Best TV Show of the 80's:

The Best TV Show of the 80s? For me it was Family Ties. We were introduced to the smartest boy/man out there, Alex Keaton. Who could resist his witty outlook on life? Michael J. Fox was the life of this show, and even though Mallory, played by Justine Bateman, was the pretty one, and Jennifer, played by Tina Yothers, was the smart-alecky one, it was Alex P. Keaton who always had us laughing and wanting more in the end.

With its true to life stories about counting on your family, whether for good or bad, and leaning on each other when it was needed most, Family Ties was funny yet heartwarming in a way that made this show an 80s staple. And who could forget Skippy, played by Marc Price? He was such a lovesick puppy who Mallory hardly gave any attention to, yet he would not give up. And Alex and Skippy were true opposite buddies, but still cared for each other.

Elyse and Steven, played by Michael Gross and Meredith Baxter, were the ever so patient parents, proving you don't need to be Archie Bunker to get the message across. The later addition, little Andy Keaton, played by cutie patootie Brian Bonsall, was a little Alex P. Keaton with much more cuddle appeal. And of course, who can forget the romance between Alex and Ellen, played by Michael J. Fox's real wife, Tracy Pollan? Their romance built slowly, and you really felt the love between those two.

I wish nowadays there were more shows like this one. Honest, good and with a real family message. Long live Family Ties!