The following is a guest post by Andrew Kardon, professional dad, lover of soupy dumplings and regular blogger over at Pops4Me.com, a site celebrating the adorableness of Funko Pop Figures.
I’m a child of the ’80s. I may have teens of my own now, but give me an Atari 2600, a Rubik’s Cube and Van Halen’s “1984” album and I’m in my happy place. In fact, with all of the sitcoms I watched as a kid, I feel like I was raised by a laugh track.
Yeah, back before things like Netflix and Hulu, or even such a concept as DVRs, we’d sit on the couch as a family and watch knee-slapping comedies like Bosom Buddies, Family Ties and Charles in Charge. Those days may be long gone, but in case you haven’t heard, retro is back.
Yep, all those classic ’80s fads are making a comeback in some form or another, such as those super cute Funko Pop Figures you see everywhere nowadays. And it got me thinking. If they can make a Kool-Aid Man Funko Pop Figure or even the Golden Girls, they can give us just about anything.
So I made a list. And I’m sharing it here for you and all the fine folks at Funko to hear and hopefully act upon! I give you…
10 Sitcoms From the ’80s That Need Some Funko Pop Love
Happy Days
Clean cut Richie Cunningham and Bad Boy (With a Heart of Gold) Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli are the dynamic duo of sitcoms. It’d be a crime not to give these two their own Pop Figures, not to mention Richie’s pals Potsie and Ralph, and his sister Joanie. Of course, we’d also demand an exclusive chase figure featuring Fonz on water skis as he literally jumped a shark.
Punky Brewster
Her name rhymes with “spunky” and that’s the perfect word to describe the curious fun-loving pig-tailed girl Punky Brewster and her dog Brandon. While cranky old foster dad Henry made for a great straight-man to Punky’s comedian, he wouldn’t make for a good Funko Pop figure. So let’s just stick with Punky.
The Facts of Life
You take the good. You take the bad. You take them both and there you have the Facts of Life! The world needs, no… the world deserves a Facts of Life Funko Pop line starring Blair, Tootie, Natalie, Jo and, of course, Mrs. Garrett.
Diff’rent Strokes
It may take “Diff’rent Strokes” to move the world, but a line based on this sitcom will have adults everywhere holding an Arnold Jackson Pop Figure while uttering those immortal words, “Whatchoo talkin’ bout, Funko?” Toss in brother Willis, foster sister Kimberly and dad Philip Drummond and you know exactly what we’re talkin’ bout.
Who’s the Boss
A big, dopey jock from the city named Tony taking a housekeeper job in the suburbs? Why, that can only be Tony Micelli and his daughter Samantha (that’d be Alyssa Mil
ano!). We need a Tony with vacuum Funko Pop, along with Samantha, boss lady Angela and her mom the red-headed, sex-crazed Mona.
Alf
Alf doesn’t just stand for Alien Life Form. It was the name of the lovable, curmudgeon of an alien who starred in his own self-titled sitcom. This wise-cracking, cat-eating alien from the planet Melmac may be ugly on the outside (okay, and somewhat on the inside at times), but if anyone can turn him into an adorable collectible, it’s the fine folks at Funko.
Night Court
Way before the serious likes of Law & Order, we had magician-turned-judge Harry Stone and his show Night Court. Give us the robe-and jeans wearing Harry, along with the egotistical prosecutor Dan Fielding, passionate public defender Christine Sullivan and, most importantly, the giant bald soft-hearted (and soft-headed) Bull the bailiff.
Three’s Company
Two single gals and one nice-but-forever-horny guy living in a Santa Monica apartment is most definitely a recipe for disaster. Three’s Company was the poster child for taking things way out of context. Jack, Chrissy and Janet are a must for this line, along with possibly the greatest landlord in the history of comedy, Mr. Ralph Furley (Don Knotts!).
Mork & Mindy
Na-nu, na-nu! Easily one of the oddest sitcoms of all time, Mork & Mindy was a weekly stage for comedian Robin Williams to bring alien Mork from Ork to life. Both he and young journalist Mindy deserve their own Funko Pop Figures for sure.
