1980's or 1990's TV? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Buffyboy323 · 07-27-2012, 03:30 PM

The 1980's was the golden age for primetime soap operas -- Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, and Knots Landing all had their legions of faithful viewers. New life was breathed into the sitcom, with hit series like The Cosby Show, Cheers, Family Ties and the irreverent Married. . .With Children. Top crime dramas like Magnum P.I. and Hill Street Blues enjoyed long runs in the 80s, while the innovative Miami Vice had a significant impact on television imagery. Programs like thirtysomething and Moonlighting appealed to the yuppie crowd. TV talk shows hosted by the likes of Geraldo Rivera and David Letterman became more provocative and occasionally outrageous.

http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id13.htm

Turning on the TV in the 1990's enabled viewers to see the previous decade's comedy geniuses pass the torch to the new masters who were set to emerge and turn broadcasting on its ear. While 80's stalwarts like Cheers and the Cosby Show were still around, they would soon bow out to let innovative sitcoms like The Simpsons and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air rise to prominence with a new brand of cutting edge humor, sarcasm and style. In another vein, dramas would tackle the day to day of 1990s teenage existence (Beverly Hills 90210 and My So-Called Life), but they also mirrored society's fascination with doctors and medicine (ER and Chicago Hope). The traditional cop show got its own 1990s spin, taking on a harder edge with gritty programs like NYPD Blue and Homicide: Life on the Street that pushed the boundaries of broadcast television.

http://www.90s411.com/90s-movies-tv.html

Which decade of television do you think was better?

hawkeye123 · 07-27-2012, 03:38 PM

That is hard to say. I loved tv from both the 80s and 90s and shows from both the 80s and the 90s. I guess first I would have to make a top 10 list of each of my favorite shows from each decade. And decide which 10 I liked better. It's really hard to choose. I will have to get back to you.

AB · 07-27-2012, 04:47 PM

I also liked both, but I'd give the edge to the 80's because of all the great dramas. I was crazy about Knots Landing & Dallas as well as Cagney & Lacey, Magnum PI, Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, Moonlighting, LA Law, The Greatest American Hero, Cheers, Designing Women & Newhart.

EmoJoe · 07-28-2012, 12:16 AM

1990s for sure. 1980s had some great shows but I always look at it as being sort of the dead period after the high of the '70s. 90s had a lot of great, game changing shows, most notably The Simpsons, which is my pick for the greatest comedy of all time (the first 8 seasons anyway).

yankeesrj12 · 07-28-2012, 12:28 AM

I'm a 90's kid who grew up on 90's television. It easily gets my vote!

hawkeye123 · 07-28-2012, 12:33 AM

The comment about the 80s being a dead period, between the 70s and the 90s, I think that is Ludacris. To me the 80s and the 90s are the greatest days TV has ever or will ever see. My hardest thing in coming up with a decision is determining what shows are 80s shows and what shows are 90s shows. Many shows started in the 80s but went well into the 90s. So, I need some clarification before I make my decision.

EmoJoe · 07-28-2012, 12:41 AM

I just think, whenever I think about what I'd consider to be the greatest TV shows of all time, the only thing from the 80s that really comes to mind is Cheers, whereas with the 70s and the 90s there's many shows that spring to mind. Just my personal opinion.

hawkeye123 · 07-28-2012, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

I just think, whenever I think about what I'd consider to be the greatest TV shows of all time, the only thing from the 80s that really comes to mind is Cheers, whereas with the 70s and the 90s there's many shows that spring to mind. Just my personal opinion.

I hear you and, no harm done. I just don't agree. Here is just an example of some of the great shows from the 80's. Cheers, Facts of life, Family ties, Growing pains, Cagney and Lacey, Simon and Simon, Miami vice, Night court, The golden girls, Newhart, Matlock, In the heat of the night, Dukes of Hazard, The Cosby show, A-team, Magnum, Perfect strangers. I do believe Roseanne, Full house, And Married with children also started in the 80's, if that is the case. Then my choice would have to be the 80’s, But if we are considering those 3 90's shows. Along with the likes of Seinfeld, Friends, Wonder years, 90210, Step by Step, Family matters, Boy meets world, King of queens, Touched by an angel, Promised Land, Highway to heaven. I could go on and on. For me it's a very hard decision. The shows I named are really just brushing the surface.

