My favorite sitcoms, tv dramas, and cartoons growing up
by sapphiresky | created - 05 May 2011 | updated - 19 Feb 2015 | PublicWARNING: This list could make a few of us feel old, lol. :) I was a huge Bugs Bunny fan, so he reigns eternal, but here are some other faves from the vault of memories.
- Instant Watch Options
- Genres
- Movies or TV
- IMDb Rating
- In Theaters
- Release Year
- Keywords
1. Full House (1987–1995)
TV-G | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
A widowed sportscaster raises his three daughters with assistance from his rock and roll brother-in-law and madcap best friend.
Stars: Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron Bure
Votes: 63,122
Memorable lingo:
"You got it dude!"
"How rude!"
"Nerdbombers!"
Uncle Jesse's "heh?" and "Have Mercy!"
Oh what fun. I loved this show, and I still do. It always had an ethical message at the end, something I think is important when little eyes are watching. One complaint: Joey's impersonations of popeye and bullwinkle. Annoying!
2. Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the nineteenth century American Midwest.
Stars: Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
Votes: 26,913
3. The Waltons (1972–1981)
TV-G | 60 min | Drama, Family, Romance
The life and trials of a 1930s and 1940s Virginia mountain family through financial depression and World War II.
Stars: Jon Walmsley, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott, Kami Cotler
Votes: 9,062
4. Saved by the Bell (1989–1992)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
A close-knit group of six friends get through their teens together while attending Bayside High School in Palisades, California.
Stars: Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Mario Lopez, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies
Votes: 37,546
Lots of people hate this show, but I was glued to the tv when it came on. It had teen appeal back then. Zack, Kelly, and Jessie were my favorite Characters, and I had a huge crush on the actor who played Zack. Who didn't?
5. Family Matters (1989–1998)
TV-G | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
The Winslow family deals with various misadventures, many of them caused by their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel.
Stars: Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel White, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams
Votes: 30,029
I loved this show until Stephan came into the mix and it went supernatural. The best thing about Steve Urkel was that he was a cute little nerd with a whiney voice who was true to himself, but I guess viewers wanted to see him end up with Laura somehow.
6. Growing Pains (1985– )
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The misadventures of a family with a home business father and a journalist mother.
Stars: Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Jeremy Miller
Votes: 16,351
Every girl in America worshipped Kirk Cameron.
7. Life Goes On (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 60 min | Drama
A modern All-American family deals with the struggles of life and love in mid-western suburbia.
Stars: Kellie Martin, Chris Burke, Patti LuPone, Bill Smitrovich
Votes: 2,923
What did I like about this show? The diversity. People who are different are not really that different when you get to the core of who they are.
8. The Smurfs (1981–1989)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The Smurfs are tiny blue creatures that live in mushroom houses in a peaceful forest. They repeatedly try to outwit Gargamel, an evil sorcerer, his apprentice, Scruple, and his mangy cat, Azrael.
Stars: Don Messick, Danny Goldman, Lucille Bliss, Michael Bell
Votes: 21,056
My childhood obsession
9. Roseanne (1988–2018)
TV-PG | 21 min | Comedy, Drama
A revival of the popular 1990s sitcom "Roseanne," which centered on the everyday life of an American working-class family.
Stars: Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Michael Fishman
Votes: 46,386
This show was controversial for it's time, and remains popular today.
10. Adventures of the Gummi Bears (1985–1991)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
A group of reclusive humanoid bears and a few trusted humans explore their lost heritage and prevent their enemies from exploiting it.
Stars: June Foray, Noelle North, Lorenzo Music, Katie Leigh
Votes: 11,904
Here's one you might have forgotten about.
11. Our House (1986–1988)
60 min | Drama, Family
Following the death of his son, Gus Witherspoon takes in his daughter-in-law and his three grandchildren to live with him. Adjustment to the new arrangement is not easy on any of them.
Stars: Wilford Brimley, Deidre Hall, Shannen Doherty, Chad Allen
Votes: 906
A short-lived drama that I really enjoyed as a little girl. Our House ran for two seasons on Sunday evenings from 1986-1988 until it was cancelled.
12. Sanford and Son (1972–1978)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.
Stars: Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page, Don Bexley
Votes: 10,815
Here comes the big one!
13. The Andy Griffith Show (1960–1968)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family
Widower Sheriff Andy Taylor, and his son Opie, live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry, North Carolina. With virtually no crimes to solve, most of Andy's time is spent philosophizing and calming down his cousin Deputy Barney Fife.
Stars: Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts, Frances Bavier
Votes: 17,000
Mayberry
14. Happy Days (1974–1984)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Music
The Cunningham family live through the 1950s with help and guidance from lovable and almost superhuman greaser Fonzie.
Stars: Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Marion Ross, Tom Bosley
Votes: 21,094
15. Three's Company (1976–1984)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
The misadventures of two women and one man living in one apartment and their neighbors.
Stars: John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers, Richard Kline
Votes: 17,123
16. Pound Puppies (1985–1988)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A girl named Holly, who lives with her piggish relatives, has a series of fun adventures with her friends, a group of zany talking dogs called the Pound Puppies.
Stars: Dan Gilvezan, Ruth Buzzi, Adrienne Alexander, Pat Carroll
Votes: 1,321
I bet nobody remembers this one. :D
17. MacGyver (1985–1992)
TV-PG | 48 min | Action, Adventure, Crime
The adventures of a secret Agent armed with almost infinite scientific resourcefulness.
Stars: Richard Dean Anderson, Dana Elcar, Bruce McGill, Robin Mossley
Votes: 42,051
I loved the theme song for this show, and I had a crush on Richard Dean Anderson.
