Today’s TV is full of high-quality shows with long gaps between seasons and streaming series you can watch all at once, but that often only last one season. It wasn’t always like this. Back in the 1980s and late 1970s, network TV seasons were much longer, lasting around 22 episodes. Plus, shows that didn’t succeed on major networks often found homes elsewhere, and some thrived without them altogether. This was thanks to a powerful system called broadcast syndication. Changes in FCC regulations allowed this to happen, and the result was a lot of great television, some of which is still being shown today.
This list features 10 of the most popular TV shows from the 1980s, the ones many kids growing up then will instantly recognize. These shows either began as ‘first-run syndication’ – created specifically for distribution to local stations – or they started on major networks before finding even greater success in syndication after being cancelled. We’re focusing on shows that were primarily on air from the late 1970s through the end of the 1980s, so some well-known series like Forever Knight, Baywatch, and Xena: Warrior Princess aren’t included because they premiered in the 1990s – another strong decade for syndicated television, especially in its early years.
10) He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
If I were building a list of iconic 80s cartoons, I absolutely had to start with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe – and, of course, its sister show, She-Ra: Princess of Power. This show, which premiered in September 1983, was produced by Filmation based on those wildly popular Mattel toys. Honestly, calling it one of the most popular animated series of the decade isn’t hyperbole. The whole franchise remains incredibly popular today, with numerous adaptations and reboots, and even a new movie hitting theaters this summer. It’s a true testament to its lasting impact.
The series takes place on Eternia, a world of magic and fantasy. It centers on Prince Adam, who transforms into the powerful He-Man whenever he raises the Sword of Power and says a special phrase. As He-Man, he works with allies like Battle Cat, The Sorceress, Teela, Man-At-Arms, and Orko to protect Eternia from the villainous Skeletor. The original show ran for two seasons with a total of 130 episodes, and also included a Christmas special and a movie released in 1985.
9) Silver Spoons
As a classic TV fan, I remember Silver Spoons well. It’s a great example of a show that started on a major network, NBC in this case, and then continued on through syndication. Unlike some shows that get cancelled after just one season, Silver Spoons actually had a four-season run on NBC before finding a fifth season in syndication. It’s cool to see a show get that extra life!
The show centers around Edward Stratton III, a wealthy and carefree man, and his son Ricky, who unexpectedly enters his life at the beginning of the series. Edward, who acts like a perpetual child, struggles with the sudden responsibility of raising a serious and mature young boy. The series starred Ricky Schroeder as Ricky and Joel Higgins as Edward. Alfonso Ribeiro played Ricky’s best friend Alfonso in later seasons, while Jason Bateman played Ricky’s first friend, Derek Taylor, in the early seasons. It’s a heartwarming family sitcom fondly remembered by many who grew up in the ’80s, largely due to the incredible toys filling the Stratton home – Edward owned a toy company, and a rideable miniature train is a particularly iconic detail.
8) The Facts of Life
Premiering in 1979, The Facts of Life was a popular sitcom that eventually aired in daytime syndication, even though it wasn’t originally created for that purpose. As a spin-off of Diff’rent Strokes, the show followed Mrs. Edna Garrett (played by Charlotte Rae) as she became a housemother at the Eastland School, an all-girls boarding school in Peekskill, New York. While the cast started out large, it eventually focused on four main characters: Blair Warner (Lisa Welchel), Tootie Ramsey (Kim Fields), Natalie Green (Mindy Cohn), and Jo Polniaczek (Nancy McKeon).
I always loved how The Facts of Life kept things fresh! It wasn’t just a show that stayed in one place, which I think is a big reason it stayed popular for so long. As the actresses grew up, so did the show – they actually left the boarding school setting and ran a bakery and then a gift shop! Plus, it’s so cool to look back and see that George Clooney was one of the new faces they brought in early in his career. It really kept things interesting!
7) Star Trek: The Next Generation
When most people think of Star Trek today, they likely think of Paramount+, as it’s currently the only place to stream the shows and movies. However, some of the best Star Trek content wasn’t originally made for a streaming service. Star Trek: The Next Generation, which premiered in 1987 and ran for seven seasons, was produced for traditional television syndication and is often considered the franchise’s peak. Set in the late 24th century, the series follows the adventures of the USS Enterprise as it explores different regions of the Milky Way galaxy.
Star Trek: The Next Generation was a massive hit, with later seasons and the series finale drawing audiences of up to 30 million viewers. Its success paved the way for more Star Trek content, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, which premiered in 1993, and four feature films featuring the Next Generation crew. While the Star Trek universe continues to thrive and is more popular than ever, much of that success is thanks to this groundbreaking syndicated series – and, of course, Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
6) Charles in Charge
The sitcom Charles in Charge originally premiered on CBS in 1984 as part of their Wednesday night programming. However, it didn’t perform well, as CBS wasn’t a major player in sitcoms at the time, except for its Monday night shows. Although CBS let the show complete its initial 22-episode season and aired all the episodes (after a delay), it was cancelled in 1985. Fortunately, Charles in Charge wasn’t finished. Nearly two years later, on January 3, 1987, the show returned as a syndicated program, and continued for a total of four seasons.
