Nostalgia Alert: 10 Lesser-Known 80's Sitcoms Worth Revisiting
The '80s craze is still with us thanks to "Stranger Things," and maybe it's time to revisit some long-forgotten stuff.
1. "It's Your Move" (1984-1985)
"It's Your Move" starred a young Jason Bateman as Matthew Burton, a manipulative 14-year-old con artist. This sitcom was an early exhibition of Bateman's comedic timing and wit.
The plots often centered around Matthew's elaborate schemes, with his single mother, older sister, and their clueless neighbor as frequent targets. Though it only lasted one season, the show's unique premise and Bateman's captivating performance make it worthy of a revisit.
Did you know Bateman was just 16 when he took this role? It's hard to believe considering his mature delivery of Matthew's intricate pranks.
2. "Benson" (1979-1986)
"Benson," a spinoff of the series "Soap," followed the career of Benson DuBois (played by Robert Guillaume) as he rose from being a butler to eventually running for governor.
This sitcom took a unique turn from the usual wealthy-family-has-butler setup by gradually focusing on Benson's political aspirations. Guillaume's stellar performance, with his witty one-liners and deadpan humor, earned him an Emmy in 1985.
Not many know this, but "Benson" surprisingly outlived its original series "Soap," proving that sometimes the student does surpass the master.
3. "Night Court" (1984-1992)
"Night Court" was a quirky sitcom that unfolded in a Manhattan court room during the night shift, hence the name. The show starred Harry Anderson as Judge Harold T. Stone, a young, unconventional judge with a love for magic tricks and Mel Torme – and was notable for its revolving door of public defenders, with Markie Post's Christine Sullivan being the most enduring.
Despite its initial low ratings, "Night Court" found its rhythm and ended up running for nine seasons, subsequently earning a reboot/revival in 2023 starring "Big Bang Theory"'s Melissa Rauch.
4. "Dear John" (1988-1992)
This underrated sitcom starred Judd Hirsch as John Lacey, a man dumped by his wife who finds solace and comedy in the 'One-2-One Club,' a support group for divorced and widowed individuals.
Based on a British series of the same name, "Dear John" presented a humorous take on heartbreak and rebuilding one's life. Judd Hirsch, known for his role in "Taxi," brought a certain charm and warmth to the character of John that made the audience root for him despite his frequent misfortunes.
Interestingly, despite moderate success in the U.S., the show was even more successful in the U.K., running for a whopping six seasons.
5. "ALF" (1986-1990)
"ALF" was the sitcom about a wisecracking alien life form (hence, ALF) who crash-lands into the suburban home of the Tanner family. The series worked around the various hijinks of the furry, cat-eating ALF and the Tanners' attempts to keep him hidden from their neighbors and the Alien Task Force.
Despite its bizarre premise, the show was a hit and is fondly remembered by its fans – all the more so now with Ryan Reynolds apparently deciding to bring it back in some form. In a delightful bit of trivia, ALF's real name was Gordon Shumway. His moniker ALF was actually his acronymic title.
6. "Newhart" (1982-1990)
"Newhart" was the second sitcom starring Bob Newhart, this time as Dick Loudon, an author and innkeeper in rural Vermont. The inn's eccentric local visitors and staff, including three brothers named Larry, Darryl, and Darryl, made for hilariously unpredictable episodes. The show's quirky characters and Newhart's comedic prowess made it a success, lasting for eight seasons.
Did you know the show ended with one of the most memorable (and also divisive) finales in television history? It revealed the entire show was a dream of Bob Newhart's character from his previous sitcom, "The Bob Newhart Show," blurring the line between fiction and, well, more fiction.
7. "Square Pegs" (1982-1983)
"Square Pegs," although short-lived, was a gem. Starring Sarah Jessica Parker in her first leading role, the sitcom followed high school freshmen Patty Greene and Lauren Hutchinson as they tried to fit in with the popular crowd.
With its finger on the pulse of teen culture and an array of colorful characters, "Square Pegs" accurately depicted the awkwardness and social hierarchies of high school life. Several bands like Devo and The Waitresses performed on the show, adding a layer of '80s authenticity to the series.
8. "Designing Women" (1986-1993)
Set in Atlanta, "Designing Women" revolved around the lives of four women (and one man in later seasons) working at an interior design firm, Sugarbaker & Associates. The ensemble cast, including Delta Burke, Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, and Jean Smart, delivered their sharp-witted dialogues with such panache that it turned the sitcom into a platform for discussing important social issues of the time.
The show, despite its fluctuating ratings, was nominated for several Emmy Awards, and Jean Smart won one in 1991 for her role as Charlene Frazier-Stillfield.
9. "Sledge Hammer!" (1986-1988)
A satirical take on the action cop genre, "Sledge Hammer!" was a sitcom sadly too ahead of its time. David Rasche starred as Inspector Sledge Hammer, a trigger-happy detective who talked to his .44 Magnum gun and rarely went a day without causing a major explosion.
Despite its initial low ratings, the show developed a cult following due to its clever parody of "Dirty Harry" style action films and the charismatic performance by Rasche. Interestingly enough, the show's creator, Alan Spencer, wrote the pilot when he was only 16!
10. "The Hogan Family" (1986-1991)
Originally titled "Valerie" and later "Valerie's Family," "The Hogan Family" centered around the Hogans, a suburban family dealing with everyday life after the mother, played by Valerie Harper, dies (off-screen). The tone of the show balanced comedy and drama, touching upon serious themes while maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere.
The show introduced a young Jason Bateman to the world, who played the middle child, David Hogan. Sandy Duncan, who stepped in as the lead after Harper's departure, had been performing on stage and screen since the 1960s and was even nominated for a Tony Award in 1969.