Forgotten ’80s TV Gems: 10 Series Worth Rediscovering

The 1980s offered a lot of great television, and while not every show became a classic, many of the best ones are still enjoyed today. Thanks to streaming services, we can easily re-watch popular series like Cheers, Full House, The Golden Girls, Murder, She Wrote, Family Matters, Alf, Growing Pains, and Family Ties, among many others. Of course, these weren’t the only shows on television during that decade.

Just because an 80s TV show isn’t widely remembered doesn’t mean it was poor quality. With so much television being made back then, some good shows simply got overlooked. Often, this happened because they didn’t connect with viewers at the time. But today, those forgotten shows might be worth checking out.

Jennifer Slept Here (1983-1984)

Jennifer Slept Here was a quirky 1980s sitcom that aired on NBC for one season, from October 1983 to May 1984. The show centered around teenager Joey Elliot, whose family moved into a house with a ghostly resident – the spirit of a movie actress named Jennifer. Only Joey could see Jennifer, which understandably led his family and friends to think he was a little strange.

The show Jennifer Slept Here aired for one season in 1983, with a total of 13 episodes. Despite its brief run, it received an Emmy nomination, and John P. Navin Jr., who played Joey, won a Young Artist Award. Although it didn’t do well in its initial run on NBC and was subsequently canceled, the series found a larger audience through reruns.

Small Wonder (1985-1989)

There just aren’t many science fiction comedies on TV these days. Back in the 1980s, Small Wonder was a particularly strange and cheaply made show, but it surprisingly became popular. It centered around a robotics engineer who secretly built himself a robot daughter named Vicki.

The show Small Wonder was a hit with kids and ran for four seasons. It stayed popular internationally through reruns in the 1990s, but adults and critics generally considered it to be quite silly. Even today, it’s a lighthearted series, and after 40 years, some viewers might enjoy revisiting it as a fun, nostalgic throwback.

Bosom Buddies (1980-1982)

The 1980s sitcom Bosom Buddies might seem a bit strange by today’s standards, but that’s part of its charm. It features Peter Scolari and a young Tom Hanks (before he became a movie star) as two friends who pretend to be women so they can live in a cheaper apartment building for women only. A lot of the show was made up on the spot, and Tom Hanks’ talent for comedy really started to shine through, helping to launch his career.

Created by the same team behind Laverne & Shirley, Bosom Buddies didn’t achieve the same popularity. Stars Tom Hanks and Peter Scolari were newcomers at the time, and the show’s release was disrupted by the actors’ strike in the 1980s. Despite lasting for a second season, Bosom Buddies was canceled in 1982 and largely faded from memory.

Misfits of Science (1985)

The sci-fi comedy-drama Misfits of Science first aired on NBC in October 1985. The show centered around a group of teenagers with superpowers who attended the Humanidyne Institute. It was one of the first TV projects from Tim Kring, who would later create the show Heroes in 2006, which explored some similar ideas. Misfits of Science also featured an early role for actress Courtney Cox.

Despite being canceled after only 15 of its 16 filmed episodes due to low viewership, Misfits of Science holds a certain charm when revisited. It’s enjoyable to see Courtney Cox before she became famous, and the show’s over-the-top sci-fi stories make it a worthwhile ’80s series to rediscover.

Street Hawk (1985)

Street Hawk was a thrilling action series that deserved more than just one season. It first aired in 1985 and followed Jesse March, played by Rex Smith, a former motorcycle police officer who became a crime-fighting vigilante. He used a specially equipped all-terrain motorcycle to tackle criminals in this weekly, case-by-case adventure, balancing his old life with his new, dangerous one.

Despite being more popular internationally, Street Hawk struggled in the US and was moved to a less-watched time slot on ABC. The show only lasted one season, with 14 episodes total, before being canceled. However, it remains a fun, over-the-top adventure that’s worth checking out today.

Wizards and Warriors (1983)

The fantasy adventure series Wizards and Warriors first aired on CBS in 1983. It shares similarities with modern shows like Game of Thrones and The Witcher. The series takes place in the medieval land of Aperans and focuses on the struggles between kingdoms, with conflicts resolved through both conventional warfare and magic.

The TV show Wizard and Warriors won an Emmy for its costumes, but it didn’t attract enough viewers during its original broadcast time. After just one season of eight episodes, it was canceled. While a DVD collection released in 2014 brought it back into the spotlight briefly, Wizard and Warriors remains largely forgotten today.

Riptide (1984-1986)

The detective series Riptide, which first aired in 1984, has everything you’d expect from a classic show of its kind. It centers around Cody (Perry King) and Nick (Joe Penny), two friends and former soldiers who become private investigators and operate out of their boat, called the Riptide. Helping them is Boz (Thom Bray), a tech expert, and his robot assistant, Roboz.

Riptide lasted for three seasons, which is a good run compared to many shows of its kind. However, it was eventually canceled because each new episode wasn’t as popular as the last. This was mainly due to the show being predictable and feeling like a mix of other detective series. Ironically, those same familiar elements are now what make Riptide a surprisingly enjoyable show to rediscover.

Sledge Hammer (1986-1988)

Sledge Hammer was a funny police sitcom that gained popularity for a while. Created by Alan Spencer and starring David Rasche as Inspector Sledge Hammer, the show playfully mocked the classic ‘tough cop’ character, particularly making fun of films like Dirty Harry.

The TV show Sledge Hammer could have lasted longer if ABC hadn’t constantly changed when it aired. Although no one expected another season, the final episode of the first season attracted a large audience, prompting ABC to order a second. Unfortunately, the show kept being moved to different time slots, causing the ratings to drop until it was ultimately cancelled. As a result, Sledge Hammer isn’t as well-remembered today as it deserves to be.

Empty Nest (1988-1995)

While Golden Girls remains a beloved show, many might not remember its spin-off, Empty Nest. The story began as a special episode of Golden Girls, introducing the Corlisses – Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia’s neighbors. Empty Nest centered on George and Renee Corliss as they adjusted to life after their children moved out.

Despite lasting seven seasons and earning Richard Mulligan a Golden Globe and Emmy, Empty Nest never quite achieved strong ratings. Its most popular episodes were always those that included characters from its parent show, The Golden Girls. Ultimately, The Golden Girls‘ huge success meant Empty Nest remained in its shadow.

It’s Your Move (1984-1985)

The TV show It’s Your Movie had all the ingredients to become a beloved classic. Created by the minds behind Married…with Children and The Jeffersons, it starred Jason Bateman as Matthew Burton, a clever teenage con artist. His world is turned upside down when his mom starts dating Norman (David Garrison), who proves to be a worthy opponent.

I remember when It’s Your Move first came out in ’84 – critics were actually pretty enthusiastic! Sadly, like so many promising shows from that decade, it landed in a terrible time slot, going head-to-head with a much bigger hit. That quickly killed any momentum, and after one season, it was gone. But honestly? It holds up as a fun, quick binge now, and it’s a fascinating peek at Jason Bateman’s early work. Definitely worth checking out if you’re feeling nostalgic.

2025-11-04 04:08