Top 10 Underrated Sitcoms Of The 1980s: Hidden Gems Of ’80s TV Comedy

The 1980s are often considered the best time for sitcoms, launching many beloved and surprisingly good shows. This decade was all about multi-camera comedies, and it really shaped family entertainment for years to come. The shows were known for their bright opening sequences, memorable theme songs, and the use of laugh tracks, creating a unique and vibrant style.

The 1980s were a golden age for sitcoms and memorable pop culture. These shows weren’t afraid to cover new and sometimes serious topics, offering viewers heartfelt stories and even cautionary tales – things they hadn’t commonly seen on television before.

I remember watching TV in the ’80s, and some shows instantly grabbed everyone’s attention. But honestly, a lot of my favorites started slowly, really finding their audience amongst all the other options. It was amazing to see so many shows introduce characters I genuinely cared about – whether they were quirky outsiders, heartwarming families, or groups of friends I wished I was a part of! And even the shows that weren’t huge hits still left a lasting impression on me, and I still think about them fondly.

Many 1980s sitcoms didn’t achieve the lasting popularity of those constantly re-run in syndication, and some took a while to find their footing. However, these often-overlooked and underrated shows featured characters we can all connect with, groundbreaking plots, witty writing, and some truly original ideas.

10. Designing Women

CBS, 1986-1993

Designing Women, set in an Atlanta interior design firm, centered around four witty and outspoken women and their lives as friends, business partners, and Southern citizens. Julia Sugarbaker, Suzanne Sugarbaker, Charlene Frazier, and Mary Jo Shively weren’t afraid to tackle feminist issues, politics, and other hot topics. The show was known for its clever humor and insightful social observations, making it ahead of its time.

While shows like Cheers and The Golden Girls often define ’80s TV nostalgia, Designing Women is a truly outstanding sitcom that doesn’t get enough credit. It combined a talented cast with witty writing and strong acting, proving that sitcoms could be both hilarious and address important social issues. Designing Women skillfully balanced entertainment and thoughtfulness in a way many shows today still find challenging.

9. Perfect Strangers

ABC, 1986-1993

The sitcom Perfect Strangers ran for eight seasons on ABC and followed the relationship between Larry Appleton (Mark Linn-Baker) and his quirky cousin, Balki Bartokomous (Bronson Pinchot). Larry was a typical, relatable guy from the Midwest, while Balki was a charming and unusual immigrant from the made-up Mediterranean island of Mypos. The show explored how these two very different characters grew and learned from each other over the years.

Beyond just pairing up two very different characters, Perfect Strangers was a genuinely cheerful comedy about an immigrant adjusting to a new culture. It focused on the unexpected friendship that blossomed between them, and offered a positive outlook without relying on sarcasm. Mark Linn-Baker and Johnathan Pinchot had fantastic chemistry, and their performances remain funny and memorable even now.

8. Who’s The Boss?

ABC, 1984-1992

The sitcom Who’s the Boss? playfully reversed typical gender roles. Tony Danza played Tony Micelli, a former baseball player who unexpectedly became a housekeeper for Angela Bower (Judith Light), a successful advertising executive. The show centered on the developing friendship between Tony and Angela, as well as the experiences of their children growing up together. Alyssa Milano played Tony’s daughter, Samantha, and Danny Pintauro played Angela’s son, Jonathan, while Katherine Helmond rounded out the main cast as Angela’s mother, Mona Robinson.

What made Who’s The Boss? so popular wasn’t just its humor, but the captivating dynamic between the characters. The show skillfully built a will-they-won’t-they romance between Tony Danza and Judith Light, keeping viewers hooked until the very end and demonstrating the series’ lasting appeal. The blend of family, friendship, and romantic possibility elevated it beyond a typical sitcom.

7. Head Of The Class

ABC, 1986-1991

As a film and TV buff, I always loved Head of the Class. It was set in a Manhattan high school, Millard Fillmore, and centered around a really cool history teacher, Charlie Moore, played by Howard Hesseman, and his class of incredibly gifted students. What I really appreciated about the show was that it didn’t just focus on how smart these kids were, but on their emotional intelligence – things like their creativity, originality, and how unique they all were. It really hit all the right notes with its familiar storylines, and that’s a big part of why it was so popular.

With a diverse cast including stars like Robin Givens and Brian Robbins, Head of the Class consistently stood out from other shows. What set it apart from many teen sitcoms of the 80s was its respectful portrayal of its characters. The show’s heartwarming humor had a subtle but lasting impact on the development of modern sitcoms.