The first season of the show introduced Charles, a college student who took a job living with and caring for the children of a wealthy family, the Pembrokes. Plenty of funny situations followed, especially involving his friend Buddy and his crush on a classmate named Gwendolyn. When the show went into syndication, only Scott Baio and Willie Aames returned. The storyline shifted to Charles returning after summer break to find the Pembrokes had moved to Seattle. Luckily, the new family renting the house, the Powells, still needed a live-in babysitter, so Charles kept his job.
5) Small Wonder
Looking back, the 1980s sitcom Small Wonder might not seem as funny today, but it was a clever idea when it first aired in 1985. The show centers around a robotics engineer named Ted Lawson who builds a robot named V.I.C.I., or Vicki, originally intended to help children with disabilities. Ted decides to raise Vicki as if she were a real child to help her learn and adapt, and his family pretends she’s their adopted daughter. The humor comes from keeping Vicki’s true identity a secret, especially since she has some quirky behaviors and the Lawson family has curious neighbors.
The show is undeniably silly, and looking back now with AI around, it’s also a little unsettling. It even had a villainous robot named Vanessa in seasons three and four who resembled the main character, Vicki. While famously low-budget and often considered one of the worst shows ever made, it was surprisingly popular and remains fondly remembered by those who grew up watching it in the ‘80s.
4) Superboy
Originally airing in the late 1980s, Superboy is a notable series that ran for four seasons. It was shown through syndication, with John Haymes Newton playing Superboy in the first season. Gerard Christopher took over the role for the remaining seasons. The show was also rebranded as The Adventures of Superboy starting in its third season.
I remember when the Superboy series started – it actually came about because the Supergirl movie in ’84 didn’t really take off. The producers, Alexander and Ilya Salkind, decided to try again, but this time focusing on a young Clark Kent, basically a teenage Superman. It was a fun show, and in a way, it feels like an early version of Smallville. What’s really cool is they even made a comic book based on the series! And get this – George Lazenby, who famously only played James Bond once, played Clark’s father, Jor-El. Sadly, the show ended in 1992 when DC decided they wanted a more updated take on Superman and didn’t renew the Salkinds’ rights to the character.
3) Tales From the Darkside
George A. Romero’s famous horror anthology series is often remembered fondly, but many don’t realize it originally aired through syndication. The pilot episode first broadcast on October 29, 1983, and after a positive response, the first season officially premiered on September 30th of the following year. The show ran for four seasons before being cancelled in 1988.
Tales from the Darkside wasn’t just a horror show; it cleverly mixed in fantasy, sci-fi, and even comedy, which is a big part of why it was so good. This blend of genres made it more approachable than many other horror programs. The writing and original stories were consistently excellent, and even though the special effects weren’t fancy, they had a unique charm that’s hard to find today. Watching it now, the show really captures the feel of the 1980s, and it still holds up as a fantastic series.
2) Out of This World
If you grew up watching TV in the late 80s and remember the show Out of This World – especially if you know all the words to the theme song – we’re probably kindred spirits! This fantasy sitcom first aired on September 17, 1987, and ran for four seasons. It was part of an NBC initiative to offer fresh, first-run sitcoms instead of reruns or game shows, and I always thought that was a pretty smart idea.
Okay, so let me tell you about this show, Out of This World. It’s… well, it’s wonderfully bonkers. It centers around Evie, a teenager who’s half-human, half-alien, and naturally, that means she has superpowers. Her go-to ability is freezing time – she does it by touching her fingertips together, but she unlocks more powers as the series goes on. She also keeps in touch with her alien dad, Troy, through this weird device called ‘the cube.’ And get this – Troy, from his planet Antareus, can somehow control things on Earth, even the weather! Honestly, most people consider it a truly terrible sitcom – some even say it’s the worst ever. But, surprisingly, it was pretty popular, and the absolute best part? Burt Reynolds voices Troy! It’s a wonderfully strange piece of TV history.
1) Mama’s Family
Starting as a segment on The Carol Burnett Show and continuing through Carol Burnett & Company and Eunice, Mama’s Family – specifically, the comedic sketches featuring “The Family” – is arguably the most successful of the syndicated shows mentioned. It originally aired on NBC for two seasons (1982-1984), and strong ratings for its reruns led to a revival in syndication. This proved popular, resulting in four additional seasons.
Set in a Kansas City suburb, “Mama’s Family” revolves around Thelma Harper, affectionately known as Mama, a feisty and outspoken widow. She reluctantly opens her home to a revolving door of relatives who need a place to stay, much to her annoyance. The show’s humor comes from Mama’s sharp wit and capability, contrasted with the often-incompetent antics of her family. The first couple of seasons and later ones differ slightly in terms of characters. The story begins with Mama living with her sister, Fran, when her son, Vinton, moves back home with his children, Sonja and Buzz, after being evicted. Vinton quickly marries the neighbor, Naomi, whom Mama dislikes, leading to plenty of comical mishaps. Throughout the series, we also see appearances from Mama’s daughters, the snobbish Ellen and the grumpy Eunice. Later on, the show simplifies, focusing mainly on Vinton and Naomi, and introduces new characters like Mama’s neighbor, Iola, and Eunice’s son, Bubba, who moves in when his parents relocate.
Everyone loves Mama’s Family! It’s a funny, heartwarming show that feels real. It was even recognized with an Emmy Award for its costumes back in 1984, and you can still watch it today on streaming services like Pluto TV.
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2026-02-27 20:14