{"id":291203,"date":"2024-02-21T05:31:09","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T10:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/25-beloved-1980s-sitcoms-we-still-adore"},"modified":"2024-02-21T05:31:33","modified_gmt":"2024-02-21T10:31:33","slug":"25-beloved-1980s-sitcoms-we-still-adore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/25-beloved-1980s-sitcoms-we-still-adore","title":{"rendered":"25 Beloved Nineteen Eighties Sitcoms We Nonetheless Adore"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

Many view the 1980s as one of the best eras in television. Sitcoms in this decade were able to balance the classics from the 50s and 60s while pushing the envelope forward and innovating. <\/p>\n

The best sitcoms showcase these traditional and modern representations.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Cheers (1982-1993)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Cheers
Image Credit: Paramount Network Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.\u201d <\/span>Cheers<\/span><\/em> is the quintessential 80s sitcom following the colorful characters who spend their time in the Boston bar. <\/span><\/p>\n

These include owner, former pitcher, disarming womanizer Sam Malone, snooty but kind Diane, smart-mouthed waitress Carla, complacent Norm (who has his own designated stool), and know-it-all mail carrier Cliff. There\u2019s also the dimly sweet Coach, and then equally gullible, warm-hearted Woody, and vivacious type-A Rebecca. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cheers<\/span><\/em> was a hilarious, remarkably unique series in that most of the show took place in this one setting. The show did venture outside occasionally. But it\u2019s the characters, their relationships, and their time at Cheers, sharing drinks, love, and laughs, that created the greatest of its generation.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. MASH (1972-1983)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"MASH
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MASH<\/span><\/em> was a top-rated, groundbreaking sitcom with ratings records for many years. It delighted audiences but also tugged at their heartstrings and moved them deeply. MASH stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and depicts the staff at a hospital during the Korean War.<\/span><\/p>\n

The setting was severe, but the characters found humor to cope with their situation\u2019s direness. <\/span><\/p>\n

Led by Captain Benjamin Hawkeye, these close-knit characters pulled pranks and jokes, found love and friendship, and showcased a realistic look at how people dealt with the realities of war. <\/span>MASH<\/span><\/em> was, and remains, a landmark in television history.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. The Cosby Show (1984-1992)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The
Image Credit: Carsey-Werner Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although it wasn\u2019t the first show to depict an affluent African American family (that was <\/span>The Jeffersons<\/span><\/em>), <\/span>The Cosby Show<\/span><\/em> was an undeniably revolutionary sitcom. The Huxtable family included Doctor Cliff, lawyer Clair, and five children. The series depicted their everyday lives in various situations, primarily involving each kid getting into trouble. <\/span><\/p>\n

The laughs were plentiful, the characters were memorable, and it sometimes tackled deeper issues such as underage drinking, teenage pregnancy, and divorce.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span>Unfortunately, The Cosby Show is tainted<\/span><\/em> because of Bill Cosby\u2019s off-screen deplorable actions. But this show\u2019s legacy and tremendous place in TV history should remain.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. The Golden Girls (1985-1992)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Golden
Image Credit: Witt\/Thomas\/Harris Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For lack of a better word, The Golden Girls<\/span><\/em> is a show that is comedic gold. The premise was undoubtedly a gamble, but it quickly became one of the most popular of the 80s. Its appeal is evergreen; <\/span>The Golden Girls <\/span><\/em>is one of the first and best depictions of the found family dynamic, with sarcastic Dorothy, her sharp-tongued mother Sophia, na\u00efve Rose, and provocative Blanche. <\/span><\/p>\n

These four women bond over relationships lost and found, the struggles with getting older, and a love of delicious cheesecake. It\u2019s another series that never shied away from more serious subject matter. <\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, <\/span>The Golden Girls <\/span><\/em>was a good-hearted and hilarious series demonstrating that age does not determine how rich, wonderful, and fulfilling life can be.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Growing Pains (1985-1992)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Growing
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Growing Pains<\/span><\/em> is a pristine example of a family sitcom that showcased different dynamics and gender roles while often depicting darker subject matter on occasion.<\/span><\/p>\n

But make no mistake, Growing<\/span> Pains<\/span><\/em> had abundant laughs and heart. The premise involves Dr. Jason Seaver moving his psychiatrist\u2019s practice into the home to look after kids Mike, Carol, and Ben while his wife Maggie returns to work as a TV reporter.<\/span><\/p>\n

