’80s Television Flash Back

The 80's saw the transformation of television.  With the advent of cable, and  CNN, HBO & FOX cutting into the monopoly  ABC, CBS and NBC help television was forever changed.  In 1986 Americans watched an average of 39 minutes of television news daily. According to TV Guide - more 80's trivia after the jump.

"the remote control switch revolutionized the way we watched TV in the 80s."

Prime Time soap operas were in their Golden Age like Dallas, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing.  Comedy took on a whole new edge with  The Simpson's and Married With Children.  Sitcom's included The Cosby Show, Family Ties and Cheers.  Top Crime Dramas like Miami Vice, Magnum PI, Hill Street Blues brought the gritty reality of true police work into our living rooms.  Thirty Something and Moonlighting appealed to the hard working professionals dubbed Yuppies.  Talk show TV Donahue, Sally Jesse Raphael and Geraldo Rivera took a whole new spin covering controversial topics-- who can forget Geraldo getting a broken nose?  Late night started down an edgier path as Davide Letterman entered the scene.  60 Minutes was the most highly rated television program in 1982-1983.  Click here to get an easy 100 VIP Points!

The Cosby Show

Geroldo Rivera

Family Ties

Miami Vice