18. Quantum Leap (1989–1993)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
During an experiment into time travel, a scientist finds himself trapped in the past, "leaping" into the lives of different people, sorting out their problems and changing history in hopes of getting back to his own life in the present.
Stars: Scott Bakula, Dean Stockwell, Deborah Pratt, Dennis Wolfberg
Votes: 36,494
I loved everything about this show, including Dean Sockwell with his trusty "Ziggy." I think they cancelled it? I'm not certain I ever saw the final episode. :(
19. Who's the Boss? (1984–1992)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Romance
Tony Micelli, a retired baseball player, becomes the housekeeper of Angela Bower, an advertising executive in New York. Together they raise their kids, Samantha Micelli and Jonathan Bower, with help from Mona Robinson, Angela's man-crazy mother.
Stars: Tony Danza, Judith Light, Alyssa Milano, Danny Pintauro
Votes: 15,572
Not a favorite but it had it's place.
20. In the Heat of the Night (1988–1995)
TV-14 | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
The cases and adventures of the police forces in and around Sparta, Mississippi.
Stars: Carroll O'Connor, Alan Autry, David Hart, Hugh O'Connor
Votes: 6,217
Excellent crime detective drama. I loved this show.
21. Unsolved Mysteries (1987–2010)
TV-PG | 60 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
Combines dramatic re-enactments, interviews and updates, to tell stories of real mysteries, from human to the supernatural.
Stars: Robert Stack, Dennis Farina, Keely Shaye Brosnan, William Roll
Votes: 6,638
22. Father Dowling Mysteries (1989–1991)
TV-PG | 45 min | Comedy, Crime, Mystery
An amiable, inquisitive Chicago priest moonlights as a detective and is assisted by a rather worldly, lock-picking nun.
Stars: Tom Bosley, Tracy Nelson, Mary Wickes, James Stephens
Votes: 2,139
Boy, does this one take us back in time. Most people have forgotten this one. It was SO cheesy in restrospect.
23. The Twilight Zone (1959–1964)
TV-PG | 50 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Ordinary people find themselves in extraordinarily astounding situations, which they each try to solve in a remarkable manner.
Stars: Rod Serling, Robert McCord, Jay Overholts, James Turley
Votes: 93,220
Ok, now we're all feeling old. :)
24. I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
TV-Y | 30 min | Comedy, Family
The wife of a band leader constantly tries to become a star - in spite of her having no talent, and gets herself (along with her best friend) into the funniest predicaments.
Stars: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley
Votes: 28,935
A beloved, timeless sitcom.
25. The Wonder Years (1988–1993)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
Kevin Arnold recalls growing up during the late 60s and early 70s; the turbulent social times make the transition from child to adult unusually interesting.
Stars: Fred Savage, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, Jason Hervey
Votes: 40,798
I wonder if this show is on dvd?
26. Perfect Strangers (1986–1993)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy, Family
A high-strung and cynical man's life is never the same when his naive but good-natured cousin comes to America to live with him.
Stars: Bronson Pinchot, Mark Linn-Baker, Melanie Wilson, Rebeca Arthur
Votes: 11,022
Balki and Larry
27. Step by Step (1991–1998)
TV-G | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Romance
Divorced contractor Frank Lambert and widowed beautician Carol Foster meet, fall in love and quickly get married. Both have three children and when the families all move in together the kids and parents have a lot of learning to do.
Stars: Patrick Duffy, Suzanne Somers, Brandon Call, Staci Keanan
Votes: 16,306
I don't remember much about this show now, but it was a show I watched regularly.
28. Home Improvement (1991–1999)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Family
The daily trials and tribulations of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, a television show host raising three mischievous boys with help from his loyal co-host, loving wife, and eccentric neighbor.
Stars: Tim Allen, Earl Hindman, Taran Noah Smith, Zachery Ty Bryan
Votes: 49,145
29. 227 (1985–1990)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
This series took place in an apartment building numbered 227. The cast would frequently be sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs, involved in some discussion that would unfold into the weekly plotline.
Stars: Helen Martin, Marla Gibbs, Hal Williams, Alaina Reed-Hall
Votes: 3,990
This show was pretty funny I thought. Another forgotten one pulled from the cobwebs.
30. Amen (1986–1991)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
Rev. Rueben Gregory, finds dealing with the headstrong, opinionated, and unethical Deacon Ernest Frye--who works as a lawyer when not tending to church business--won't make his job easy.
Stars: Sherman Hemsley, Clifton Davis, Anna Maria Horsford, Roz Ryan
Votes: 2,336
This tv sitcom was a barrel of laughs in it's early days. I watched it a lot as a teenager with my parents, so either it ran a long time, or it was in reruns. It stars Shermen Hemsley-- man was he funny.
31. Alvin & the Chipmunks (1983–1990)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Three chipmunk brothers named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore have been adopted by and are living with Dave (human). Each episode finds them getting into trouble and new and unusual situations.
Stars: Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman, Frank Welker, Dody Goodman
Votes: 3,637
32. Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996)
TV-PG | 50 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Professional writer and amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher uses her intellect, charm, and persistence to get to the bottom of every crime she encounters.
Stars: Angela Lansbury, William Windom, Ron Masak, Louis Herthum
Votes: 29,290
33. Matlock (1986–1995)
TV-PG | 60 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
Ben Matlock is a very expensive criminal defense attorney, who charges one hundred thousand dollars to take a case. Fortunately, he's worth every penny, as he and his associates defend his clients by finding the real killer.
Stars: Andy Griffith, Linda Purl, Kene Holiday, Nancy Stafford
Votes: 9,357
Classic
Tell Your Friends