Go on – face it – the 80s was a scary place to be, especially as far as kids TV was concerned.
It probably didn’t occur to you then – but sit back now and check it out and the cringeworthiness of what was on offer is Oscar winning.
From ALF to Greatest American Hero, Mork and Mindy to The Wonder Years – the delicacies served up to those dining at the all you can eat TV bar – were a bit like cold pizza – you either loved it or couldn’t bare the thought of having to digest it.
Care Bears, Danger Mouse, He Man and Masters of the Universe, Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake, My Little Pony, Transformers – not to mention Webster, The Love Boat – or dare I say it – Punky Brewster . . . ouch!
So – are you a cold pizza addict – was there a program you couldn’t get enough of?
Some of the 80s kids shows were drivel and others were good but the best part about them is that they are all parodied so beautifully on Robot Chicken, a mix of claymation and action figures. The show was devised by Stoopid Monkey Productions and always has me in hysterics. Whether you loved the 80s shows or loathed them, you can bet these guys have sent them up in the funniest way possible. It’s definitely worth checking out!
The Wonder Years stands out as one of the better kids programs. there was also a pretty good Australian kids’ show called Round the Twist.
I just remember all the sit-coms being so family-orientated and sappy.
Not quite The Brady’s, but there would always be some moral at the end.
Think Family Ties, The Hogan Family, Different Strokes etc.
Thank god for British comedies like The Young Ones back then … and then the ’90s with Seinfeld
I must admit though I was a big fan of Masters of the Universe and Transformers …
Cheryl
Is’t it amazing how some of these programs hold up though. The Pop Doctors young understudies aboslutely adore The Wonder Years – but can’t stand a bar of Punky Brewster.
They just don’t get Alf and laugh at Welcome Back Kotter citing just how ‘old’ it is.
Stay well
Hey Sgt-Pembry
From a very early stage television producers realised that the way to capture a family audience was to gain some acceptance from mum’s and dads via either a thinly veiled or thick as mud moral – hence the success of shows as diverse as Leave it to Beaver, My Three Sons, Happy Days and Different Strokes.
Then of course there was just out and out fun stuff . . .