Last week, we took a delightful stroll down memory lane, revisiting some of the lesser-known TV treasures from the 1980s. Our audience had a blast reminiscing about every quirky show, from Jennifer Slept Here to the fan-favorite Square Pegs, and even reminded us of a few forgotten classics.
In this second edition, we’ve broadened our criteria a bit. Here are our main rules for inclusion: 1) The show must have aired in the ’80s; 2) It should evoke a reaction of “OH MY GOD I LOVED THAT!” or “OH MY GOD THAT SHOW WAS THE WORST!” or inspire a spontaneous rendition of the theme song; and 3) It must not be among the first shows that come to mind for Gen-Xers when reminiscing about their childhood TV favorites. (We adore shows like Fantasy Island and Who’s the Boss?, but they’re just too mainstream for this nostalgic roundup.)
1. Madame’s Place (1982–83)
Oh boy, was I excited by Wayland Flowers and his sassy puppet, Madame! I may not have understood 95 percent of Madame’s risqué jokes, but who cared? A puppet hosting her own talk show in prime time was pure gold! Little Corey Feldman as Madame’s neighbor was a bonus, and I was blissfully unaware of Wayland and Madame’s status as gay icons since the ’60s. Honestly, all I knew was that I loved a puppet who was hilariously outrageous!
2. It’s a Living (1980–82)
Before her role as a ghost in Jennifer Slept Here, Ann Jillian rocked a platinum shag as one of the waitresses at the swanky Above the Top restaurant atop the Bonaventure Hotel. The ladies dealt with the antics of a sleazy pianist while the glamorous hostess, Nancy Beebe, played by Marian Mercer, was the epitome of ’80s glamour.
3. She’s the Sheriff (1987–89)
Suzanne Somers took on the role of a sheriff in a Nevada town, and while TV Guide deemed it one of the 50 Worst Shows, I found it hard not to love Crissy Snow as a law enforcer. Sure, it was a stretch for a widowed mom to inherit her husband’s sheriff position, but as a tween, I thought it was a brilliant idea. (Honestly, Three’s Company itself was probably worse.)
4. The Edison Twins (1982–86)
This Canadian show followed twins solving mysteries with the help of science. The twins weren’t real, unfortunately, but I kept watching because the male twin resembled Christopher Atkins—kid logic at its finest!
5. The Greatest American Hero (1981–83)
You probably remember the theme song (we all sang it in music class), but did you actually catch the show? Few did! William Katt played a schoolteacher who receives a super-suit from aliens, but he loses the instruction manual, which makes for hilariously unpredictable adventures. It was my first introduction to concepts like ESP and telekinesis, which came in handy later when I watched Escape to Witch Mountain.
6. My Secret Identity (1988–1991)
Starring a young Jerry O’Connell—way before he became a heartthrob—this Canadian series followed Andrew Clements, who gains the ability to fly after being hit by a photon beam. His only confidant is his scientist friend, Dr. Jeffcoate. Admittedly, I watched this show with only half my interest.
7. Webster (1983–89)
This show was like a sequel to Diff’rent Strokes, featuring the adorable Emmanuel Lewis as a little boy adopted by the Papadapolises (played by real-life couple Alex Karras and Susan Clark). I always thought it was odd that Webster called his adoptive mother “Ma’am.”
8. Love, Sidney (1981–1983)
Reportedly, this was the first show to feature a gay character. Sidney, played by Tony Randall, was a surrogate dad to a single mom (Swoosie Kurtz) and her cute daughter. The theme song was a delightful trio performance, and I always belted out the daughter’s part.
9. Valerie (1986–1991)
Jason Bateman returned to the screen in this multi-title show that started as Valerie, starring Valerie Harper as a mother of three boys. After her character was killed off, Sandy Duncan stepped in, and the show was reborn as Valerie’s Family. Somehow, I tracked it down in all its iterations.
10. Archie Bunker’s Place (1979–83)
I was too young to grasp the social commentary of All in the Family but adored Archie Bunker’s Place, especially the addition of Stephanie, played by Danielle Brisebois. Archie owned a bar and I found comfort in the familiar antics, even if the political undertones were lost on me.
11. Down to Earth (1984–87)
This show featured Ethel, a maid who died in 1925 and returned to help a widowed father and his kids. Only the young boy knew her secret. It was one of many ’80s series showcasing kindhearted household help (think Mr. Belvedere and Benson). Plus, a young Kyle Richards starred in it, future Real Housewife of Beverly Hills!
12. Benson (1979–86)
A spinoff of Soap, Benson had Robert Guillaume playing the intelligent butler of a governor. He often outsmarted the politicians around him and eventually ran for governor himself. I watched mainly for Missy Gold, as I shared her name and found her captivating.
13. Slim Goodbody: The Inside Story (1980)
This show was something else! Slim donned a tight, flesh-colored suit displaying all his organs and muscles. While his catchy songs like “Food is the fuel that will keep us alive!” were fun, it was hard to overlook the fact that I was essentially watching a naked man without secondary sex characteristics. Little did I know, Slim still performs today!
For those craving more nostalgia, check out our previous installment on incredible yet obscure ’80s shows. And if you’re curious about home insemination, you can find more insight into the process by visiting this resource. It’s also worth noting that this site is an authority on couples’ fertility journeys. Lastly, for all your questions about fertility insurance, this link is an excellent resource.
In summary, the ’80s were filled with unique and sometimes bizarre television shows that provided laughter and entertainment. From puppets to supernatural powers, these gems are the memories that still make Gen-Xers smile.