Top 80 TV shows of the 80s: Nos. 1 to 20

Okay, 80s television addicts, your patience is about to pay off. We've finally reached the top 20 TV shows of the 80s on our seemingly never-ending list of the Best 80 TV shows of the 80s.

The final 20 all received a high vote tally from blog readers, but deciding the top three was the toughest. All three tied for the most number of votes. Remember, click here to read how we came up with the list. And click these links for the rest of the list: Nos. 21-40, 41-60, 61-80

Top 20 television shows of the 80s:

20. Designing Women (1986-93): Dixie Carter, Delta Burke

19. Silver Spoons (1982-87): Rick Schroder, Erin Gray

18. Facts of Life (1979-88): Lisa Whelchel, Charlotte Rae

17. Fantasy Island (1978 - 1984): Ricardo Montalban, Hervé Villechaize

16. Head of the Class (1986-91): Howard Hesseman, Dan Frischman

15. Remington Steele (1981-86): Pierce Brosnan, Stephanie Zimbalist

14. Square Pegs (1982-83): Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Linker

13. Pee Wee's Playhouse (1986-1991): Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman

12. Dallas (1978-91): Larry Hagman, Linda Gray

11. The Love Boat (1977-1986): Gavin MacLeod, Fred Grandy

10. The A-Team (1983-86): George Peppard, Mr. T

9. Moonlighting (1985-89): Cybill Shepherd, Bruce Willis

8. Night Court (1984-91): Harry Anderson, John Larroquette

7. You Can't Do That on Television (1979-90): Christine McGlade , Lisa Ruddy

6. Magnum P.I. (1980-88): Tom Selleck, John Hillerman

5. Dukes of Hazzard (1979-85): Tom Wopat, John Schneider

4. The Cosby Show (1984-92): Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad

3. Family Ties (1982-89): Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross

And the big decision....

2. Miami Vice (1984-89): Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas. One could easily argue this show deserves the top spot. Unlike few other shows on the list, it's straight from an 80s time capsule and changed the future of TV drama.

1. Cheers (1983-1993): Ted Danson, George Wendt. One of the few shows in TV history that seemed as creative and funny during episode 1 as it did during its finale (which some may argue is possibly the best sitcom finale of all time, behind only "Newhart" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show.")

Cheers won 26 Emmy Awards (from 117 nominations). It was able to keep its top characters throughout its 11 seasons, survived the death of one cast member (Nicholas Colasanto as "Coach"), the swapping out of the female lead (Kirstie Alley for Shelley Long), and even spawned a hugely successful spinoff series with another co-star ("Frasier" with Kelsey Grammer). And as an unexpected side benefit, the site of the bar in Boston is now a tourist magnet.

So there's the list. Feel free to drop us a comment with your thoughts on the inclusions and omissions.

[Special thanks to IMDB.com for filling in the occasional blanks.]

Comments

[joan koontz]

could you please tell me which show was the most popular show between knott's landing or dynasty? my son and i have a bet i say knott'a landing please let me know thanks j. koontz

[malibu]

Should have been Golden Girls instead of Designing Women. GG holds up well, DW does not.

[Greg Williams]

WKRP was early 80's before the parachute pants and technoglamrock era. Still I loved that show, and felt it should be top 10 material.

And what about Cop Rock??? Oh wait, that's 1990...

[Greg Williams]

Regarding George Wendt: You;d be grumpy too if you heard "NORM!" everywhere you went...

YCDTOTV? YES! I so loved Moose and Motormouth. They were both my fist celebrity crushes. I so wanted to be on that show, but I wasn't Canadian enough.

I'd put Miami Vice at the top if you have to put either them or Cheers in the top 2. MV was more 80's oriented with the Music, the fashion, and the styles than Cheers. Cheers was just guys getting drunk in a bar.

[Tim]

I was starting to get worried as I scanned through the list looking for my all-time-favorite 80's show - Magnum P.I. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw it at #6 (although I would have had it at number 3). Miami Vice and Cheers definitely deserved the #1 and #2 spots!

[Spears]

The best seasons of WKRP happened right before the 80s, otherwise it'd be higher on the list.

[Ron]

I don't see how head of the class could be ranked above WKRP in Cincinnati

[Mike]

Cheers at #1, Dukes of Hazzard at #5, and A-Team at #10? My respect level for you just went up ten-fold! Good choices!

[Al]

George probably wants to eat you......hehe.

[chase]

BTW, George Wendt is not very friendly in person, kind of a grump.

[Tom]

The only thing I liked Shelley in was the Money Pit and that stink fest Losin' It.

[Spears]

I kinda liked Kirstie more than Shelley Long. Not to be mean toward Shelley, but the only thing I really liked her in was Night Shift.

[Al]

Should have put a picture with Shelley Long though......Kristie Alley destroyed the show!

[chase]

Hmm, I always thought of Love Boat and Fantasy Island as 70s shows ...

And Family Ties over Cosby? Interesting ... Neither one has aged well, and both kind of flamed out at the end. I don't know how many watched Fox' later show, Spin City, but on his last episode, Fox calls in from Washington, says he's decided to be a "real journalist" and is hot on the trail of Ohio's new junior senator, "Some stiff named Alex P. Keaton" ... it was a fun moment.

Hey, I've been to the "Cheers" bar, it's called "The Bull and Finch" ... even bought a mug there.

Cheers to the list, a great trip through memory lane.

[Al]

Good, Cheers deserves it. And A-Team at number 10? Nice!

I love it when a plan comes together...

[Crafty Carolinagirl]

Wow, Head of the Class in the top 20! I hated that show, but it was very '80s. I was also pleasantly surprised to see You Can't Do That On Television in the top 10. I can't believe I had forgotten about that one. I loved that show.

What a fun list.

[Crafty Carolinagirl]

Wow, Head of the Class in the top 20! I hated that show, but it was very '80s. I was also pleasantly surprised to see You Can't Do That On Television in the top 10. I can't believe I had forgotten about that one. I loved that show.

What a fun list.

[Rick in Scottsdale]

I didn't expect it to be on the list since it was off many people's radar even then, but I was a huge fan of Michael Mann's more realistic and dramatic Chicago-in-the-early 60s "Crime Story." It had more in common dramatically with "The Sopranos" which appeared 10+ years later than with uber-slick "Miami Vice." (Minus the language.)

It starred Dennis Farina ("Law & Order"), Anthony John Denison ("The Closer"), and Stephen Lang (GODS AND GENERALS). Great writing, acting, and production values. Shows come and go, but this was one that I really hated to see cancelled.