About this episode
On September 22, 1982, a new show debuted on NBC. It felt like a throwback to the family sitcoms of yesteryear, but, at the same time, felt like a big risk...
The early 1980s seemed to be a time when the family sitcom had disappeared. Primetime TV at the time was all about dramas, and the popular sitcoms were shows like M.A.S.H and Three's Company.
The new NBC show came out to little fanfare and barely had an audience in its first season. It was the same thing for the second season. But in the third season, things were about to explode...
Thanks to a renewed interest in family sitcoms--not to mention its young breakout star from Canada--primetime network TV was about to change forever.
Full House, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Home Improvement--they might not have ever happened if it wasn't for this show...
Get early and ad-free access to new episodes: Patreon.com/80s
Get every episode summarized
Each time Everything 80s publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Everything 80s
Pac-Man Fever Takes Over the 1980s
Everything 80s
Hulk Hogan and the Rise of Hulkamania in the 80s
Everything 80s
WrestleMania 3: The Biggest Event in Wrestling History (or Was It...?)
Everything 80s
ET: The Movie That Stayed at Number One for 11 Years
Everything 80s