Buffyboy323 · 07-28-2012, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkeye123

The comment about the 80s being a dead period, between the 70s and the 90s, I think that is Ludacris. To me the 80s and the 90s are the greatest days TV has ever or will ever see. My hardest thing in coming up with a decision is determining what shows are 80s shows and what shows are 90s shows. Many shows started in the 80s but went well into the 90s. So, I need some clarification before I make my decision.

Whichever decade the show spent the most time in is what should determine if it's '80s or '90s. And usually, where it peaked. Examples: Growing Pains and Who's The Boss? are '80s. Married...With Children and Star Trek: The Next Generation are '90s.

hawkeye123 · 07-28-2012, 02:31 AM

I vote 90's because of Full house, Married with Children, Roseanne, Friends, Seinfeld, 90210 ETC. The choice isn't easy though and, I will say this the 80's had the best action shows and,police detective shows.

Buffyboy323 · 07-28-2012, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

I just think, whenever I think about what I'd consider to be the greatest TV shows of all time, the only thing from the 80s that really comes to mind is Cheers, whereas with the 70s and the 90s there's many shows that spring to mind. Just my personal opinion.

I like many shows from the '80s, but when making a greatest of all time list, the '70s and '90s easily rank higher. Every decade was so different from the previous. Not to sound bitter, but I think this is the worst decade of television, so far (2010's). It's still early, as some of the best series from the previous decade came later on. Or it could be my nostalgia getting the best of me, not wanting to let go of my old favorites and accepting new in their spots. Or maybe I'm just getting old.

EmoJoe · 07-28-2012, 03:02 AM

This is actually my favorite time period for TV in a while lol. There's so many great shows on the air right now that I really love. To me the worst time period would probably be the early 00s. So many reality shows and unimaginative Friends/Everybody Loves Raymond rip-offs.

jimpickens · 07-28-2012, 03:18 AM

The 80s while the 90s had some good shows political correctness and placing more emphasis on sex, sleaze and pure shock value rather than a good quality story killed what could've been a great decade for TV.

Buffyboy323 · 07-28-2012, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

This is actually my favorite time period for TV in a while lol. There's so many great shows on the air right now that I really love. To me the worst time period would probably be the early 00s. So many reality shows and unimaginative Friends/Everybody Loves Raymond rip-offs.

I'm a llittle behind on my TV, lol. I'm trying to figure out what shows to start watching. Not much smarks my interest.

My vote goes to the '90s. I was a '90s kid and had a passion for television growing up. I can relate and enjoy most of the shows that were on at any point during the day/night. I don't think kids these days can do that. I can't see a 7 year old making popcorn and running to watch The Office. The 2012 TV world is very different.

hawkeye123 · 07-28-2012, 04:11 AM

I love shows of all different kinds. TV shows from every decade in time, if I had to pick a favorite though. It would most likely be the 90's. 80's and 90's both had the kind of TV shows that related to everyone equally kids and adults. They we're funny dramas and they taught great lessons as well. They we're real life and relatable. But they we're also a place you could go, where the good guys always win.

View Poll Results: 80s vs. 90s TV shows?
1980's TV	13	61.90%
1990's TV	8	38.10%
I don't watch TV shows produced after 1979	0	0%
I don't watch TV shows produced before 2000	0	0%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

