Classic 80s Television
by grant-tom | created - 27 Jun 2011 | updated - 27 Jun 2011 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. 21 Jump Street (1987–1991)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The cases of an undercover police unit composed of young-looking officers specializing in youth crime.
Stars: Johnny Depp, Dustin Nguyen, Peter DeLuise, Holly Robinson Peete
Votes: 14,079
2. 227 (1985–1990)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
This series took place in an apartment building numbered 227. The cast would frequently be sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs, involved in some discussion that would unfold into the weekly plotline.
Stars: Helen Martin, Marla Gibbs, Hal Williams, Alaina Reed-Hall
Votes: 3,987
3. ALF (1986–1990)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
When an ugly creature, who loves eating cats, crash-lands into the Tanner family's garage, they treat him as a guest and allow him to live with them as he comments on the stupidity of mankind.
Stars: Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros, Paul Fusco, Max Wright, Anne Schedeen
Votes: 39,117
4. Amen (1986–1991)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Rev. Rueben Gregory, finds dealing with the headstrong, opinionated, and unethical Deacon Ernest Frye--who works as a lawyer when not tending to church business--won't make his job easy.
Stars: Sherman Hemsley, Clifton Davis, Anna Maria Horsford, Roz Ryan
Votes: 2,332
5. Benson (1979–1986)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Jessica Tate's sharp-tongued former butler, Benson DuBois, moves up in the world, becoming first the governor's "director of household affairs," then the state's budget director, then lieutenant governor and candidate for the executive mansion.
Stars: Robert Guillaume, James Noble, Inga Swenson, Missy Gold
Votes: 4,150
6. Bosom Buddies (1980–1982)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Two young single ad men must disguise themselves as women to live in the one apartment they can afford.
Stars: Tom Hanks, Peter Scolari, Donna Dixon, Holland Taylor
Votes: 4,626
7. Charles in Charge (1984–1990)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Charles, a college student, is a live-in housekeeper in the Powell household. Charles, along with his friend Buddy, attempts to juggle his studies, friendships, and duties to the family.
Stars: Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Nicole Eggert, Josie Davis
Votes: 6,639
8. Cheers (1982–1993)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama
The regulars of the Boston bar "Cheers" share their experiences and lives with each other while drinking or working at the bar where everybody knows your name.
Stars: Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt
Votes: 62,013
9. Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.
Stars: Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain, Dana Plato
Votes: 12,405
10. Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
A teenage genius deals with the usual problems of growing up, on top of being a licensed physician in a difficult residency program.
Stars: Neil Patrick Harris, Max Casella, Belinda Montgomery, Lawrence Pressman
Votes: 9,746
11. Eight Is Enough (1977–1981)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
This comedy drama focused on a family with eight very independent children.
Stars: Dick Van Patten, Lani O'Grady, Connie Needham, Susan Richardson
Votes: 3,808
12. Family Ties (1982–1989)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Chronicles liberal ex-hippies Steven and Elyse Keaton, their conservative son Alex, daughters Mallory and Jennifer, and later, youngest child Andrew.
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter, Justine Bateman
Votes: 20,318
13. Gimme a Break! (1981–1987)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
Nell agrees to look after the Kanisky's home, as a special favor to her dying friend, and takes on the role of housekeeper to widowed police chief Carl and a parental figure to his three teenage daughters, and eventually a foster son.
Stars: Nell Carter, Lara Jill Miller, Kari Michaelsen, Lauri Hendler
Votes: 3,681
14. Growing Pains (1985–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.
Stars: Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller
Votes: 16,335
15. Head of the Class (1986–1991)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
A laidback teacher provides needed guidance about life for a special class of exceptional students.
Stars: William G. Schilling, Jeannetta Arnette, Dan Frischman, Robin Givens
Votes: 3,424
16. Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Fantasy
A probationary angel, sent back to Earth, teams with an ex-cop to help people.
Stars: Michael Landon, Victor French, James Troesh, Margie Impert
Votes: 6,517
17. Kate & Allie (1984–1989)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Two divorced mothers and their children share an apartment.
Stars: Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, Frederick Koehler, Allison Smith
Votes: 2,355
18. Knight Rider (1982–1986)
TV-PG | 46 min | Action, Crime, Drama
A lone crimefighter battles the forces of evil with the help of a virtually indestructible and artificially intelligent supercar.
Stars: David Hasselhoff, Edward Mulhare, Richard Basehart, Patricia McPherson
Votes: 37,570
19. MacGyver (1985–1992)
TV-PG | 48 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The adventures of a secret Agent armed with almost infinite scientific resourcefulness.
Stars: Richard Dean Anderson, Dana Elcar, Bruce McGill, Robin Mossley
Votes: 42,003
20. Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
TV-PG | 48 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The adventures of a Hawaii-based private investigator.
Stars: Tom Selleck, John Hillerman, Roger E. Mosley, Larry Manetti
Votes: 28,923
21. Mama's Family (1983–1990)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Mama's Family originated with Thelma "Mama" Harper, and her younger sister Fran living together in Mama's house.
Stars: Vicki Lawrence, Beverly Archer, Ken Berry, Dorothy Lyman
Votes: 6,721
22. Miami Vice (1984–1989)
TV-14 | 48 min | Action, Crime, Drama
-Resplendent with authentic 1980s music, fashion, and vibe, "Miami Vice" follows two undercover detectives and their extended team through the mean streets of Miami, Florida.
Stars: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, Saundra Santiago, Olivia Brown
Votes: 30,174
23. Mork & Mindy (1978–1982)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
A wacky alien comes to Earth to study its residents and the life of the human woman he boards with is never the same.
