Best T.V. Show of the 80s

Compared to television today, which offers hundreds of channels for every type of show imaginable, the eighties were much simpler. We had our three main channels plus a couple of cable channels to choose from for most of the top shows. However, the quality of those choices was stellar.

The 1980s introduced us to some incredibly gifted actors and actresses. Who will ever forget seeing Robin Williams as Mork from Ork, in Mork and Mindy, or Tom Hanks cross-dressing as Buffy Wilson on Bosom Buddies? I have always been very fond of sitcom comedies and there were some incredible gems, which either began or ended in the eighties. Aside from Mork and Mindy and Bosom Buddies, we had the pleasure, no honor, of also seeing M*A*S*H*, Who's the Boss, Soap, Family Ties, Kate & Allie, and many more. Many a night could I be heard laughing hysterically at the antics being shown each week on these priceless shows?

Also keeping me and many others laughing during the eighties were The Tracy Ullman Show (the show that introduced the world to the Simpsons), Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Show with Joan Rivers, and of course the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. These shows and their stars have become icons that others hope to live up to, but never seem to come close. I used to get ready for bed and look forward to being very entertained.

It wasn't all hilarity or songs and dance. I remember being proud when I could view two competent, independent, and tough women fighting crime on Cagney & Lacey, and I sympathized with Captain Furillo because his men on Hill Street Blues, not only fought crime, but often their own demons. Or I watched with anticipation to see whose life Sam Beckett would take his Quantum Leap into. Or I watched as a regular school teacher became or tried to become The Greatest American Hero.

And, whether we caught the vibe on Miami Vice or 21 Jump Street or sought the good life as in Dallas or Dynasty, there was always something entertaining on, something to make you forget the drudgery of everyday life.

But, although I enjoy many different types of shows, the many different genres available, I will always be a kid at heart. I like the shows that leave joy in their wake. And, the eighties gave us such a show.

On HBO, starting in 1983, I was able to enter the silly, colorful, and delightful world of Fraggle Rock. What a time was had by all. Jim Henson of the Muppet Show was responsible for these characters. I almost chose the Muppet Show, but this one had a little more bite to it.

The Fraggles are also Muppets. They are these humanoid creatures about a foot and a half tall. They live in what seemed to be a set of intertwining caves (called Fraggle Rock of course). These caves have other creatures besides the Fraggles some friendly, some not so much. Mostly we deal with the Fraggles, Doozers, and Gorgs, but there are all sorts of creatures roaming around.

The stories mostly deal with one group of Fraggle friends: Gobo, very level headed for a Fraggle, he is the leader; Mokey, she seems to be very serious and arts oriented; Red, she is the athletic one of the group; Wembley, afraid to hurt anyone's feelings, he is not one for making any decisions; and Boober, my personal favorite. Like Eeyore of Winnie the Pooh fame Boober is very down and worries all the time. And, for some reason, we don't get to see his eyes. Boober is the cook.

Fraggles seem to have no cares, playing and having fun all the time. In fact, many episodes have music as the main theme. And, their carefree attitude is shown in the lyrics to their opening theme.
Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.

Work you cares away,
Dancing's for another day.
Let the Fraggles play,
We're Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober, Red.

Dance your cares away,
Worry's for another day.
Let the music play,
Down at Fraggle Rock.
Down at Fraggle Rock.
Down at Fraggle Rock

Also very interesting about Fraggles is that they can share dreams. If they lie down together (their heads have to be touching) they can enter each other's dreams. Now, wouldn't that be a hoot and a half if we could do that?

Contrary to their seeming crazy life, many good lessons are taught through the interactions of the Fraggles and the various other characters. Not only do we learn how to deal with those who are different from us, we also see how to deal with our responsibilities, how to be friend, knowing what's important, and many other hard topics. These lessons are great for all the children who loved this show, both actual and adult-sized.

Yes, this was a children's show. But it reached a far more diverse audience. And, that is why this is at the top of the list. Although phenomenal, few of the other shows I listed earlier could equally entertain so many different groups of people. Whether young or old, male or female, American or not, few people could resist the charm and tenacity of those fuzzy, crazy, wonderful Fraggles.