1980s Television At A Glance
For those who grew up in the 1980s, this decade was the golden era of television. While it is best known as the era of big hair, bright colors, the Rubik's Cube, and dance and rock music, it was also the decade when significant developments in the television industry were made.
The rise of cable television introduced audiences to more channels like CNN, HBO, and MTV, a far cry from the three channels that were available on network television at the time. 24-hour news channels were introduced, and police, crime, and detective dramas like Miami Vice, 21 Jump Street, and Remington Steele became increasingly popular. One-hour sitcoms and dramas dominated television, and the primetime soap operas that were introduced during this time changed people’s viewing habits. The infomercial industry also came to prominence in the United States after rules on the amount of commercial content that could be shown on television were relaxed.
The introduction of the remote control during this decade revolutionized the way people watched TV. Viewers could easily switch channels with the touch of a button, a practice which became known as “channel surfing.”
Every decade has its share of iconic television moments, and the 1980s was no exception. More than one billion people worldwide tuned in to watch Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s wedding, and more than 83 million watched J.R. Ewing get shot in the now-iconic third season finale of Dallas, one of the most watched broadcasts of the decade.
Aside from The Simpsons which premiered in 1989, some of the most influential and beloved television programs in history also date back to this decade.
The Best of 1980s Television
1. The Cosby Show
Long before the public became aware of Bill Cosby’s heinous criminal activity, he was a beloved stand-up comedian, actor, and musician who warmed the hearts of American television audiences. From 1984-1992, he starred in the NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, which he co-created with Edwin B. “Ed.” Weinberger and Michael Leeson.
The show centered around the everyday lives and misadventures of the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class African-American family from Brooklyn Heights, New York. The show was widely praised for its depictions of race and class, and paved the way for other sitcoms with a predominantly African-American cast. While it’s been forever tainted by the revelations about Cosby, the show’s hilarious portrayal of a successful African-American family earned it numerous awards in its heyday, including an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1985 and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Program from 1985-1989.
Most Popular episode: “Theo’s Holiday” (season two)
Why viewers loved it: One of the show’s central conflicts was how Cliff and Clair wanted to avoid spoiling their kids. This episode focused on their effort to teach their son Theo about money management, turning the entire house into a simulation of adult life.
