1. Dynasty
Known as the queen of soaps, this TV drama introduced us to the legendary Joan Collins and Linda Evans. Fashion has never been the same since. They changed everything!
2. Dallas
An entire belt of mid-west America named their sons JR after watching this 80s soap. Few people didn’t tune in to their TV sets in the 80s to follow the lives of these rich and powerful tycoons.
3. Falcon Crest
One can’t help but love the scheming-bordering-on-evil Angela Channing, who does everything in her power to advance her family’s fortunes while playing with people’s lives.
4. Knots Landing
Giving the world Michelle Lee and Joan Van Ark, this classic soap opera was pretty much a spin off of Dallas following the lives of four married couples who lived next to each other.
5. Santa Barbara
The 80s in Santa Barbara was divided into two general camps – the vanilla couple Eden and Cruz and the scheming yet outrageously entertaining Gina and Keith. Santa Barbara also gave the world the gorgeous Robin Wright who played the part of Kelly Capwell.
6. The Bold and the Beautiful
Probably the longest running soap opera ever (they now have 4th generation kids) the Bold and the Beautiful took up most mums’ 80s evenings for a good 20 years. It also introduced to the world the stunning Hunter Tylo who played Dr Taylor Hayes and Katherine Kelly Lang who played Brooke Logan and Ronn Moss who played the legendary Ridge Forrester.
7. St. Elsewhere
Even though St. Elsewhere wasn’t among the most highly rated soaps in its time, it did have quite a loyal fan following and was written by Bruce Paltrow, Gwyneth Paltrow’s father. This medical drama became so popular that it established this genre paving the way for future medical soaps such as ER made popular by George Clooney and Grey’s Anatomy.
8. Melrose Place
After Heather Locklear carved a name for herself in Dynasty, it was only a natural comeback for her in Melrose Place. The series also has the hugely popular Maria Cross in it, better known for her role as Bree Van De Kamp in Desperate Housewives.
9. Beverly Hills 90210
If you didn’t grow up with Brandon and Brenda, you’ve missed out on vital years of your life. While Jason Priestley and Luke Perry were shaping young mens’ lives, Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth were teaching young girls how to become ladies. We were 90210!
10. Moonlighting
While this can’t really be tagged as a soap opera, its theme song is probably among the most recognized of all the 80s shows. It gave the world the magical onscreen chemistry between the stunning Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis.
