what do you think is the most important or influential TV show of the 80's.

My pick would be Hill Street Blues which premiered in 1981. I think the show reinvented the 1 hour drama with a more realistic and grittier approach than the 60's and 70's waterdowned drama's. Many of the later drama's from Saint Elsewhere, LA Law to ER and NYPD Blues can look back at Hill Street Blues as the pioneer in it's genre

Wow, this is tough to chose, Cal.

I would agree with you that Hill Street Blues was a very influential show, and you can still see its influence today in shows like Homicide: Life on the Streets and Law & Order. I also believe that St. Elsewhere paved the way for today's medical dramas. LA Law was also a pioneering show that actually showed lawyers the way they actually are!!! ;)


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I would have to go with "Roseanne". (insert the laughs and jokes here)
But seriously, this show pushed the limits of television, at the time.
It deglamourized the stereotypical perfect family. "Roseanne" dealt with everyday stresses and issues in a bawdy and unconventional manner. It showed us that humor can be injected into an everyday crisis, no matter how big or small.
It broke new ground and introduced the American Heartland to itself.

Roseanne is an excellent choice, Trix. As you said, this show really showed what a family was like, and it was totally believable. I think Married With Children also showcased a completely dysfunctional family, but not in a believable fashion.


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I think it's "The A-Team". The A-Team came out in 1983, but many early episodes were made in '82, so the show is 20 years old.

Let me make my case:

The A-Team made quantum leaps with the level of violence that was shown on TV. That show took it to heights never before seen. It showcased more pyrotechnic explosions and gunfire then most of the big screen movies up till that time.

The A-Team is one of the reasons you had so many "Ramboesque" movies during the mid and late '80s. Remember the flurry of those type of movies during that time? Well it was because of The A-Team. Films that were going to the big screen had to keep up with the violence shown on The A-Team. The A-Team not only influenced the amount of violence shown on TV, but the major movies as well.

Now granted it was cartoony satirical violence, and people rarely got shot on that show, but it was violence on a scale never before seen. Parents groups were even protesting the series, which made it all the more popular with the youth of the '80s.

Many of the comedies today reminds me of Family Ties and Roseanne. I think typical family shows are the best. It has to be about situation I can recognize myself in.

Miami Vice really combined the tv show and music video into one package, and that's a trend that still seems strong today. Baywatch anyone? :)

Married with Children was the first show that I remember as having family members who really didn't like each other and made really insulting comments to each other. Before that it seemed a bit taboo. And that's another trend that's still going strong.

Originally posted by Sara Smile
[B]Many of the comedies today reminds me of Family Ties and Roseanne.

So true! :)

I would have to say, Family Ties. Even though it was a comedy there were serious topics covered also. :) Remember the speed episode?

I would have to agree that "Vice" was a pretty influential show - just look at it's impact on pop culture then....even now to some extent.

Unfortunately, the type of "bread and butter" shows that the 80s featured (Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, V, etc.) just aren't produced anymore.:(

I agree with Trixter about Roseanne. There was just something about her parenting skills that I really love. She was bitchy, but obviously loved her family very much. It was definitely different from any family sitcom we've seen up to that point (with the possible exception of All in the Family)
I also think that The Simpsons was a very defining show in the 80's and changed the way we watched Cartoons forever.

I'd have to say "Miami Vice" and "Hill Street Blues" were the most influential shows of the 80's. Miami Vice had a strong influence on fashion and music on that show. I still have the "Miami Vice" soundtrack.