Family Ties (1982)

Family Ties is an ’80s family sitcom that blends broad comedy with surprisingly tender drama. Set in suburban Columbus, Ohio, it follows former 1960s radicals Steven and Elyse Keaton as they try to raise a conventional family in Reagan-era America. The household includes their brainy, conservative eldest son Alex (the pop-culture face of the show’s generational clash), fashion-obsessed and airheaded Mallory, precocious daughter Jennifer, and later baby Andrew. Steven (a public television manager) and Elyse (an architect) provide a grounded, loving center as their children grow up and make their own, often unexpected, choices. Watching Family Ties, you’ll get a steady mix of laugh-out-loud moments driven by the culture-war humor between ex-hippie parents and their buttoned-up son, plus many quieter, emotionally resonant episodes that tackle real issues—teen relationships, pregnancy, addiction, censorship, grief, and family estrangement. Episodes largely stand alone but also chart meaningful character growth over the seasons: Alex’s academic and romantic journeys, Mallory’s maturation, and the expanding family dynamics. Overall it’s warm, character-driven entertainment that appeals both to fans of lighthearted sitcoms and viewers who appreciate a show that isn’t afraid to get serious from time to time.

Actors: Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family

7.3 /10 7.3 /10