1. Manimal (1983)
There’s no denying that Manimal was one of the most bizarre shows to ever hit the airwaves in the ’80s. Dr. Jonathan Chase, a wealthy doctor and former animal researcher, had the ability to transform into various animals to fight crime. Think about that for a moment—one minute, he’s a panther; the next, he’s a hawk, all while solving mysteries in a typical ’80s detective fashion. The concept was so far out there that it was almost impossible to take seriously, which may be why it only lasted one season.
Despite the show’s strange premise, it had its share of fans who were mesmerized by the outrageousness of it all. But with effects that were laughably dated and a plotline that barely made sense, Manimal quickly became a cult classic in the “so bad, it’s good” category. It’s a show that made you wonder how it ever made it to prime time.
2. ALF (1986)
What happens when a wisecracking alien named Gordon Shumway crashes his spaceship in the garage of an average suburban family? You get ALF, a show about a furry, orange extraterrestrial who eats cats and causes chaos in every episode. This sitcom was wildly popular, but its premise was totally ridiculous. ALF didn’t just push the boundaries of believability—it jumped right over them, landing somewhere in the realm of sheer absurdity.
Yet, despite its outlandish storyline, ALF became a staple of ’80s television. Viewers tuned in to see the antics of a character who somehow managed to blend alien humor with everyday life. ALF’s charm, combined with his often inappropriate behavior, made him a loveable yet outrageous character that would never fit into today’s more grounded TV landscape.
3. It’s a Living (1980)
It’s a Living was a sitcom that found its home on prime time by capitalizing on an unexpectedly bizarre premise: a group of women working as waitresses at a high-rise restaurant. On the surface, it might sound like a typical workplace comedy, but It’s a Living took things to a whole new level with its eccentric characters and outlandish storylines. From an unusually dramatic love triangle to slapstick moments involving the restaurant’s eccentric manager, the show was filled with situations that had viewers raising their eyebrows.
While the show’s premise might seem grounded, it was the absurdity of the characters’ antics and interactions that made It’s a Living stand out. The mix of quirky humor, melodramatic plots, and over-the-top performances gave it a charm that was as ridiculous as it was entertaining. It was a sitcom that didn’t shy away from the absurd, leaving a lasting impression for being way too outlandish for its time slot.
4. Small Wonder (1985)
Imagine a robot child living in your house, acting like a normal girl but doing everything from homework to household chores at the speed of light. That was the premise of Small Wonder, a show about a robot named Vicki who was created by an eccentric scientist and passed off as his daughter. The plot itself was wild, but it was the robot’s mechanical movements and overly artificial personality that really made viewers scratch their heads.
Despite the show’s totally strange premise, Small Wonder ran for four seasons, becoming a strange favorite for anyone who enjoyed a good laugh at how implausible it was. The acting was stiff, the special effects were hilariously dated, and the interactions between the robot and the humans were often just too absurd to ignore. But for fans, it was a comforting dose of oddity that was perfectly suited to the ’80s.
5. Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986)
Pee-wee Herman was always a little out there, but Pee-wee’s Playhouse took his zany energy to an entirely new level. This children’s show was filled with bright colors, surreal characters, and bizarre set pieces that felt like something out of a dream. Pee-wee, played by Paul Reubens, interacted with talking furniture, talking chairs, and a host of other eccentric characters in a space that was, frankly, impossible to explain.
While it was designed for children, Pee-wee’s Playhouse was definitely too strange for prime time—its playful yet oddball humor had an undercurrent of adult satire that left some viewers scratching their heads. Still, the show found a beloved place in the hearts of those who enjoyed Pee-wee’s offbeat humor and playful, chaotic style. It was a prime example of a show that seemed to defy logic, but somehow worked.
6. The Flying Nun (1967)
The Flying Nun was, without a doubt, one of the most outrageous sitcoms to ever grace the airwaves, especially for its time. The show starred Sally Field as Sister Bertrille, a young nun with the ability to fly—thanks to the combination of her tiny frame and the shape of her habit. This premise alone was outlandish enough to make you scratch your head, but the series only got stranger from there. Sister Bertrille was constantly flying around, getting into all kinds of trouble and saving the day in the most improbable ways.
Despite its fantastical plot, The Flying Nun quickly became a hit, capturing the attention of viewers who couldn’t resist its quirky charm. The absurdity of a nun flying around a convent in Puerto Rico was too strange for many to ignore, and yet it found a loyal audience. The show lasted just two seasons, but its oddball premise is still remembered today as one of the most bizarre concepts ever turned into a sitcom.
