4 television shows from the 80s that could be revived today

Forty years later, these 80s television shows could work in today’s landscape

Networks are always on the lookout for the next big hit, and reboots and revivals have, for the most part, been a success. Take a look at Hawaii Five-0, Magnum P.I., and MacGyver, two of which were successful dramas in the 80s. Enough time had elapsed that the rebooted shows could find new viewers, and the same could happen for more eighties television shows.

The following series had strong ratings in their initial runs, and only one lasted less than five seasons. With mystery, science fiction, drama, intrigue, and danger, these television shows were addictive, and to this day, most of us older viewers still miss them.

Scarecrow & Mrs. King

A spy gets into danger and ends up asking a stay-at-home mom for help. What follows is a unique partnership that Bruce Boxleitner (who portrayed Lee Stetson) and Kate Jackson (who portrayed Amanda King) brought to life. With plenty of humor, danger, romance, and thrills, this series, which ran from 1983-1987, remained high in the ratings until its last season moved to Friday night. That, coupled with Kate Jackson’s diagnosis of breast cancer which meant she appeared in fewer episodes, led to the cancellation of the series.

When Scarecrow & Mrs. King ended, there were plenty of untold stories, and there’s nothing quite like this series on television today which is why this show could work with the right Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

Murder She Wrote

Angela Lansbury portrayed Jessica Fletcher, a former English teacher turned mystery writer, who solves the mysterious puzzles of crime in Cabot Cove, Maine. The series, which ran from 1984-1996, was so popular it lasted 12 seasons and spawned four television movies.

The Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channels has proven that mystery shows led by women are extremely popular, especially when the lead character isn’t in law enforcement. The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries, a series of 13 movies so far, revolves around a librarian and super-sleuth who solves crimes in her small town.

Another series of movies, Garage Sale Mysteries, which included 15 films, was just as popular with an antique dealer, Jennifer Shannon, solving murders. So now is the perfect time to revive Murder She Wrote. As of 2017, Angela Lansbury was still interested in reprising the character at least for a special.

L.A. Law

An ensemble lawyer-drama that excelled from 1986-1994, L.A. Law had its issues that wouldn’t be tolerated today. Arnie Becker comes to mind. Barring those issues, it was an excellent series with lawyers working to solve both criminal and civil cases.

Many hot topics, which are applicable to today, were addressed, including capital punishment, racism, and domestic violence. Of course, office politics and romance were thrown in, but the superb cast (Harry Hamlin, Jimmy Smits, Alan Rachins, and Jill Eisenberry, to name a few) kept this show on its toes.

TV isn’t overly populated with shows about lawyers nowadays, which leaves plenty of room for the law office of McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney, & Kuzak to return. With 15 Emmy wins under its belt, this series had a lot going for it, and a revival could be just as popular today.

Quantum Leap

Every science fiction fan knows Quantum Leap, the engaging series that ran from 1989-1993 that starred Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett who, due to an experiment goes wrong, leaps through time and into different bodies to help people in various ways. The humorous situations Sam often finds himself in were one of the highlights of the show.

Helped by his holographic adviser, Sam often has to forge a path on his own, and the results were unique and engaging which is why a series like this could work today. There are legions of science fiction fans who would love to see the return of Quantum Leap. Even Scott Bakula admitted there would be “lots to do” if the show got rebooted.

With so much great television in our past, there is a lot to be rebooted, especially since these eighties television shows are such strong series.

Which of these shows would you like to see on TV again? Share your thoughts in the comments below.