For those who grew up in the 1980s, this decade was the golden era of television. While it is best known as the era of big hair, bright colors, the Rubik's Cube, and dance and rock music, it was also the decade when significant developments in the television industry were made.
The rise of cable television introduced audiences to more channels like CNN, HBO, and MTV, a far cry from the three channels that were available on network television at the time. 24-hour news channels were introduced, and police, crime, and detective dramas like Miami Vice, 21 Jump Street, and Remington Steele became increasingly popular. One-hour sitcoms and dramas dominated television, and the primetime soap operas that were introduced during this time changed people’s viewing habits. The infomercial industry also came to prominence in the United States after rules on the amount of commercial content that could be shown on television were relaxed.
The introduction of the remote control during this decade revolutionized the way people watched TV. Viewers could easily switch channels with the touch of a button, a practice which became known as “channel surfing.”
Every decade has its share of iconic television moments, and the 1980s was no exception. More than one billion people worldwide tuned in to watch Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding, and more than 83 million watched J.R. Ewing get shot in the now-iconic third season finale of Dallas, one of the most watched broadcasts of the decade.
Aside from The Simpsons which premiered in 1989, some of the most influential and beloved television programs in history also date back to this decade.
Long before the public became aware of Bill Cosby’s heinous criminal activity, he was a beloved stand-up comedian, actor, and musician who warmed the hearts of American television audiences. From 1984-1992, he starred in the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, which he co-created with Edwin B. “Ed.” Weinberger and Michael Leeson.
The show centered around the everyday lives and misadventures of the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class African-American family from Brooklyn Heights, New York. The show was widely praised for its depictions of race and class, and paved the way for other sitcoms with a predominantly African-American cast. While it’s been forever tainted by the revelations about Cosby, the show’s hilarious portrayal of a successful African-American family earned it numerous awards in its heyday, including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1985 and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Program from 1985-1989.
Most Popular episode: “Theo’s Holiday” (season two)
Why viewers loved it: One of the show’s central conflicts was how Cliff and Clair wanted to avoid spoiling their kids. This episode focused on their effort to teach their son Theo about money management, turning the entire house into a simulation of adult life.
Throughout the 1980s, television viewers tuned in to Dallas, a primetime soap opera that aired on CBS from 1978 to 1991. The show was directed by Leonard Katzman, Michael Preece, Irving J. Moore and many others, and starred Barbara Bel Geddes, Jim Davis, Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Larry Hagman, and Charlene Tilton.
Dallas revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texan family who own an independent oil company called Ewing Oil and a cattle-ranch called Southfork. While the series initially focuses on Bobby Ewing (played by Patrick Duffy) and his marriage to Pamela Barnes (played by Victoria Principal), the show later progresses to focus on the dirty business schemes of J.R. Ewing (played by Larry Hagman), Bobby’s older brother. The show won numerous Emmy and Golden Globe Awards and was included in TIME magazine’s list of “100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME.”
Most Popular episode: “A House Divided” (season three)
Why viewers loved it: The final episode of the third season is most famous for its “Who shot J.R.?” storyline, sparking an eight-month worldwide phenomenon where fans scrambled to figure out the identity of the assailant. The mystery was eventually solved in the fourth season in an episode called “Who Done It.”
Full House was a sitcom that aired on ABC from 1987 to 1995. The show was created by Jeff Franklin, producer of other 1980s sitcoms like Bosom Buddies and It’s Garry Shandling’s Show. The show’s main characters Danny Tanner, Jesse Katsopolis, and Joey Gladstone were played by Bob Saget, John Stamos, and Dave Coulier, respectively.
The show revolves around San Francisco-based sports anchor Danny Tanner, who enlists the help of his brother-in-law Jesse and best friend Joey to raise his three daughters following the death of his wife. As the series progressed, new additions to the household were brought in, creating new challenges for Danny, Jesse, and Joey as well as Danny’s three daughters. The show and its cast members have received numerous awards and nominations, particularly from the Young Artist Awards. A sequel series, called Fuller House, premiered on Netflix in 2016.
Most Popular episode: “Joey’s Place” (season one)
Why viewers loved it: The part where Danny and Jesse act like a married couple and fight over Danny coming home late was one of the best parts of the episode. Jesse getting so riled up about missing an episode of Oprah was absolutely hilarious.
Cheers was one of the biggest success stories to come out of television in the 1980s. The sitcom premiered on NBC in 1982 and almost didn’t come back for a second run due to the first season’s poor ratings. It eventually became one of the longest-running and most-loved sitcoms on American television, airing for a total of 11 years until 1993.
Cheers, created by Glen Charles, Les Charles, and James Burrows, revolves around Sam Malone (played by Ted Danson), a former Boston Red Sox relief pitcher who is forced to give up his baseball career due to alcoholism. Despite its portrayal of serious topics like alcoholism, homophobia, and class conflicts, the show is widely regarded as one of the funniest sitcoms on television. The show and its stars have received numerous Emmy and Golden Globe awards and nominations, and inspired spin-offs and crossovers with other popular television shows.
Most Popular episode: Showdown, Part 2 (season one)
Why viewers loved it: Cheers was consistently one of the lowest-rating shows on television during its first season. However, this episode — the first season’s finale — changed everything. Producers decided to hook Sam up with Diane, creating an interesting twist to the show’s dynamic that boosted interest among viewers.
Hill Street Blues was a hit police crime drama that aired on NBC from 1981 to 1987. The show was produced by Steven Bochco, who would go on to spearhead other beloved television shows like Doogie Howser, M.D. and NYPD Blue. Michael Kozoll was his co-producer.
Hill Street Blues chronicled the lives of the staff of a police station on the fictional Hill Street in an unnamed city. The show became incredibly popular due to its depiction of people dealing with corruption and moral conflicts. Unlike other similar shows at the time, it also touched upon the personal lives of the police officers, adding a layer of complexity to its characters. By the end of its seven-season run, the show and its actors had bagged more than two dozen Emmy Awards, eleven Golden Globes, five People’s Choice Awards, and numerous other prestigious accolades.
Most Popular episode: “Trial by Fury” (season three)
Why viewers loved it: Season three’s first episode perfectly summed up everything that was great about this show, from the brilliant portrayal of its characters to its gripping storyline. The episode also included an interesting subplot where a gay man was treated not as a deviant but as a human being, which was considered groundbreaking at the time.