The TV crushes of 80s prime time

If you grew up watching prime time in the 80s, you remember the characters who showed up every week and owned the screen. These were the roles that made appointment television worth it, back when you had to wait until next week to see what happened next.

Here are the most memorable, ranked by how well they captured the era.

Get it: Dynasty: The Complete Series Blu-ray on Amazon (Three of the top crushes (Krystle, Sammy Jo, Fallon) starred in this iconic 80s soap opera that defined the era)

Erin Gray as Colonel Wilma Deering (Buck Rogers in the 25th Century)

Colonel Wilma Deering was Buck Rogers' commanding officer and a starfighter pilot who could handle herself in combat or diplomacy. Erin Gray played her from 1979 to 1981 on the sci-fi series, bringing intelligence and confidence to the role. The show is available on disc and streaming, and it still holds up for sci-fi fans who remember the era.

Linda Evans as Krystle Carrington (Dynasty)

Krystle Carrington was the elegant, kind-hearted wife of oil tycoon Blake Carrington and the moral center of Dynasty. Linda Evans played her from 1981 to 1989, and the show's famous catfights with Joan Collins' Alexis made it must-see TV. Dynasty ran nine seasons and is still streaming.

Heather Locklear as Sammy Jo Carrington (Dynasty)

Locklear joined Dynasty in 1981 as the scheming niece Sammy Jo, then became Officer Stacy Sheridan on T.J. Hooker and later Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place. She defined prime time glamour for two decades. Dynasty is available on most streaming platforms now.

Victoria Principal as Pamela Barnes Ewing (Dallas)

Pamela Ewing was the moral anchor of Dallas, married to Bobby Ewing and caught in the chaos of the Ewing family oil empire. Victoria Principal played her from 1978 through most of the original run, through storylines that became cultural events. Dallas is streaming on most services.

Markie Post as Christine Sullivan (Night Court)

Christine Sullivan was the optimistic public defender who joined Night Court in season three and stayed through 1992. Markie Post brought warmth and humor to the role, and the courtroom comedy became one of NBC's longest-running hits. Night Court is available on streaming now.

Stephanie Kramer as Dee Dee McCall (Hunter)

Sergeant Dee Dee McCall was Detective Rick Hunter's partner on the LAPD, and Stephanie Kramer played her as tough, smart and professional from 1984 to 1990. Hunter was gritty 80s cop drama, and it's available on streaming services for fans who remember when NBC owned Friday nights.

Catherine Bach as Daisy Duke (The Dukes of Hazzard)

Daisy Duke was the Jeep-driving, CB-radio-operating heart of The Dukes of Hazzard, and Catherine Bach made the role iconic from 1979 through 1985. The show ran in syndication for years and launched a fashion trend that outlasted the series. You can stream The Dukes of Hazzard on most platforms.

Kate Jackson as Amanda King (Scarecrow and Mrs. King)

Amanda King was a divorced mother who accidentally became a spy alongside agent Lee Stetson in 1983. Kate Jackson, one of the original Charlie's Angels, played her as smart, capable and relatable. The show ran four seasons and is available on disc.

Judith Light as Angela Bower (Who's the Boss?)

Angela Bower was the driven advertising executive who hired Tony Danza's housekeeper character in 1984. Judith Light played her as confident and professional, and the will-they-won't-they tension kept the show running eight seasons. Who's the Boss? is streaming now.

Pamela Sue Martin as Fallon Carrington (Dynasty)

Fallon Carrington was the original Dynasty wild child: rich, reckless and impossible to ignore. Pamela Sue Martin played her from 1981 to 1984, bringing the drama that made prime time soap operas a cultural phenomenon. Emma Samms took over the role in 1985. Dynasty is still available on streaming services.

Heather Thomas as Jody Banks (The Fall Guy)

Jody Banks was stuntwoman and fellow stunt driver to Colt Seavers on The Fall Guy from 1981 to 1986. Heather Thomas played the role through five seasons of car chases, explosions and 80s action. The Fall Guy is streaming now.

Jane Badler as Diana (V)

Diana was the ruthless alien commander in V, the 1983 miniseries and 1984 series that had everyone talking about lizard people under human skin. Jane Badler played her as cold, calculating and unforgettable. The original V miniseries is available on disc and streaming.

Quick answers

Where can I watch these 80s shows now?

Most are available on streaming services or on disc through Amazon. Dynasty, Dallas, Night Court, The Dukes of Hazzard and The Fall Guy are all streaming.

Which show had the most memorable characters?

Dynasty wins by volume: Heather Locklear, Linda Evans and Pamela Sue Martin all made that show must-see TV for reasons beyond the oil money and shoulder pads.

Were any of these actresses in other iconic 80s roles?

Heather Locklear went from Dynasty to T.J. Hooker to Melrose Place. Kate Jackson was one of the original Charlie's Angels before Scarecrow and Mrs. King.

Why do these shows still hold up?

They were confident, well-acted and unapologetic about what they were. No irony, no winking at the camera, just prime time television that knew how to entertain.