The title <\/span>Growing Pains <\/span><\/em>was ideal as the show looked at the pangs that children, teens, and adults can all experience, seen through a funny lens. When the series went deeper with its episodes, they were extremely impactful, depicting drinking and driving, homelessness, addiction, and discrimination. <\/span><\/p>\n

Growing Pains<\/span><\/em> is an underrated series in today\u2019s age, but it was one of the most seminal of the 1980s.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Full House (1987-1995)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Full
Image Credit: Jeff Franklin Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although we may think of <\/span>Full House<\/span><\/em> as a quintessential 90s show, its first three years were spent in the 80s. And they are as classic, heartwarming, and hilarious as they come. <\/span><\/p>\n

Full House<\/span><\/em> is another perfect example of a series with a different premise than what came before. While previously, there were shows without the traditional two-parent family, never before did we see three single men living together to raise three girls.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was purely by coincidence that this series bore a similar premise to the 1980s comedy film <\/span>Three Men and a Baby<\/span><\/em>. Still, this dynamic was a trend. Its first three years were some of the best, involving recently widowed Danny, brother-law Jesse, and best friend Joey doing their best to balance work and family life and raise young DJ, Stephanie, and Michelle. <\/span><\/p>\n

There was an emphasis on dealing with grief, sibling rivalry, and personal hiccups, with problems resolved with a lesson learned and a hug. It\u2019s heartfelt family entertainment at its best and proves that family comes in many forms.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Designing Women (1986-1993)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Designing
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Designing Women <\/span><\/em>is a fabulous show about strong, independent, caring women who are passionate about their jobs, love their families, and support and champion their friends. Indeed, it\u2019s a show with feminist ideals that was able to inspire audiences as well as make them laugh. <\/span><\/p>\n

At Sugarbaker Interior Design, there is powerhouse Julia with a penchant for monologues, sweet and sassy Mary Jo, na\u00efve and sentimental Charlene, and vain but well-intentioned Suzanne. <\/span><\/p>\n

Together with their delivery man Anthony, we see another terrific portrayal of friendship and found family, profound subject matter, and endless laughs.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Roseanne (1988-1996)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"John
Image Credit: The Carsey-Werner Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Roseanne<\/span><\/em> followed the lower-middle-class Conner family in Langford, Illinois. It was a trailblazing sitcom depicting a family that loved each other but was more akin to fights, insults, and brash behavior. <\/span>Roseanne<\/span><\/em> had heart but was undeniably irreverent with its comedy. <\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, a sitcom never more accurately showcased a family who struggled with bills, mortgages, and working multiple jobs. Life was unpredictable, but they got through it together with sarcasm and love.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Family Ties (1982-1989)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"family
Image Credit: NBC Universal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Family Ties<\/span><\/em> dominated the airwaves in the 80s with its heartwarming and traditional family dynamics but hilarious clashes between parents and their children. <\/span><\/p>\n

The most prominent is the discord between liberal ex-hippies Steve and Elyse Keaton and their oldest son Alex, an outspoken conservative and supporter of the then-current President, Ronald Reagan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Along with the ditzy daughter Mallory, mischievous daughter Jennifer, and later, precocious son Andy, <\/span>Family Ties<\/span><\/em> balanced humor and serious topics in one of the best-written sitcoms of the decade.<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Who\u2019s The Boss (1984-1992)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Who's
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the greatest examples of turning traditional gender roles on their heads was <\/span>Who\u2019s the Boss.<\/span><\/em> The show follows single dad Tony Micelli, a former baseball player who works as a live-in housekeeper in a Connecticut suburb for uptight ad executive Angela Bower. <\/span><\/p>\n

Along with Tony\u2019s feisty daughter Samantha, Angela\u2019s awkward son Jonathan, and her wild mother Mona, <\/span>Who\u2019s the Boss <\/span><\/em>has some of the funniest moments of the era as Tony charms the Bowers with his carefree attitude. With Tony and Angela, audiences were treated to one of the best ‘opposites attract’ couples ever. <\/span>Who\u2019s the Boss<\/span><\/em> was delightful and refreshing.<\/span><\/p>\n

11. Saved by The Bell\/Good Morning, Miss Bliss (1987-1992)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Saved
Image Credit: Peter Engel Productions and
NBC Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Good Morning, Miss Bliss<\/span><\/em> and <\/span>Saved by the Bell<\/span><\/em> are two separate shows but are connected in an interesting way. <\/span>Good Morning, Miss Bliss<\/span><\/em> had one season and followed Carrie Bliss, a sweet history teacher who did her best to relate to the students she deeply cared for, including troublemaker Zack, nerdy Screech, and fashionable Lisa. <\/span><\/p>\n

