The 1980s were a decade when some of the best sitcoms on television were introduced to viewers. In fact, some of these carried on with new iterations in the decades that followed. All of them are remembered today, many still viewed via streaming. But each made their mark and inspired so many shows that have come since.
Many of the actors who starred in these sitcoms are still active in the business today, sparking nostalgia when fans see them on screen, likeBronson PinchotinThe Residence,Jaleel WhiteinStar Wars: Skeleton Crew, andEd O’NeillinModern Family.
10’Perfect Strangers' (1986–1993)
Created by Dale McRaven
Even though the concept ofPerfect Strangersmight never fly today, there’s no denying the sitcom was downright hilarious when it was on the air. Larry Appleton (Mark Linn-Baker) is a straight-laced Midwestern American who welcomes his eastern Mediterranean distant cousin Balki Bartokomous (Pinchot) to his new apartment, and his life is upended forever. Balki is now living with him, and he knows very little about American culture.
What’s great aboutPerfect Strangersis thatwhile Balki’s infectious optimism and naivety about America annoy Larry, it’s also refreshing. And his cousin comes to see that over time as the pair get up to various misadventures.
Perfect Strangers
9’Family Matters' (1989–1998)
Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren
Initially supposed to be about a middle-class Black family,Jaleel White’s nerdy neighbor character, Steve Urkel, became so popular with viewers ofFamily Mattersthat the show shifted focus to be on him instead. The series, one ofthe best ‘90s sitcoms as well, centers around the Winslow family, but Urkel often shows up to bother them, especially since he’s in love with eldest daughter Laura (Kelly Shanygyne Williams).
Family Matterswent on to run for nine seasons. The story with Urkel evolved into odd territory, including his alter-ego Stefan Urquelle, a name still used today to reference a person’s glow-up. But the heartwarming themes about love, family, and acceptance prevailed throughout.
Family Matters
8’Diff’rent Strokes' (1978–1986)
Created by Jeff Harris and Bernie Kukoff
The catchphrase many still use to this day, “Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?” came fromDiff’rent Strokes, a sweet story about two boys from Harlem who are adopted by a wealthy Park Avenue businessman. Together, they acclimate to their new life with Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain) and his daughter Kimberley (the lateDana Plato).
Diff’rent Strokesmade bothGary Coleman, who had become somewhat famous from commercials at the time, andTodd Bridgesstars of the decade. The show was praised for tackling tough issues like racism, drug use, alcoholism, and even child sexual abuse. Butit’s the witty, humorous dialogue that had fans laughing week after week.
Diff’rent Strokes
7’Family Ties' (1982–1989)
Created by Gary David Goldberg
Unafraid to dive into politics,Family Tiesshowed both sides of the coin: Steven (Michael Gross) and Elyse (Meredith Baxter) were very liberal parents raising three kids, including the deeply conservative teenage son Alex P. Keaton (Michael J. Fox). They often clashed on viewpoints, but it made for hilarious storylines, usually centered around Alex as he headed off to school, suit and tie on and briefcase in tow.
Family Tieswas a refreshing family sitcom that defined the decade, especially when it comes to the shift from liberalism to conservatism during that decade. Plus, it’s impossible to go wrong with Fox at the center of a show as part of one ofthe best ‘80s sitcom families.
Family Ties
6’Growing Pains' (1985–1992)
Created by Neal Marlens
The lateAlan Thickestarred in this progressive sitcom as Dr. Jason Seaver, a father who decides to move his psychiatry practice to the home so his wife, Maggie (Joanna Kerns), can go back to work now that the kids are older. The series centers around the family dynamic as the kids deal with coming-of-age challenges and differing personalities. This includes the rebellious troublemaker son Mike (Kirk Cameron) and his younger brother Ben (Jeremy Miller), who looks up to him, and the goodie-two-shoes sister Carol (Tracey Gold).
