8 classic '80s sitcoms and where to stream them
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(NEXSTAR) — With so many TV streaming services available, deciding what to watch can often feel daunting. However, this vast selection also increases the chances that your beloved older shows, which you haven’t watched in a while, are accessible on one of them.

Though we’re now 36 years removed from the 1980s, the decade’s impact continues to be felt in new TV today. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the classics from that decade and where you can find them.

Happy bingeing!

“Who’s the Boss?”

This sitcom following a former MLB player turned live-in-housekeeper (Tony Danza), was on the ’80s’ most popular shows and ran from September 1984 to April 1992. In total, there were eight seasons of “Who’s the Boss?”, comprising nearly 200 episodes. Though its ratings were decent at the time, in 1991, ABC moved “Who’s the Boss?” from Tuesday nights to Saturday nights. Although many popular TV shows thrived on Saturday night slots in the 1980s, the trend had peaked by the early ’90s and the series never recovered.

Where to stream “Who’s the Boss?”: Hulu.

“Who’s the Boss?” stars Tony Danza and Judith Light in a Sept. 30, 1986 episode of the sitcom (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

“Silver Spoons”

This hit family show ran for five seasons (from 1982 to 1986) and followed the lives of a wealthy toy company tycoon and his newly discovered son, played by child star Ricky Schroder. “Silver Spoons” was also an early showcase for then-young actors Jason Bateman (“Arrested Development”) and Alfonso Ribeiro (“The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”). Did you know: Likely owing to its vibrant setting and presence of toys, “Silver Spoons” once aired in France as part of the major network TF1’s “Destination Noël” Christmas programming block.

Where to stream “Silver Spoons”: Tubi.

SILVER SPOONS — Pictured: (Front row l-r) “Silver Spoons” stars Erin Gray, Joel Higgins, and Franklyn Seales (back row l-r) Ricky Schroder and Alfonso Ribeiro (Photo by: Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)

“Kate & Allie”

This sitcom paired two single/divorced mothers and childhood friends who decide to move into a New York City home and raise their children. “Kate & Allie” ran from March 1984 to May 1989, a run consisting of 122 episodes across six seasons. Though the titular characters were heterosexual within the show, showrunners reportedly faced pressure from execs at the time to explicitly make clear that Kate and Allie were not lesbians. This included frequently showing them going to separate bedrooms. Despite this fact, “Kate & Allie” has survived as something of an early moment of representation for some young women.

Where to stream “Kate & Allie”: The Roku Channel.

“Kate & Allie” stars Susan Saint James (L) and Jane Curtin (R) in a 1987 episode of the sitcom (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
(Clockwise) Nancy Dussault, Lydia Cornell, Ted Knight and Deborah Van Valkenburgh in a photo for the ABC TV series “Too Close For Comfort.” (Photo by Denis Plehn/ABC via Getty Images)

“Too Close for Comfort”

This San Francisco-set family series followed a conservative cartoonist (Ted Knight, “I Dream of Jeannie”), his wife and and their two adult daughters who live and clash while living under the same roof. “Too Close for Comfort” ran for six seasons and 129 episodes, though the show was retitled “The Ted Knight Show” ahead of what would be its final season. The retooled series featured the adult parents moving to Marin County, California, where Knight’s character became an editor of a local newspaper. The couple’s adult children, Jackie and Sara, were not part of the rebrand. The show ultimately ended after Knight died from colon cancer in 1985 ahead of what would have been the show’s seventh season.

Where to stream “Too Close for Comfort”: Peacock and PlutoTV.

“Benson”

This “Soap” spinoff actually premiered in September 1979, though the majority of its seven-season run (and 158 episodes) aired in the 1980s. The series followed butler Benson DuBois (Robert Guillaume, who won and Emmy for the role) after he is hired by a wealthy governor to run his household affairs. “Benson” ultimately ended with an unresolved cliffhanger in April 1986, as the finale had already aired by the time the show was cancelled. Did you know: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s first TV role was playing a mail carrier in three 1980 episodes, though he was reportedly fired from “Benson” due to “creative differences” with producers.

Where to stream “Benson”: Fubo.

“Benson” stars Robert Guillaume and Missy Gold as seen in a 1979 episode of the ABC sitcom (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

“Family Ties”

This NBC sitcom featured a young Michael J. Fox in the role of young Republican Alex P. Keaton, who butts heads with his more liberal, former hippie parents. “Family Ties” ran from September 1982 until May 1989, a run consisting of seven seasons, 176 episodes and a TV film. For his role in the series, Fox won three consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor. In addition to Fox, the show also featured an early outing for future “Friends” star Courteney Cox.

Where to stream “Family Ties”: PlutoTV and Paramount+.

Tina Yothers as Jennifer Keaton, Brian Bonsall as Andrew ‘Andy’ Keaton, Michael Gross as Steven Keaton, Meredith Baxter as Elyse Keaton, Michael J. Fox as Alex P. Keaton, Justine Bateman as Mallory Keaton (Photo by: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

“Perfect Strangers”

This Chicago-set “buddy” sitcom followed distant cousins Larry (Mark Linn-Baker) and Balki (Bronson Pinchot) as they navigate life on their own for the first time. The series ran for eight seasons and 150 episodes, airing from March 1986 to August 1993. Though “Perfect Strangers” was briefly moved to ABC’s Saturday night slot, it aired on Fridays, as part of the network’s original “TGIF” lineup, for most of its run. Though “Perfect Strangers” is fondly remembered, it would ultimately spawn a spin-off (“Family Matters”) that would far eclipse its popularity and impact.

Where to stream “Perfect Strangers”: PlutoTV, Plex and Xumo Play.

“Perfect Strangers” stars Mark Linn-Baker (Larry) and Bronson Pinchot (Balki) (Photo by ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

“Mama’s Family”

Originating as a spin-off of a recurring sketch series on “The Carol Burnett Show,” this family sitcom ran for a total of six seasons and 130 episodes. “Mama’s Family,” which starred Vicki Lawrence as the titular short-fused Harper family matriarch, aired in two iterations during its run. Its first was as two seasons on NBC, where the show featured a wide cast of cast of characters (including soon-to-be “Golden Girls” stars Betty White and Rue McClanahan) and a more grounded plotting style. After the show was cancelled in 1984 due to low ratings, “Mama’s Family” unexpectedly became a ratings hit when NBC aired it in reruns — prompting original producer Joe Hamilton to revive the series for first-run syndication (meaning the show had no official home but was available for TV stations to buy the right to air it). The second leg of the show featured a streamlined cast and a more outlandish tone. “Mama’s Family” was a success in this format until its end in February 1990.

Where to stream “Mama’s Family”: PlutoTV.

Pictured: (l-r) Vicki Lawrence as Thelma ‘Mama’ Crowley Harper, Rue McClanahan as Aunt Fran Crowley, Dorothy Lyman as Naomi Oates Harper, Ken Berry as Vinton Harper — (Photo by: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

Currently, the specified streaming platforms for these shows are (in most cases) the only places you can stream these TV shows. But as it always goes with streaming rights, this may change in the near future — so watch while you can!

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