The series took place at an Illinois Middle School. But after cancellation, it was retooled, and the setting changed to Los Angeles High School, Bayside. It also almost completely negated <\/span>Miss Bliss <\/span><\/em>and its canon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Miss Bliss was <\/span><\/em>worthwhile, but its successor, <\/span>Saved by the Bell<\/span><\/em>, was funnier, zanier, and connected more with its target audience. Zack, Screeh, and Lisa were joined by the girl next door Kelly, brainiac Jesse, and athletic Slater, creating hilarious hijinks while navigating school dances, oddball teachers, and summer jobs. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s become an iconic series for its bright and goofy tone and archetypal and relatable characters.<\/span><\/p>\n

12. Newhart (1982-1990)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Newhart\"
Image Credit: MTM Enterprises.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Newhart<\/span><\/em> is a fantastic example of how a simple premise can become a laugh-out-loud classic with superb writing and unique characters. In the show, an author moves to Vermont with their wife and opens up a cozy country inn. The laughs come from the crazy locals who never give the couple a moment\u2019s peace. <\/span><\/p>\n

Newhart<\/span><\/em> had gentle, easy-going comedy that audiences found comforting, along with the unparalleled presence of Bob Newhart. And its series finale will go down as one of the cleverest in television history.<\/span><\/p>\n

13. Married, With Children (1987-1997)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Married
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Married, With Children<\/span><\/em> is the irreverent anti-family comedy that quickly found an audience with those looking for something without sentimentality. The Bundy family was the antithesis of the Tanner family from <\/span>Full House<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Al Bundy is a malcontent shoe salesman who bickers with his wife and tries to avoid his na\u2019er-do-well children, Kelly and Bud. The show stands out in the decade for portraying a dysfunctional family with many laughs.<\/span><\/p>\n

14. Taxi (1978-1983)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Taxi
Image Credit: Paramount Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Taxi<\/span><\/em> is a sitcom with a tone that reflects both decades it aired in. The series follows the employees of the Sunshine Cab Company in New York City, a ragtag group that all have dreams of bigger and better things. <\/span>Taxi<\/span><\/em> was wonderfully written with one of the best ensemble casts ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

15. Three\u2019s Company (1976-1984)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Three\u2019s
Image Credit: T.T.C. Productions, Inc.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cCome on, knock on our door. We\u2019ve been waiting for you.\u201d These lyrics from the theme song from <\/span>Three\u2019s Company<\/span><\/em> reflect this sitcom\u2019s light, breezy, and welcoming feel that enjoyed an eight-season run through the 70s and 80s. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jack Tripper moves in with two women, something quite revolutionary at the time, becoming one of the first sitcoms to showcase the zany misadventures among friends tropes. Misunderstandings, schemes, and constant laughs made this sitcom one of the favorites of the era.<\/span><\/p>\n

16. The Jeffersons (1975-1985)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The
Image Credit: T.A.T. Communications Company.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The story of dry-cleaner George Jefferson who built his business into a very successful one and moved him and his wife to Upper East Side New York, was groundbreaking and hilarious entertainment. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not only was <\/span>The Jeffersons<\/span><\/em> funny, well-written, and wonderfully acted, but it also challenged stereotypes. Moreover, the series prominently portrayed an interracial couple being the first to feature black and white characters. <\/span>The Jeffersons<\/span><\/em> is iconic in every way.<\/span><\/p>\n

17. Night Court (1984-1992)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Night
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Night Court <\/span><\/em>was an 80s show with a unique concept. It centers on Judge Harry Stone, a fun-loving, magic enthusiast who presides over overnight court in Manhattan. <\/span><\/p>\n

He sees a steady rotation of odd and eccentric characters who provide the show with its laughs, as do the array of other night court employees and lawyers. It\u2019s silly while also giving audiences the occasional episode that deals with social issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

18. The Facts of Life (1979-1988)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"The
Image Credit: T.A.T. Communications Co..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Facts of Life<\/span><\/em> was about what its theme song says-the good and the bad of growing up in a world where dreams feel elusive. The series follows a group of teenage girls at a boarding school under the guidance of the no-nonsense but kindly Mrs. Garrett. They experience the joys and pains that most girls face, but their friends and Mrs. Garret always support them. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Facts of Life<\/span><\/em> is another quintessentially 80s sitcom in that it balanced comedy with more profound, personal issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