07-27-2012, 03:30 PM	#1
Buffyboy323 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 6,102	1980's or 1990's TV? The 1980's was the golden age for primetime soap operas -- Dallas, Dynasty, Falcon Crest, and Knots Landing all had their legions of faithful viewers. New life was breathed into the sitcom, with hit series like The Cosby Show, Cheers, Family Ties and the irreverent Married. . .With Children. Top crime dramas like Magnum P.I. and Hill Street Blues enjoyed long runs in the 80s, while the innovative Miami Vice had a significant impact on television imagery. Programs like thirtysomething and Moonlighting appealed to the yuppie crowd. TV talk shows hosted by the likes of Geraldo Rivera and David Letterman became more provocative and occasionally outrageous. http://eightiesclub.tripod.com/id13.htm Turning on the TV in the 1990's enabled viewers to see the previous decade's comedy geniuses pass the torch to the new masters who were set to emerge and turn broadcasting on its ear. While 80's stalwarts like Cheers and the Cosby Show were still around, they would soon bow out to let innovative sitcoms like The Simpsons and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air rise to prominence with a new brand of cutting edge humor, sarcasm and style. In another vein, dramas would tackle the day to day of 1990s teenage existence (Beverly Hills 90210 and My So-Called Life), but they also mirrored society's fascination with doctors and medicine (ER and Chicago Hope). The traditional cop show got its own 1990s spin, taking on a harder edge with gritty programs like NYPD Blue and Homicide: Life on the Street that pushed the boundaries of broadcast television. http://www.90s411.com/90s-movies-tv.html Which decade of television do you think was better?

07-27-2012, 03:38 PM	#2
hawkeye123 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Posts: 1,390	That is hard to say. I loved tv from both the 80s and 90s and shows from both the 80s and the 90s. I guess first I would have to make a top 10 list of each of my favorite shows from each decade. And decide which 10 I liked better. It's really hard to choose. I will have to get back to you.
	__________________ You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and, loved more than you know.

07-28-2012, 12:16 AM	#4
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	1990s for sure. 1980s had some great shows but I always look at it as being sort of the dead period after the high of the '70s. 90s had a lot of great, game changing shows, most notably The Simpsons, which is my pick for the greatest comedy of all time (the first 8 seasons anyway).
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

07-27-2012, 04:47 PM	#3
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	I also liked both, but I'd give the edge to the 80's because of all the great dramas. I was crazy about Knots Landing & Dallas as well as Cagney & Lacey, Magnum PI, Simon & Simon, Miami Vice, Moonlighting, LA Law, The Greatest American Hero, Cheers, Designing Women & Newhart.

07-28-2012, 12:28 AM	#5
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	I'm a 90's kid who grew up on 90's television. It easily gets my vote!

07-28-2012, 12:33 AM	#6
hawkeye123 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Posts: 1,390	The comment about the 80s being a dead period, between the 70s and the 90s, I think that is Ludacris. To me the 80s and the 90s are the greatest days TV has ever or will ever see. My hardest thing in coming up with a decision is determining what shows are 80s shows and what shows are 90s shows. Many shows started in the 80s but went well into the 90s. So, I need some clarification before I make my decision.

07-28-2012, 12:41 AM	#7
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	I just think, whenever I think about what I'd consider to be the greatest TV shows of all time, the only thing from the 80s that really comes to mind is Cheers, whereas with the 70s and the 90s there's many shows that spring to mind. Just my personal opinion.

07-28-2012, 02:31 AM	#10
hawkeye123 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Posts: 1,390	I vote 90's because of Full house, Married with Children, Roseanne, Friends, Seinfeld, 90210 ETC. The choice isn't easy though and, I will say this the 80's had the best action shows and,police detective shows.

07-28-2012, 03:02 AM	#12
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	This is actually my favorite time period for TV in a while lol. There's so many great shows on the air right now that I really love. To me the worst time period would probably be the early 00s. So many reality shows and unimaginative Friends/Everybody Loves Raymond rip-offs.

07-28-2012, 03:18 AM	#13
jimpickens Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 01, 2007 Location: weston,wv Posts: 1,390	The 80s while the 90s had some good shows political correctness and placing more emphasis on sex, sleaze and pure shock value rather than a good quality story killed what could've been a great decade for TV.

07-28-2012, 04:11 AM	#15
hawkeye123 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2012 Posts: 1,390	I love shows of all different kinds. TV shows from every decade in time, if I had to pick a favorite though. It would most likely be the 90's. 80's and 90's both had the kind of TV shows that related to everyone equally kids and adults. They we're funny dramas and they taught great lessons as well. They we're real life and relatable. But they we're also a place you could go, where the good guys always win.