Ever since the other day when I mentioned “The Love Boat,” all these old television programs have been creeping up on me, nagging me to let them out, write about them, unveil their legacy in TV Land (Do I have to give credit here to Nick at Night for my use of TV Land? If, I do, then, there ya go, Nick!).

For the past five days, as I become more aware of the memory of these shows, I have jotted them down and collected pictures of them. All the while realizing that I am dropping words like sitcom next to tv shows such as The Love Boat, but that isn’t correct because a situation comedy was usually just a 30-minute-long gig. I’ll make note of any that are something different than a sitcom. Let’s get started.

 The Golden Girls 1985-1992

I’m wondering what it was about this show that kept my 10-year-old self interested, but whatever it was, it worked! Every time it was on, there I was in front of it, singing along to the theme song. Thank you for being a friend, traveled down the road and back again, your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant…and if you threw a party, you’d invited everyone you knew, you would see the biggest gift would be from me, and the card attached would say, “Thank you for being a friend!”  You go out and say those words to your friend today! I remember my mom even asking me once why I knew the words so well! Looking back, I could whole heartedly say that it was such a good show because of Betty White, obviously. However, I would be doing the rest of those girls a disservice because they were all so good and worked so well together. Spunky Estelle Getty. Straight-laced Bea Arthur. Promiscuous Rue McClanahan.  I loved it. That’s all.

Punky Brewster 1984-1988 

Punky Brewster was my alter-ego. I’ll never forget my family’s visit to Walt Disney World when I was around 9-years-old and being asked the most exciting question of my life (besides if I wanted to marry Chris) by our waiter at the restaurant inside Cinderella’s castle. He asked me if I was the girl who played Punky Brewster on TV. You see, I looked like her with the pigtails, brown hair and freckles, but I also dressed like her. I was flattered beyond measure. If I could’ve been anyone when I was nine, it would’ve been spunky Punky!

The Cosby Show 1984-1992

Oh, this family. The Huxtables. I loved them. So did everyone. But in my adult life, I actually named one of my house plants Denise Huxtable. It’s next to me right now! If I spoke to my plants, I would say “Hi, Denise Huxtable,” and refer to it as “she.” But I don’t speak to my plants, because that would be weird. Dr. Cliff Huxtable, Clair, Theo, Rudy, Vanessa, Denise…Now this was a show that every American family could wrap their hearts and minds around. For me, I particularly loved the dynamics of the children when they would come home from school, through the front door, sling their backpacks down and banter with their dad. I can hear Theo saying, “Hey Daad..!” There are two things that seem to stick out in my mind the most, though. 1. When Rudy had her friend, Bud. Buuuuud. 2. When the family performed to James Brown’s “I got the feelin’” for their grandparent’s anniversary. Check it out! Need I say more?

 

Family Ties 1982-1989 

This was another one of those American family sitcoms. That seemed to be the trend, right? Family and friends. I will just come right out and say it, Michael J. Fox was why I watched this one. Alex P. Keaton – except for his straight laces, which almost always made me uncomfortable. It wasn’t until season four when Mallory’s boyfriend, Nick Moore (played by Scott Valentine) came along and evened it out some for me.

The Facts of Life 1979-1988

Thank goodness this was a long running series, since it started when I was three. But this was one of the ones I seem to remember the most. Maybe it was the Hodge-podge of female characters under the same  roof of Edna Garrett at the all-girls boarding school. I always felt like I could relate the most to Jo. She was my kind of girl – like maybe if she had been my age and we were friends, we might go skateboarding or bike riding together and patch up each other’s skinned knees.

Stay tuned for Early Television Show Memories Part 2. I’m feeling The Muppet Show and quite possibly a little Growing Pains.