The 1980s were known for iconic shows in every genre, from sitcoms to soap operas, mysteries, and more. Some shows from the decade, however, were more influential than others. They made their mark in the television landscape for various reasons, often inspiring series that have come since.
Some of the most influential shows from the ‘80s came back later in the form of sequels or reboots, either with returning cast members or entirely new ones. Many are also still available to stream today. A new generation can experience how great they are, and older generations can relive the best episodes.
10
‘Dallas’ (1978–1991)
Created by David Jacobs
One of the earlier prime time soap operas, Dallas inspired so many others like it. The story centers around a wealthy Texas oil family and the drama among its members. The show was influential in introducing the concept of episodic and season cliffhangers, with the “Who shot J.R.?” mystery being one of the most talked-about moments in television history. The episode that revealed the answer is still counted as the second-highest rated primetime telecast.
Dallas also made waves with the “it was all a dream” storyline that had fans gasping when Patrick Duffy returned to the show as Bobby Ewing after having been killed off the season before. Since then, any show with a dream reveal cites Dallas as the one that started the trend, for better or for worse.
9
‘Full House’ (1987–1995)
Created by Jeff Franklin
Full House was one of the first sitcoms to present an unconventional family dynamic, and certainly one born from tragedy. When Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) loses his wife in a tragic car accident, his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) move in to help him raise his three younger daughters. This naturally leads to plenty of hilarity but also heartwarming moments.
Full House showed that families could be different from the usual nuclear set-up, opening the door for series like Modern Family that depict another type of non-traditional family. With stories about friendship as much as family, every episode delivers a positive message that makes the show great for family viewing.
8
‘Quantum Leap’ (1989–1993)
Created by Donald P. Bellisario
Quantum Leap brought the idea of time travel to the small screen at a time when the concept was more commonly tackled in movies. Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) is a physicist who becomes his own test subject. He leaps into space and time, only to discover that he can place his consciousness into other people’s bodies in each timeline he enters. To get back home, he needs to change things from the past to correct the future, which an unknown agent has already altered.
Way ahead of its time, Quantum Leap explored the idea of artificial intelligence before it became mainstream. Released at the end of the decade, the series also dove into important and timely social topics like racism, sexism, and prejudice.
7
‘The Facts of Life’ (1979–1988)
Created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon
“You take the good, you take the bad, you take them all and there you have the facts of life.” That opening line in the show’s theme song pretty much sums it up. The Facts of Life, a spin-off of Diff’rent Strokes, centers around Mrs. Edna Garrett (Charlotte Rae), a house mother at an all-girls boarding school.
The coming-of-age sitcom depicted teenage girls tackling real-life challenges in ways that were relatable to fans. The Facts of Life didn’t shy away from approaching topics that weren’t typically discussed on television sitcoms at that time. There was, for example, a major storyline near the end of its run about the first of the ladies to lose her virginity that had a parental advisory at the beginning. The Facts of Life was groundbreaking in that way, unafraid to deliver storylines that encouraged conversation.
6
‘Who’s the Boss?’ (1984–1992)
Created by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter
Who’s The Boss? was fighting for women’s rights and equality long before the topic became as huge as it is today. Back in the ‘80s, the idea of women not just working outside of the house but having careers was starting to become more acceptable. Who’s The Boss? dove right in, with Angela Bower (Judith Light) as a single working mother needing help with her son and around the house. Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) is a former professional baseball player desperately looking for a solid job so he can support his daughter. So, he applies for this job, much to Angela’s surprise, who wasn’t expecting someone like him.
It’s an unlikely pairing, but it works, and fans loved seeing the handsome, muscular man in an apron do the house chores, being the one objectified for once instead of the woman. Of course, fans were happy to see the obvious sexual tension and romantic chemistry between the two leads as well. But most important about the show, one of the most rewatchable sitcoms of the ’80s, is that Tony never thought of himself as less than for cleaning house and caring for kids, and Angela never felt like she had to apologize for being successful.
5
‘Family Ties’ (1982–1989)
Created by Gary David Goldberg
Family Ties is a hilarious sitcom about a typical American family. But what makes it stand out is that the series highlights the idea of differing political views within a family. Despite being raised by his very liberal hippie parents, Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter), eldest son Alex (Michael J. Fox) is a die-hard republican who supports Ronald Reagan’s policies and expresses deeply conservative attitudes. His views and how they conflicted with those of his parents, siblings, friends, and even prospective girlfriends were an important part of the show. This is especially so when it comes to his mother, who is a passionate feminist.
