The Best TV Shows of the 80s
by JohnnyMarsan | created - 16 Apr 2015 | updated - 2 months ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Saturday Night Live (1975– )
TV-14 | 90 min | Comedy, Music
A famous guest host stars in parodies and sketches created by the cast of this witty show.
Stars: The Saturday Night Live Band, Don Pardo, Darrell Hammond, Kenan Thompson
Votes: 52,763
2. Three's Company (1976–1984)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of two women and one man living in one apartment and their neighbors.
Stars: John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers, Richard Kline
Votes: 17,125
3. 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: 12,414
4. The Muppet Show (1976–1981)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Musical
Kermit the Frog and his fellow Muppets put on a vaudeville show at their theatre, bringing in a famous celebrity to help out for each episode.
Stars: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Dave Goelz
Votes: 26,243
5. Taxi (1978–1983)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The staff of a New York City taxicab company go about their job while they dream of greater things.
Stars: Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner
Votes: 15,848
6. 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: 15,574
7. G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero - The M.A.S.S. Device (1983)
300 min | Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
The GI Joe Special Missions force must battle to build a counterweapon to Cobra's teleportation device.
Stars: Michael Bell, Arthur Burghardt, Jackson Beck, Christopher Collins
Votes: 2,123
8. 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: 15,713
9. 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: 62,100
10. 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: 37,617
11. 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: 8,545
12. 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: 12,682
13. The Benny Hill Show (1969–1989)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
A skit based show with Benny Hill, often containing smutty humour.
Stars: Benny Hill, Henry McGee, Jackie Wright, Bob Todd
Votes: 5,520
14. 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: 20,330
15. 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: 4,634
16. 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: 6,730
17. 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: 9,057
18. 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: 16,352
19. Dallas (1978–1991)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
J.R. Ewing, a Texas oil baron, uses manipulation and blackmail to achieve his ambitions, both business and personal. He often comes into conflict with his brother Bobby, his arch-enemy Cliff Barnes and his long-suffering wife Sue Ellen.
Stars: Larry Hagman, Ken Kercheval, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
Votes: 16,597
20. 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: 16,129
21. 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: 11,021
22. The Love Boat (1977–1987)
TV-G | 60 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
The romantic and comic tales of the passengers and crew of the cruise ship, Pacific Princess.
Stars: Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Fred Grandy
Votes: 13,639
23. V: The Final Battle (1984)
TV-14 | 91 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A small group of human resistance fighters fight a desperate guerilla war against the genocidal extra-terrestrials who dominate Earth.
Stars: Jane Badler, Michael Durrell, Robert Englund, Faye Grant
Votes: 9,316
24. Dynasty (1981–1989)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Romance
The trials and tribulations of two feuding families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, both oil rich families in Denver, Colorado.
Stars: John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Gordon Thomson
Votes: 8,474
25. Fraggle Rock (1983–1987)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The adventures of the various inhabitants of an underground civilization.
Stars: Karen Prell, Gerard Parkes, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson
Votes: 8,331
26. V (1984–1985)
TV-PG | 1,088 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A year after Liberation Day, courtesy of the red-dust bacteria, the humanoid, lizard-like aliens develop a resistance to the micro-organism and try to regain control of the Earth--only now, some humans are knowingly working with them.
Stars: Marc Singer, Faye Grant, Michael Ironside, Jane Badler
Votes: 14,057
27. 1st & Ten (1984–1991)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy, Sport
The comical exploits of the "California Bulls" (a fictional professional football team) and the organization's players.
Stars: Cliff Frazier, Prince Hughes, Donald Gibb, O.J. Simpson
Votes: 575
28. V (1983)
Unrated | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A seemingly peaceful alien race, arrives at earth and asks for help to ensure their own planets survival. However, the visitors agenda turns out be much darker.
Stars: Jane Badler, Michael Durrell, Faye Grant, Peter Nelson
Votes: 17,166
29. 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: 3,284
30. 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: 3,813
31. 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: 6,644
32. 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: 4,980
33. 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: 4,969
34. 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: 39,154
35. 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: 41,832
36. 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: 30,229
37. Too Close for Comfort (1980–1987)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
In liberal San Francisco a conservative cartoonist tries to keep his two daughters, who rent an apartment below him, safe. In season 6 the cartoonist buys a small-town newspaper in Tiburon.
Stars: Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault, Jim J. Bullock, Deborah Van Valkenburgh
Votes: 2,705
38. It's a Living (1980–1989)
TV-14 | 30 min | Comedy
This series featured a group of waitresses (and a pianist, Sonny) who work at a fancy restaurant at the top of a skyscraper.
Stars: Gail Edwards, Barrie Youngfellow, Paul Kreppel, Marian Mercer
Votes: 1,268
39. We Got It Made (1983–1988)
30 min | Comedy
Mickey Mackenzie is a young lady who works as a maid for David Tucker and Jay Bostwick, two bachelors who live together in a Manhattan apartment.
Stars: Teri Copley, Tom Villard, Ron Karabatsos, Lance Wilson-White
Votes: 160
40. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979–1981)
TV-14 | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
A 20th-century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time to become Earth's greatest hero.
Stars: Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Felix Silla, Mel Blanc
Votes: 10,401
41. CHiPs (1977–1983)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The adventures of two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers.
Stars: Erik Estrada, Larry Wilcox, Robert Pine, Paul Linke
Votes: 11,517
42. Square Pegs (1982–1983)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy
Patty Greene and Lauren Hutchinson, two awkward teenage girls, are desperate to fit in at Weemawee High School.
Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Linker, Merritt Butrick, John Femia
Votes: 1,494
43. Fame (1982–1987)
TV-14 | 60 min | Drama, Music, Musical
The stories of the students and faculty of the New York City High School for the Performing Arts.
Stars: Carlo Imperato, Gene Anthony Ray, Debbie Allen, Albert Hague
Votes: 4,454
44. Fantasy Island (1977–1984)
TV-G | 60 min | Adventure, Family, Fantasy
The mysterious Mr. Roarke runs a unique resort island in the Pacific Ocean that can fulfill any fantasy, but they rarely turn out as expected.
Stars: Ricardo Montalban, Hervé Villechaize, Wendy Schaal, Christopher Hewett
Votes: 8,980
45. 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: 6,108
46. 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: 28,961
47. Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century American Midwest.
Stars: Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
Votes: 26,916
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