The Cosby Show 80's TV

Cosby Show Premieres 1984

The Cosby show premiered in 1984 and ran for eight seasons until 1992. It was hugely popular and became the biggest television show of the 80's.

The comedy program is credited with reviving the genre of sitcoms for NBC, which at the time, was lagging far behind in ratings under ABC and CBS.

Cosby show was also influential as it was really the the first TV shows to feature an all African American cast.  

That's right, without Cosby there would probably had never been a Fresh Prince or In Living Color. Will Smith has given his props to Mr Cosby many times.

The Cosby show dealt with the goings on of an Upper Class New York City family. Dr Huxtable (Bill Cosby) and his wife Claire (Phylicia Rashad) were the parents of four children, and they dealt with family problems, which most families had in real life.

No matter how hard these kids tried , if they did something wrong, Dr Huxtable would always find out. There was no sneaking anything by Bill Cosby that's for sure.

The cast of kids included Theo (Malcolm Jamal Warner) , he who seemed to have a hard time with school work, and difficulty living up to his dad's success. The beautiful Lisa Bonet who played Denise, Tempestt Bledsoe (Vanessa).

The one who really stole the Cosby show week after week, was the youngest. Keisha Knight Pulliam (Rudy). Aw, she was so cute! 

80's Television Miami Vice

Miami Vice 1984-1989

If you were a drug dealer operating in Miami, in the 80's, then you had better been wary of Crockett and Tubbs.

Miami Vice was a crime drama that enjoyed a nice five year run. This television show was truly an original.

Vice was truly unique the way it blended music with action. The tunes added to the atmosphere of the program, and it was perfectly incorporated  into the show.

Miami Vice has been heralded by many television experts as a true original. Many other crime dramas to come after it were molded in its style, but never captured the magic.

Don Johnson (Sonny Crockett) was so cool with the perfect amount of stubble on his face. Johnson said his secret was shaving with a side burn trimmer, not a razor. His clothes were perfect for the part - open sports coat, t-shirt , no belt (ever) , and of course he was sock less in his loafers.

My favorite Crockett ensemble was the pink T and grey jacket. Yes, this spawned a mini fashion craze for men.

Miami Vice is still in syndication today, and it can be seen on some networks (check with your cable provider). If you have never seen it, give it a try. If you are familiar, take a another look, you know you love it.

Buy Miami Vice on DVD.

Charles In Charge 80's TV

80's Sitcom Charles In Charge

There were so many great sitcoms on television in the 80's, one of my favorites was the classic Charles In Charge (1984 premiere). 

Scott Baio (Charles) was a college student , and in lieu of paying rent at the house which he stayed was given the duties of watching over three rambunctious kids.

Nicole Eggert who played Jamie, was the fantasy of many a teen boy at the time, including me. One of the primary reasons I'm sure why many a young man tuned in, and Scott Baio attracted the female viewers.

Eggert actually dated Baio for a short period of time. She went totally nude and wild in the movie Blown Away (1993) alongside Corey Haim by the way.(FYI).

The show was actually funny though, and well written. Buddy (Willie Aames) was hilarious as Charles' dim witted friend, and the two played off each other brilliantly. I found when an episode started to drag, Buddy would say something so stupid it would crack me up every time.

Charles in Charge ran for five seasons, from 1984 - 1990.

MTV Launches 1981

On Aug 1, 1981 television history and culture was changed with the launch of MTV. What a day if you were music fan, a channel where you could watch music videos 24/7.

I myself, with all my other friends, were truly addicted to this phenomenon. As cable was somewhat still in its infancy, legions of hopeful music fans , started to harken the famous phrase ' I WANT MY MTV' to get more cable providers to provide it.

The network gave musical artists a huge outlet to be heard, and sell records. To be in 'heavy rotation' , meaning your video was played almost once and hour, or so it seemed was a band's or musician's dream.

The very first video ever played on MTV was 'Video Killed the Radio Star' by one hit wonder The Buggles.

Sadly, the music could not last forever. These days is seems like MTV is run by a bunch of 14 year old girls. Music has become almost non - existent, with programs such as '16 and Pregnant', 'Awkward', 'Girl Code' and the completely ridiculous 'Jersey Shore'.

I suppose MTV needed to change with the times, to grab a younger audience, and sadly old geezers like me are just left with a fond memory.

The original MTV vjs at the network's launch deserve their props.

Left to right - Nina Blackwood (I thought she was soo hot), Alan Hunter, Mark Goodman, the perky Martha Quinn, and JJ Jackson.