The ’80s were a time of major political change and Family Ties used its platform to examine both sides of the coin, with views that both conservatives and liberals could get behind. But the storylines and topics were covered in a light-hearted, humorous way. Nonetheless, Family Ties is like a time capsule into ‘80s politics, totally representative of the hot button issues of the time.
4
‘Murphy Brown’ (1988–1998)
Created by Diane English
Like Who’s the Boss?, Murphy Brown depicted a working woman in the ‘80s. At first, the title character, played by Candice Bergen, chose having a career over having a family, which was considered shocking at that time. Later, when Brown decided to have a child, the show unintentionally became powerful commentary about single mothers in the workplace. In fact. It even attracted the attention of Vice President Dan Quayle, who criticized the character in a speech. Murphy Brown responded in one of the most iconic ‘90s TV episodes, calling him out for it.
The sitcom, which also ranks among the best ‘90s sitcoms, had a massive cultural influence in showcasing a strong, independent, hard-working, successful woman. Eventually, it progressed to show that women didn’t have to choose between family and career.
3
‘The Wonder Years’ (1988–1993)
Created by Neal Marlens and Carol Black
The Wonder Years was like a John Hughes ‘80s movie created for the small screen. It’s a coming-of-age comedy that inspired so many that have come since, both about teen life and with a self-narrated style. Drawing inspiration from A Christmas Story, The Wonder Years is set in the late ‘60s and centers around Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage), a teenager dealing with the regular challenges of school and middle-class life.
Considered to be among the best shows of the decade, The Wonder Years was relatable to both parents and kids since it was released in the ‘80s, yet set in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It was also among the first shows of its kind that tackled teen topics in a mature way, yet was still intended for family viewing.
- Release Date
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1988 – 1992
- Network
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ABC
- Directors
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Peter Baldwin, Daniel Stern, Andy Tennant, David Greenwalt, Matia Karrell, Greg Beeman, Nick Marck, Art Wolff, Arthur Albert, Jeffrey D. Brown, Thomas Schlamme, Bethany Rooney, Bryan Gordon, Richard Masur, Rob Thompson, Neal Israel, Stephen Cragg, Lyndall Hobbs, Peter Werner, Peter Horton, Arlene Sanford, Dan Lauria
- Writers
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Mark B. Perry, David M. Stern, Jon Harmon Feldman, Sy Dukane, Denise Moss, Eric Gilliland, Jeffrey Stepakoff, Kim Friese, Debra Frank, Jane Anderson, Max Pross, Tammy Ader, Tom Gammill, Frank Renzulli, Sivert Glarum
2
‘Murder, She Wrote’ (1984–1996)
Created by Peter S. Fischer, Richard Levinson, and William Link
The murder mystery and police procedural genres are exploding right now, and that’s thanks to early shows of the type like Murder, She Wrote. Angela Lansbury shone as Jessica Fletcher, a mystery writer and amateur detective whose deep knowledge about crime causes her to see things differently and notice details others don’t. This skill, in turn, helps law enforcement solve real-life crimes.
Murder, She Wrote was one of the first shows to explore the idea of an amateur detective, someone who had a knack for solving crimes but wasn’t technically in law enforcement. She was also one of the first female leading ladies in a crime drama, ushering in many more who followed.
1
‘Roseanne’ (1988–1997)
Created by Matt Williams
Premiering towards the end of the decade, Roseanne was the first sitcom to depict a true middle-American lower-to-middle-class white family that was barely getting by, paycheck to paycheck. Rather than show families with wealthy parents and first-world problems, the family at the center of Roseanne lives in a modest home that isn’t always kept in pristine condition, doesn’t always have a stocked pantry, and houses moody teens and imperfect parents.
Roseanne is one of the shows that defined the 1980s. It was raw, authentic, and real, which is precisely why fans were drawn to it. For the first time, many families saw a family dynamic that was closer to their own. Beyond that, Roseanne reveled in talking about social, political, and economic issues, from immigration to health care, discrimination, the job market, and more.
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