The Best TV Shows of the 80s
It may have been the Me Decade, but in TV land, the sisters were doin' it for themselves and finally getting respect as cops, war nurses and working moms; iconic shows like 'Hill Street Blues,' 'St. Elsewhere' and 'L.A. Law' would forever change (for the better) cop, medical and legal dramas; and no idea was too high concept to fill a primetime spot (time-travelling physicist? check; housewife-turned-CIA op? check; New York City beauty in love with a subterranean monster? check).
The bottom line: They all add up to 10 years of fine channel surfing -- and our awesome list of the 40 best series of the 1980s. -- By Kimberly Potts
20th Century Fox / Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Fotos International, Getty Images / Retna
40. 'MacGyver'
(1985-92)
The resourcefulness of Richard Dean Anderson's secret agent is so iconic that 'MacGyver' has become a verb; the show sparked an ongoing series of 'MacGruber' spoofs on 'Saturday Night Live' (Anderson recently cameo-ed). MacGyver is also the heartthrob of choice for Marge's sibs on 'The Simpsons,' and the show is spawning a big-screen version ... just goes to show you how far a man and his Swiss Army knife can go.
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39. 'Bosom Buddies'
(1980-82)
Before he won two Oscars, Tom Hanks played two characters in this high-concept, often improvised sitcom. Hanks donned drag to turn his Kip into Buffy, who, with pal Henry/Hildegarde (Peter Scolari), landed a cheap room in an all-female NYC hotel. For a season, the fellas kept their scam on the down low from their comely neighbor Sonny (Donna Dixon), aided by their sassy ad agency co-worker Amy (Wendie Jo Sperber).
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38. '21 Jump Street'
(1987-91)
One of the first hits for the Fox network, 'Jump' wooed a young audience with the adventures of young Los Angeles police officers who went undercover at high schools to help bust young perps. Tackling topics like alcoholism, drug abuse and AIDS, the drama often ended episodes with its stars making a related public service announcement. Oh yeah, and 'Jump Street' gave us Johnny Depp ... 'nuff said.
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37. 'Matlock'
(1986-95)
It was your grandfather's legal drama, but even younger demos could embrace crabby Southern attorney Ben Matlock (surprisingly Emmy-less TV legend Andy Griffith), the cheap, hot dog-lovin' legal eagle who won acquittal for nearly every client. On two homes -- NBC and later ABC -- Matlock famously saved his own clients by ferreting out the real culprits, usually in dramatic courtroom showdowns.
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36. '227'
(1985-1990)
'The Jeffersons' resident scene stealer as wisecrackin' maid Florence, Marla Gibbs took her sassy character and toned it down ever-so-slightly as apartment-dwelling Washington, D.C., housewife Mary Jenkins, who liked to hang on the stoop and dish with pals Rose and Pearl. The most frequent subject of their gossip: sashaying mantrap Sandra, played by '227''s own resident scene stealer, Jackee.
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35. 'Scarecrow and Mrs. King'
(1983-87)
The chemistry between stars Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner made this unlikely drama work -- she was divorced mom Amanda King, who accidentally became a secret agent during a mission that he, spy guy Lee 'Scarecrow' Stetson, led. They bantered, and her worldviews often clashed with his government ops, but they fell in love along the way and eventually married during their four-season run.
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34. 'Square Pegs'
(1982-83)
Before she was queen of NYC nightlife, Sarah Jessica Parker was queen of the teen geeks as Patty, who, with BFF Lauren (Amy Linker), desperately and hilariously tried to "click with the right clique" at Weemawee High. She also had to deal with uber-preppy Muffy (Jami Gertz) but thankfully had a killer soundtrack for her teen meltdowns, including a Devo guest appearance and the Waitresses' catchy theme song.
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33. 'Trapper John, M.D.'
(1979-86)
It was 'M*A*S*H*''s Trapper John McIntyre (Pernell Roberts) all grown up and working as the lovable chief of surgery at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. Among his cohorts: "Jackpot" Jackson (Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell), sassy Nurse Shoop (Madge Sinclair) and Dr. Gonzo Gates (Gregory Harrison), the heartthrob mentee who was reminiscent of young Trapper and who lived in a trailer in the hospital parking lot.
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32. 'Kate & Allie'
(1984-89)
Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin put an '80s spin on the 'Brady Bunch'-ish blended family -- their titular characters shared an NYC apartment, with their precocious children, after their divorces. The show was one of the first to not only portray divorcees as strong, independent women, but also as women not so embittered that they'd forgo the idea or remarrying, as Allie did before series' end.
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Reader Comments (98)
John F.C. Taylor at 5:28PM on Apr 13th 2009
Another list made less accessible by the requirement of a flash player download. While I'm curious about what shows are on the list, it's not important enough for me to do the download. Especially when I've usually disagreed with the lists that didn't need the flash player download.
Pete C at 1:06PM on Apr 17th 2009
I would like to know who votes for your(best) lists.I usually disagree. I would like to be able to vote some time
Mel at 3:14PM on Apr 14th 2009
Most of this list sucks. Where is "Too Close For Comfort" and "Three's Company." Two very funny shows that should be here.
Keith at 1:40AM on Aug 27th 2009
I think some people have their decades a little confused. Dukes of Hazzard, Happy Days, Three's Company... weren't those all in the 70's?
Jackie Andrews at 6:19PM on Apr 14th 2009
I think you've missed the mark on prior "all-time" lists, but this one was right on. That's probably because the 80s were the best decade for entertainment (TV, music), and there were so many good choices. It was good to see Matlock and In the Heat of the Night. I remember watching these two shows, along with Midnight Caller, on Tuesday nights on WNBC. No argument about #1---"Cheers" was the #1 show of the 80s and one of the greatest of all time.
Plants4Kids at 6:29AM on Apr 15th 2009
You missed Mr. Wizards World with Don Hebert. He was on before Bill Nye the Science Guy. He showed me the TickleMe Plant. This is a plant Mr. Wizard would tickle and it would close its leaves and lower its branches. Now I grow them with my students to get them excited about science, plants gardening and nature. You can get your supplies and see a video at http://www.ticklemeplant.com Thank Mr. Wizard if you love your TickleMe Plant!
Greg at 8:29PM on Apr 16th 2009
WHAT???? no Knight Rider???? I demand a recount!!! On a strange note, Harry Anderson who played the judge from night court is one of my customers with AT&T and he's a really nice guy!
Doug at 8:29PM on Apr 16th 2009
I always thought Heat of the Night was one of the best shows I've seen on TV and didn't get the recognition it deserved. It's good to see it on the list.
Scot Davidson at 8:40PM on Apr 16th 2009
Several are way off the mark. No Happy Days??? Dukes of hazzard?? Square pegs on for 2 years?? Guess one bored peson thought he would make his own list. All I can say
savagemosue at 8:41PM on Apr 16th 2009
No A-TEAM?? This is madness!!