1. Perfect Strangers
Even if you vaguely remember Cousin Larry and Balki Bartokomous doing the “Dance of Joy,” Perfect Strangers might still slip your mind when listing ‘80s sitcoms. But this odd-couple comedy was a pretty big hit, running for eight seasons and anchoring ABC’s famous TGIF lineup. It followed straight-laced Larry Appleton and his cheerful, naive cousin Balki from the fictional island of Mypos as they tried to live together in Chicago.
The show was packed with slapstick humor, sweet life lessons, and one of the most unforgettable opening theme songs of the decade. Bronson Pinchot’s portrayal of Balki made him one of the most beloved sitcom characters of the era, and his chemistry with Mark Linn-Baker was a huge part of the show’s charm. While it doesn’t get rewatched as much as some of its peers, it had a loyal audience and even paved the way for Family Matters, which was a spin-off. You might have forgotten it, but at the time, Perfect Strangers was absolutely everywhere.
2. It’s a Living
You might remember the glitzy uniforms and piano lounge music, but It’s a Living doesn’t get nearly the love it deserves today. Set in a swanky L.A. hotel restaurant, it followed a group of waitresses juggling life, love, and demanding guests while trying to keep their humor intact.
The show originally aired on ABC before being dropped and then brought back in syndication, where it became a sleeper hit. It featured Ann Jillian, whose comedic timing was a highlight, and even launched the early career of Crystal Bernard before her Wings days. With its flashy setting and ensemble of sharp-tongued women, it was sort of the Sex and the City of its day—just with more polyester.
3. The Hogan Family
You might remember it as Valerie or even Valerie’s Family, but eventually it became The Hogan Family—a sitcom with more name changes than most shows survive. It started with Valerie Harper as the matriarch of a household full of rowdy boys, but after a contract dispute and her exit, the show brought in Sandy Duncan as the boys’ aunt to take over. Surprisingly, the series not only survived the shift but thrived.
Running for six seasons, it quietly built a strong fan base and became one of NBC’s dependable hits. Jason Bateman got his big break here, charming audiences as the mischievous teen son, and the show had a heartfelt blend of comedy and family dynamics that stuck with people. It might not get mentioned as often today, but at the time, The Hogan Family was a regular part of many viewers’ weeknight routine. It’s one of those shows that’s easy to forget—until you catch a rerun and all the memories come rushing back.
4. Small Wonder
This one definitely sits in the “wait, that was real?” category. Small Wonder was about a robotics engineer who secretly builds a humanoid robot that looks like a 10-year-old girl named Vicki. She lives with the family and “learns” to be human while keeping her identity a secret from nosy neighbors.
It was a bizarre premise even by ’80s standards, and yet it managed to last four seasons in syndication. The low-budget effects and Vicki’s monotone delivery became oddly endearing to fans. Looking back, it feels like a fever dream, but at the time, it had enough charm to keep families tuning in week after week.
5. My Sister Sam
This show had all the makings of a long-running hit—Pam Dawber from Mork & Mindy, a catchy premise about a young woman suddenly becoming guardian to her teenage sister, and strong critical reception. Sadly, it’s remembered more for tragedy than for its TV run.
When co-star Rebecca Schaeffer was murdered in 1989, it shocked the industry and led to major changes in privacy laws. The show had already ended by then, lasting just two seasons, but it still holds a place in the hearts of fans who remember its humor and heart. It’s a hidden gem that often gets overshadowed by the headlines that followed.
6. Check It Out!
You probably haven’t thought about this one since the last time you set foot in a grocery store with pastel uniforms. Check It Out! was a Canadian import starring Don Adams from Get Smart, this time playing the manager of a supermarket full of quirky employees.
It was a modest hit in syndication and had a charm that was very of-the-moment in the mid-’80s. The jokes were simple, the sets were basic, and yet it had a likable rhythm that made it easy viewing. Adams brought his deadpan delivery to every line, and the workplace hijinks gave it the feel of a lighter, low-stakes version of Cheers—just with a lot more canned goods.
7. Kate & Allie
This one gets mentioned occasionally, but not nearly enough considering how innovative it was for its time. Kate & Allie followed two divorced women who decided to raise their kids together under one roof in New York City. The show tackled everything from gender roles to dating after divorce, all while keeping a solid comedic core.
Jane Curtin and Susan Saint James had incredible chemistry, and their friendship on-screen felt genuine. It was popular in its day and even won a few Emmys, but somehow it faded from the rerun landscape. If you rewatch it now, it still feels surprisingly fresh, and its message of chosen family holds up more than ever.
8. Dear John
When Judd Hirsch moved on from Taxi, he found another hit in Dear John, even if it doesn’t get remembered quite as fondly. He played a recently divorced man who joins a support group full of lovable oddballs, each bringing their own kind of heartbreak and humor.
The show premiered in 1988 and ran for four seasons, delivering laughs alongside a steady stream of ’80s-style emotional growth. It managed to walk the line between comedy and drama, and had an ensemble cast that included a young Jere Burns as the eternally obnoxious Kirk. While it’s not often discussed today, it struck a chord at the time and gave viewers a rare sitcom that was about starting over—at any age.
