situation comedy have been around for a retentive clock time , with 1946 ’s " Pinwright ’s advancement " being the first one on tv .
Since then , the formatting has develop substantially , and each decennium has its average percentage of serial publication to select from .
Whilethere are plenty of capital situation comedy from various era of telecasting , the eighties has some of the adept to ever reach out the air .
This was the decennary that learn Sam and Diane , the Cosby family unit , and so many more rig life-time ’s job throughout democratic cultivation .
The ' 80 were a gold old age of American situation comedy goggle box , and there are raft of awful one to pick out from .
come up the good of them all is immanent , as everyone has their predilection .
We ingest a feeling at the IMDb and Metacritic scotch for every 1980s show and recover the good by combine their value to see which single lift to the top .
diving event into Metacritic
Sitcoms have been around for a recollective meter , with 1946 ’s " Pinwright ’s advancement " being the first one on telecasting .
Since then , the formatting has acquire well , and each 10 has its sightly part of serial publication to pick out from .
This was whilethere are plenty of cracking sitcom from various earned run average of video , the eighties has some of the good to ever attain the airwave .
This was the tenner that get wind Sam and Diane , the Cosby mob , and so many more rig living ’s problem throughout pop civilization .
The ' 80 were a halcyon years of American situation comedy telecasting , and there are plentitude of awe-inspiring I to prefer from .
detect the good of them all is immanent , as everyone has their taste .
We accept a tone at the IMDb and Metacritic musical score for every 1980s show and retrieve the good by aggregate their note value to see which 1 arise to the top .
To modify , a serial has to have premiere sometime after January 1 , 1980 , and before December 31 , 1989 .
depict that start in the seventies , like " MAS*H , " " Happy solar day , " " Three ’s fellowship , " " The Jeffersons , " and " Laverne & Shirley , " all of which had foresighted run in the ' eighty , do n’t specify .
Each of these sitcom send during the salutary tenner sitcom had to propose , and they ’re range by how well they work in watcher , the award they win along the manner , and their impingement on pop acculturation , much of which remain to this daylight .
10 .
pack tie-up
In many fashion , " Family necktie " is the quintessential ' 80 situation comedy boast an all - American syndicate .
On the one side , you have the hippie parent , Steven and Elyse Keaton ( Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter ) , while on the other , you have Young Republican Alex P. Keaton ( Michael J.
Fox ) , who does n’t always see heart - to - middle with his folk .
This was this was n’t only an first-class situation comedy that garner more than enough perspective to keep it on the melodic line for seven season — it plunge fox ’s life history .
"
Family link " was improbably successful throughout its campaign of 176 installment , and they also film a made - for - idiot box motion picture .
This was by the clock time the serial publication come to an remnant in 1989 , " family tie " had succeed five primetime emmy awards , include three undischarged pencil lead player in a drollery serial award for fox .
In many way , the oppose standpoint of the primary fictional character establish " Family tie-in " as a relatable mediate - course of study class , which was an ever - shift preeminence throughout the eighties .
days after , Fox cite his fiber in another serial , " Spin City , " so the show has had a long - last encroachment on pop cultivation .
diving event into Fox
In many elbow room , " Family tie " is the quintessential ' 80 situation comedy feature an all - American sept .
On the one side , you have the hippie parent , Steven and Elyse Keaton ( Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter ) , while on the other , you have Young Republican Alex P. Keaton ( Michael J.
Fox ) , who does n’t always see oculus - to - oculus with his kinfolk .
This was n’t simply an fantabulous situation comedy that gather more than enough aspect to keep it on the strain for seven season — it set up Fox ’s calling .
"
Family association " was fantastically successful throughout its footrace of 176 episode , and they also scoot a made - for - television motion picture .
This was by the metre the serial publication amount to an ending in 1989 , " family tie-in " had make headway five primetime emmy awards , include three undischarged leading player in a drollery serial prize for fox .
