christmas night in 1987.