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The 1980s were a golden era for sitcoms, delivering some of the most iconic TV shows of all time, like Full House, The Golden Girls, and Family Ties. But for every smash hit that became a household name, there were also plenty of other TV shows and sitcoms that wound up fading into obscurity.
Let's take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and revisit 10 forgotten '80s sitcoms that you probably haven't thought about in years.
Scroll to see all the '80s sitcoms you totally forgot about!
Lorimar Telepictures
1. The Hogan Family
This sitcom had its fair share of drama, both on and off the screen. Originally titled Valerie, it starred Valerie Harper, who played a devoted mother raising three teenage boys while her husband, played by Josh Taylor, was frequently away for work.
However, after Valerie was fired over a contract dispute following the second season, her character was written off, and the show was rebranded as The Hogan Family, with Sandy Duncan stepping into the motherly role. It ran for a total of six seasons and starred a young Jason Bateman as one of the teen sons.
Mort Lachman & Associates
2. Kate & Allie
This sitcom was a refreshing take on family life in the 1980s. It followed two childhood friends who moved in together after getting divorced to raise their children under one roof.
Starring Susan Saint James and Jane Curtin, Kate & Allie balanced heartfelt moments with sharp humor and made for a compelling sitcom. It proved that family could be redefined in unconventional ways and became a success for CBS, running for six seasons.
Lorimar Telepictures
3. She's the Sheriff
In this sitcom, a widowed mother of two named Hildy Granger, played by Suzanne Somers, unexpectedly finds herself taking over her late husband's job as sheriff despite having no background in law enforcement.
The show humorously followed Hildy as she stumbles through her new role for two seasons. Then, it was pulled from the air.
20th Century Fox Television
4. Mr. Belvedere
In Mr. Belvedere, the life of the Owens family is turned upside down after they hire a sharp-witted British butler named Mr. Belvedere, portrayed by Christopher Hewett. He brings a mix of sarcasm and sophistication to the household and forms a bond with the Owens family as he helps them navigate everyday dilemmas.
This sitcom had steady ratings and a dedicated audience, so it ran for five seasons on ABC from 1985 to 1990.
Warner Bros. Television
5. Eight Is Enough
This heartfelt family sitcom was based on the real-life experiences of columnist Tom Braden, who raised eight children. It served as a launching pad for several young actors and ran for 112 episodes, capturing the joys and challenges of having a big family.
However, rising production costs and declining ratings led the sitcom to have an abrupt end. It never returned for a sixth season.
MCA Television
6. Out Of This World
Even though it ran for four seasons and nearly 100 episodes, Out Of This World remains one of the more forgotten sitcoms of the '80s. It follows a teenage girl who learns that her father is an alien on her thirteenth birthday and is given superpowers.
While the premise had potential, the series never gained a lot of traction or reached the same level of recognition as other teen sitcoms. It faded away in 1991.
Touchstone Television
7. Empty Nest
Empty Nest debuted in 1988 as a spin-off of The Golden Girls and centered on Dr. Harry Weston, a widowed pediatrician adjusting to life without his wife. The idea was actually first introduced in a 1987 episode of The Golden Girls as a backdoor pilot, but the final version of Empty Nest looked quite different from its initial concept.
The show had trouble capturing the same interest as its predecessor and came under some scrutiny. Even so, it lasted for seven seasons and spawned its own spin-off, Nurses.
Columbia Pictures
8. Designing Women
Airing from 1986 to 1993, Designing Women followed the lives of four women and one man as they ran an Atlanta-based interior design firm. The sitcom started off with solid ratings and had a loyal fan base, but frequent time slot changes by CBS caused a steady decline in viewership.
A fan campaign temporarily saved it from being canceled. Nonetheless, in 1992, it was moved to the infamous Friday night "death slot" and couldn't recover.
DLT Entertainment
9. Too Close for Comfort
Too Close for Comfort has faded from pop culture memory even though it ran for six seasons. Inspired by the British series Keep It in the Family, the show starred Ted Knight as a work-from-home cartoonist navigating life in San Francisco with his wife and two adult daughters.
It mostly followed a lighthearted family sitcom formula, but it did stir controversy, most notably with an episode depicting Oakland's crime issues that sparked backlash from local politicians.
Sony Pictures
10. Square Pegs
Finally, before Sarah Jessica Parker became known for her romantic Manhattan escapades, she starred in Square Pegs. This show follows best friends Patty and Lauren, who are two socially awkward high schoolers struggling to fit in.
As they attempt to climb the social ladder, they encounter a variety of characters. Spoiler alert: they never truly fit in with any of them and continue to defy typical high schooler norms. Square Pegs only ran for a total of 20 episodes.
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