Small Wonder
I’m a big fan of science-fiction. Mix sci-fi with comedy and you’ve got me for life. Unless, of course, that show is Small Wonder, the ’80s sitcom that has the honor of being my most hated show of all time. I absolutely could not stand the girl robot Vicki. I can’t explain why, other than the fact that her mere presence made my skin crawl. However, this ridiculous show (that somehow lasted a miraculous four seasons) does deserve the Funko treatment. If for no other reason than the fact I can introduce a Funko Vicki to my baseball bat.
I’d say Seinfeld (which started in the late 80s), The Wonder Years, and Murphy Brown. As far as Robin Williams, I’ve been wanting them to do a whole series of his characters (starting with Mrs Doubtfire) as they seem to be doing with Tom Hanks (started with Forrest Gump and reportedly doing Josh from Big and the scene from Castaway with Wilson.)
Facts of Life & Different Strokes were 2 of my very favorites!
I love that Pac-Man cup your holding!
I love all those shows. I believe your list is complete. I can’t remember any others.
I personally think the tv shows from this time were a lot better than what they show today.
Eight is Enough was another show I watched a lot of. Also Little House On The Prairie.
These were some fun shows. Happy Day’s was one of my favorites.
Little House on the Prairie I enjoyed a lot when I was younger.
Yes!!! I have already binged the entire 9 seasons plus the extras produced later once since Covid started and I’m starting round 2. I’ve been dying for. Pa Ingalls Pop to add to my influential childhood collection.
Sanford and Son-Aunt Esther, Barney Miller, The Sweathogs, Al
Yep so many fun 80s tv lines that still haven’t been done yet.
Punky Brewster – there’s a reboot coming soon which may spark interest in Funko. We need Punky, Cherie, Margaux and Allen too!
Facts of Life – all the girls and Mrs G. Could go school uniform, rad 80s or a mix of both.
Cosby Show – shame this will probably never happen… big shame!
Other than that I love your Three’s Company, Small Wonder and Who’s The Boss suggestions!
Charles In Charge!
Three’s company Funkos could look like: Janet- base her on a Betty boop Funko, having joan jett-esque hairdoo & shirt with hearts. Chrissy- would resemble the funko grinch cindy lou who with pigtails. Clothing could be one of several late 70s outfits, that Suzanne sommers wore in character. Jack- several possibilities, as John Ritter wore polos, button down collars, chef outfit, e.t.c. Larry- would look similar to family guy quagmire, where richard kline wore a red with yellow palm leaf like shirt or robe.
Paul K. AGAIN HERE, WITH THREE’S COMPANY FUNKO SUGGESTIONS!! Mr. Furley- would simply be a “pick one of many flashy, gaudy outfits” that Don Knotts wore! Helen Roper- her red “whitey afro-esque lady doo”, with one of her mumu outfits. Stanley Roper- not any particular outfit, but create that funko with “that smart alecky face” when norman fell would look straight at the camera, after a wisecrack!
Paul K.’s comments for Mork & Mindy: DEFINITELY do a Funko for Conrad Janis’ character! AND ALSO CONSIDER AN EXIDOR (Robert Donner’s crazy character) FUNKO! Exidor has something of a cult figure following!
From Paul K.: For happy days Funkos: The Fonz could be posed with & hitting a little jukebox. Mr Cunningham wearing animal print fez hat. Mr. C/Tom Bosley had those “upside down, V-shaped eye brows, that would be a feature of that Funlo!
From Paul K. I am a heterosexual male, who found your website, discussing Funko pop ideas. Your site/blog is really cool, with its pop culture topics! As someone who strongly believes in people simply coexisting & respecting one another, regardless of ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, e.t.c., WE ALL HAVE INTERESTS, TALENTS, E.T.C., TO OFFER TO ONE ANOTHER! Regarding your parenthood, it might be different to some as compared to hetero parenting! BUT ANYONE WHO ARE GOOD, LOVING & WELL UPBRINGING PARENTS- HOMO, HETERO, SINGLE, STEP, ADOPTIVE- IS ALL THAT MATTERS! YOU GUYS LOOK TO BE SUCCEEDING IN THAT! KUDOS TO YOU!
Growing Pains, Greatest American Hero and of course Little House on the Prairie!
Hello!!! The best of all: The Dukes of Hazzard. But cowardice and wokeness will unfortunately prevail. So we won’t see it.