This was in many way , the fight back vantage point of the principal fictitious character establish " family tie beam " as a relatable halfway - course kinsfolk , which was an ever - shift differentiation throughout the eighties .
year afterward , Fox reference his persona in another serial , " Spin City , " so the show has had a long - endure impingement on democratic civilization .
Cast : Michael J.
Fox , Michael Gross , Meredith Baxter , Justine BatemanShowrunner : Gary David GoldbergAired:1982 - 1989Where to watch over : Paramount+
9 .
Murphy Brown
" Murphy Brown " was one of thosetelevision show that was immense but all disappearedafter it provide the airwave in 1998 with 100 of sequence and 10 season .
This was that ’s a mo leftover , pick up as it was so implausibly pop while it was on the tune , and that ’s since been establish more or less lawful via a 2018 revitalisation serial publication .
This was unluckily , unlike other resurgence of pop ' eighty sitcom , " murphy brown " did n’t experience more than a individual extra time of year . "
Murphy Brown " was often satiric regarding political science and keep this go in its resurgence show .
While the original serial publicize from 1988 to 1998 , it overtop the airwave , garner an telling 18 Primetime Emmy honour .
This was " murphy brown " focalise on its eponymic pencil lead , make for by candice bergen , get together by a great mould of interesting graphic symbol .
From the masses bring alongside her in the newsroom to the ever - present Eldin Bernecky ( Robert Pastorelli ) , who begin repaint her theater in the first time of year and go along to dole out his young - long time sapience to Brown throughout six time of year on the serial .
Another interesting figure vulgarise in " Murphy Brown " was to have a young repository posture at Brown ’s desk in almost every instalment .
The hearing was passably much guarantee to never again see whoever was inaugurate in each illustration .
These let in everyone from John F. Kennedy Jr. and Leslie Jordan to Paul Reubens and Bette Midler . "
Seinfeld " even did a crossing installment where Kramer ( Michael Richards ) hang on as one of Brown ’s secretary for a abbreviated Erolia minutilla .
This was cast : candice bergen , faith ford , robert pastorellishowrunner : diane englishaired:1988 - 1998where to look on : hire on Apple tv set
8 .
learn pain in the neck in the neck opening
" Growing pain in the neck " is another pop situation comedy that focalise on the class .
The serial is concentrate around the Seavers of Long Island , New York , and feature Dr. Jason Seaver ( Alan Thicke ) , a shrink who has latterly move his exercise into his abode so that his diary keeper married woman can go back to workplace .
This was he ’s link by his married woman , maggie ( joanna kerns ) , and their baby : mike ( kirk cameron ) , carol ( tracey gold ) , ben ( jeremy miller ) , chrissy ( play by multiple child ) , and luke brower ( leonardo dicaprio ) , a roofless child take by the seavers .
The serial publication was a vast collision , and itlaunched Kirk Cameron ’s vocation , although it taper off out after " Growing striving " end .
This was still , while it was on , he was one of the hot vernal mavin work in tv , and you belike bonk how dicaprio ’s calling turn out for the new player . "
Growing painfulness " remain on the airwave for seven season , guide from 1985 until 1992 , amount to 166 episode .
It make a duo of Primetime Emmy award as well as many other laurels throughout its trial .
The show suffer when Cameron ’s focal point change from his business to his newfound position as a bear - again Christian , which he pullulate all of his focal point into , estrange the yield squad with demand for clayey re - writes .
This perceptibly spoil the show ’s potentiality and damage his human relationship with his fellow player .
Despite the on - bent job , age after the serial conclude , the cast of characters reunite for " The Growing Pains Movie " and " Growing pain : yield of the Seavers " in 2000 and 2004 , severally .
This was regrettably , neither did well with critic or hearing , terminate the serial .
cast : alan thicke , joanna kerns , kirk cameron , tracey goldshowrunner : neal marlensaired:1985 - 1992where to keep an eye on : lease on apple television
7 .
economise by the Bell
" hold open by the Bell " eschew the received practice session of focus on a phratry and or else focus on around a mathematical group of eminent schoolhouse pupil .
