The Best and Worst of 1980's Television

Yes, I'm headed to an 80's party this coming weekend and so I have to give my best of the 1980's awards for TV shows. In my opinion the 80's were the true Golden Age of Television though there were a few clunkers as noted below. My categories are somewhat unique:

BEST SHOW WITH CHARACTERS HIDING THEIR TRUE IDENTITY FROM THE AUTHORITIES: The A-Team (1983-86). Runner-up: ALF (1986-90)

WORST SHOW WITH CHARACTERS HIDING THEIR TRUE IDENTITY FROM THE AUTHORITIES: Small Wonder (1985-89, I think).

BEST SHOW FEATURING A GRUFF OLD CODGER PAIRED WITH A YOUNG PERSON WHO BRIGHTENS UP THEIR LIVES: Punky Brewster (1984-86, 87-88).

WORST SHOW FEATURING A GRUFF OLD CODGER PAIRED WITH A YOUNG PERSON WHO BRIGHTENS UP THEIR LIVES: Jake & The Fatman (1987-90)

BEST SHOW FEATURING SLIME: You Can't Do That On Television (throughout the 80's on Nickelodeon)

WORST SHOW FEATURING SLIME: You Can't Do That On Television (hey, it was a very uneven show)

BEST SITCOM ABOUT A CONVENTIONAL NUCLEAR FAMILY: Family Ties (1982-89). Runners-up: The Cosby Show (1984-92); Growing Pains (1985-92)

WORST SITCOM ABOUT A CONVENTIONAL NUCLEAR FAMILY: Married..with Children (1987-way into the 90's). Runners-up: Roseanne (1988-97); Mr. Belvedere (1985-90).

BEST SITCOM ABOUT AN UNCONVENTIONAL NUCLEAR FAMILY: The Hogan Family (1986-91). Runner-up: Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86)

WORST SITCOM ABOUT AN UNCONVENTIONAL NUCLEAR FAMILY: Who's The Boss? (1984-92). Runner-up: Mamma's Family (1983-whenever)

BEST ACTOR IN A HIT TV SHOW: Michael J. Fox in Family Ties (1982-89)

WORST ACTOR IN A HIT TV SHOW: Richard Dean Anderson in MacGyver (1985-92).

BEST ACTRESS IN A HIT TV SHOW: I hate the show, but it is honestly Betty White in The Golden Girls (1985-92)

WORST ACTRESS IN A HIT TV SHOW: Anyone on Designing Women (1986-93).

BEST SHOW SET IN ATLANTA: Matlock (1986-95).

WORST SHOW SET IN ATLANTA: Designing Women (1986-93)

BEST SHOW FEATURING TALKING MACHINERY: Knight Rider (1982-86)

WORST SHOW FEATURING TALKING MACHINERY: All other shows that had this.

BEST TV CATCH PHRASE OF THE DECADE: "Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl, this is my other brother Darryl" - as said by Larry on nearly every episode of Newhart (1982-90) that he appeared on.
Runner-ups: "Hey, Let's Be Careful Out There" - the first chief on Hill Street Blues (1981-87), said after the roll call that started each episode.;
"Of course I have, don't be ridiculous" - Balki on Perfect Strangers (1986-92), when trying to pretend he knew what you were talking about.

WORST TV CATCH PHRASE OF THE DECADE: "Who Shot J.R.?" - not really stated on the show until after it was the big phrase in America during Who Shot J.R. mania in 1980. The show was Dallas (1978-91).

and finally:

BEST DRAMA SERIES OF THE DECADE: Magnum P.I. (1980-88)

BEST SITCOM OF THE DECADE: Newhart (1982-90). Runner-up: Family Ties (1982-89).

This list will of course engender debate providing it actually gets read of course.