Later in the series, there’s a fourth child, Chrissy (later played byAshley Johnson), andLeonardo DiCapriofamously joined the show as homeless teen Luke, whom the Seavers adopt.Every episode has antics, consequences, and a lesson to be learned about love and life.
Growing Pains
5’Married… With Children' (1987–1997)
Created by Michael G. Moye and Ron Leavitt
Some believeMarried…With Childrenwouldnever be made today, at least not as a sitcom. The series starsEd O’Neillas Al Bundy, the surly shoe salesman and patriarch of the Bundy family, alongside his lazy, gossipy wife Peggy (Katey Sagal), ditzy daughter Kelly (Christina Applegate), and unpopular son Bud (David Faustino). An atypical family, the teenage kids fend for themselves while Al comes home after a hard day at the store, wanting nothing more than to sit in front of the TV or regale with tales of how he could have been a football star.
Married…With Childrenis bitingly funny and was edgy for the time. While some might call aspects of the show offensive today, it was all in good fun and remains one of the best sitcoms of that decade.
Married… With Children
4’Full House' (1987–1995)
Created by Jeff Franklin
The sappy music at the end of every episode, the adorable antics of the kids, and the hilarious catchphrases.Full Househad it all. The story begins on a somber note when Danny Tanner (the lateBob Saget) is dealing with the death of his wife. Seeing how much he is struggling, his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) move in to help raise the three young girls. Naturally, this unconventional family set-up leads to plenty of funny moments.
Full Houseshowed that a family dynamic didn’t have to be traditional, and that it really does take a village to raise kids. The sitcom made megastars out ofMary KateandAshley Olson, who played the adorable Michelle on allthe bestFull Houseepisodes.
Full House (US)
3’Roseanne' (1988–1997)
Created by Matt Williams
Real and authentic,Roseanneset out to depict an average middle-class family, and accomplished that in spades. Rather than the well-to-do families with fancy clothes and large houses, Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) and her family lived in a small, cozy home with outdated furniture. They dealt with real problems, like not being able to pay the bills, and had rebellious kids who weren’t interested in sappy bedroom talks at the end of the episodes.
Roseannewent against the grain. It was a groundbreaking show for its time and still holds a place in history as a game-changing sitcom. Widely considered to be one of the best TV shows of all time,Roseannewas relatable to a demographic of Americans that had previously felt underrepresented on television.
2’Who’s the Boss?' (1984–1992)
Created by Martin Cohan and Blake Hunter
The“will they, won’t they” potential romancebetween Tony Micelli (Tony Danza) and Angela Bower (Judith Light) was a big part ofWho’s the Boss?But more importantly,fans loved the unconventional (for the time) dynamic. Angela was a successful businesswoman, and Tony was a former major league baseball player. Both were trying to raise their kids, Angela needing help with Jonathan (Danny Pintauro), and Tony needing a job to provide for Samantha (Alyssa Milano).
Despite her reservations, Angela hires Tony, and so begins a budding friendship as the pair clash and come together. A highlight is Angela’s sharp-tongued mother Mona (Katherine Helmond), who got a kick out of her daughter’s new housemate.
Who’s the Boss
1’The Golden Girls' (1985–1992)
Created by Susan Harris
WithoutThe Golden Girls, the television landscape might never have seen other shows likeSex and the City. It was the first show to center around four later-in-life women navigating being single. Dorothy (the lateBeatrice Arthur) is divorced and moves into a Miami home with widowed Rose (the lateBetty White) and Blanche (Rue McClanahan), as well as Dorothy’s elderly mother Sophia (Estelle Getty).
The series follows the women as they navigate dating, working, and enjoying conversations over cheesecake. They also hear Sophia’s many stories about Sicily, and Dorothy threatens to send her to the retirement home (“Shady Pines, ma!”) whenever she speaks out of turn.The Golden Girlsis one of the wittiest, most sarcastic, funniest, most timeless, andbest sitcoms ever on television, much less for this decade.
