The Top Shows of the 80's

Unfortunately, through most of the 80's I worked two jobs, 6-7 days per week so I was not familiar with a lot of shows. Shows I did watch were "Married with Children" and "The Simpsons" which had absolutely no redeeming value and full of tasteless humor which was why I enjoyed them so much!

"Americas most Wanted" was a favorite because at the time I was a Corrections Officer and was curious to see who I might know and also you got to see the good guys win. It was sad that the show had to come about as a result of the heinous murder of John Walsh's young son. Unsolved Mysteries" is another treat. The narrator was Robert Stack and I loved watching him as Elliot Ness in "The Untouchables" (ABC).

A show that is a long time favorite is Star Trek. For awhile it could have been anything named "Star Trek" and I would have watched. I was hooked before Captain Kirk was captain. I have seen all the movies and too many reruns where now I can do without for awhile.

The top numba 1 show was "Hill Street Blues". I had the hat and t-shirt. That show captivated me and it had a great mix of drama, suspense, action, along with some really dry humor that it was as close to real life as a show could be. It touched all the emotions and had enough surprise endings where you would not assume to know what the ending would be like.

Best of all, you could relate to the characters. Every performer was written as some Hollywood kungfu expert and weapons expert as it seems to be now. Blood spattering all over the place wasn't necessary and neither was the vulgar language used so commonly on so many shows now. Also, sex did not have to sell the show; great writing and acting did it.

"Hill Street Blues" was a real reality show with real characters, in real situations, failing as real people will do and above all they all did not look built like professional fitness people. The real world just isn't that way. They were everyday people.