The Eighties had been an odd and engaging time for popular culture. MTV launched initially of the last decade (again when it was really about music), heavy metallic music and pop music had been on the top of their respective recognition, shoulder pads had been thought of peak trend, and blockbuster motion pictures had been thriving. Something was at all times occurring within the ’80s, a lot in order that it has grow to be a decade that folks really feel nostalgic about no matter whether or not they lived by means of it or not.
Music, motion pictures, video games, trend, and nearly every thing in between was completely different, however in a approach that has made the popular culture of the last decade nonetheless reminisced about in the present day. If you grew up within the ’80s or had been a younger grownup within the ’80s, you are most likely fascinated about how nice the last decade was and the way you’ll love to return. The ’80s and its popular culture will proceed to be related for many years to come back.
Just as motion pictures had been an integral a part of the ’80s, so had been tv exhibits. Some of probably the most iconic exhibits in tv historical past had been made then. The M*A*S*H finale aired in ’83, which is likely one of the most-watched finales of all time. Popular exhibits corresponding to Dynasty and Moonlighting had been on, and traditional sitcoms corresponding to Family Ties, Married… With Children, and Full House all bought began within the ’80s. Many fashionable TV exhibits had been airing within the ’80s which might be nonetheless remembered fondly to at the present time.
Even with the variety of well-received exhibits that had been on on the time, there have been additionally fairly a number of exhibits that did not obtain that recognition. Some of those exhibits might have gained a cult following within the years since they ended, however not sufficient folks had been having fun with them within the ’80s. With that being stated, listed here are 11 bizarre ’80s TV exhibits that did not final very lengthy.
11 Automan (1983-1984)
Airing on ABC from December 1983 - April 1984, Automan was a superhero comedy starring Chuck Wagner because the titular character. Short for Automatic Man, Automan was a computer-generated superhero that fought crime together with his human creator Walter, who was performed by Desi Arnaz Jr. Walter labored as a pc programmer for the town’s police division, however he actually needed to be a avenue cop. His superiors did not suppose he was well-suited for the job, which led Walter to create a hologram that might depart the pc display and named him Otto J. Man, however gave him the nickname Automan.
The present was costly to supply and confronted competitors with CBS’ Scarecrow and Mrs. King, which led to solely 13 of 14 episodes of the primary season airing and finally being canceled by the community.
10 B.A.D. Cats (1980)
Standing for “Burglary Auto Detail”, B.A.D. Cats was against the law drama that adopted a crew of cops who investigated automotive thieves. It adopted Nick Donovan (Asher Brauner) and Ocee James (Steve Hanks) as former race automotive drivers who had been employed by the LAPD to research auto thieves due to their superior driving expertise. To help them with their work was LAPD officer Samantha “Sunshine” Jensen, performed by a really younger Michelle Pfeiffer. The present aired for a couple of month in 1980 from January to February, and was canceled after solely six episodes aired. Four filmed episodes by no means made it to the airwaves.
9 Blacke’s Magic (1986)
Blacke’s Magic was against the law drama on NBC that revolved round a retired magician who joined his con-man father to resolve mysteries utilizing a mix of methods and con video games. The present starred Hal Linden because the magician named Alexander Blacke who retired from the career on account of a near-death expertise. When his father Leonard (Harry Morgan) moved in, that is when the father-son duo started their crime-solving crew to resolve probably the most not possible of crimes. The present aired from January to May 1986, with 13 episodes airing on the community earlier than it was inevitably canceled, though Linden believes the present was mishandled by the community.
8 Breaking Away (1980-1981)
Set in Bloomington, Indiana, Breaking Away adopted 4 buddies who made their residing as working-class “cutters” in a university city, however primarily targeted on Dave (Shaun Cassidy) and his La Strada bicycle. Cassidy rose to fame for his time as Joe Hardy on The Hardy Boys and needed to be a part of the present to distance himself from the teenager idol standing he earned by being a Hardy Boy.
The present relies on the 1979 film of the identical identify and Cassidy did not watch the movie previous to taking pictures the present as a result of he did not need Dennis Christopher’s portrayal of the character to change his personal model. The present may need performed nicely if not for the 1980 Screen Actor’s Guild strike, which triggered manufacturing on the sequence to be delayed till the autumn. ABC had closely marketed the present, however by the point it aired, the scores simply weren’t there. Only seven of the eight filmed episodes had been aired.
7 Gung Ho (1986-1987)
Another present based mostly on a film of the identical identify, Gung Ho was a comedy present starring Scott Bakula as Hunt Stevenson. The premise of the present centered round a Japanese-owned American automotive manufacturing unit within the city of Hadleyville, Pennsylvania. The manufacturing unit was reopened as a part of the Japanese firm Assan Motors, and the present noticed the conflict of cultures between the Japanese administration and the American workers. Before shortly being canceled by ABC, the primary and solely season aired 9 episodes from December 1986 by means of February 1987.