6. Mama’s Family

NBC, 1983-1990

Originally a popular segment on The Carol Burnett Show, Mama’s Family followed the life of Thelma Harper, played by Vicky Lawrence, and her quirky relatives. The show centered around Thelma, her son Vinton (Ken Berry), his wife Naomi (Dorothy Lyman), and their children, as Thelma’s no-nonsense attitude and tendency to get annoyed constantly landed her in humorous situations.

Despite a rocky start, Mama’s Family ran for six seasons and was particularly celebrated for Vicki Lawrence’s performance. The show became a beloved comfort watch, realistically portraying the funny and sometimes chaotic dynamics of a multi-generational family living together. It balanced slapstick comedy with Mama’s witty remarks, making it both hilarious and genuinely heartwarming.

5. Square Pegs

CBS, 1982-1983

Despite lasting just one season on CBS, the show Square Pegs was surprisingly influential, paving the way for many teen comedies that followed. Created by former Saturday Night Live writer Anne Beatts, the series centered on two clumsy high school freshmen, Patty Greene (played by Sarah Jessica Parker) and Lauren Hutchinson (Amy Linker), and their attempts to navigate life with a group of other misfit students at Weemawee High School.

As a critic, I’ve always felt Square Pegs didn’t get the credit it deserved. Looking back, it was remarkably forward-thinking, especially in how genuinely it captured the teenage experience. It wasn’t just a launchpad for Parker Posey – though it certainly was that! – it really showed what a teen comedy could be, well before that genre became a cultural staple. It was smart, focused on its characters, and a true original. Honestly, it deserves a re-evaluation and a lot more love.

4. Growing Pains

ABC, 1985-1992

Growing Pains is a classic family sitcom from the 80s and 90s. The show centers on Jason and Maggie Seaver as they balance their careers, raise their three (and later four) children, and deal with everyday life. Over seven seasons, viewers followed the family through all their ups and downs.

Growing Pains followed the Seaver family – Mike (Kirk Cameron), a bit of a troublemaker, his studious sister Carol (Tracey Gold), energetic brother Ben (Jeremy Miller), and later, their youngest sister Chrissy (Kelsey & Kristen Dohring) – as they navigated the challenges of growing up. The show, which also featured a young Leonardo DiCaprio as Luke Brower, was known for being a heartfelt and often serious look at family life.

3. The Facts Of Life

NBC, 1979-1988

Originally a spin-off of Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life began by focusing on Edna Garrett (played by Charlotte Rae). However, the show soon shifted its focus to the lives of the girls attending Eastland School, a made-up boarding school. While the early episodes were a bit disorganized, the show eventually became a very polished and consistently funny sitcom.

Over its ten-year run, The Facts of Life followed the lives of Blair Warner, Jo Polniaczek, Tootie Ramsey, and Natalie Green as they navigated important issues. The show centered on the power of female friendship, personal development, and lasting bonds, making it one of the most relatable and heartwarming series of the 1980s.

2. Family Ties

NBC, 1982-1989

Created by Gary David Goldberg, Family Ties centered on a family bridging the gap between two generations. Parents Steve (Michael Gross) and Elyse Keaton (Meredith Baxter), former hippies, found themselves raising a more conservative son, Alex (Michael J. Fox), along with their daughters Mallory (Justine Bateman) and Jennifer (Tina Yothers). The show frequently highlighted the differences in values between the parents and their children.

While Family Ties shared similarities with other sitcoms of the 1980s, it uniquely examined the clash between the values of the 1960s counterculture and the growing focus on wealth in the early ’80s. The show started as a typical family comedy, but it soon began to address bigger, more complex issues. By successfully combining social insights with genuine family moments, Family Ties is a show that deserves greater recognition.

1. Charles In Charge

CBS, 1984-1990

Featuring Scott Baio, best known from Happy Days, Charles in Charge centers around Charles, a college student who takes a job as a live-in housekeeper for the Pierce family – Stan (James Widdoes) and Gwendolyn (Jennifer Runyon). He receives free room and board throughout his studies in exchange for taking care of the house and their children.

Despite a rocky start with an initial cancellation and later revival in syndication, Charles in Charge was a delightful and heartwarming comedy. The show cleverly portrayed the idea of a chosen family, using relatable everyday humor and balancing lighthearted family moments with storylines about Charles growing up and taking on responsibility. It was a surprisingly popular show that many felt deserved even more viewers.

2025-11-04 04:02