(Graphic by Colleen Bement)
Written by Colleen Bement, Editor
I’m in the retro mood this week and I feel like transporting back to the 80s. The 80s weren’t just about acid-wash jeans, perms, big hair, and questionable neon fashion choices. They were about some of the coolest classic TV shows ever made. And I should know: I spent a lot of my teen years in that decade and I did wear those acid-wash jeans. I did perm the hell out of my hair, and I owned way too many dresses with giant shoulder pads. I know I’m not the only one. And, those nights with the limited TV channels that we had, were spent losing ourselves either fighting crime, flying through the universe, and laughing so hard our cheeks hurt. I actually might be time to do some re-watch binging! Thanks to Pluto TV, I’ve enjoyed a brief deep dive into the 80s and felt the need to write a list of what I felt were the Top Five 80s TV shows. This list was born out of a little research, some polling among nerdy friends, and, probably a little personal bias. Speaking of, don’t go looking for “The Cosby Show” to make the list. As classic as it was, I just couldn’t bring myself to add it to my Top Five.
Ranking came from a couple of polls that I took, and considering the source, it’s no wonder that a few of the shows were nerdy. It was difficult narrowing the list to just five, and I’d love to know what you 80s favorites are. So, please leave your picks in the comment section, or just shout it at the nearest cassette tape—you know, for that authentic vibe! Now, let’s jump into the nostalgia pool cannonball-style with my Top Five 80s TV Shows.
Number Five: Knight Rider
What’s cooler than a guy fighting crime? A guy fighting crime with a talking car. “Knight Rider” introduced us to Michael Knight, played by David Hasselhoff, AKA The Hoff, whose chest hair was practically its own character. And then there’s KITT, the sassiest car this side of C-3PO. Honestly, KITT was the real star. It talked, it drove itself, and somehow never got a parking ticket. No doubt, Pontiac’s sales sky-rocketed, and it is still cooler than half the cars in 2025. A classic throwback to this show will always be that ‘Changing Channels’ episode of “Supernatural” where Sam is actually trapped as KITT, the car. Check out both videos below.
AND, for those of us who want a laugh, here’s that “Supernatural” clip I was talking about:
Number Four: MacGyver
“MacGyver” wasn’t just a show—it was a lifestyle. Angus MacGyver (Angus? really? Who picked that name?!), made being a science nerd look cooler than a leather jacket on a motorcycle. Who needed weapons when you had a paperclip, a Swiss Army knife, and some knowhow? One minute he’s disabling a nuclear warhead with a shoelace and a banana peel, and the next he’s fashioning a hang glider out of bedsheets and hope. MacGyver made every kid in the ’80s believe they could escape any situation—as long as there was at least one abandoned warehouse nearby. Also, let’s be real: MacGyver is the reason half of us tried to fix the toaster with chewing gum. It didn’t work, but it felt good trying!
Number Three: Miami Vice
Let’s talk about “Miami Vice,” the show that asked the all-important question: What if two undercover cops could solve crimes, stop drug lords, and took fashion to a whole new level? Seriously. Sonny Crockett made pastel cool. He had those white linen suits accented with pink or turquoise, and stood by those choices! And those Wayfarers? Actually, those never went out of style! Probably one of my favorite aspects of “Miami Vice” was the music. Any time Phil Collins’ ‘In the Air Tonight’ hits my playlist, I still use my steering wheel as a drum set!
Number Two: Star Trek: The Next Generation
TNG, as we Trekkies call it, took us to space, introduced us to a hot bald captain who somehow radiated more authority than a dad holding the remote, and taught us that androids have feelings too… they just take longer to process them. Captain Jean-Luc Picard could out-negotiate any alien, and he did it while sipping Earl Grey and throwing Shakespeare quotes. Let’s not forget Commander Riker, who never met a chair he couldn’t awkwardly mount, and Data, the robot who spent seven seasons trying to be human and still had a better personality than half the crew of the Enterprise. And what about Wesley Crusher: The smartest person on the ship. It’s honestly my second favorite Trek show behind “Star Trek: TOS.” And FYI, Paramount+ has ALL the Treks, so if you’re not already signed up, try Paramount+ for FREE.
And now, the number one 80s TV show is…Cheers!
The bar where everybody knows your name. Sing it! You know you want to! Cheers was the bar where at least three people were day-drunk. “Cheers” had it all: a retired baseball player, a sarcastic waitress, an actual mailman, and, of courser, Norm—who we’re pretty sure was just living there rent-free. It was witty, hilarious, and made us all want that cozy neighborhood bar. The show ran forever, launched “Frasier,” and gave us enough one-liners to fill a jukebox.
Now, keep in mind that my opinion only goes so far. I’d love it if you would come down this rabbit hole with me, so please drop me a comment to let me know what your favorite 80s TV shows are.
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