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 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985) poster

The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo (1985)

Time Bokan Series: Yattodetaman (1981) poster

Time Bokan Series: Yattodetaman (1981)

Freddy's Nightmares (1988) poster

Freddy's Nightmares (1988)

Anything But Love (1989) poster

Anything But Love (1989)

T-Bag (1985) poster

T-Bag (1985)

Tenko (1981) poster

Tenko (1981)

Princess Sarah (1985) poster

Princess Sarah (1985)

Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980) poster

Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters (1980)

China Beach (1988) poster

China Beach (1988)

Ichiban Daiko (1985) poster

Ichiban Daiko (1985)

Bosom Buddies (1980) poster

Bosom Buddies (1980)

Bionic Six (1987) poster

Bionic Six (1987)

W labiryncie (1988) poster

W labiryncie (1988)

Tales of Little Women (1987) poster

Tales of Little Women (1987)

CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984) poster

CBS Schoolbreak Special (1984)

The Munsters Today (1988) poster

The Munsters Today (1988)

As You Please! Kamitaman (1985) poster

As You Please! Kamitaman (1985)

The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1980) poster

The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show (1980)

Gu Gu Ganmo (1984) poster

Gu Gu Ganmo (1984)

Kokoru wa Itsumo Ramune Iro (1984) poster

Kokoru wa Itsumo Ramune Iro (1984)

Le Théâtre de Bouvard (1982) poster

Le Théâtre de Bouvard (1982)

Pollyanna (1986) poster

Pollyanna (1986)

Bubblegum Crisis (1987) poster

Bubblegum Crisis (1987)

Hello! Spank (1981) poster

Hello! Spank (1981)

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