The Cosby show. It stood on its own back then and was such attractive part of society back then and even to do this day in age is and what has shaped our culture and society and everything in it. Very ground breaking original and one of its kind. I still can't get over it and what an impact it had on society not to mention how popular it was. To this day it get still make me laugh all day if I'm ever able to catch a re run. I love Clare and I love Cliff. I love the kids to and watching them grow up. I think my favorite area of the show was when Denise came back and moved in with her boyfriend from the army and is little kid to. She was suppose to be like the next Ruthie.
Cheers was another 80's classic that I still love and wish I could catch on re runs. I think that was a show I never got sick of during its prime or after and to this day still makes me laugh. I hate to admit it now, but it was my show back then. I could never miss an episode and had to catch it every week even back then. God did Diana and Sam have such chemistry back then and I remember every woman wanting to be her. My favorite years are when Rebecca was on their and Kristie ally joined the scene. Finally women in my scene starting getting attention. She was a great role and idol to look up to along with being hysterical.

Love watching
The Golden Girls
on cable. So funny!

T
he most popular shows of the 1980's.
You can read all about those online.
1980-1984 [anything on ABC -Dallas]
1984-1990 [everything on NBC -Dallas]
Lots of info.
As for best, it's easily subjective.
If I had to pick, it would be "Late Night with David Letterman".

I didn't watch much TV then, but here are my faves (that I can recall):

• MacGyver Richard Dean Anderson (pine cone bombs and hang-gliders made of garbage bags!)
• Spenser: for Hire - Robert Urich and Avery Brooks (car chases in the Berkshires & Bostonboth extreme sports)
• SCTV Network (with John Candy, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara)- Some of the best comedy anywhere and began the careers of some great comedians.
• Punky Brewster - Soleil Moon Frye (a guilty pleasure!)
• Almost anything on Masterpiece Theater
  I followed all the rulesand you followed none of them. And they all loved you more.

My list for the eighties is mostly British comedies.
Yes Minister / Yes Prime Minister
Blackadder
The Young Ones
However I did like some American shows. Here are a few that come to mind.
Magnum PI
Cheers
Family Ties
Greatest American Hero
The Wonder Years
Once the nineties came around however
Seinfeld
The Simpsons
South Park

Personally, I liked Newhart, Golden Girls, Perfect Strangers, Bosom Buddies, and Head of the Class.
I never cared for Cheers or Cosby. Although I saw funny episodes of both, I don't know, something about the vibe/dynamic was off for me.

My list:
The Cosby Show
McGyver
The Dukes of Hazzard
Married..with Children
21 Jump Street
Fame
Tales from the Darkside
Miami Vice
Night Court
Family Ties

So by reading through this thread you only want 1980s if it started in the 70s like Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley you don't want the am I correct?
My favorite 80s shows were:
The Greatest American Hero
Crime Story
China Beach
Remington Steele
21 Jump Street
Bosom Buddies
Too Close for Comfort
Moonlighting
TJ Hooker
My Two Dads
Small Wonder
Punky Brewster
The Fall Guy
Thirty something
Beauty & the Beast
Silver Spoons
Miami Vice
Wiseguy
The Tracey Ullman Show
Only 80s
Here are some others that were popular:
Who's the Boss
Mr. Belvedere
Our House
Scarecrow and Mrs King
Jake & the Fat Man
Knight Rider
Highway to Heaven
Cheers
Hardcastle and McCormick
Head of the Class
Charles in Charge
Alf
Kate & Allie
The A Team
Cagney & Lacy
The Equalizer
Spencer for Hire
Family Ties
St Elsewhere
The Ropers
Magnum PI
Night Court
Hill Street Blues
some that bled into other decades:
Dynasty
Dallas
Mork & Mindy
Alien Nation
V
Archie Bunkers Place
WOW! That was a fun walk down memory lane.
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.

There are A LOT!!
These are my favorites:
Family Ties
Pee-Wee's Playhouse
Police Squad
Cheers
Remington Steele
Married with Children
G.I. Joe
Magnum P. I.
Knight Rider
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Growing Pains
SCTV
Double Dare
Max Headroom
Reading Rainbow
Tales from the Darkside
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Inspector Gadget
Night Court
Golden Girls
Who's the Boss?
Red Dwarf
Garfield and Friends
Fraggle Rock
Muppet Babies
And, yes, I was a kid back then.

You're a tranny.

These were my faves show from the 80s:
1.
The Cosby Show (1984)
2.
A Different World (1987)
3.
Yo! MTV Raps (1988)
4.
Fame (1980)
5.
WWF Superstars of Wrestling (1986)
6.
21 Jump Street (1987)
7.
It's Showtime at the Apollo (1987)
8.
227 (1985)
9.
Video Soul (1981)
10.
Solid Gold (1980)
Will you shut the f__k up! There is no bugle program!! -
Staff Sgt. Sykes

EasilyThe Cosby Show
Then
The Golden Girls
Facts of Life
Diff'rent Strokes
A Different World
Amen
Hunter
Rescue 911
Unsolved Mysteries
America's Most Wanted
Knight Rider
Nice 2 laugh, but don't be the joke.

In terms of popularity, not quality:
The Cosby Show
ALF
Full House
Cheers
The Golden Girls
Diff'rent Strokes
Who's the Boss?
The Dukes of Hazzard
Family Ties
Roseanne
Married..with Children
Magnum, P.I.
Three's Company
All I can think of for now.
"Long live your idols, may they never be your rivals"

My list would be:

1. The Golden Girls
2. Cheers
3. Roseanne
4. The Facts of Life
5. Diff'rent Strokes
6. Who's the Boss?
7. Family Ties
8. Growing Pains
9. Mr. Belvedere
10. Kate and Allie
11. Valerie (later re-titled "The Hogan Family")
12. Just the Ten of Us
13. Empty Nest
14. Webster
15. Gimme a Break
16. Punky Brewster
17. The Cosby Show
18. 227
19. Alf
20. Silver Spoons
21. Night Court
22. Charles in Charge
23. Designing Women
24. Small Wonder
25. Moonlighting

Miami Vice!

Equalizer
Cosby
Magnum PI
Cheers
Golden Girls
St. Elsewhere
Hill Street Blues
Brideshead Revisited
Cagney and Lacey
This Old House
McGyver
The Wonder Years

That started in the 70's ended in 80's

Mork and Mindy

Ha ha!

The Golden Girls.. Nuff' said.