80s TV Shows

The TV shows of the 80s represent the decade because shows emphasized family values and close ties. The Cosby Show emphasized the value of family as the family is always seen together and always settling their disputes peacefully and comically. This show also was unique in its portrayal of a high-class African-American family, showing the increase of acceptance in society. I enjoyed The Cosby Show for its unique, family-friendly humor and its relatability. Another show of the 80s that emphasized the importance of close relationships was Cheers. This show depicted a feel-good environment in which friends could hang out and joke around with each other. The fact that the show takes place almost entirely in a bar makes the bar seem almost like a safe haven for the friends. This safety and reliability appealed to Americans at this time because of the uncertainty and danger that loomed over them in the form of nuclear war. I thought Cheers was a very funny show and reminded me of one of my favorite modern shows, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Additionally, The A-Team worked comedy and action together into a nice mixture, giving Americans a reliable group that always got the job done. This show also relates back to the feeling the America needed a strong hero or group of heroes in this time of uncertainty. The humor injected into The A-Team broadened the audience that would view the show. I liked the suspense and action in this show along with Mr. T's ridiculousness.
In Sci-Fi, few shows really took off and became popular in the 80s. Of course, Star Trek: The Next Generation was immensely popular, mainly because it gave people a show that they already knew they loved just with new plots and characters. The episode I watched, the whole crew of the Enterprise gets infected with a virus that makes them act intoxicated. This episode relates to the society at the time as they felt that their lives were out of their own control because of the nuclear attack that could come at any moment. Also on the sci-fi front, Misfits of Science, although short-lived, was very entertaining and displayed teenagers as being multifaceted and intelligent, just as movies like The Breakfast Club portrayed. I really enjoyed this show as well and wished we could have shared it with the class.