Your Favorite 80's Sitcom

[Jenn! 918]

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

[Nagishkaw 510]

I live in a cave.

[*JG* 2]

Full House

[NavarreMan 10]

I really enjoy Harry Anderson's wit and humor.

[Marilyn. 340]

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

[tom&tata 2]

Full House

+1

[Jenn! 918]

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!

[Zee Bee 61]

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

Never liked "Alf".

[LoriLawless 0]

Three's Company

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

[Mags 112]

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.

[Krikit 1,164]

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!!!

[almaty 19]

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

[*julez* 124]

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.

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

[AtlantiCat 0]

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.

[Jenn! 918]

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?