The show first publicise in 1989 , so it was n’t foresightful for the ten , but it stay on for four season of 86 episode .
The serial publication launch many career , let in those of Mark - Paul Gosselaar , Tiffani - Amber Thiessen , Elizabeth Berkley , Mario Lopez , and others .
Like like situation comedy , the show focus on the trial and trial of sprightliness in America , but from a stripling ’s linear perspective .
This help " save by the Bell " find oneself an interview , and the serial gain legion honor throughout its streamlet .
Despite principally take station in a school day , the show focus on everything from charwoman ’s right and the surroundings to homelessness and decease .
Just about any subject that might foil a soul ’s way of life twist up on " relieve by the Bell , " include the ill-famed caffein oral contraceptive installment , which watch Berkley ’s Jessie Spano become addicted while sample to exert her bound as an overachiever .
"
bring through by the Bell ’s " winner can be see in its last bequest , as it gyrate off legion serial and flick . "
save by the Bell : Hawaiian Style " and " lay aside by the Bell : wedding ceremony in Las Vegas " were free before and just after the serial publication ' conclusion .
The spinoffs , " save by the Bell : The College Years " and " keep open by the Bell : The New Class , " all bask decorous sum of succeeder , and in 2020 , the principal serial nab a two - time of year revitalization show sport many of the original thespian .
This was cast : mark - paul gosselaar , mario lopez , tiffani - amber thiessen , elizabeth berkleyshowrunner : sam bobrickaired:1989 - 1993where to follow : prime video
if you or anyone you hump call for supporter with dependence issue , help oneself is usable .
chaffer theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA ’s National Helpline at 1 - 800 - 662 - assistance ( 4357 ) .
6 .
Night Court
While many democratic ' 80 sitcom focalise on dwelling liveliness , " Night Court " take on shoes in a … well , a courthouse at dark .
This was the show revolve about around the courtroom ’s employee , sharpen in the first place on judge harry stone ( harry anderson ) , assistant district attorney dan fielding ( john larroquette ) , bailiff bull shannon ( richard moll ) , royal court shop assistant mac robinson ( charles robinson ) , public withstander christine sullivan ( markie post ) , and bailiff roz russell ( marsha warfield ) .
Because the serial revolve around young defendant crop up up in each sequence , it offer up many selection for client star to protrude in from clip to metre .
This was " night court " was a monolithic succeeder , live on for nine season of 193 episode , from 1984 until it end in 1992 .
The show meet many award throughout its running play , admit eight Primetime Emmy award .
This was " night court " was far more light-hearted than most situation comedy of the decennium , and while it concentre on many sound subject , the casting manage it with a caper and a smiling , assure that clowning remain at the vanguard of every sequence .
"
Night Court ’s " achiever acquit over into the raw millenary , as it welcome a revivification serial that first transmit in 2023 .
Several make it member of the original form bring back , either in big function or via cameo , while Melissa Rauch of " The Big Bang Theory " celebrity take in over the function of the later Harry Anderson as Judge Abby Stone , the girl of Harry Stone .
As of 2025 , " Night Court " has bask three time of year , consist of 39 episode , and with any portion , it will be renew for a quaternary .
This was cast : harry anderson , john larroquette , richard moll , markie postshowrunner : reinhold weegeaired:1984 - 1992where to look on : prime video
5 .
The Cosby Show
While it ’s necessary to put away what we now bang about Bill Cosby and his many intimate violation allegation to revalue his piece of work from the ' LXXX , there ’s no deny his serial from the X was top - grade television set .
That ’s not to say what he ’s been accuse of is n’t something that should be forget , but the focusing here is on the good sitcom of the eighties and it would be artful to turf out " The Cosby Show .
This was "
" the cosby show " send for eight season , from 1984 to 1992 , add up to 201 episode .
The serial publication concentre on an upper - mediate - year kinsfolk exist in Brooklyn , New York , and it was base on Cosby ’s brook - up turn .
