Plot

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Best TV Shows of the 1980s

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The 1980s expanded television's creative possibilities through innovative shows that blended genres and pushed content boundaries. Programs like Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues, and The Twilight Zone demonstrated television's potential for cinematic storytelling and sophisticated themes.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1980) poster

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1980)

Pro Golfer Saru (1985) poster

Pro Golfer Saru (1985)

Riptide (1984) poster

Riptide (1984)

The Discovery of India (1988) poster

The Discovery of India (1988)

Mitternachtsspitzen (1988) poster

Mitternachtsspitzen (1988)

The Wind in the Willows (1984) poster

The Wind in the Willows (1984)

Inspector Gadget (1983) poster

Inspector Gadget (1983)

Night Heat (1985) poster

Night Heat (1985)

Small Wonder (1985) poster

Small Wonder (1985)

Street Legal (1987) poster

Street Legal (1987)

Kimagure Orange Road (1987) poster

Kimagure Orange Road (1987)

Romansu (1984) poster

Romansu (1984)

Kids' Choice Awards (1987) poster

Kids' Choice Awards (1987)

Der Fahnder (1984) poster

Der Fahnder (1984)

Webster (1983) poster

Webster (1983)

Sherlock Holmes (1984) poster

Sherlock Holmes (1984)

Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984) poster

Voltron: Defender of the Universe (1984)

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987) poster

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987)

Transas e Caretas (1984) poster

Transas e Caretas (1984)

Striscia la Notizia (1988) poster

Striscia la Notizia (1988)

Guerra dos Sexos (1983) poster

Guerra dos Sexos (1983)

Mission Outer Space Srungle (1983) poster

Mission Outer Space Srungle (1983)

Captain N: The Game Master (1989) poster

Captain N: The Game Master (1989)

Children's Ward (1989) poster

Children's Ward (1989)

This decade's experimentation with television formats and storytelling techniques established foundations that would support the medium's later artistic achievements.