Rewind to Rad: My Favorite Sitcoms From the 80s & 90s

Okay, so, life today is, well, a lot. Anyone else feel like they're constantly hit with breaking news and endless scrolling? Sometimes, I just want to escape back to simpler times. I was born in '81, so the late 80s and 90s were my jam. And you know what I've been craving lately? The comfort of those totally awesome teen shows and family sitcoms that shaped my childhood.

I'm talking about those shows that weren't afraid to tackle real issues, made you laugh until your sides hurt, and gave you all the feels. So, let's hop in our time machine and revisit some of the best shows and sitcoms from the late 80s and 90s that I absolutely loved, and why they were so special back in the day!

Totally Tubular TV: Sitcoms That Defined My Generation

Punky Brewster

Who could resist Punky Brewster? Soleil Moon Frye as Punky was the epitome of 80s cool – bright clothes, mismatched sneakers, and a huge heart. The show was about a young orphan being raised by a foster parent. It dealt with some heavy stuff for a kid's show, like abandonment and finding your place in the world. But Punky always faced it with optimism and "Punky Power!" The show was revived in 2020, with Frye and original cast member Cherie Johnson returning; however, it just didn't hit the same for me.

Good Morning, Miss Bliss

Before there was Saved by the Bell, there was Good Morning, Miss Bliss. This show, starring Hayley Mills as a junior high teacher in Indiana, was the launching pad for Zack Morris, Screech, and Lisa Turtle. Although it was short-lived, it was later re-formatted into Saved By the Bell.

Saved By The Bell

Oh, Bayside High! This show was Saturday morning gold. Zack, Kelly, Slater, Jessie, Lisa, and Screech – they were my squad. Saved by the Bell (the original one) captured the essence of being a teen – friendships, crushes, and those oh-so-important school events. It even touched on some serious issues, like drug use and environmental concerns. The show was a spin-off of Good Morning, Miss Bliss.

Saved By The Bell: The College Years

Who didn't want to follow Zack and the gang to college? The College Years only lasted one season, but it gave us a glimpse into the grown-up lives of our favorite Bayside teens. Plus, it was cool seeing them navigate the challenges of college life – classes, relationships, and figuring out their futures.

Blossom

"Whoa!" Blossom Russo was the quirky, flower-hat-wearing teen we all loved. Blossom was different. It centered around a teenage girl dealing with real-life issues like family dynamics, relationships, and growing up in a non-traditional household. Mayim Bialik brought so much heart to the role, and the show wasn't afraid to get real.

The Wonder Years

Set in the late 60s and early 70s, The Wonder Years was a coming-of-age story that resonated with everyone, no matter when they grew up. Kevin Arnold's awkwardness, his crush on Winnie Cooper, and his friendships with Paul and the bully Wayne – it all felt so real. Plus, the show's soundtrack was killer! This was another show that was revived (2021–2023), but again, I just couldn't get into it.

The Facts of Life

"You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life!" Mrs. Garrett and the girls at Eastland School taught us about friendship, growing up, and tackling tough issues. The Facts of Life wasn't afraid to get serious, dealing with topics like racism, drug abuse, and sexuality.

A Different World

A Different World was more than just a Cosby Show spin-off. It was a celebration of Black culture, education, and community. The show tackled important issues like HIV/AIDS, racism, and sexism with intelligence and heart. Plus, Dwayne and Whitley were total relationship goals. The show actually led to an increase in HBCU enrollment.

Family Matters

The Winslows were the family next door – relatable, loving, and a little bit chaotic. But let's be real, Family Matters was all about Steve Urkel (and eventually, Stefan Urkel, who we all had a crush on!). He was the nerdy neighbor who drove everyone crazy, but he also had a good heart. The show was a spin-off of Perfect Strangers.

More Dope Sitcoms That Kept Us Glued to the TV

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Will Smith as a street-smart kid from West Philly moving in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air? Comedy gold! The Fresh Prince was hilarious, but it also dealt with issues of class, race, and identity. This is when Will Smith was in his prime, and I was in love with him (or so I thought, hahaha)! There's also a reboot of this series, simply called 'Bel-Air,' that is a drama instead of a comedy. It's actually pretty good, too!

Boy Meets World

Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Eric – they were our friends. Boy Meets World followed their journey from childhood to adulthood, tackling everything from first kisses to tough life lessons. There was also a spin-off called Girl Meets World (2014–2017), but it wasn't targeted at my age group, so I never checked it out.

Small Wonder

A family secretly has a robot daughter? Who would have thought? Small Wonder was good, silly fun (and ahead of its time)!

Step By Step

Two single parents get married, blending their families together. Step By Step was all about navigating the ups and downs of blended family life.

The Jeffersons

"Movin' on up!" The Jeffersons was a groundbreaking show about a Black family moving on up to the East Side. It tackled issues of race, class, and prejudice with humor and heart. It started in the 70s but ended in the 80s. To this day, my husband and I still enjoy watching this show; George and Florence are hilarious!

