This Mom's Confessions

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1980’s TV Sitcoms Weren’t Cheesy, But Totally the Bomb

Filed Under: BLOG, FTSF Tagged With: , , ,

Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF).  We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like).  Please feel free to link up and follow any or all of our hostesses.

Our Special Co-Host This Week Is (and so happy to have her joining us!):

Kelly from Just Typikel.  So, please do visit her and show her some love today.

Kelly

And now for this week’s sentence to finish:  “My favorite decade was….“

Next week’s sentence to finish: “I’m done with school, but…”

My favorite decade is…

Wait for it…

The 1980s.

Why?

I know sounds crazy, when it was so long ago and I was definitely not really that person anymore with a husband and two kids, but still read on to find out why now.

i-love-the-80s-2

Well, for one I was indeed just a kid with no real care in the world.

But that truly isn’t enough.

The real reason is because I loved 80s sitcom television. I know sounds cheesy, but still can’t help it and will totally opt to sit watching old reruns when I need a pick me up of sorts.

Why?

Because I grew up watching TV with my mom and have tons of great memories from all the classics.

I am so fond of those times I got to share with my own mom and still hold so many close to me, plus who couldn’t use a good wholesome laugh from time-to-time, too.  I honestly recall a simpler time, when I too (like Lily) was a little girl, just afraid of the dark.  My mom would let me bring my pillow and blanket downstairs to watch TV with her.  I usually fell asleep this way and then my dad would carry me up to my bed where I would stay until the morning time.

But really just so many truly funny and awesome shows that we would watch in the evenings together like this.

However, if I had to name my favorites, it would be hard, but will try to pick my top 5 here today with some awesome clips from YouTube to prove why these shows still are worthy of my love and admiration.

1. The Facts of Life 

For some reason, this show never gets old and I still love the early seasons the best, when the girls were still pretty young, because I actually started to watch the show when they were indeed this young.  The clip, below from one of my favorite episodes, where Tootie (still love her name) stole the girls IQ test scores from the very first season.  I can watch this one over and over, still laugh at all the right parts.

2. Three’s Company

I will always love Jack Tripper and his funny, slapstick, physical humor.  And as with the Facts of Life, I am a huge fan of the early days of this show.  Again, because this is when my mom and I watched this show each week from those indeed early days.  One of our favorite episodes, was the famous “Pie Fight”, where Jack has his award winning pie in the cooking school competition.  Chrissy (still love good Old Suzanne Somers) ate his pie and the faces she makes in this whole episode are priceless.  And the pie fight seriously is classic and my mom says that I was so taken with this (I was probably only about 3 years old – Lily’s age) and kept saying “Pie in the face” when the pie fight was actually occurring.

3. Happy Days

This show, I was a little girl when Joanie Loved Chachi reigned supreme.  I really just loved those two and when they sang together, I always wished I could sing with them.  Totally 80s’s sitcom cheese, but still can’t get enough.

4. Laverne & Shirley

How could you not love these two zany ladies.  Seriously they were the 1980’s, Lucy and Ethel and answered the calling perfectly.  One of my all time favorites still was the episode where Laverne and Shirley meet Fabian.  When these two actually do meet him and grab a leg of his each, I still die laughing.  Seriously the whole episode is still a favorite of mine.  I am sharing part two of this episode, because this the actual part where they meet Fabian.

5. Family Ties

Still a huge fan of Alex P. Keaton and his money obsessed Reaganomics Ways.  This show always made me smile and was one of the reasons, I begged my mom to take me to see Back to the Future when it first came out in the movie theaters.  The episode that still makes me laugh is when Alex ends up managing Jennifer’s teenage band and makes them sing “Mr. Sandman”, but we find out Tina Yothers can actually sing here, too. Enjoy!

This post is totally dedicated to my mom, who never let me be afraid of the dark and got me hooked on classic sitcom TV.  Thanks mom and love you!!

And for all you 80s lovers, too, I couldn’t resist including this tongue and cheek video that was trending this past week from Kevin Bacon explaining the 80s to all those who didn’t have the pleasure of living during this time (sorry if you already saw this, but I seriously couldn’t resist).  

