Kids are back in school, the season officially changed from Summer to Fall, or Autumn if you’re nasty and that can only mean one thing… A new TV season is right around the corner!
Nowadays the TV schedule is a confusing. Shows come and go, take an extended hiatus over the holidays and some disappear for months. In the 80s you could count on 22 episodes of your favorite show to run from September to May with minimal interruptions.
As the crisp autumn air settled in during the fall of 1985, TV viewers were treated to a lineup of shows that would become staples of their viewing habits. The Fall 1985 TV season offered fresh debuts in a wide variety of programming that have stood the test of time.
Let’s take a look at a few of the new TV shows that made Fall 1985 unforgettable.
MacGyver (ABC) Debut: 29 Sep 1985
MacGyver quickly became one of the most inventive action shows on television. The series followed secret agent Angus MacGyver, played by Richard Dean Anderson, whose genius lay in solving problems using everyday items.
Need to defuse a bomb? MacGyver might use a paperclip. Stuck in a locked room? Some duct tape and gum could save the day. Unlike other action heroes of the time, MacGyver relied on brains over brawn and never used a gun.
The show title is now used a verb, need something fixed? MacGyver it! All you need is a Swiss Army knife and some duct tape.
MacGyver aired on Tuesday night before finding its home on Mondays. The show lasted 7 Seasons (1985-1992). You can watch all seven season of MacGyver on Paramount+
227 (NBC) Debut: 14 Sep 1985
227 was a fresh sitcom centered on the lives of residents in a Washington, D.C. apartment building. At the center of the show was Mary Jenkins, played by Marla Gibbs, whose charm, wit, and warmth anchored the ensemble cast.
The series balanced humor with social commentary, tackling topics like friendship, community, and the quirks of city living.
While 227 was on NBC it never made the coveted Thursday night lineup. All five seasons aired on Saturday night.
227 lasted 5 season (1985-1990). You can watch all five seasons of 227 on Hulu.
Growing Pains (ABC) Debut: 24 Sep 1985
Growing Pains followed the Seaver family as they navigated the ups and downs of adolescence and parenting and quickly became the quintessential 80s family sitcom. The show’s heartfelt moments and humor resonated with audiences, making it a beloved family sitcom.
Kirk Cameron, who played Mike Seaver, grew into a teen heartthrob thanks to the series. The family dynamics struck a cord with audiences who saw reflections of their own lives in the Seaver household.
Growing Pains aired on Tuesday nights and lasted 7 Seasons (1985-1992). You can watch all seven season of Growing Pains on PlutoTV.
The Golden Girls (NBC) Debut: 14 Sep 1985
The Golden Girls was unlike anything else on television at the time. The series followed four older, retired women, Dorothy (Bea Arthur), Rose (Betty White), Blanche (Rue McClanahan) and Sophia (Estelle Getty), who shared a house in Miami.
The Golden Girls highlighted themes of independence, aging with grace, and female friendship, topics not normally covered by mainstream sitcoms. The chemistry between all the characters brought each episode to life with laugh-out-loud moments and heartfelt reflections.
The Golden Girls became a lasting and beloved show still on the air in re-runs today.
The Golden Girls aired on Saturday night and lasted 7 Seasons (1985-1992). You can watch all seven season of The Golden Girls on Hulu and AppleTV.
Amazing Stories (NBC) Debut: 29 Sep 1985
Steven Spielberg’s anthology series Amazing Stories showcased a different tale and director each week, mixing science fiction, fantasy, and adventure.
Steven Spielberg wrote most of the episodes and enlisted acclaimed directors like Martin Scorsese (Raging Bull, Goodfellas), Joe Dante (Gremlins), Clint Eastwood (Play Misty for Me, The Outlaw Josey Wales), Irvin Kershner (The Empire Strikes Back) and many more to direct each episode.
Spielberg’s imaginative storytelling captivated viewers with its creativity, special effects, and compelling characters. Unfortunately audiences didn’t flock to the show.
NBC didn’t do it any favors by moving it from Sunday to Tuesday, back to Sunday and then to Monday. Often with weeks in-between episodes.
Amazing Stories won five Emmys but was ultimately canceled due to low ratings.
Amazing Stories lasted 2 Seasons (1985-1987). Amazing Stories isn’t including with a streaming service. Check YouTube for episodes or you can buy both seasons on Amazon.
Did you watch any of the these shows back in 1985? I was a huge fan of MacGyver and liked Amazing Stories. I didn’t watch the sitcoms on a regular basis.
What are your favorite shows from 1985? Let us know in the comments below. You can share your thoughts on X too. The main Retro Network channel is @TRNSocial and I’m @PitfallGary You can also find me on Bluesky @PitfallGary
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