‘Dynasty,’ ‘Hill Street Blues’ & More: 10 Binge-Worthy TV Classics From 1981
It’s been 45 years since the debut of these 10 binge-worthy series in 1981. It was the year anchored by the royal wedding of Princess Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, the launch of MTV, and the retirement of news legend Walter Cronkite.
You may have to search hard for some of these TV blasts from the past. Whether you watch them on DVD or stream them online, they are a collection of classic 1981 TV series that are definitely worth a binge.
1 Hill Street Blues (NBC, January 15, 1981)
Robert Phillips//TV Guide/Courtesy Everett Collection
Let’s be careful out there! Hill Street Blues still ranks as one of the best police dramas ever made. Set in a fictional police station in an unnamed large city, the series boasted a solid ensemble cast led by Daniel J. Travanti as Capt. Frank Furillo. Other notables during the show’s initial year: Veronica Hamel, Michael Conrad, Bruce Weitz, Joe Spano, Michael Warren, Charles Haid, James B. Sikking, Betty Thomas, Kiel Martin, Taurean Blacque, Rene Enriquez, Ed Marinaro and Barbara Bosson.
2 Dynasty (ABC, January 12, 1981)
Aaron Spelling Prod./Courtesy: Everett Collection
The weekly saga of powerful Denver oil baron Blake Carrington and his often-dysfunctional clan quickly brought primetime soap operas to new heights of glitz, glamour – and catfights. John Forsythe tops the cast as Blake while Linda Evans stars as his new wife, Krystle. Joan Collins jumped aboard during the second season as Blake’s conniving first wife, Alexis.
3 Simon & Simon (CBS, November 24, 1981)
As a detective series goes, this entry had plenty of game in its day. Gerald McRaney and Jameson Parker costar as Rick and A.J. Simon, two brothers from opposite ends of the spectrum who go into business together and run a private-detective agency.
4 Falcon Crest (CBS, December 4, 1981)
Everett Collection
Spurred by the success of ABC’s Dynasty earlier in the year, CBS bolstered its success with Dallas in 1978 and Knots Landing in 1979 with this primetime soap about a wealthy family in the fictitious wine country of Tuscany Valley, California. Jane Wyman headlines the cast as family matriarch Angela Channing. Others in the initial ensemble include: Robert Foxworth, Susan Sullivan, Lorenzo Lamas, Abby Dalton, Margaret Ladd, and William R. Moses.
5 The Fall Guy (ABC, November 4, 1981)
20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
Lee Majors heads up this action/adventure series as Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who also works as a bounty hunter. Douglas Barr costars as Colt’s cousin, Howie Munson. Heather Thomas rounds out the core as Jody Banks, a fellow stunt person who gives Colt a helping hand.
6 Father Murphy (NBC, November 3, 1981)
Everett Collection
Merlin Olsen takes on the title role of this western family drama, playing an 1870s pioneer named John Michael Murphy, who disguises himself as a priest to help protect a group of orphans from being subjected to brutal child labor. Moses Gunn costars as a prospector who helps Murphy out.
7 Gimme a Break! (NBC, October 29, 1981)
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Nell Carter stars as Nell Harper, a housekeeper who takes care of widowed police chief Carl Kanisky (Dolph Sweet) and his three young daughters (Kari Michaelsen, Lauri Hendler, Lara Jill Miller). It’s an old-fashioned sitcom, but there are some laughs to be had, thanks to plenty of wisecracks and fat jokes.
8 Walking Tall (NBC, January 17, 1981)
Although it only aired for one season, this seven-episode drama series aimed at continuing the story of real-life Sheriff Buford Pusser, a tale first recounted in the 1973 movie of the same name. Bo Svenson takes over the role of Pusser, played by Joe Don Baker in the original movie. Svenson had played the role before, in two movie sequels (1975’s Walking Tall Part 2 and 1977’s Walking Tall: The Final Chapter), made before the series surfaced.
9 Love, Sidney (NBC, October 28, 1981)
Warner Bros. Television/Courtesy: Everett Collection
A few years after The Odd Couple finished its TV run, Tony Randall showed up in this sitcom about a gay man named Sidney Shorr and his relationship with a single mom named Laurie (Swoosie Kurtz) and her daughter, Patti (Kaleena Kiff). It was a groundbreaking show for its time and was the first American TV series to have a gay character as the lead role. Although Sidney’s homosexuality has a distinct presence in the pilot episode, it was toned down significantly afterward.
10 Best of the West (ABC, September 10, 1981)
ABC/Courtesy: Everett Collection
It’s not the best of this list, but this sitcom is a kooky western spoof that casts Joel Higgins as Sam Best, a Civil War veteran who becomes the marshal of a small pioneer town called Copper Creek after moving there with his wife (Carlene Watkins) and son (Meeno Peluce). Leonard Frey costars as the town villain.
Remind 