And now that I shared my favorite decade with you, please share yours with me!!

Janine's Confessions of A Mommyaholic

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Billybuc says

    Such an easy one for me…the Sixties by far. Such an exciting time of social change….I can tell you with no doubt there was never a boring moment growing up during the Sixties.

    Have a great Friday Janine and thank you for all that you do. Give those girls a hug for me. 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Bill, my mom would so say the 60s too and I toyed with saying it for the music (with The Beatles), but I definitely didn't live through this decade so didn't think I could pull it off. But thank you again so much for all your kindness and friendship, too! Happy almost Friday now!! 🙂

  3. Kelly L McKenzie says

    Pie in the Face! So so so funny! And you dedicated this post to your mom. Love that Janine. I , too, loved all the shows you listed. Little small world story – Michael J Fox – Alex P (gotta put in that P) Keaton grew up very close to where I now live. There's a theatre in his name here that is attached to a highschool. He gets a lot of great and well deserved credit for that. My kids often went there for shows and they swam at the pool next door. Such a kind and generous fellow. Nice to see him acting again.

  9. basicallyb says

    I love how carefree the 80s were. I was only 9 when it ended. I remember watching Family Ties & actually crying when it ended. I watched cartoons mostly, but I vividly recall Small Wonder. Man that show was tacky looking back.
    My recent post I love the 90s

    • Janine Huldie says

      They totally were and I know that last episode of Family Ties was a total tearjerker for sure. Totally also remember Small Wonders and hate to admit it, but loved it, too 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Glad to make you smile with the TV shows and Kevin Bacon nostalgia. Also so happy you joined us and wishing you a wonderful weekend now. Enjoy the soccer tournament and hope you can also relax a bit at some point, too 🙂

  13. tamaralikecamera says

    Your favorites missed me by a few years. They were mostly ending/over my head when I was a kid, but I was OBSESSED with the TGIF lineup. Remember that? At one point, Friday nights from 8-10 were Full House, Family Matters, Mr. Belvidere and Just The Ten Of Us.
    Party time!
    My recent post I’m Just A Small Town Girl..

  16. katbiggie says

    Oh my gosh, that took me back something fierce! I used to watch all of those shows with my family too! And of course, the Cosby Show. I miss those days. It doesn't seem like there are any good family sitcoms any more… Thanks for this flashback!
    My recent post Back to the NICU…

    • Janine Huldie says

      Omg, how could I forget The Cosby Show and seriously was one of my favorites, too. I had such a long list and had to narrow it down for this post, but yes I totally had so much fun with this and took me back and then some, too 🙂

  18. Sandy_Ramsey says

    I watched every single one of those shows….you are so right! They seem cheesy now but they were great back in the day. I love that Kevin Bacon vid…priceless!
    My recent post Say What You Need To Say: The Considerer Spins

  22. southmainmuse says

    I'd have to say — the 70s. For much of the same reasons. Watching the great family shows. Just the freedom of being a kid. The eighties were good to me too.

    • Janine Huldie says

      I just read your Jamie and loved the way you tackled it and like you as much asI love the 90s and they were good to me, the 80s I was still pretty innocent and just remember it being that much more freeing being still a little kid 🙂

  24. donofalltrades says

    Hahaha, I love it! I wasn't really a big Happy Days fan, but I liked the rest of those shows too. Remember when you had to wait for a tv show to air and watch it when it did or you missed out? TV shows were an event back then, unlike today what with tivo and all that jazz.

  25. lrconsiderer says

    Dude that's a lot of telly.

    We grew up without one. In fact, I've been in a house with a tv for less than 1/3 of my life, and I love it. Wouldn't change that now.

  26. Emily says

    I love that Kevin Bacon video…although I'm not participating in FTSF this week, I'm sure I would have picked the 80s too…it's interesting to see how many people did! I forgot about all these great TV shows and you are so right — they were awesome and a great reason to love the 80s!
    My recent post Big Dude Is Learning To Drive…Everyone Take Cover!