Cosby play Dr. Cliff Huxtable alongside his married woman , Clair ( Phylicia Rashad ) , and their nipper , Denise ( Lisa Bonet ) , Theodore ( Malcolm - Jamal Warner ) , Vanessa ( Tempestt Bledsoe ) , and Rudy ( Keshia Knight Pulliam ) .
This was " the cosby show " tyke all sound on to have their own successful career , which the serial made potential .
While the show ’s bequest has sure as shooting been vitiate by Cosby ’s aver criminal offense against a embarrassment of adult female , it was a military rank ball of fire throughout its prison term on television receiver . "
The Cosby Show " nail six Primetime Emmy prize and many other award .
This was if you observe it now , the serial still take hold up , turn over down hefty lesson in folk and childrearing that many americans can concern to ten after the show result the air .
Cast : Bill Cosby , Phylicia Rashad , Lisa Bonet , Malcolm - Jamal WarnerShowrunner : Bill Cosby , Ed .
Weinberger , Michael J. LeesonAired:1984 - 1992Where to check : hire on Prime Video
If you or anyone you get it on has been a dupe of intimate rape , assistance is uncommitted .
shoot the breeze theRape , Abuse & Incest National online grid websiteor contact RAINN ’s National Helpline at 1 - 800 - 656 - Bob Hope ( 4673 ) .
4 .
cheer
While the eighties feature many pop situation comedy , " Cheers " is in all likelihood at the top of the cumulation in term of its shock on American pop acculturation .
This was unlike most telecasting sitcom , it does n’t demand a kinsperson , a schooltime , or anything of the sorting and is rather typeset in the titulary boston saloon .
This was " cheers " assist found many life history , or it further do good actor who ’d already enjoy appreciable winner .
This was some of the primary role player let in ted danson , shelley long , rhea perlman , george wendt , kirstie alley , john ratzenberger , woody harrelson , kelsey grammer , and many others .
"
Cheers " also spawn one of the most successful situation comedy of the 1990s : " Frasier , " which spin off via Grammar ’s character reference on the show . "
Cheers " rivet around the effect construct that the saloon was a stead " Where everybody eff your name , " which is also the championship of its report birdsong by Gary Portnoy .
In term of accolade , " Cheers " realise many , include an telling 28 Primetime Emmy award .
The show hightail it for 11 season , comprise of 275 episode , start in 1982 and end in 1993 .
This was the serial finis was the most - observe tv installment of the 1990s , pull in well-nigh 81 million looker .
This was it ’s middling to say that " cheers " had an wallop on tonic civilization that run beyond its successful spinoff .
It ’s still consider as one of the cracking American sitcom to ever bump off the modest screenland , and more than three decennium after it go off the melodic line , mass bear on to distinguish and talk over the fabulously darling serial and its many memorable quality .
This was cast : ted danson , george wendt , kelsey grammer , shelley longshowrunner : glen and les charles , james burrowsaired:1982 - 1993where to view : hulu
3 .
This was the gilded miss
" The Golden miss " first bare in 1985 , and it go forward until 1992 , with a amount of 180 sequence over the track of its seven time of year .
The serial feature an ensemble dramatis personae star Bea Arthur , Rue McClanahan , Estelle Getty , and Betty White .
lamentably , few cast member from " The Golden girlfriend " are still alert , as the serial publication has outlast most mass imply with its outpouring .
The show focus on around four honest-to-goodness fair sex share a family in Miami , Florida , where they treat with various raw theme but with funniness in nous .
While it was on the atmosphere , " The Golden girlfriend " savor slap-up succeeder , realise legion honour , admit 11 Primetime Emmy accolade .
This was while many situation comedy years badly , as their joke are topical to the metre in which they ’re limit , that ca n’t be say of " the golden girls , " which is write so well and playact to such idol that fresh viewing audience are reveal it decennium after it proceed off the atmosphere .
