Top show: Miami Vice, Family Ties or Cheers?

Our list of the top 80 TV shows of the 1980s is nearly complete. (Actually, I could stretch it to 100 shows, but do we really need that many?) It's not too late to submit your favorite show. Click here to add your picks.

In the meantime, let's come to a consensus on the top 3 shows. Right now, the shows leading in votes are Miami Vice, Family Ties and Cheers (not necessarily in that order -- I gotta keep some suspense to the list).

Which of these legendary shows deserves the top spot? Let's break them down:

MIAMI VICE (1984-89)
Starring: Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas
The argument: Former Times TV critic Chase Squires says, "Vice is the emblematic show of the 1980s, it draws a clear divide between the 1970s and the 1980s in style and substance. ... The montage of music and action, sans dialogue, is a signature sequence that's still in use today."
Cons:

FAMILY TIES (1982-89)
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Justine Bateman
The argument: Introducing ... Michael J. Fox, who would use his success on the show to launch a powerfully entertaining career in film. Add in a dash of politics (a conservative dash too), loving ex-hippies for parents and snappy dialog.

CHEERS (1983-1993)
Starring: Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer
The argument: Along with Seinfeld and The Simpsons, one of the funniest network TV shows of the last 30 years. An ensemble cast so talented and tight that only one of them -- Grammer -- would go on to  equal success on TV in the future.

Leave a comment with your vote. Or let me know if there's another show worthy of the top spot.

Comments

[Al]

After Shelley Long left, Cheers personally died for me. If Kristie Alley could actually act, the show would have been great, instead of becoming a mockery of itself. Too bad Coach died, too. He was a perfect foil to Sam, always steering him.

That being said, how many more seasons could they have dragged out the Sam and Diane storyline?

I love the episode where she finally leaves, and Sam said, "Have a good life." It was dramatic without being too sentimental. What a super show.

NORM!

[jt]

Miami Vice hands down!!!!

[Six]

Apples and oranges, Steve, but I'll take Miami Vice for $200.

[Sherrie]

Miami Vice, no doubt about it. While other shows could have come from any recent decade, Vice is as 80's as it gets.

Sherrie

[Tubbs]

Miami Vice, hands down (or "hands up!") ... That Philip Michael Thomas, well, what can you say? Just pure genius.

[Douglas Arthur]

Hmmm.

Family Ties launched the face of the 80's Michael J. Fox, Miami Vice, while short lived, was a triumph of style over substance and influenced the culture in a larger way than either of the other 2 shows. However, Cheers maintained a high level of quality for a very long time, and if you add in the spin-off of Fraiser, which had many Cheers cameos, it lasted roughly 20 years! Cheers I think proved its greatness and deserves the #1 spot. Miami Vice, fizzled after just a few seasons, and Family Ties as good as it was, really wasn't anything we hadn't seen before.

[GlennS.]

I was in my 20's in the 80's, and between listening to music, catching up on classic movies on my first VCR, and even listening to talk radio (it was the heyday of the late Bob Lassiter) I just didn't have much time left for TV. However, I usually managed to catch Cheers on Thursday nights, so that has to get my vote. I have to agree with Al though -- it truly lost something when Shelly Long left the show.

[Cait]

Miami Vice, no contest. Top of the line for both substance and style.

[Douglas Arthur]

What was the substance of miami vice? That you could wear pastels and still be manly? And what ever happened to that gator?? Hey I liked it too, but honestly it didn't have the staying power like Cheers did. Miami Vice is of its time, and not timeless like Cheers. Look at Twin Peaks...great show, highly influential, even today, but it only lasted 2 seasons. Or Max Headroom. Good show, influential, shortlived. Of its time. You gotta go with Cheers.

[Miguel Duarte]

The best show is definitely Cheers.
Family Ties represents a pure 80s sitcom. Miami Vice is the most overrated show of the 80s, just style but totaly empty.

[Paul]

Cheers.
No contest.

Embarrassing to admit, but I've never actually seen one episode of Family Ties or Miami Vice, just clips.

That being said, Cheers is on numerous times every day in North America. Also, the Miami Vice theme song is fun, but Gary Portnoy's "Everybody Knows Your Name" is not just a good theme song, but a great tune, period.

We need more Sam Malones in the world. For the first 5 seasons, his sarcasm against Diane's overblown ego simply made the last few years of going to university fun. I would wake up, make breakfast, watch Cheers, and go to school. This show helped me get through the monotony.

Also, I'm surprised no one has brought up the cameos of Cheers. The John Cleese episode was a classic. The Red Sox, Celtics, heck even Senator Gary Hart before his scandal was on there. John Kerry, too. And even Tip O'Neill! Cheers, in its heyday, was the show to be seen on. Case closed, and rant over.

[cs]

Cheers...hands down winner. Norm!!

[tom Nicolini]

Does anyone know what the name of the song is that opened Bob lassiter's show in the 80's ,Some great Sax,sounded like Sanborn?
Thanks