Looking back...Primetime Ratings from the 80's

[Paul Raven]

In the Fall 84 Preview issue, TV Guide editors picked their favorite new series 

On this page we tell you which of the new series we liked best—which is not the same as predicting which will succeed. If we could do that, we'd be home counting our money. The success of a TV series is one of life's great mysteries, depending on such factors as the night of the week, the time slot, the shows that precede and follow it, the competition, the way it's promoted and—who knows?— maybe even its quality. Our favorites, in no particular order:

The Cosby Show (NBC). Easily the season's best new comedy. The women are stunning and the kids are adorable in this half-hour comedy, but it's Bill Cosby's talent and inimitable delivery that make it all work—that, and the kind of humor that grows out of the situation, rather than relying on the usual sitcom formula of zingers and one-liners.

Paper Dolls (ABC). Glamour? Escapism? Soap opera? Beautiful people? Yes, this handsome, large-cast series has all these elements (that's what we like about it). But in addition to being pretty to look at, the story is well written and engrossing— like a good summer novel.

Miami Vice (NBC) is an unusual crime drama that's sure to be controversial. Indeed, critics of TV violence are already taking aim—or is that the wrong metaphor? The show is wry and savvy and tough yet handsomely filmed, with entire sequences done in a combination of music and videos. The creator of Miami Vice is Anthony Yerkovich, who wrote frequently for Hill Street Blues.

Who's the Boss? (ABC). Funny—Tony Danza doesnt /ook like a feminist. Actually, he's an engaging mix of macho man and liberated male in this half-hour comedy, and just right as a former ballplayer who takes a job as housekeeper for a beautiful executive (Judith Light).

Finder of Lost Loves (ABC). We'll admit it we liked this series. The notion of rekindling old flames and finding longlost loved ones is a corny but charming premise, and Tony Franciosa and Deborah Adair are appealing performers

. Hunter (NBC). There's a nice chemistry between Fred Dryer and Stepfanie Kramer as two cops who reluctantly team up to foil their captain. Their plan is to be there for roll call, then go their separate ways— but somehow we don't think that will happen.

Jessie (ABC). If we must have cop shows this season, let some of the cops employ a psychiatrist—and please, Lord, let the psychiatrist be Lindsay Wagner. Amen.

As always, a few pilots were not available for screening. But we have high hopes for one of them—CBS's Murder, She Wrote, with Angela Lansbury; it's been too long since the commercial networks offered a good old-fashioned mystery series.

That's what we liked; now it's your turn. Read all about 'em—then sit back and enjoy the season.

Edited Tuesday at 06:14 AM by Paul Raven

[kalbir]

@Paul Raven Thanks for the TV Guide article.

They were right on The Cosby Show; Murder, She Wrote; Miami Vice, Who's the Boss?, Hunter, but wrong on Paper Dolls, Finder of Lost Loves, Jessie.

[Khan]

Hey, just as long as they ADMITTED the premise was corny, lol!

WTB? had a really strong premise - a Tracy/Hepburn "battle of the sexes" for the '80's - but, as usual, the execution let it down.  The writing should've been much more witty; and the cast, save for Katherine Helmond, was truly limited in terms of comedic skills.

Edited Tuesday at 06:18 PM by Khan

[DRW50]

Thanks @Paul Raven

I watched the whole of Paper Dolls on Soapnet and maybe I just wasn't in the right mood but I didn't think it was good even in the episodes that TV Guide seems to love. The story involving Mimi Rogers was a particular dirge for me.

[Khan]

To me, "Paper Dolls" seemed like two or three so-so primetime soaps merged into one.

[kalbir]

ABC was a mess in 1984/85 despite Dynasty reaching #1. Too many one season and done shows. Also, the Aaron Spelling hit factory was showing of signs of weakening.

Edited Wednesday at 01:04 AM by kalbir

[Paul Raven]

ABC was really struggling that season,

They didn't seem to have much faith in 3's a Crowd and buried Who's The Boss on Thurs initially. 

Paper Dolls  Tues @9 where Bare Essence had flopped the year before. Launching a new soap @9 was foolish.

Matt Houston, TJ Hooker, Love Boat, Hardcastle & McCormack and Benson were all fading and Glitter, Jessie, Finder of Lost Loves and Hawaiian Heat were all rejected by the audience.

[Contessa Donatella]

Both Paper Dolls & Bare Essence are strong favorites of mine. I never understood why Paper Dolls was not a hit right out of the starting gate.

One interesting thing about it is that it has 4 different opening themes. The TV movie has an original composition. The pilot uses Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". Then the series itself uses a totally different original composition. Then halfway through the episodes that were aired, they do a variation on that original composition. 

I have all of Paper Dolls. If anyone wants to see it, happy to oblige. I love Racine. Were they crazy? Only one word. And, is she named after a city in Wisconsin? REALLY?!! Roscoe Borne smiles more in this show than ever before, or since. Nicolette Sheridan & Terry Farrell are the ingénues being introduced. Brenda Vacarro is, well, she's herself.

 

 

Edited Wednesday at 12:22 PM by Contessa Donatella