Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980s


10. Diff'rent Strokes (NBC)

Okay, so what if the cast ended up heading in different directions? Gary Coleman still rules and seeing him happy (not to mention his openness about his virginity) brings a smile to our face. This show tackled certain social taboos at a time when American society still had a lot of issues to deal with. What am I talking about? In many ways, it set up the stage for Bill Cosby's show.

9. Perfect Strangers (ABC)

This was perhaps one of my father's favorites. As cheesy as many episodes were, the show perfectly symbolized America's largeness, and the loss of innocence that many foreigners encountered as they melted into America's big pot. This show also made me fall in love with Chicago's Skyline. Funny how I never did master the "Dance of Joy" to this day.

8. Growing Pains (ABC)

Alan Thicke made me want to be a shrink. So what if I also wanted to be a rock star, an athlete, and Michael Jackson (don't ask). The shrink thing wore off, but the show made boys laugh and girls blush. As funny as the parents were, it was the children that stole the limelight in most episodes. A bit of trivia for you: which titanic superstar currently involved with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen appeared on this show? Want the answer?

7. Family Ties (NBC)

You have to give credit to Michael J. Fox for his enormous success at such a young age. While the Back to the Future movies were mind-blowingly successful, Family Ties showcased Fox at his best. Perhaps because of his great surrounding cast. To this day, the show about post-hippy parenthood makes me smile. Fox moved on to better things and had a very successful stint on Spin City , leaving recently to conquer life's greater challenges. He will be back, however, and better than ever I might add.

6. Alf (NBC)

Have you ever microwaved a cat? I have. Not as myself of course, but during my stint playing the diminutive alien that dug cats. A memorable episode was during the family's Halloween party, when Alf was allowed to mingle with the guests so long as he wore a fake zipper around his neck. Pretty much like what my parents made me do when I was growing up.

5. The Wonder Years (ABC)

Perhaps the most intriguing show of the decade. The story of a young boy growing into adolescence taught children and adults alike about life's growing pains and one of American history's greatest eras. The Wonder Years was my AskMen growing up; always there to help me choose a path. The show was hilarious at times but the lack of a live audience raised it to a drama-like series that had both humorous and riveting moments.

4. The Cosby Show (NBC)

Thanks to his extraordinary showmanship, deep understanding of human behavior, and great sense of humor, Bill Cosby will forever have a lasting influence on American culture and international values. Few African-Americans (including politicians) can claim to have had a greater impact on improving social perception and decreasing prejudice as he portrayed a protective father, loving husband, caring doctor, as well as a hell of a comedian. The entire cast deserved credit as the show rose to the peak of "Funny-Land," even spawning an interesting spin-off called A Different World with Lisa Bonet. Bill Cosby taught me, at a very early stage in my life, the 'evaporating effect' that women have on our wallets...

3. Night Court (NBC)

Court is in session. Judge Harry and Dan 'the Libido Man' Fielding were just too good to pass up. Members of the cast came and went, but the core group made this show so interesting that it actually made many young men and women choose to practice law. Too bad reality is far beyond fiction. If only you knew about the numerous times that I have slapped my forehead and shouted "Other Pocket" when I search for things...

2. Three's Company (ABC)

Not the longest running sitcom by any stretch of the imagination, but by far one of the most pure-comedy shows of the decade (technically, this one could end up on a Top 1970s list). In any case, whether you prefer Chrissy or Janet, Mr. Roper, Larry, or Mr. Furley, this show managed to make everyone in the room laugh until they were in tears and on the floor. Perhaps John Ritter was so good at his role that he could never be cast as another character.

1. Cheers (NBC)

Far and away, the greatest '80s sitcom's main asset was its cast. Sam Malone (and all of his female exploits) may have been the main star, but his surrounding cast repeatedly outdid his own incredible performances. To this day, I ask myself whether it was Diane or Rebecca that served as the better nemesis for "Mayday"... actually, I wonder what Sam himself would think?



http://www.askmen.com/toys/top_10/4_top_10_list.html

I live in a cave.

Full House

I really enjoy Harry Anderson's wit and humor.

we didn't get to watch as lot of TV in the 80's.... but I picked the Cosby Show..

+1

For me it was a toss up between Family Ties and The Wonder Years, but I had to go with Family Ties. I just loved the Keatons.

I used to watch all of these shows as a kid with my great-grandpa. I'm pretty sure that's when I first developed my TV addiction. The first thing he'd do with the morning paper is find the TV listings and circle the shows that he was going to watch for the day. I remember he used to get in trouble with my mom for letting me watch Three's Company. I totally didn't understand that show!

I voted for 'The Cosby Show" but I also enjoy "Growing Pains", "Perfect Strangers", "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Night Court".

Never liked "Alf".

Three's Company

But I would've voted for Mork and Mindy, had it been on the list.

I loved Family Ties when I was a teen in the 80s and I think that Michael J Fox was a brilliant actor with excellent comic timing. However, as I got older Cheers was by far the best. Comedy classic, all of it.

Plus it had Frasier as a spin off and Frasier is just about THE best American sitcom ever.

Wow! I think I found my long lost twin!!!

3 company....cheers...wonder years

I agree completely with that statement, Mags! I love that show to this day.

