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Television Shows Of The 1980s

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 0 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #958 in Movies & TV, #20652 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Introduction

 

Television was once more transformed in the 1980s with the advent of cable television. A new medium for music would also bring about the birth of the music video. Along with this medium was a cable network that was geared toward teens of the 1980s called MTV; which back in the 1980s showed nothing but music videos to the decade's popular hits. Time Inc.'s Home Box Office became available in a lot of homes and offered movies and programs that were not shown on network TV. Ted Turner unveiled the Cable News Network (CNN) while media baron Rupert Murochs paid a billion dollars for Twentieth Century Fox. along with Barry Diller, they both created TV's fourth network called Fox. The home videocassette recorder, remote control devices, and home video games also came on the scene. 

The Minisode Network On MySpace 

The Minisode Network
Would you like to see some of your old favorites again? MySpace has an awesome page called the Minisode Network. These minisodes are episodes to some old favorites such as Starsky and Hutch and Police Woman that are condensed into a few minutes. Enjoy!

Prime Time Sitcoms in the 1980s 

With all the changes in technology and expanding viewing choices, television networks began to feel the programming squeeze while CBS, ABC, and NBC lost their monopoly on what Americans viewed in their living rooms. Programs displayed family friendly themes and issues and themes that were a breath of fresh air and that became very popular in the mid 1980s. One such show was the Cosby Show, which was a realistic and witty rendering of family life in the era. it was about an African American family in which the father, Heathcliff Huxtable, was an obstetrician and the mother, Claire, was a successful lawyer. This family helped destroy the stereotype of the poor African-American family that previous shows only helped to reinforce. Other shows that showed the bright, cheery yet realistic family life included Family Ties and Growing Pains along with others. Other sitcoms, such as Cheers, and Night Court, focused more on the workplace and the people. In stark contrast, television made great strides in pushing the envelope with sitcoms such as Married with Children, a show about a dysfunctional family with a resentful father. Another "less than perfect" family made it's debut on April 19, 1987. The Simpsons were an animated family that debuted on The Tracey Ullman Show as a series of shorts. After three seasons, this family moved to a prime time show of their own and became the longest running sitcom in the history of television; as well as a huge hit in the 1990s.

Here Are Some Clips Of Some Favorites 


Night Court

Runtime: 2:02
25942 views
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Various 80's Commercials

Runtime: 10:33
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Totally 80's commercials

Runtime: 3:01
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80s Commercials - Teddy Ruxpin

Runtime: 0:31
91027 views
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Vintage 80's PSA--Time For Timer/Eat Breakfast!

Runtime: 0:59
93726 views
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"I Learned It By Watching You" Anti-Drug PSA

Runtime: 0:29
316614 views
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Star Wars PSA: Vader Dad

Runtime: 0:45
3132027 views
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1980s Wendys Commercial

Runtime: 0:29
6714 views
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Commercial - Long John Silvers w Heather O'Rourke (1980)

Runtime: 0:27
315 views
2 Comments:

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Great Stuff on Amazon 

Get your 80s TV Favorites

The Cosby Show - Season 1

The Cosby Show - Season 1

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

The Cosby Show - Season 2

The Cosby Show - Season 2

Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Family Ties - The Complete First Season

Family Ties - The Complete First Season

Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Cheers - The Complete First Season

Cheers - The Complete First Season

Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Night Court - The Complete First Season

Night Court - The Complete First Season

Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Dramas of the 80s 

Television of the 1980s also had it's share of popular prime time soap operas. One of the most popular in 1980, Dallas, had people tuning in to find out the nagging question, "Who Shot JR?". Dallas, as well as Knots Landing, Dynasty, and Falcon Crest, all had their loyal viewers. They portrayed very wealthy characters in a host of various problems such as conflicts with one another, alcoholism and power struggles.

Here are some clips of 80s prime time soaps 


Who Shot JR

Runtime: 3:16
30826 views
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Dynasty : Alexis and Krystle ultimate catfight

Runtime: 3:45
174188 views
10 Comments:


Knots Landing Pilot Episode

Runtime: 1:46
6555 views
10 Comments:

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Get your 80s prime time dramas here 

Dallas - The Complete Seventh Season

Dallas - The Complete Seventh Season

Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Dynasty - Seasons 1 & 2

Dynasty - Seasons 1 & 2

Amazon Price: $37.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Knots Landing - The Complete First Season

Knots Landing - The Complete First Season

Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Tunes And TV of the 1980s 

Police and detective shows were popular as well and some of the themes were hits as well. Moonlighting's theme song is performed by popular jazz singer Al Jarreau and became a minor hit. The show was about a couple of private detectives Madolyn 'Maddie' Hayes (Cybill Shepherd) and David Addison (Bruce Willis), who work for a detective agency. With drama, comedy and romance, it is considered one of the greatest spoofs of television detective shows. Another series that was very well known for it's theme was another detective show Miami Vice. Reflecting the more glitzy and gritty feel of 1980s "New Wave" culture, this show focuses on two undercover vice cops, Crockett and Tubbs dealing with mostly drug trafficking and prostitution in Miami. With the distinctive, synthesized instrumental music of Jan Hammer; the Miami Vice theme climbed to the top of the U. S. Billboard charts in 1985, the first TV theme to do so since "Theme from Peter Gunn." Miami Vice was also noted for its innovative use of music, particularly countless pop and rock hits of the 1980s. Hill Street Blues dealt with "real-life" issues, and used "real-life" language to a greater extent than had been seen before as it focused on failure and those at the bottom of the social scale and the bitter realities of living in a big city in the 1980s. The mellow instrumental theme was written by Mike Post (who also wrote themes from Quantum Leap and the A Team), and was popular enough to reach the top 10 on Billboard's Hot 100.

Hear Your Favorite 1980s Themes 

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Get These Shows And More Here 

Moonlighting - Seasons 1 & 2

Moonlighting - Seasons 1 & 2

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Best of Al Jarreau

Best of Al Jarreau

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Miami Vice: Season One & Two

Miami Vice: Season One & Two

Amazon Price: (as of 07/26/2008)

Miami Vice II: New Music From The Television Series Miami Vice

Miami Vice II: New Music From The Television Series Miami Vice

Amazon Price: $7.97 (as of 07/26/2008)

Hill Street Blues - Season 1

Hill Street Blues - Season 1

Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 07/26/2008)

Related topics: Television Shows Of The 1980s,  100,  1980,  Movies & TV,  more

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