    • Janine Huldie says

      So happy to hear that you too would have picked the 1980s and I will admit at first I was unsure which way I was going to go with this and then it dawned on me. I have to admit once I came up with this idea, I had so much fun writing and posting 🙂

  27. stephsprenger says

    Oh, I love 80s TV! My favorites up there were Facts of Life and Family Ties. I still remember how sad I was on the final episode of Family Ties when they came out on stage to say goodbye. (Sob.)

  28. day-with-kt.com says

    I love love all of those shows, too!! I wasn't allowed to watch a couple of them (my mom had 10000 rules!) but I watched them when I went to college (also in the 80s!). I also love 80s music still!!!
    My recent post Things That Make You Go Hmmm…..

    • Janine Huldie says

      I love the music, too. And will admit it was you who reminded me of my love of The Facts of Life and then I had to write this post, so it just all came together from here. So, have been meaning to thank you for that 🙂

  29. vitatrain4life says

    I am dying over that Kevin Bacon video!!! You couldn't even skateboard to a Blockbuster without getting nuked! Hilarious!!! I too loved the 80s for a lot of the same reasons…although I think I'm older then you. But The Facts of Life, Happy Days and Three's Company were among my favorite shows!! Thanks for bringing them back for a moment 🙂
    My recent post Does Michelle Obama Know About This?

    • Janine Huldie says

      I know totally too funny and I couldn't help, but laugh watching it. Knew I needed to include it here. My pleasure bringing them back and I am not sure how old you are, but I am going to be 37 in June now 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      I just read and commented on your post. I seriously loved seeing those photos of you and could totally see why you, too chose the 80s 🙂

  31. Lanaya says

    You see … this is why we are friends. You insert a handsome Kevin Bacon at the end of your post for me to swoon on! SWOON! I adore him.
    The 80's I tell you .. best decade ever for awesomeness!!!

    Mwah mama. Love you

    xoxo
    Lanaya

  33. stephanie2006 says

    I have to admit, I don't know any of these shows. And as a kid I wasn't allowed to watch TV until I was about 6 or 7. But having little ones myself now, I love to cuddle on the couch with them on a yuckie day 🙂 Have a great weekend, Janine!
    My recent post Why The 2000s Were Awesome-Ish

  37. gigigirl says

    Nice trip down Memory Lane….so nice you have these days to remember and sharing them with your mom. I'm sure your girls will have good memories of times together with you……TV shows included. Have a good weekend. Love, Aunt Gloria xxoo

  38. tikilon says

    The 80's were so much fun. I just wish I was a touch older so I could've enjoyed some of the trends more. I remember watching all of the shows you list and let's be honest, I still watch the one that still come on. Don't judge me. lol
    My recent post The Top 3 Natural Hairstyles for Spring & Summer

  39. realhousewife says

    I was a fan of all those shows too…I really loved Lavern and Shirley…what a surprise, I'll bet:) LOL

    I also instantly thought of Chips and Silver Spoons…I guess Chips is going back a ways…like Kojack and the Mod Squad I watched with my mom. Oh and remember Emergency? All they ever did for any emergency was say, "give them an injection of Epinephrine"!! Lol.

    Have a great weekend!

    • Janine Huldie says

      Not a surprise and just more that we have in common and love that we do. And totally remember that now that you mentioned it here. Enjoy your weekend now, too 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      My pleasure and I think we are a few years apart, but still loved all these shows and ET is still such a classic and will watch that any day of the week too 🙂

  44. Brittnei Washington says

    LOL! Some of these aren't really 80s no? I used to watch some on like Nick at Night. I was a Mary Tyler Moore Show lover as well as I Love Lucy and Laverne and Shirley too. I never really knew when a lot of these shows actually came out. I know even though they portrayed a particular era, I knew that didn't mean much. For example, I used to love Dirty Dancing and that I heard came out in the 80s but it portrays like the 60s or something 🙂
    My recent post Shop Hopeful Kiss and Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Review

    • Janine Huldie says

      I too loved Mary Tyler Moore and also Dirty Dancing. This post was truly so much fun and loved how everyone (you too) brought their own memories to it 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Tootsie was so it for me, too and seriously she will always be my favorite. And I too still watch The Cosby Show in reruns with my girls, also 🙂

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