6 Concrete Cowboys (1981)
In 1979, Tom Selleck (earlier than his Magnum P.I.) days and Jerry Reed starred in a preferred tv film known as Concrete Cowboys. The made-for-TV film adopted two playing buddies who’re mistaken for detectives after they had been compelled to go away city and ended up in Nashville. The TV sequence adopted the identical characters, although Selleck was changed by actor Geoffrey Scott, and lived on CBS for a bit of over a month in 1981, from February to March. Only seven episodes aired on the community earlier than finally being canceled. The tv sequence is not even on DVD or streaming, however the film is offered to stream.
5 The Highway Man (1987-1988)
The Highwayman was a futuristic sequence that has been described as a cross between Mad Max and Knight Rider. The sci-fi motion sequence adopted Sam Jones as the motive force of a high-tech 18-wheeler who was a part of a crew of federal marshals who had been impressed to proper wrongs the place atypical legal guidelines didn’t apply and to haul particular cargo. The cab of the truck may additionally flip right into a helicopter for fast escapes. The Highwayman’s companion Jetto was performed by Mark ‘Jacko” Jackson, a former Australian soccer participant and star of many Energizer battery commercials. The 90-minute pilot of the present premiered in September 1987 whereas the remaining 9 episodes premiered from March by means of May 1988.
4 Beyond Westworld (1980)
The sci-fi motion present Beyond Westworld was based mostly on the 1973 movie Westworld however ignored the occasions of the movie’s 1976 sequel, Future World, and years earlier than HBO’s acclaimed present. The present adopted the Security Chief of the Delos Corporation John Moore (Jim McMullan) as he tried to cease mad scientist Simon Quaid (James Wainwright) from releasing the androids out of the theme park, so he may take over the world.
The sequence was canceled in the identical month it aired, lasting solely from March 5-March 19 1980. Only three of the 5 episodes had been aired on CBS, though the remaining two episodes could be discovered on Prime Video now. Despite being canceled extraordinarily early on, it was really nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup and for Outstanding Art Direction for a Series.
3 Manimal (1983)
The short-lived superhero sequence Manimal adopted a British professor who lectured at New York University and taught animal behavioral science. This was becoming as a result of Professor Jonathan Chase (Simon MacCorkindale) had the power to rework into any animal he needed to. He used his uncommon potential to battle crime alongside police officer Brooke (Melody Anderson) and Vietnam War buddy Ty Earle (Michael D. Roberts). The present solely aired from September by means of December 1983 earlier than getting canned by NBC, with solely eight episodes airing on the community. It has gained a small cult following through the years, nonetheless.
2 The Phoenix (1982)
After an archaeological expedition carried out in Peru, a person is found to nonetheless be alive in a casket present in historic Incan ruins. The man seems to be Bennu (Judson Scott), an extraterrestrial from one other planet. Bennu should be taught to outlive on Earth whereas avoiding the Peruvian authorities who want to worship him as a god in addition to U.S. authorities brokers who need to dissect him, all whereas trying to find his long-lost companion. Bennu was an enlightened being who was socially accountable and environmentally conscious. He had a variety of skills together with astral projection, telekinesis, and levitation. His skills had been stronger when sporting his Phoenix amulet, which drew energy from the solar.
The Phoenix was preceded by a 90-minute pilot TV film in April 1981, and the next 4 episodes aired on ABC for only one month from March by means of April 1982. Nine episodes had been deliberate, however the sequence was canceled earlier than the remaining 5 episodes had been ever filmed. The present has gained a little bit of a cult following through the years, and it was most likely too forward of its time to be appreciated when it initially aired.
1 Misfits of Science (1985-1986)
This comedy sci-fi present, which starred a really younger pre-Friends Courteney Cox, adopted a bunch of misfits who shaped a bunch as a result of that they had one factor in frequent; all of them had superpowers. Dean Martin’s son Dean Paul Martin starred as Dr. Billy Hayes, the chief of the group and the one member that has no particular skills.
Misfits of Science additionally featured a rock musician who was electrocuted on stage and gained the power to cost electrical energy, an enormous who had the power to shrink right down to small sizes, and a person who may freeze something he touched, named Ice Man. Ice Man was solely featured within the pilot episode as a result of his character was too just like a Marvel Comics character with an identical identify. Cox performed a teenage lady who had the power of telekinesis. The present solely lasted 16 episodes from October 1985 to May 1986 earlier than getting canceled on account of low scores. It needed to compete with CBS’ fashionable present Dallas, so it did not stand an opportunity.
