The 10 Best Sitcoms Of The 1980's (Askmen.com)

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10. Diff'rent Strokes

Okay, so what if the cast ended up heading in different directions? Gary Coleman still rules and seeing him happy (not to mention his openness about his virginity) brings a smile to our face. This show tackled certain social taboos at a time when American society still had a lot of issues to deal with. What am I talking about? In many ways, it set up the stage for Bill Cosby's show.

9. Perfect Strangers

This was perhaps one of my father's favorites. As cheesy as many episodes were, the show perfectly symbolized America's largeness, and the loss of innocence that many foreigners encountered as they melted into America's big pot. This show also made me fall in love with Chicago's Skyline. Funny how I never did master the "Dance of Joy" to this day.

8. Growing Pains

Alan Thicke made me want to be a shrink. So what if I also wanted to be a rock star, an athlete, and Michael Jackson (don't ask). The shrink thing wore off, but the show made boys laugh and girls blush. As funny as the parents were, it was the children that stole the limelight in most episodes. A bit of trivia for you: which titanic superstar currently involved with Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen appeared on this show? Want the answer?

7. Family Ties

You have to give credit to Michael J. Fox for his enormous success at such a young age. While the Back to the Future movies were mind-blowingly successful, Family Ties showcased Fox at his best. Perhaps because of his great surrounding cast. To this day, the show about post-hippy parenthood makes me smile. Fox moved on to better things and had a very successful stint on Spin City , leaving recently to conquer life's greater challenges. He will be back, however, and better than ever I might add.

6. Alf

Have you ever microwaved a cat? I have. Not as myself of course, but during my stint playing the diminutive alien that dug cats. A memorable episode was during the family's Halloween party, when Alf was allowed to mingle with the guests so long as he wore a fake zipper around his neck. Pretty much like what my parents made me do when I was growing up.

5. The Wonder Years

Perhaps the most intriguing show of the decade. The story of a young boy growing into adolescence taught children and adults alike about life's growing pains and one of American history's greatest eras. The Wonder Years was my AskMen growing up; always there to help me choose a path. The show was hilarious at times but the lack of a live audience raised it to a drama-like series that had both humorous and riveting moments.

4. The Cosby Show
Thanks to his extraordinary showmanship, deep understanding of human behavior, and great sense of humor, Bill Cosby will forever have a lasting influence on American culture and international values. Few African-Americans (including politicians) can claim to have had a greater impact on improving social perception and decreasing prejudice as he portrayed a protective father, loving husband, caring doctor, as well as a hell of a comedian. The entire cast deserved credit as the show rose to the peak of "Funny-Land," even spawning an interesting spin-off called A Different World with Lisa Bonet. Bill Cosby taught me, at a very early stage in my life, the 'evaporating effect' that women have on our wallets...

3. Night Court

Court is in session. Judge Harry and Dan 'the Libido Man' Fielding were just too good to pass up. Members of the cast came and went, but the core group made this show so interesting that it actually made many young men and women choose to practice law. Too bad reality is far beyond fiction. If only you knew about the numerous times that I have slapped my forehead and shouted "Other Pocket" when I search for things...

2. Three's Company

Not the longest running sitcom by any stretch of the imagination, but by far one of the most pure-comedy shows of the decade (technically, this one could end up on a Top 1970s list). In any case, whether you prefer Chrissy or Janet, Mr. Roper, Larry, or Mr. Furley, this show managed to make everyone in the room laugh until they were in tears and on the floor. Perhaps John Ritter was so good at his role that he could never be cast as another character.

1. Cheers

Far and away, the greatest '80s sitcom's main asset was its cast. Sam Malone (and all of his female exploits) may have been the main star, but his surrounding cast repeatedly outdid his own incredible performances. To this day, I ask myself whether it was Diane or Rebecca that served as the better nemesis for "Mayday"... actually, I wonder what Sam himself would think?

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