19. Diff\u2019rent Strokes (1978-1986)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Diff'rent
Image Credit: Tandem Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Diff\u2019rent Strokes <\/span><\/em>is a series that represents all of the trailblazing aspects of the 1980s: a more diverse cast and a non-traditional family. The story revolves around brothers Arnold and Willis, two African-American kids from Harlem who their late mother\u2019s millionaire boss adopts. Their new home is a stark contrast to what they\u2019ve known, but they find love with their new family in the face of adversity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Diff\u2019rent Strokes<\/span><\/em> is another sitcom that tackles dark subject matter, and the episode featuring what\u2019s alluded to as a child predator is one of the most memorable ever created.<\/span><\/p>\n

20. Mama\u2019s Family (1983-1990)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Mama\u2019s
Image Credit: Crackle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mama\u2019s Family<\/span><\/em> is a fun-loving, ultimately sweet-natured show following the cantankerous Thelma and her extended family, who all reside in her house. This includes her spinster sister, recently divorced son, and his two children. <\/span>Mama\u2019s Family <\/span><\/em>is unique because it was a spin-off from a popular sketch from <\/span>The Carol Burnett Show<\/span><\/em>. It\u2019s riotous, down-home comedy.<\/span><\/p>\n

21. Perfect Strangers (1986-1993)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Perfect
Image Credit: Miller-Boyett Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We often love seeing romantic relationships between characters who are opposites. But sometimes, friendships between two opposites can be just as entertaining. In the case of <\/span>Perfect Strangers<\/span><\/em>, the best friends are cousins Larry and Balki. <\/span><\/p>\n

Larry is uptight, nervous, and sarcastic. Balki is his distant cousin from Greece who comes to America looking for relatives and a better life. Unlike Larry, he\u2019s free-spirited, carefree, and optimistic. And the crazy shenanigans these two cousins find themselves in charmed audiences for eight seasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

22. Mr. Belvedere (1985-1990)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Mr.
Image Credit: 20th Television.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mr. Belvedere <\/span><\/em>is a loose remake of the 1940s film <\/span>Sitting Pretty<\/span><\/em> and follows the intelligent, pompous, and proper British butler who comes to work for a family in desperate need of discipline. <\/span><\/p>\n

For Mr. Belvedere, the Owens family provides colorful material for a book he\u2019s writing while he gives them much-needed guidance. While a hilarious show, some of <\/span>Mr. Belvedere\u2019s<\/span><\/em> best moments dealt with heavy issues, particularly stories involving an inappropriate camp counselor and a child infected with AIDS through a blood transfusion, both very impactful.<\/span><\/p>\n

23. My Two Dads (1987-1990)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"My
Image Credit: Michael Jacobs Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Different family dynamics were a mainstay of the 80s, and <\/span>My Two Dads<\/span><\/em> is another classic example. After her mother\u2019s death, teenager Nicole is put into the care of her mother\u2019s two ex-boyfriends, one of whom is her biological father. <\/span><\/p>\n

The humor comes from their oppositional personalities, viewpoints, and parenting. While the premise is far-fetched, it\u2019s well-meaning and charming thanks to its cast. <\/span><\/p>\n

24. Benson (1979-1986)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Benson
Image Credit: Witt\/Thomas\/Harris Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A spin-off of the sitcom <\/span>Soap<\/span><\/em>, <\/span>Benson<\/span><\/em> follows the keenly intelligent butler Benson Du Bois, whose sharp mind and personality allow him to solve the problems of everyone around him. And he rises in the ranks from the governor\u2019s head of the household to the lieutenant governor himself. Benson always spoke his mind and inspired those who wanted more out of life.<\/span><\/p>\n

25. ALF (1986-1990)<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"ALF
Image Credit: Alien Productions.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

ALF<\/span><\/em> was as wacky a show as there ever was. It follows an alien who helms from the planet Melmac, has a wicked sense of humor, and enjoys eating cats. He is taken in by a kind-hearted family who grows to love this eccentric character. <\/span><\/p>\n

The puppetry and voice work made this show what it was, and it is a fantastic demonstration of how varied 1980s television indeed was. <\/span>ALF<\/span><\/em> was the 80s version of <\/span>My Favorite Martian, <\/span><\/em>with a dose of familial heart.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n
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Many view the 1980s as one of the best eras in television. Sitcoms in this decade were able to balance the classics from the 50s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-291203","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291203"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291203\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.etrafficlane.com\/60dollarmiracle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}