We all know that the ’80s were the decade of some of the best movies and TV shows ever produced. These popular masterpieces are being played even today, and fans claim they never get old.
They dealt with issues most of us still feel today, and they add a touch of romance and comedy to go with it. You probably remember sitting in front of the TV every Saturday night, waiting for the next episode to air.
In an attempt to evoke your nostalgia, here are some of the most popular ’80s TV shows that marked the decade.
1. The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show premiered in 1984, and it immediately became a favorite show in many households. It definitely redefined what a family sitcom could be, and the characters were as charming as ever.
The Huxtables were smart, stylish, and full of love, and their stories and adventures made them relatable to many different types of audiences. Americans fell in love.
The show presented serious issues through humor and lots of love, and it was the #1 show for years.
It remains one of the most watched TV shows of the decade, and even if you were not a fan, you still knew all about the characters and the plot.
2. Cheers
Cheers was set in a cozy Boston bar, “where everybody knows your name”. This show surely felt like your second home, and the audience could not get enough of it.
The characters were disastrous but still lovable. Everybody remembers the womanizer Sam, the neurotic Diane, and the barfly Norm.
This show made you feel all kinds of feelings, and its witty and sharp atmosphere made you addicted.
Also, the theme song still hits! It became one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, and its fans surely know why – every episode was delivered with love.
3. The A-Team
Mr. T saying “I pity the fool” became an iconic phrase that made this show stand out. Not only that, it had action, explosions, and likable characters, so it was a recipe for success. Kids couldn’t wait for the next episode to see the next adventures.
The A-Team was every kid’s dream show, and you simply had to be there to experience the euphoria. It was always victorious in the end, and that’s what made you love it even more.
Each episode featured an over-the-top plan that made us addicted, wanting more.
4. Miami Vice
The show that became so iconic that it became a whole aesthetic? Yup, that is Miami Vice.
Pastel everything, from suits to sofas, it marked one of the most iconic eras of the ’80s. Ferraris, boat chases, and a synth soundtrack made it addictive and one of the ’80s most iconic shows.
The action felt well-scripted, characters were likable, and the whole vibe was simply addictive.
It was glamorous and exciting, and audiences were in love with everything about it. And I think that we are all aware that the infatuation with this show never stopped.
New TikTok trends address this aesthetic as something admirable and glam, something that we should totally bring back.
5. Family Ties
The shows that capture the differences between generations are perfect for bigger families and broader audiences. Family Ties was one of those shows that felt like real life, but with humor involved.
It featured ex-hippie parents and their ambitious, suit-wearing son, and it perfectly showed the generational gap between them. Michael J. Fox was truly incredible as Alex P. Keaton.
He stole every scene with his dry wit and obsession with Reagan-era politics. The dynamic between the parents and their son felt so real and authentic that you almost felt like you knew the family.
It was funny and realistic, and audiences still remember it with a smile on their face.
6. Knight Rider
If you were a kid who loved cars, then this show was probably your favorite. The talking car made everyone stop to watch at least one episode, and Michael Knight, the leather-jacketed hero, made them stay.
The hero used this AI on wheels, who was full of wit and sarcasm, to help him fight bad guys. The action felt perfectly scripted, and the main characters were more than likable.
This show was also about the friendship between the man and the machine; something we can definitely relate to today. It would be a nice watch for kids today who already own AI friends, toys, and pets.
It makes you wonder, can we truly connect with AI?
7. Magnum, P.I.
Tom Selleck in a Hawaiian shirt was solving crimes in paradise, and we could not get enough of it.
This show was so addictive because it was equal parts action, humor, and escapism, and we could not get enough of it.
Coastal themes, beachside sunsets, as well as a lot of mystery and chase glued us to our screens until the very end of each episode. Plus, do not tell me you didn’t want to live in a guest house with a Ferrari!
8. Growing Pains
One of those shows that surely made you feel at home was Growing Pains. It followed the Seaver family, which consisted of a journalist mother, a psychologist father (who worked from home), and their three (later four) children as they all tried to make sense of life.
This show definitely felt real and unforced, and it blended humorous sibling banter with touching family moments. Most of us saw pieces of our own family reflected back at us, whether it was Mike getting into trouble, Carol being the overachiever, or Ben simply being the curious little brother who was always asking interesting questions.
Jason Seaver, played by Alan Thicke, had strong, steady fatherly energy, and the house always felt cozy and real. It certainly raised important topics for children, such as growing up and peer pressure, and although it was not full of drama and action, it remained popular and loved by many.
9. Full House
Who does not remember the lovely Full House cast? A little chaotic, but very sweet, Full House was just what you needed after a long day.
It debuted in 1987, and the show followed the everyday life of Danny Tanner, a widower father raising three girls with the support of Uncle Jesse, a cool rocker best friend. And let’s not forget his silly brother-in-law Joey.
If you think about it, three grown men raising children in a San Francisco townhouse shouldn’t have worked, but it surprisingly did, and viewers were obsessed with it. Hugs, life lessons, and the perfect amount of silliness to keep things light were all part of the event.
Every episode felt comforting somehow, whether it was Michelle delivering a little one-liner (“You got it, dude!”), Stephanie yelling, “How rude!” or DJ dealing with adolescent drama.