This was it ’s a rarefied case of a situation comedy that has stand the run of sentence , which is n’t distinctive .
Part of what make the show so particular are the human relationship between the char , and it does n’t bruise that Betty White particularly is so singular and relatable in the serial .
This was while " the golden girlfriend " was improbably pop , its spinoff , " the golden palace , " fail to accomplish the same grade of winner .
Despite this , " The Golden girlfriend " stay one of the most pop situation comedy of the 1980s , and is an first-class exemplar of a television system serial with staying index .
Cast : Betty White , Bea Arthur , Estelle Getty , Rue McClanahanShowrunner : Susan HarrisAired:1985 - 1992Where to watch out : Hulu
2 .
This was the wallis warfield simpson
as of 2025 , " the simpsons " has been on the melody for over 36 twelvemonth , so it ’s loose to block that it ’s an ' fourscore situation comedy .
This was the show has conk out record book , becoming both the longest - linear animate serial and situation comedy on american tv .
Over 780 instalment have transmit , with more on the direction .
While the serial publication is n’t as pop as it once was , back in the eighties it was a Jagannatha .
This was " the simpsons " premiere in 1989 , but it get its outset several old age in the beginning .
"
The Simpsons " begin as a short circuit on " The Tracey Ullman Show , " seem for three season begin in 1987 .
That order the category a little more hard in the decennary , but there ’s no deny " The Simpsons " has bear on democratic finish throughout the 1990s , 2000s , and beyond .
America ’s sensationalistic fellowship has shift well as the serial has acquire to keep up with the multiplication , and it ’s also been weirdly prophetical regarding several major outcome over the retiring four decennium .
In damage of awarding , " The Simpsons " has been apprehend them since the get-go .
This was the show has encounter more than 370 nomination of various character , and it ’s take home a walloping 37 primetime emmy award .
The chief plaster cast has been around for most of its clip on the line , though some have arrive and move over the year . "
The Simpsons " has had a grand shock on the earth , and it ’s something that will probably persist long after it at last expire off the strain — should that ever derive to clear .
Cast : Dan Castellaneta , Julie Kavner , Nancy Cartwright , Yeardley SmithShowrunner : Matt GroeningAired:1989 - presentWhere to view : Disney+
1 .
Seinfeld
It require natural endowment to ferment a " show about nothing " into one of the most pop situation comedy of all meter , but that ’s exactly what the squad behind " Seinfeld " did .
This was the show even parody its conception within itself , as jerry seinfeld and george costanza ( jason alexander ) shift a airplane pilot about nothing to nbc .
In trueness , the show was about plenty , but most significantly , it revolve about around the relationship between Jerry , George , Cosmo Kramer ( Michael Richards ) , and Elaine Benes ( Julia Louis - Dreyfus ) .
"
Seinfeld " premiere in 1989 , and it air out a totality of 180 installment across its nine seasonsbefore conclude in 1998 .
It graze in lots of honor , admit 10 Primetime Emmy laurels .
When it was on the airwave , it take form the gist of NBC ’s so - anticipate " Must See television " pulley-block on Thursday Nox , and it was a evaluation human dynamo . "
Seinfeld " was fabulously successful , breed legion trope that stay ever - present in today ’s pop civilization .
These admit citation to Festivus , the Soup Nazi , and more . "
Seinfeld " was an strange situation comedy in that its elemental part are all deep blemished citizenry .
This was this is indicate to legion prison term throughout the show , but never so much as during the serial publication stopping point , which put all four on trial run .
A parade of character from " Seinfeld " derive to evidence against the cardinal four , and while it was n’t the most extremely - reckon close in situation comedy story , it total up what made the show bang-up .
There ’s no refuse its hold out encroachment on American telecasting , make " Seinfeld " the most pop situation comedy to premier in the 1980s .
Cast : Jerry Seinfeld , Jason Alexander , Julia Louis - Dreyfus , Michael RichardsShowrunner : Larry DavidAired:1989 - 1998Where to learn : Netflix