Has to be Night Court just because it's the only show that I still find funny today. All the others I really couldn't watch any more, they'd just bore me. Night Court had the funniest and most surreal situations crop up, many of them unrelated to the justice system, and it never took itself too seriously. Best 80s Sitcom in my opinion.

Night Court is probably my *least* favorite of all those listed. Though I don't think I've seen it since I was a kid, so I probably wasn't understanding the humor.

I've never seen it in syndication. Anyone ever catch it anymore?

Missing from the list are Gimme A Break, The Facts of Life and Kate and Allie

And my favorite 80s sitcom of all time is Square Pegs - box set released next month!

Wonder Years, though not sure if it's a sit-com. Special affection for Charles in Charge since we watched that at the after-school program. (Very educational.) Most of these I only saw later as I wasn't allowed much TV as a kid, and I was born in the 80s.

Nell and Blair & Jo & Tootie & Mrs. G

same here...

we only had a few shows we could watch... sometimes we could watch Brady Bunch after school ... my mom would let me stay up later on Thursdays to watch Knight Rider and on Saturdays we could watch Air Wolf ... we could watch the A-Team too... and then on Sundays we could watch "The Wonderful World of Disney" and if my dad wasn't home we could watch this show called Fraggle Rock that was on after Disney...

I wasn't allowed to watch Full House because my mother deemed it too stupid. I've since caught up on most episodes though, thank goodness.

My mother did the same thing with the Monkees - it only made me want to watch it more, she finally broke down and allowed it

I also voted for Night Court. John Laroquette is hilarious. It is one of the few 80's shows I'd watch in reruns.

I was born in the 80s too, but I watched most of these shows (I was raised in a non-restrictive tv-watching household). I have to say that I have no idea what Night Court is though.

Wonder Years is the best one listed there by far. I love films / shows that take place in 60s / 70s american suburbia.

Taxi!

That was 70s, old man!

I guess I had to pick The Wonder Years. And then later went on to LOVE Boy Meets World, which had another Savage brother in it. Love those Savages!

But I also loved The Cosby Show. When I was young Full House was one of my favorites, but that started in the late 80's I think. Now it seems pretty dumb when I watch it but I was in love with that show. (same with Family Matters, Step by Step,etc I used to love TGIF on ABC every Fri night)

Also liked The Facts of Life, Growing Pains and Family Ties a lot. There were more but my mind is blank right now. I didn't like Night Court, seemed really boring to someone my age and I didn't watch Cheers(don't think I was allowed to anyway as a little kid, so I don't get why it was so popular since I never saw it much).

Taxi for the win, young whippersnapper! Whooooooo!

Taxi is an American sitcom that originally aired from 1978 to 1982 on ABC, and from 1982 to 1983 on NBC. The series, which won 18 Emmy Awards including three for Outstanding Comedy Series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxi_(TV_series)

I guess that's as many years in the 80s as the wonder years. I still remember hearing the news that Latka died

Andy Kaufman was amazing and strange. When Latka became his alter ego - the guy was a total opposite of himself and he was so convincing. What a rare talent.

The Facts of Life, The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Growing Pains. I couldn't pick just one.

I watch Kate and Allie and Growing Pains now- they are on certain channels we have. I would love Facts of Life to come back on one of these channels.

It didn't say 70s AND 80s , did it?

My faves.......Family Ties, The Wonder Year and Three's Company!

We finally had cable by the time these shows were on so I was watching the Discovery channel, HBO and Cinemax. Like Steven, I also loved Taxi. I watched Threes Company from it's pilot episode, The Facts of Life was great, and I watched all of Different Strokes. I loved M.A.S.H.

These other shows can along after I found girls, so they were a little childish for me and like I said I was watching Cable all the time. Lots of MTV. Even though I was a Metal Head!

Plus I barely made it out of bed by 3:00 pm. By 8:00pm it was time to party not watch TV.

I loved Harry Anderson,he was such a trip.John Laroquette was such a perv,he was a trip too.

I didn't watch any. I prefered the Friday night soaps, "Dallas" & "Falcon Crest".

Wonder Years, The Cosby Show and Cheers!

Wonder Years..........

For what it's worth...(actual run times)


10. Diff'rent Strokes (NBC) November 3, 1978 to May 4, 1985

9. Perfect Strangers (ABC) 1986 through 1993

8. Growing Pains (ABC) 1985 to 1992

7. Family Ties (NBC) 1982 to 1989

6. Alf (NBC) 1986 to 1990

5. The Wonder Years (ABC) 1988 through 1993

4. The Cosby Show (NBC) September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992

3. Night Court (NBC) January 1984 until May 1992

2. Three's Company (ABC) 1977 to 1984

1. Cheers (NBC) 1982 to 1993

OMG, the Monkees! I remember playing The Monkees when I was a kid. And then they came back in reruns and my daughter would watch them. I actually took her and her friend to their first concert. It was..... ta daaaaa.... The Monkees!!!!! They loved me for it, and still mention it.

Wonder Years

(now I have "with a little help from my friends" stuck in my head)

Saludos,
Caro

I saw the Monkees in concert back it the 80's! What a riot! I loved watching the reruns of that show! My mom even bought me a few on VHS.

Cheers, everyone contributed to making the show so funny

I enjoyed Cosby Show and Different Strokes as well as Cheers and Night Court

ummm, what about Punky Brewster??

Diff'rent Strokes marathon on BET today! I can't believe I only now found it!