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Oh, how we love the '80s. No, wait, that's VH1. We love '80s TV
shows. The rest of the decade can go to hell. But the shows, oh the
shows, they are the shows we grew up watching, the shows that taught
us how to be real men and real women, the shows we enjoyed when we
should've been doing our homework or playing sports or trying to
sneak into bars. But while we loved them all, we must admit that we
loved some more than others. Below are the ten we remember most
fondly, and why we still hum their theme songs when no one's
listening.
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'Cosby
Show'
When it aired: 1984-1992 Created
by: Michael Leeson, Ed Weinberger, and Bill Cosby What
was it about: Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable (Cosby) tries to be
the father who knows best to four high-spirited kids and his
equally strong-headed wife, Clair (Phylicia
Rashad). Why we loved it: Because it showed
that African-American families can be just as white-bread as every
other TV family. Factoid fun: In a 2004 issue
of TV Guide, Cosby's character came in first in a list of "The 50
Greatest Dads of All Time." Jim Anderson was not
pleased. Where are they now: Now without a
prime-time family to impart his wisdom to (or an unhealthy food
product to shill for), Billy spends his days yelling at young people
to pull up their pants. | |
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'The
A-Team'
When it aired: 1983-1987 Created
by: Stephen J. Cannell and Frank Lupo What was
it about: On the run after being convicted of a crime they
actually did commit (albeit under orders from a commanding officer
who never bothered to write those orders down), four Vietnam vets
drive around in a van, helping people, instead of trying to clear
their name. Why we loved it: Because it was like
a big, dumb action movie every week. Factoid
fun: The gold chains worn by Mr. T usually weighed
between thirty-five and forty pounds. Where are they
now: Probably still helping people.
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'The Dukes Of
Hazzard'
When it aired: 1979-1985 Created
by: Gy Waldron What was it about:
Cousins Bo and Luke Duke are some good ol' boys, never meanin' no
harm. But don't it beat all, they've been in trouble with the law
since the day they was born. Or so their theme song
goes. Why we loved it: Because it perpetuated
the stereotype of rednecks all being cop-hating reckless drivers who
wear sinfully-short shorts. Factoid fun: On
several occasions, the show's crew misspelled the first name of
Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane by adding an "e" to end of it like they
were Dan Quayle spelling potato. Where are they
now: A second Dukes movie -- albeit one without Stiffler,
Ashley Simpson's sister, that guy who likes getting hit in the
family jewels or a plan to release it in theaters -- is being
filmed as we speak. | |
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'Cheers'
When it aired: 1982-1993 Created
by: James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les
Charles What was it about: Former Red Sox
pitcher Sam Malone (Ted Danson) runs a
bar filled with loveable alcoholics who don't seem to have anywhere
else to go. Why we loved it: Because on Thursday
nights in the '80s, we didn't have anywhere else to go either. And
they were loveable alcoholics. Factoid fun:
The week "Cheers" debuted, it came in dead last in the Neilson
ratings. Where are they now: Some other bar.
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