Stars: Robin Williams, Pam Dawber, Ralph James, Conrad Janis
Votes: 12,665
24. Mr. Belvedere (1985–1990)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The humourous adventures of an English housekeeper working for an American family.
Stars: Christopher Hewett, Bob Uecker, Ilene Graff, Rob Stone
Votes: 4,965
25. My Two Dads (1987–1990)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
When Marcy Bradford dies, she leaves her teenage daughter Nicole in the custody of two ex-boyfriends: straight-laced, formal Michael and wild artist Joey.
Stars: Paul Reiser, Greg Evigan, Staci Keanan, Florence Stanley
Votes: 4,217
26. Night Court (1984–1992)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
An eccentric fun-loving judge presides over an urban night court and all the silliness going on there.
Stars: Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, Charles Robinson
Votes: 17,854
27. Perfect Strangers (1986–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A high-strung and cynical man's life is never the same when his naive but good-natured cousin comes to America to live with him.
Stars: Bronson Pinchot, Mark Linn-Baker, Melanie Wilson, Rebeca Arthur
Votes: 11,010
28. Punky Brewster (1984–1988)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Young Punky Brewster is abandoned with her dog, Brandon, in a supermarket. When she befriends Henry Warnimont, her new family life begins.
Stars: Soleil Moon Frye, George Gaynes, Cherie Johnson, Sandy
Votes: 6,106
29. Quantum Leap (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During an experiment into time travel, a scientist finds himself trapped in the past, "leaping" into the lives of different people, sorting out their problems and changing history in hopes of getting back to his own life in the present.
Stars: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt, Dennis Wolfberg
Votes: 36,459
30. Silver Spoons (1982–1987)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Ricky Stratton is a spoiled rich kid who lives the life that many kids dream of, but he still suffers from the problems that many teens do.
Stars: Ricky Schroder, Erin Gray, Joel Higgins, Franklyn Seales
Votes: 4,976
31. Simon & Simon (1981–1989)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
Two brothers of disparate tastes and manners run a private detective agency.
Stars: Jameson Parker, Gerald McRaney, Mary Carver, Tim Reid
Votes: 6,105
32. Small Wonder (1985–1989)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
The zany adventures of a suburban family, their next-door neighbors, and an innovative robot designed to look like a human child.
Stars: Richard Christie, Marla Pennington, Jerry Supiran, Tiffany Brissette
Votes: 5,329
33. The A-Team (1983–1987)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
Four Vietnam vets, framed for a crime they didn't commit, help the innocent while on the run from the military.
Stars: George Peppard, Mr. T, Dwight Schultz, Dirk Benedict
Votes: 41,785
34. The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
The goings-on in the life of a successful African-American family.
Stars: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe
Votes: 36,349
35. The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Comedy
The adventures of the fast-drivin', rubber-burnin' Duke boys of Hazzard County.
Stars: Tom Wopat, John Schneider, Catherine Bach, Denver Pyle
Votes: 15,679
36. The Facts of Life (1979–1988)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Mrs. Edna Garrett, housemother and dietitian at the Eastland School, teaches a group of girls in her charge how to solve those problems that every teenager has to face.
Stars: Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, Nancy McKeon
Votes: 8,526
37. The Fall Guy (1981–1986)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of a film stuntman who moonlights as a bounty hunter when movie work is slow.
Stars: Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, Heather Thomas, Markie Post
Votes: 8,965
38. The Golden Girls (1985–1992)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Four previously married women live together in Miami, sharing their various experiences together and enjoying themselves despite hard times.
Stars: Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty
Votes: 47,178
39. The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983)
TV-14 | 60 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
A teacher is asked to be a superhero using a special alien suit with powers he can barely understand or control.
Stars: William Katt, Connie Sellecca, Robert Culp, Michael Paré
Votes: 6,614
40. The Incredible Hulk (1978–1982)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
A fugitive scientist has the curse of becoming a powerful green monster under extreme emotional stress.
Stars: Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, Jack Colvin, Charles Napier
Votes: 16,099
41. The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Crime, Drama
After a severely injured test pilot is rebuilt with nuclear-powered bionic limbs and implants, he serves as an intelligence agent.
Stars: Lee Majors, Richard Anderson, Martin E. Brooks, Lindsay Wagner
Votes: 12,939
42. The Wonder Years (1988–1993)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Kevin Arnold recalls growing up during the late 60s and early 70s; the turbulent social times make the transition from child to adult unusually interesting.
Stars: Fred Savage, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, Jason Hervey
Votes: 40,758
43. Valerie (1986–1991)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Originally is was the saga of a working mom raising her three sons alone while her pilot husband was away, but after star Valerie Harper left, Sandy Duncan stepped in as the boys' aunt.
Stars: Jason Bateman, Jeremy Licht, Dan Ponce, Josh Taylor
Votes: 1,977
44. Webster (1983–1989)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The post-retirement season is suddenly disrupted for football player George Papadapolis and his wife Katherine when Webster, the orphaned son of a former teammate, moves in. Laughter, and life lessons, in every episode.
Stars: Emmanuel Lewis, Alex Karras, Susan Clark, Henry Polic II
Votes: 3,282
45. Who's the Boss? (1984–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Romance
Tony Micelli, a retired baseball player, becomes the housekeeper of Angela Bower, an advertising executive in New York. Together they raise their kids, Samantha Micelli and Jonathan Bower, with help from Mona Robinson, Angela's man-crazy mother.
Stars: Tony Danza, Judith Light, Alyssa Milano, Danny Pintauro
Votes: 15,560
46. WKRP in Cincinnati (1978–1982)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of the staff of a struggling Top 40 rock radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Stars: Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman
Votes: 11,235
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