In the era before TiVo and digital video recorders, the sitcoms of the 1980’s kept people at home in front of their TV’s at night. NBC even set a standard for programming blocks of comedy with their Thursday night “Must See TV” schedule.
Original, made-for-cable programming was still in its infancy in the 1980’s, which is why we turned to sitcoms from the Big Three Networks:
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #10: “Charles in Charge”
(Aired on CBS from October 1984 to May 1985. First-run syndication starting January 1987)
After his stint as Chachi on “Happy Days” and long before he became a reality TV star, Scott Baio played what one character called the “teenage Mr. French” in this family-oriented sitcom. Baio was Charles, a live-in helper to a family with three very different kids. CBS canceled the show in the Spring of 1985, but because cable stations were hungry for programming, Charles was back in charge about 16 months later and enjoyed a successful syndicated run.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #9: “Three’s a Crowd”
(Aired on ABC from September 1984 to April 1985)
A “Three’s Company” spin-off that never really got a chance, “Three’s a Crowd” followed the monogamous adventures of ladies’ man Jack Tripper. As “Three’s Company” wound down, Jack met flight attendant Vicky (Mary Cadorette), fell in love and moved into the apartment above his bistro. Unfortunately, Vicky’s dad (Robert Mandan) bought the whole building, making him an unwelcome guest in both the business and their love life.
The last episode of the popular 1970’s sitcom served as the pilot for the new show, but weak ratings put “Three’s a Crowd” on the chopping block. It had potential for a few more solid seasons, but ABC pulled the plug.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #8: “Designing Women”
(Aired on CBS from September 1986 to May 1993)
One of the best shows produced by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, “Designing Women” featured a cast of smart and attractive Southern women who ran an interior design business called “Sugarbakers.”
One of the biggest controversies surrounding the show involved cast member Delta Burke’s weight, which became the topic of tabloid headlines. Bloodworth-Thomason showed her support for Burke by writing the award-winning episode “They Shoot Fat Women, Don’t They?”, which gave Burke a chance to speak out against her critics.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #7: “Newhart”
(Aired on CBS from October 1982 to September 1990)
The second installment of the Bob Newhart sitcom trilogy (“Bob” debuted in 1992), the buttoned-down comedian played Dick Loudon, the owner of an inn in Vermont. In many ways, the folks who lived in town could have been patients of Dr. Robert Hartley, Newhart’s psychiatrist character on “The Bob Newhart Show.”
The show came to an appropriate end when a Japanese business interest bought the whole town and converted it into a resort. The final scene showed Dr. Robert Hartley waking up in bed and telling wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette) about the weird dream he had about being an innkeeper.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #6: “Who’s the Boss”
(Aired on ABC from September 1984 to September 1992)
The “Will They or Won’t They’ dynamic kept this role-reversal sitcom on the air for 8 seasons. Tony Danza of “Taxi” fame played baseball player-turned-housekeeper Tony Micelli who goes to work for uptight ad executive Angela Bower (Judith Light).
The writers kept the show fresh by sending Tony off to college and by building a simmering sexual attraction between the housekeeper and his boss. When they finally got serious about each other, “Who’s the Boss” rapidly lost steam and ended after 8 seasons.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #5: “Night Court”
(Aired on NBC from January 1984 to May 1992)
After appearing as con artist “Harry the Hat” on “Cheers,” Harry Anderson landed the role of Harold T. Stone, a judge who presided over a courtroom of the most eccentric characters ever to come from a sitcom writer’s mind. Due to the unexpected death of Selma Diamond and because other cast members left the show, it took until1986 for “Night Court” to hit its groove with a core cast that included Markie Post and Marcia Warfield.
A show like “Night Court” has a natural life span and reached its conclusion in 1992. Markie Post immediately joined the cast of the John Ritter sitcom “Heart’s Afire.”
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #4: “Silver Spoons”
(Aired on NBC from September 1982 to April 1987)
Best known for his role opposite Jon Voight in “The Champ,” Ricky Schroder starred as Ricky Stratton, the son of a wealthy father named Edward (Joel Higgins) who suffered a bit from a Peter Pan complex. Ricky actually was more mature than his father in many ways. As the show progressed, the producers capitalized on Schroder’s “Teen Beat” appeal and filled the live audience with screaming fans.
Silver Spoons” committed sitcom suicide when Edward became romantically-involved with his personal assistant (Erin Gray). Still, this show remains one of the best-loved sitcoms of the decade.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #3: “Bosom Buddies”
(Aired on ABC from November 1980 to June 1982)
Arguably the first official 1980’s-era sitcom, “Bosom Buddies” paired two unknown talents, Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari, in a cross-dressing comedy that was one of the most well-written shows on television. Hanks played Kip Wilson, an aspiring artist, and Scolari was Henry Desmond, his best friend. After losing their apartment, the guys put on dresses and lived in a women’s residence called the Susan B. Anthony Hotel.
In addition to a partially-clad Donna Dixon, “Bosom Buddies” had some amazing episodes, such as the one where Henry finally realized that Amy (Wendie Jo Sperber) was a pretty special lady. Perhaps it was a combination of Tom Hanks’ Hollywood ambitions or just that the writers ran out of good ideas, but “Bosom Buddies” only lasted 37 episodes.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #2: “Family Ties”
(Aired on NBC from September 1982 to September 1989)
Originally intended as a starring vehicle for Meredith Baxter-Birney, a fresh-faced actor named Michael J. Fox became the breakout star of this comedy about two former 1960’s flower children whose oldest son embraced Reagonomics like a religion.
Fox’s popularity became evident early on and his character became the focus of most episodes, but the best Alex P. Keaton episode came halfway through the show’s run. “A, My Name is Alex” follows Alex as he tries to deal with the accidental death of a dear friend.
Producer Gary David Goldberg always intended for this series to be a show about the 1980’s, which is the main reason why it left the air before the end of the decade.
Notable Guest Stars: Both Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari of “Bosom Buddies” fame had guest-starring roles on “Family Ties.” Tracy Pollan, who played Alex’s girlfriend on one season, currently is the real-life wife of Michael J. Fox.
Top 10 Sitcoms of the 1980’s #1: Cheers
(Aired on NBC from September 1982 to May 1993)
If it wasn’t for NBC’s expressed policy of embracing quality and ignoring ratings, “Cheers” may have just been a footnote in television history. Despite poor ratings during its freshman season, Sam, Diane and their bar buddies got a new lease on life and went on to make television history.
Cheers” went out with a bang with a final 1993 episode that became a television event; NBC wanted the show to go on, but series star Ted Danson reportedly wanted to end the series. The core members of the cast also seemed intoxicated when they appeared on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” after the final episode aired.
