1980s American detective show database

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Below is a complete list of American detective/mystery/crime shows from the 1980s, in alphabetical order. This includes shows that started in the 1970s and continued into the 80s, as well as shows that started in the 1980s and continued into the 90s. Many of the shows produced in the 80s would probably be more accurately described as action-adventure series, but they nonetheless include many elements of the detective genre.

Clicking on a title link in the list below will take you to my post about that specific show (if I have created one). Additionally, the list also includes links to places where you can watch/stream the show online.

#-C

• 21 Jump Street (1987-1991) [stream here]
• The A-Team (1983-1987) [stream here]
• Ace Crawford… Private Eye (1983) (comedy/parody) [stream here]
• Airwolf (1984-1987)
• B. J. and the Bear (1979-1981) (comedy)
• B. L. Stryker (1989-1990)
• Barnaby Jones (1973-1980)
• Beauty and the Beast (1987-1990) [stream here]
• Beverly Hills Buntz (1987-1988) (comedy-drama)
• Booker (1989-1990) [stream here]
• Cagney & Lacey (1981-1988) [stream here]
• Charlie’s Angels (1976-1981) [stream here]
• CHiPs (1977-1983) [stream here]
• Christine Cromwell (1989-1990)
• Columbo (1968, 1971-1978, 1989-1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003) [stream here]
• Crazy Like a Fox (1984-1986)
• Crime Story (1986-1988) [stream here]

D-K

• Dragnet, a.k.a. The New Dragnet (1989-1990)
• Eischied (1979-1980)
• The Fall Guy (1981-1986) [stream here]
• Father Dowling Mysteries (1989-1991)
• Hardcastle and McCormick (1983-1986)
• Hart to Hart (1979-1984, 1993+) [stream here]
• Hawaii Five-O (1968-1980) [stream here]
• Hawaiian Heat (1984)
• Hill Street Blues (1981-1987) [stream here]
• Hunter (1984-1991) [stream here]
• In the Heat of the Night (1988-1995) [stream here]
• J. J. Starbuck (1987-1988)
• Jake and the Fatman (1987-1992)
• Knight Rider (1982-1986) [stream here or here]
• Kojak (1973-1978, 1985, 1987, 1989-1990)

L-M

• Lady Blue (1985-1991)
• The Law and Harry McGraw (1987-1988)
• Leg Work (1987)
• MacGruder and Loud (1985)
• MacGyver (1985-1992) [stream here]
• Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988) [stream here]
• A Man Called Hawk (1989)
• Mancuso, FBI (1989-1990)
• Matlock (1986-1995) [stream here]
• Matt Houston (1982-1985)
• Miami Vice (1984-1989) [stream here]
• Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer, a.k.a. The New Mike Hammer (1984-1989)
• Midnight Caller (1988-1991)
• The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1979-1981)
• Moonlighting (1985-1989)
• Mrs. Columbo (renamed to Kate Columbo, then Kate the Detective, then Kate Loves a Mystery) (1979-1980)
• Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996) [stream here]

N-R

• Nero Wolfe (1981)
• Night Court (1984-1992) (comedy) [stream here]
• Ohara (1987-1988)
• Paris (1979-1980)
• Partners in Crime (1984)
• Philip Marlowe, Private Eye (1983-1986) [stream here]
• Police Squad! (1982) (comedy)
• Police Story (1973-1978, 1979, 1980, 1987)
• Probe (1988)
• Quincy, M.E. (1976-1983)
• Remington Steele (1982-1987) [stream here]
• Riptide (1984-1986)
• The Rockford Files (1974-1980) [stream here]

S-Z

• Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983-1987) [stream here]
• Simon & Simon (1981-1989)
• Sledge Hammer! (1986-1988) (comedy)
• Sonny Spoon (1988)
• Small & Frye (1983)
• Snoops (1989-1990) (comedy)
• Spenser: For Hire (1985-1988) [stream here]
• Stingray (1985-1989) [stream here]
• Street Hawk (1985) [stream here or here]
• Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980)
• T. J. Hooker (1982-1986) [stream here]
• Today’s FBI (1981-1982)
• True Blue (1989-1990)
• Tucker’s Witch (1982-1983) [stream here]
• Unsub (1989)
• Vega$ (1978-1981)
• Wiseguy (1987-1990) [stream here]
• Wolf (1989-1990)

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If you know of a show that is missing from the list above, or if you have any other additions or corrections, please let me know in the comments!