6 Cheesiest ’80s TV Shows, Ranked

The 1980s were known for being over-the-top, with trends like big hair and bright neon colors. The music scene was similarly bold and individualistic. And the TV shows of the decade matched that energy – the more fun and outlandish, the better! Whether it was a family comedy or a crime drama, viewers loved the shows that didn’t take themselves too seriously.

The 1980s were a fun era for television, when people gathered around their TVs to relax and enjoy their favorite shows. While we didn’t have DVRs back then, we eagerly anticipated weekly episodes and connected with the characters and stories. Many of those delightfully cheesy shows from the ’80s are still remembered today, inspiring spin-offs, sequels, and even funnier parodies. They’re still worth watching – whether you’re rediscovering old favorites or experiencing them for the first time. From memorable characters and families to even talking cars, these classic shows truly had it all.

MacGyver Inspired A Parody Decades Later

I remember watching this show back when it originally aired from 1985 to 1992, and it was a genuinely thrilling action series. The lead character was this unbelievably clever secret agent—give him any challenge, and he could MacGyver his way out of it using whatever was lying around! It made sense, though, because he wasn’t just a spy; he had a background as a scientist and had even served on a bomb squad during wartime. He really was a one-man toolkit, always equipped with a Swiss Army knife, duct tape, and, on a good day, even some matches. It was fun to watch him improvise!

It was strange that he never carried a gun, but it actually suited his character. It didn’t make much sense for a secret agent to rely on his intelligence instead of a weapon in dangerous situations, but he always managed to find a solution quickly. While some of his inventions were far-fetched, the show often skipped over the details of how he did them, and much of it wasn’t scientifically realistic. However, at the time, viewers didn’t have the internet to fact-check everything, so they happily accepted the unbelievable scenarios.

The original MacGyver spawned two TV movies and a 2016 reboot that lasted five seasons. However, it’s Will Forte’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) skit, MacGruber, that really captured the public’s imagination. The skit was so popular it led to a full-length parody movie and a well-received, though short-lived, TV series on Peacock. While the original MacGyver had its share of campiness, MacGruber amplified it for comedic effect, playfully exaggerating the show’s over-the-top moments.

Knight Rider Was Ahead of its Time

Knight Rider was incredibly innovative for its time. The idea of a secret agent traveling across America with a disguise, a new identity, and a high-tech, talking car feels like something you’d expect to see in a show from the 2000s, not the 1980s! It was truly ahead of its time.

Fans who watched the original run of Knight Rider were captivated by KITT, Michael Knight’s incredibly advanced Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. KITT wasn’t just a car; it was a computer-controlled vehicle that essentially drove itself – a groundbreaking idea for its time. Even more impressive, KITT used artificial intelligence to scan the environment, process information, drive at high speeds, and even defend Michael Knight with lasers, acting as a true partner in fighting crime.

Looking back, Knight Rider was pretty cheesy, and it seems even more so now that technology has come so far – which is a good thing! Self-driving cars are common now, making the show’s premise less impressive. Michael’s leather jacket and hairstyle are definitely products of the 80s, and feel quite dated. The poor reviews the first season received show the show wasn’t always respected, and that was okay – it was part of the fun. However, that doesn’t change the fact that the show was a bit cliché.

I Pity The Fool Who Didn’t Watch The A-Team

The A-Team is a beloved classic that launched Mr. T to stardom. The show centers around a group of ex-Special Forces soldiers who break out of prison after being wrongly convicted. They become mercenaries, traveling around and helping those in need. It’s a quintessential ’80s action series – delightfully cheesy and filled with over-the-top, though admittedly low-budget, fight sequences.

You know, I think that’s a big part of why The A-Team was so popular – it didn’t really take itself seriously, even when it seemed to be trying to! It was a really interesting mix of things. I heard NBC’s Brandon Tartikoff originally described it as wanting to combine the feel of movies like The Dirty Dozen and The Magnificent Seven with the kind of weekly case-solving you’d see on Hill Street Blues. Basically, they wanted that big movie star appeal but packaged in a way that fit a regular TV show.

Fans have been actively trying to bring the show back, but if it were to return, it would likely need to maintain its low-budget charm. Those intentionally awkward fight scenes are a key part of what makes the show so enjoyable.

Growing Pains Was a Progressive Sitcom

Growing Pains was a forward-thinking sitcom for its time. The show revolves around a family where the father, a psychiatrist, decides to bring his practice home so his wife can return to her career as a reporter. Their children are mostly independent, and when they need guidance, Dr. Jason Seaver (played by Alan Thicke) is always there to offer advice.

The show always featured playful chaos, often caused by the oldest son, Mike (Kirk Cameron). It became even more lighthearted and silly when a character who aged at an unusually fast rate was introduced, and again when the family adopted a young boy named Luke, played by a pre-fame Leonardo DiCaprio.

Growing Pains was typical of sitcoms from its time, but it stands out for being particularly cheesy. The show often featured predictable storylines and relied heavily on life lessons delivered through Jason’s character.

Manimal is About Exactly What You Think

The basic idea of this show already sounded terrible, and unfortunately, it lived up to those expectations. It was cancelled after just eight episodes, but Manimal remains one of the most hilariously bad shows of the 1980s. The series centers around Jonathan Chase, played by Simon MacCorkindale, a superhero with the ability to transform into any animal to assist law enforcement in solving crimes.

The basic idea doesn’t hold up, especially considering how limited special effects technology was at the time. The effects themselves weren’t very convincing, and transformations always happened away from the camera because they couldn’t be done believably on screen. Plus, the hero’s clothes would strangely vanish and reappear whenever he changed forms.

Jonathan could transform into all sorts of animals – a panther, a hawk, a horse, a dolphin, and even a snake! The show is definitely over-the-top and a bit silly, but it’s the kind you secretly enjoy. Once you start watching, it’s hard to stop – it’s a captivating mess.

Full House Was Cheesy Wholesomeness

With its feel-good music, cozy family scenes, and lessons learned each week, this sitcom perfectly captures the spirit of 1980s television. It was a show families enjoyed watching together, sharing lots of laughs. Though it began with a sad premise – Danny Tanner (the late Bob Saget) taking in his brother-in-law and best friend after his wife passed away to help raise his three daughters – it quickly blossomed into a heartwarming story about the power of family.

The show Full House is full of silly, heartwarming moments – from Uncle Jesse’s bad hair jokes to Kimmy’s unexpected drop-ins and Danny’s overly earnest pep talks. Even the sequel series continues this tradition, remaining just as, if not even more, cheesy and sentimental.

The show remains enjoyable even now, with its themes, relationships, and humor feeling as relevant as ever. It wasn’t groundbreaking television, but it’s a classic family sitcom – guaranteed to get kids laughing while parents playfully cringe at the predictable storylines.

2026-01-20 00:14