Photo: NBC
You might have missed it with the revelry and boozing surrounding New Year’s Eve, but before the ball dropped on another year, the world lost Betty White, a few months shy of her 100th birthday. The American institution had a ridiculous career that spanned nine decades (yes, you read that right). Her first work was in radio, and she went on to host shows and act in countless TV shows and movies.
It’s hard to pinpoint her most memorable work. But, in our opinion, it’s really difficult to top her role of Rose Nyland on ‘The Golden Girls.’ This show that aired from 1985 to 1992 deserves a revisit. Thanks to streaming services, you can. This makes us think of other ‘80s-era shows that deserve another watch. Below, in honor of Betty White, we ranked the best 1980s sitcoms you can stream right now.
Ranked! 1980s Sitcoms
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10) Perfect Strangers
Airing from 1986 to 1993, this show centered around a Chicago man name Larry Appleton who is living his best single life in his apartment until his distant cousin Balki Bartokomous shows up to upend his whole life. Hilarity ensues.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
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9) Mama’s Family
This show that aired from 1983 to 1990 was about the titular “mama” played by Vicki Lawrence and her family. She’s loud, has a bad temper, and doesn’t let anyone push her around. This obviously leads to some humorous story lines.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
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8) Who’s The Boss?
There are few TV shows with a more on-the-nose title. This story of a former baseball player named Tony Micelli who gets hired (for some reason) to be a housekeeper for a rich woman and her family begs the question: who actually is the boss?
Where to stream: Tubi
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7) Alf
Alf stands for alien life form. It’s hard to comprehend how this story of an alien who crashes his spaceship into a suburban garage than then becomes a member of the family was ever made. But it was and we loved it.
Where to stream: Tubi
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6) Night Court
Sometimes it feels like ‘Night Court’ is a forgotten show and that’s a bummer. This sitcom revolving around the denizens of a night court is full of interesting, hilarious characters. It definitely deserves another viewing.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
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5) Family Ties
This family comedy that aired from 1982 until 1989 is centered on the Keaton family. They’re a random liberal suburban family living with an over-the-top republic son played by Michael J. Fox. The show dealt with a lot of the issues of the day and many still resonate today.
Where to stream: Paramount+
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4) Growing Pains
Alan Thicke passed away in 2016 and we probably should have made a 1980s list for him back then. The iconic Canadian actor and music composer played the father on this beloved family sitcom. As a bonus, a young Leonardo Di Caprio starred in later seasons.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
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3) Full House
There are few ‘80s (and early ‘90s) shows more beloved than ‘Full House.’ The aptly named sitcom was about a widower and his three daughters who live with two very different, but equally hilarious uncles.
Where to stream: HBO Max
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2) Cheers
One of the most popular sitcoms of all time, ‘Cheers’ was centered around a former Red Sox pitcher named Same Malone (played by Ted Danson) who owns a Boston bar called Cheers and the wacky characters who spend their days there.
Where to stream: Hulu
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1) The Golden Girls
Even if this list wasn’t created to honor Betty White, there’s a decent chance ‘The Golden Girls’ would still take the top spot. This comic look at retirement in Florida featured widowed roommates Rose, Dorothy, Blanche, and Sophia (also known as ‘mama’).
Where to stream: Hulu
