If you like television shows that aired during the 1980s, this might be a good time for you to catch up on some of the Christmas episodes that aired for some of your favorites. Of course, everybody has their own favorite episodes, but these five will definitely keep you interested. There were some good shows that aired during the 1980s, especially prior to 1986. If you’re interested in learning more about this era of television that still brings back great memories for many, go ahead and click on one or all of the links that are listed below. Some of them are clips and some are full episodes, but either way you will gain a better understanding of what TV was like back then and why many people still watch these television shows today.
1. Hart to Hart (1980)
In this episode, ‘Tis the Season to be Murdered,” you have the Harts dealing with the unexpected as they try to celebrate the Christmas season. If you’ve ever watched the show, you know that even when they have relatively average plans, things never seem to go average for them. As such, they usually find themselves being part detective and part advocate while they’re trying not to end up getting shot in the process. As you might have guessed, this is another celebration that would have been completely normal if someone just hadn’t decided to try their hand at murder.
2. Magnum, P.I. (1983)
In “Operation Silent Night,” you have Magnum trapped on an island that the military uses for training, something that could indeed become very dangerous if someone doesn’t come to rescue him soon. The thing is, he’s not alone. Before you know it, Magnum and his newfound friend find themselves trying to merely stay alive on Christmas while all of his friends come to render aid. The entire episode is interesting, but perhaps the most poignant part of the entire show is where Higgins talks about what Christmas means to him and how people don’t take it seriously enough. Imagine what that speech would be like these days. If you think people didn’t take Christmas seriously back in the early 1980s, it’s an absolute travesty how has been commercialized in modern times. No doubt, Higgins would agree.
3. Trapper John, M.D. (1981)
In the episode ‘Tis the Season,” you see Trapper John going about business at the hospital as usual. However, it is the Christmas season, after all. That means that you have to deal with people that are sick and injured who will be spending time in the hospital and will therefore not be spending time with their families. As you might expect, this complicates things for not only the patients, but also for the staff that cares for them. In the end, you have Trapper John and the other staff members doing their best to make the hospital a warm and inviting place where patients and staff alike can enjoy Christmas, even though they may not be exactly where they want to be spending it.
4. Simon & Simon (1983)
This episode, “Yes Virginia, There is a Liberace,” is what many might consider typical of early 1980s television Christmas specials. The show itself chronicled the lives of two private investigators who work together. It followed other earlier television shows such as The Rockford Files, and aired alongside another popular show about a private investigator, Magnum PI. In this particular episode, you have the two main characters dealing with a particular client that they’re trying to help while simultaneously trying to live relatively normal lives and celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. Of course, as you might have already guessed, these two worlds collide and make for a very interesting holiday, indeed.
5. TJ Hooker (1983)
Everyone has an opinion, but TJ Hooker is frequently considered one of the best cop shows of all time and it was certainly one of the top shows that aired during the earlier part of the 1980s. In this episode, “Slay Ride,” Hooker is feeling the pressure from the Christmas holiday because he’s divorced and his wife and children have recently moved several miles away to Oregon. This is the first Christmas that he is forced to spend without them being in the same town and although he’s been divorced for a while, the knowledge that he can’t spend the holiday with his kids wears him down. All the while, he’s forced to deal with same type of day in and day out action that he normally sees as a police officer.
Follow Us
