The 1980s had a lot of things going for the decade. Neon colors, Ronald Reagan as President, Prince, Miami Vice, and big hair to boot. TV was plentiful, which meant a lot of '80s couples to be loved both then and now. We have couples we keep up with on current shows, but what about the shows of days past? Shouldn't those couples get a mention every once in a while?
They, after all, set different examples and platforms that likely inspired TV couples today, and plus they hold a certain amount of nostalgia. That said, here are the 10 best sitcom couples of the '80s, ranked.
Al & Peggy Bundy "Married...With Children"
Al and Peggy are hardly couple of the year, but we all know a couple like them. Peggy is lazy and refuses to work or do chores around the house. She constantly nags Al about their lifestyle, among other things. Al, meanwhile, enjoys simple things in life and will defend the Bundy honor whenever necessary. Al can be politically incorrect, but that was one of the funniest aspects of the show. Despite all the dysfunction in their life, these two manage to stay together through it all, so kudos to them.
Dan & Roseanne "Roseanne"
Dan and Roseanne weren't necessarily the hottest couple of the '80s, but they were definitely among the funniest. One of the best sitcoms to come out of the 1980s, these two were a big contributing reason to the success of the show. Dan was far more easygoing than his wife and usually refrained from arguing with her just to keep the peace, but the two still loved one another and made a great pair, balancing each other out.
Carl & Harriette Winslow "Family Matters"
Harriette is strong-willed, while Carl is almost always irritated (usually because of annoying neighbor Steve Urkel). Harriette, in a twist on husband and wife dynamics, isn't afraid to go up against her husband and criticize him. She's direct but honest. Carl is a dedicated family man, and Harriette is a dedicated wife and mother. Their marriage works on their own tune and they bring out the best in one another. It was one of the best things about Family Matters (apart from the always-hilarious Steve Urkel and his shenanigans).
Jesse & Rebecca "Full House"
Jesse and Rebecca were the "it" couple of Full House. Danny and Vicky, DJ and Steve and all other couples on the show paled in comparison. Bad boy musician Jesse paired with responsible TV host Rebecca was definitely an "opposites attract" type of situation, but they made it work.
Their love was strong and they were there for each other throughout everything. Rebecca kept Jesse grounded and Jesse provided all the ion and adventure Rebecca could ever want. They later had twin boys and made a home in the attic of the famous Tanner home in San Francisco. To live in such a small space, you'd have to be wildly in love, and these two definitely were.
Homer & Marge "The Simpsons"
We had to include this animated sitcom on the list. Premiering in 1989, The Simpsons are still on the air to this day. Both Homer and Marge are stereotypes in their own way, while Homer is lazy and addicted to junk food, Marge keeps her family grounded and brings her family peace in the midst of chaos. Both care deeply for their family and for each other. Though somewhat mismatched, they are the same where it truly counts, that being their love and their dedication to family.
Tony & Angela "Who's The Boss?"
Who's the Boss was a game-changer for many reasons in the 1980s, one of which was the relationship between Tony and Angela. Tony works as Angela's housekeeper, which was a major switch as it showed a streetwise man as domestic and sensitive, while Angela played breadwinner.
The two denied their feelings for one another for some time, but became the best of friends. The show didn't end with marriage between them, but we hope they got their happy ending regardless of nuptials.
Mork & Mindy "Mork & Mindy"
Mork was an alien from another planet that Mindy took in. She teaches him about life on Earth, though it can be frustrating given the cultural differences between the two planets. It was unconventional in the early 1980s to see a man and woman living together, but it worked for Mork and Mindy, even leading to them falling in love, marrying, and even raising an Orkan "child" together. Nothing about them was conventional, but we loved them for it then just as we love them for it now.
Steven & Elyse Keaton "Family Ties"
Steven and Elyse Keaton were one of the sweetest couples on TV in the '80s. They stuck together through thick and thin, raising their three (later four) children together.
Steven has to resist temptation in one episode as he rebuffs advances from a co-worker, declaring and portraying his dedication to his wife. They were cute together and worked well with one another. As the theme song goes, "there ain't no nothing we can't help each other through."
Maddie & David "Moonlighting"
Though not strictly a sitcom, this 1980s pair deserves a shout-out on this list. A case of "will they or won't they", these two absolutely infuriated each other from moment one. They pair up to run a detective agency, which often adds to their dramedy through their cases. Their sexual tension bled off the screen, and they certainly were fast talkers (especially David). Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd were an interesting pair as a wisecracking detective and an intense former model, and were definitely a favorite among 1980s couples.