Best 1980s Sitcom
Picture it! America, the 1980s. Reagan is in the White House. Pop stars are declaring that we are the world, and asking if we know it’s Christmas. And Americans are pondering heavy existential questions like, Where’s the beef? For most of the decade, there are only THREE networks airing primetime comedies. And yet, some of those shows were so strong, with writing and acting so sharp, that they continue to influence TV even four decades later. It’s time we gave them their due. So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we determine the Best 80s Sitcom. Shows discussed: “The Golden Girls,” “Happy Days,” “The Facts of Life,” “Growing Pains,” “Murphy Brown,” “The Jeffersons,” “M.A.S.H.,” “Who’s the Boss?,” “Cheers,” “The Simpsons,” “The Cosby Show,” “Night Court,” “Family Ties,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Roseanne,” “Designing Women.”
Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Amma Marfo and Brendan Hay, and special guest panelist comedian/voice artist/actor James Adomian as they discuss and debate 16 of the most iconic TV comedies to air new episodes on American channels between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1989.
Great Pop Culture Debate is brought to you by Factor Meals. Visit factormeals.com/greatpop50 and use the code greatpop50 for 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month.
Check out James Adomian’s comedy special “Path of Most Resistance” right here:
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
For more exclusive content, including warm-up in which we discuss the shows we were bummed didn’t make the bracket, become a Patreon supporter of the podcast today.
Related Content
TOP 10 Best 80s Sitcom Spinoffs
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: “The Golden Girls” (1985-1992, NBC) (1) vs. “Happy Days” (1974-1984, ABC) (4)
Match-Up 2: “The Facts of Life” (1979-1988, NBC) (3) vs. “Growing Pains” (1985-1992, ABC) (2)
Match-Up 3: “Murphy Brown” (1988-1998, CBS) (1) vs. “The Jeffersons” (1975-1985, CBS) (4)
Match-Up 4: “M.A.S.H.” (1972-1983, CBS) (3) vs. “Who’s the Boss?” (1984-1992, ABC) (2)
Match-Up 5: “Cheers” (1982-1993, NBC) (1) vs. “The Simpsons” (1989-present, Fox) (4)
Match-Up 6: “The Cosby Show” (1984-1992, NBC) (3) vs. “Night Court” (1984-1992) (2)
Match-Up 7: “Family Ties” (1982-1989, NBC) (1) vs. “Perfect Strangers” (1986-1993, ABC) (4)
Match-Up 8: “Roseanne” (1988-1997, ABC) (3) vs. “Designing Women” (1986-1993, CBS) (2)
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panel: Amma Marfo, Brendan Hay
Special Guest: James Adomian (watch “Path of Most Resistance” here)
Producer: Bob Erlenback
Editor: Eric Rezsnyak
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
