Taking little ones to see the latest children's movies in theaters can be stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun. How do you prepare your little one for over an hour sitting in a dark, noisy theater for a movie that they just might love? Is there anything you should take with you? Are there foods you should be prepared to buy at the concession stand? How do you prevent those runs to the restroom during the best parts of the movie? Visit through my blog to find out how our family has successfully taken our little ones to enjoy the awesome new releases in theaters.
Some of the most exciting and groundbreaking dramatic series in television history hit the airwaves back in the good old days: The 1980s. Although the jury is out on whether 80s music will stand the test of time, certain TV series from that era have already earned their place in broadcast history.
Law and Order
Before Law and Order and all the CSI shows, a surprisingly gritty and realistic television series set the standard by which future crime shows would be judged. Called Hill Street Blues and set on the Hill in Chicago, this Stephen Bochco created series starred Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren, Bruce Weitz, and a large ensemble cast. Running from 1981-1987 on NBC, it was considered one of the first realistic depictions of actual police work, and the show won a number of Emmys and Golden Globe Awards. All seven seasons are available as a discount TV series on DVD.
Hill Street Blues
What Hill Street Blues was to police series, St. Elsewhere was to hospital dramas. Debuting in 1982, St. Elsewhere originally received critical acclaim but drew few viewers. Eventually, the series began to draw higher ratings and became a hit for NBC. The show helped launch the careers of Denzel Washington, Alfre Woodard, David Morse, and Howie Mandel. Now the six seasons that originally ran from 1982-1988 are out as discount TV shows on DVD.
China Beach
This provocative series about the Vietnam War ran on ABC from 1988-1991 and starred Dana Delany, Marg Helgenberger, and Michael Boatman. China Beach explored the reality of life for those serving behind the front lines and was largely told from the point of view of nurse Colleen Murphy, who was stationed at a beach hospital. The show was unflinching in its portrayal of violence and of the psychological trauma suffered by those involved with the war. Low ratings caused the series to be canceled after its fourth season, but it is one of the TV series DVD sets cheap and available now for purchase.
The 1980s was a golden decade for TV dramas. The quality of these shows propelled many of the cast members to stardom. These series also paved the way for later shows that depicted life in a realistic way, such as NYPD Blue and ER. Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere, and China Beach are only three examples of the great series launched in the 1980s. Fortunately, many of these shows are now available on discounted DVDs, making them a great purchase for an entirely new, modern audience.
Share