TV Shows I watched in the 80s as a kid

The list is in no particular order. I just add them as I think of them.

1. Robin Hood

One of my all time favourite shows. Known as Robin Of Sherwood in the U.K.

2. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Another all-time favourite. In these faithful renditions of the Conan-Doyle stories, Jeremy Brett gives a superb performance as the titular detective. This is also one of the very few shows on this list that continued into the 90s.

3. Manimal

I loved watching this show, but it used to amaze me how the guy didn't get caught changing into some animal because it took him so long.

4. Automan

Go cursor! Make me a car!

5. Dallas

Drunken Sue Ellen. Bobby Ewing being alive after all because the entire previous season was written off as a dream of Pamela Ewing's. And not forgetting "Who shot J.R.?"

6. V

Gerbil anyone?

7. Matt Houston

A goofy show about an oil Millionaire turned detective with a faithful entourage and his own helicopter.

8. The Fall Guy

This is one of those shows where the thing I remember the most is the titles and theme music. I watched a repeat of it recently and cringed. Why did I watch this show? Oh wait, I remember now, Heather Thomas

9. The A-Team

Everyone has their memories of this show. One of the things I remember is how through all the gunfights, fistfights, cars rolling over, improvised tanks rolling out with makeshift flamethrowers - I don't recall any bad guys ever getting killed ever. And yet, wasn't it supposedly pressured into being axed for being too violent?

10. Knight Rider

Ah K.I.T.T., you were the coolest thing about this show.

11. Airwolf

I loved to settle down on a saturday afternoon with my snacks to watch this show. Memorable music and awesome helicopter! What more could you want!?

12. Street Hawk

I mainly remember the hero riding the bike through city streets faster than the eye could move. Or at least it seemed that way.

13. Doctor Who

Tom Baker era through to Sylvester McCoy era. Colin Baker sucked! Tom Baker was the best.

14. M*A*S*H

A superb show that knew when to make you laugh and when to make you cry.

15. Cheers

I came to the party late with this one. I hadn't started watching until Coach and Diane were already long gone. The spin-off show Frasier deserves a mention here because I think it's even better than Cheers and is one of my all-time favourite sitcoms.

16. The Equalizer

Great show about a former spy turned detective. Great theme tune too.

17. The Golden Girls

It's been a long time since I've watched this but I remember the characters were gifted with some superbly funny lines as well as great actors filling the roles too!

18. Blackadder II

I love the character of Blackadder because he is so unapologetically despicable and Rowan Atkinson's delivery is perfect.

19. Black Adder the Third
20. Blackadder Goes Forth
21. Red Dwarf

Sci-Fi comedy at its best. It started in 1988. A new series was broadcast in 2012 after a break of over 10 years (not including the "Back to Earth" mini-series), and it felt like they'd never been away. Good stuff.

22. Minder
23. Boon
24. Tarzan Lord of the Jungle

I love this cartoon. Although it was first broadcast in the 70s, I first saw it in the 80s in the UK. That may or may not have been when it was first shown in the UK anyway.

25. Space Sentinels

I enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek approach of this super hero cartoon. Shame they didn't make many episodes and it's almost impossible to find on DVD.

26. Sapphire & Steel

This was a creepy, surreal show with paranormal wierdness.

27. Knightmare

A kids' gameshow set in world reminiscent of Dungeons & Dragons. Sometimes there were moments of incredible stupidity from the teams of contestants that made me squirm or shout at the TV.

28. Battle of the Planets

My favourite character was Jason. He was moody, used a gun and drove a cool car. Also, the music was awesome.

29. The Greatest American Hero

I remember getting frustrated at how inept and clumsy the main character, Ralph, would be when using the powers that the suit imbued him with.

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