While the big names like "Cheers," "The Cosby Show," and "Miami Vice" have claimed their eternal spot in TV glory, there's a ton of overlooked series from the 1980s that deserve a little love.
1. "Max Headroom" (1987-1988) Before "The Matrix," we had this gem exploring a dystopian future where media rules all. Edison Carter is a reporter, and after a near-death experience, he's turned into a computer-generated alter ego named Max Headroom. Max is sassy, sarcastic, and way smarter than most talking heads on TV today.
The show explores corporate greed, media manipulation, and even issues like artificial intelligence. It was ahead of its time, but maybe that's why it got axed after just two seasons.
2. "V" (1984-1985) Aliens coming to Earth as friends but having sinister motives? Where have we heard that before?
This miniseries turned regular series tells the story of an alien race called "The Visitors," who seem friendly but are actually lizard people underneath their human disguises. They want to steal Earth's water and, you know, maybe eat some humans along the way. A group of rebels, including a journalist and a doctor, try to stop them.
Despite its gripping plot, it never really captured the mass audience and fizzled out.
3. "The Greatest American Hero" (1981-1983) Picture this: a high school teacher named Ralph gains a superhero suit from aliens but loses the instruction manual. Yeah, that's the plot. It's a hilarious romp, and Ralph, together with his FBI friend Bill, navigates the troubles of having superpowers while not really knowing how to use them. He can't land when he flies, he loses control of his super-strength — it's a mess, but an entertaining one.
It's a crime this show never received the attention it deserved.
4. "Square Pegs" (1982-1983) High school dramas aren't new, but "Square Pegs" was something else. It followed best friends Patty and Lauren as they tried to fit into the popular crowd at Weemawee High School. The girls faced the same problems we all did: unrequited crushes, awkward dances, and weekend plans gone awry. Sarah Jessica Parker starred in this, y'all, long before her "Sex and the City" days.
A true slice-of-life series that still hits home decades later.
5. "Sledge Hammer!" (1986-1988) Think "Dirty Harry" but make it a satire. This cop comedy featured Sledge Hammer, a detective who talked to his gun and solved every problem with extreme violence. He was paired with a sensible partner named Dori Doreau, who was always trying to clean up his messes.
The show was unapologetically ridiculous, tackling every cop trope and turning it on its head. Despite its humor, it struggled in the ratings and was buried in the late-night time slot.
6. "Misfits of Science" (1985-1986) Sci-fi fans, where you at? "Misfits of Science" gathered a ragtag team of humans with special abilities: telekinesis, shrinking, electricity manipulation — you name it. Led by Dr. Billy Hayes, they take on weird scientific anomalies, government conspiracies, and the occasional mad scientist.
It's like a campy version of "X-Men" meets "Ghostbusters," but it got pulled after just one season. Criminal, I tell you!
7. "Fame" (1982-1987) Before "Glee" and "High School Musical," we had "Fame" — a show based on a 1980 film of the same name. It follows students at New York's High School of Performing Arts as they strive for stardom. We get dance routines, drama, romance, and those brutally honest life lessons.
Think of it as the original reality TV talent show, but scripted. Despite its run of six seasons, it never got the viewership it deserved. But hey, if you're looking for some razzle-dazzle, this is your jam.
8. "Riptide" (1984-1986) Private eyes, but make it '80s. "Riptide" centers on three Vietnam vets running a detective agency from a boat. Yes, a boat. They take on quirky cases, from missing persons to espionage, often with the help of a robot named Roboz. It's a wild ride — literally — with speedboat chases and impromptu scuba diving.
The series had its quirks but offered a refreshing twist to the detective genre, which probably made it too offbeat for its time.
9. "Moonlighting" (1985-1989) Alright, maybe not "underrated," but "Moonlighting" often gets overshadowed by bigger names. Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd play private detectives with a love-hate relationship. The snappy dialogue, breaking the fourth wall, and mixing genres made it unique.
The show was a romantic dramedy wrapped in a detective series, sprinkled with a dash of slapstick. It had a solid run but never quite reached the cult status it richly deserved.
10. "Automan" (1983-1984) This is something utterly '80s — a cop who creates a holographic AI superhero to help him fight crime. "Automan" was like "Tron" on the small screen, filled with neon, cheesy special effects, and a curiously charming cursor sidekick that could transform into vehicles.
While visually spectacular for its time, the show got the boot because it was too darn expensive to produce. But if you love '80s cheese, this one's worth revisiting.
