Top 10 '80s Shows That Properly Handled Serious Topics

Even in the 80s, these shows properly handled serious topics. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the 1980s television programs that displayed high levels of professionalism, seriousness or earnestness when it came to tackling dramatic subjects. Our countdown includes “Diff’rent Strokes,” “A Different World,” “The Hogan Family,” and more! Which ‘80s television show do YOU think stood out from the pack? Let us know in the comments.

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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#80sShows #80s #Nostalgia #Serious #TV

[suzannemenuet]

The Golden Girls speaks to many generations, I think. I know people of all ages who still watch it. Plus, all of the women were advocates for many things, in their personal lives. ❤❤❤

[myswanktrendz]

80s shows reflected society at the best of times and worst of times. It's surprising how well they brought real hidden issues to the forefront, while also normalizing behaviour that wouldn't be accepted today. These shows are a perfect timecapsule of the era.

[ElvisRose_]

The Wonder Years is kind of jarring when you only remember the more uplifting and funny parts watching it as a kid then go back and watch it as an adult and it feels like a completely different show. As for The Golden Girls, I think it's a MasterClass in timeless comedy and deftly handling serious topics that were relevant for the times as well as today. It's pretty damn impressive.

[saraeastman]

Great list! Mash, Designing Women, Thirty Something, LA Law, Night Court were all great shows back then

[funnymin]

I hope 80s shows will get more recognition! They were the best

[weezy]

The Golden Girls helped me to deal with my husband's terminal illness. Their shows were something i looked forward to...

[angelaholmes]

I love how a different world dealt with serious issues

[chelseacanales]

Even though I wasn’t born in the 80s but they handled and tackled moments and they were the best.

[maggiem]

A list like this would be incomplete without A Different World. There are so many more topics they covered including sexism, workplace harassment, SA, and domestic violence. And all of them were done pretty well for the time and given the sitcom format. Thank you for finally giving that amazing show some love. 👍🏻

[barbara]

You missed a big one…Designing Women. Episodes like “They Shoot Fat People, Don’t They?” were amazing. They were also ahead of their time covering topics like slut-shaming, AIDS, homophobia, and gun control. They showed people that were Southern but didn’t deny racism, and religious without denying women’s rights.

[Lucoa.KtheaHashira]

The golden girls thing about AIDS was actually put in by one of the writers who’s partner was at the time recently been told they had it. It felt traumatic in the show because it was someone’s real emotions about the subject at the time was stigmatized and they needed to let it be said that it wasn’t a disease for people god “hated” it was just a disease like any other one

[FatsquatchPNW]

I would've put The Golden Girls at #1, honestly. There was almost nothing they wouldn't tackle. Homelessness, AIDS, gay marriage, child neglect, age discrimination, addiction, catfishing, immigration, nuclear proliferation, the fall of communism, teenage pregnancy...the list is practically endless. And they were always thoughtful, respectful, and the writers knew exactly when to interject levity to lighten the mood. Truly one of those lightning-in-a-bottle shows that only come around once in a very great while.

[Schroedingerscatlady]

I'm so happy Degrassi is at the top spot!!

Degrassi touched upon important topics for over 30 years! I still hope they bring it back in its next incarnation

[trixie]

I watched all of these programs and episodes LIVE. It was a good time to be alive. Some were really shocking, at the time, but needed to be discussed. 😟🥰

[COMPFUNK]

Although I was born in 1981, I didn’t see the Bicycle Man until around 1994. At the time, I had never heard of pedophilia, so I was really confused. I mean, I knew what was going on, but I didn’t understand why—well, actually, I still don’t understand why.

[art.of.verser]

A Different World never disappointed me with the cast taking on the collegiate experience as young Black people, especially during the days of the AIDS epidemic; I find The Hogan Family criminally underrated, considering that Jason Bateman starred in that sitcom after his recurring role as Derrick on Silver Spoons (and I enjoyed that show so much!).

More importantly, I'm glad I finally experienced Degrassi Junior High back in 2018 as we as the spinoffs. That franchise was never short on hot button topics, from teen pregnancy to substance use. Oh, and congrats to Degrassi for the recent induction to Canada's Walk of Fame!

[kung.fu.kellzz]

Didn’t know Degrassi would be no. 1. I just knew it’d be on the list. I’m pleasantly surprised.

[kevinriley]

Do a top 10 atV characters that improved atV shows. There's the Fonz, Urkel, Abby Ewing Alexis Carrington, Jo from Facts of Life, Amanda from Melrose Place.

[mahaarif]

Can you do a Top 10 Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High episodes?

[RetroFreak]

To be fair, I think Different Strokes and Family Ties alongside Mr. Belvedere are my favorite ones that dealt with very serious problems in their episodes with an excellent cast and crew of writers for the time.