The Nanny

Fran Drescher as a nanny with a unique sense of style and a big heart? Yes, please! The Nanny was hilarious, heartwarming, and totally fashionable.

Martin

Martin Lawrence was a comedic genius in this show about a Detroit radio personality and his crazy friends. Martin was outrageous, over-the-top, and always good for a laugh.

Moesha

Moesha Mitchell was a relatable teen navigating school, family, and relationships in LA. This show had a lot of heart and a lot of laughs. I remember going to school the next day and discussing the recent episode with friends. Fun times!

The Steve Harvey Show

Steve Harvey as a music teacher trying to keep his students in line? Hilarious! The Steve Harvey Show was a fun and lighthearted take on high school life. Also, I know quite a few people who had the biggest crush on Romeo (R.I.P. Merlin Santana).

The Jamie Foxx Show

Jamie Foxx was a triple threat in this show – comedian, actor, and musician. The Jamie Foxx Show was full of physical comedy, catchy tunes, and lots of heart. My husband and I watched the entire series again in 2024 when it became available on Netflix. You know what? It's still absolutely hilarious!

Living Single

Four Black women living and loving life in Brooklyn? Yes! Living Single was all about friendship, careers, and navigating the dating world. Plus, it was the blueprint (yes, the blueprint) to the show Friends, but we won't dig too deep into that controversy!

Sister, Sister

Twin sisters separated at birth and then reunited? Sister, Sister was a feel-good show about family, identity, and sisterhood. It also featured Marques Houston from the group IMx (fka Immature), who was someone else a lot of teen girls had a crush on at the time. Plus, who could forget the epic "Go Home, Roger!" line?

The Wayans Bros

Shawn and Marlon Wayans brought their brand of physical comedy to this show about two brothers living in Harlem. The Wayans Bros were hilarious, energetic, and always up for a crazy adventure. Marlon was always my favorite ever since this show; he was silly but entertaining!

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper

Mark Curry as a former basketball player turned teacher? Sign me up! Hangin' with Mr. Cooper was a funny and heartwarming show about friendship, family, and finding your way in life. Plus, the theme song was a huge bop (both versions)! Maybe we'll get a reboot? I'd be down for that.

The Parent 'Hood

Robert Townsend created and starred in this show about a Black family living in a predominantly white neighborhood. The Parent 'Hood was funny, relatable, and tackled issues of race and identity. For some reason, the younger son on this show annoyed me to no end (poor kid, but he was so annoying!).

Malcolm & Eddie

Malcolm and Eddie were two mismatched roommates who always found themselves in hilarious situations. This show was all about the power of friendship and finding humor in everyday life. This show really shows just how funny Eddie Griffin is. You can still catch it on PlutoTV, too!

In the House

LL Cool J as a former football player who becomes a landlord? Yes, please! In the House was a feel-good show about family, friendship, and second chances. Let's face it, we all tuned it for LL Cool J, who is also an amazing music artist!

Roc

Roc was a groundbreaking show that tackled tough issues like poverty, unemployment, and racism. It was a show that made you think, made you feel, and made you laugh. It's often said to be extremely underrated, and I agree!

Clueless

As If! Based on the movie of the same name, Clueless was a fun and fashionable show about a rich girl navigating high school. I will admit that I enjoyed the movie a lot more than the TV show, but it was still nice to get more scenarios from the Clueless universe.

Kenan & Kel

"AW, HERE IT GOES!" Kenan and Kel were a comedic duo who always found themselves in crazy situations. This show was all about friendship, humor, and orange soda. I had the biggest crush on Kel, and the funny thing is that my husband actually resembled him in his younger years (I didn't know him then, though).

My Brother and Me

This show was about two brothers growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina. My Brother and Me had a short run, but fans have fond memories of the Parker family (including myself). I'd love to see a reboot of this!

Smart Guy

T.J. Henderson was a child prodigy navigating high school with his older siblings. This show was smart, funny, and heartwarming. I'll admit, I initially watched for one of my faves from back in the day: Jason Weaver. However, it actually ended up being a really great show; I loved the entire Smart Guy cast.

Salute Your Shorts

Summer camp shenanigans! Salute Your Shorts was weird, wild, and totally unforgettable. Funnily, I still remember the hilarious promo song, "Ug, one time his face turned blue. Ug, he likes to punish you. Ug, he is a slug. So tug Ug, and bug Ug, today!"

Those Were The Days...

It's amazing how much these shows still mean to me. They weren't just entertainment; they were a reflection of our lives, our struggles, and our dreams. These shows were a reminder that even when things get tough, there's always room for laughter, friendship, and a little bit of hope. And maybe, just maybe, that's what I need right now.

Key Takeaways

📺 Remembering 80s/90s teen sitcoms brings back nostalgia.

🤣 Shows like Family Matters and The Fresh Prince gave endless laughs.

💖 Sitcoms taught us about friendship, family, and growing up.

🌟 From Punky Brewster to Steve Urkel, the characters were unforgettable.

🌍 These shows tackled real issues and shaped our view of the world.

✨ These TV shows offered an escape to a simpler, more lighthearted time.

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