From the neon lights of Biscayne Boulevard to the feral swamps of the Everglades, the mid-1980s belonged to Miami Vice. Debuting in 1984 — on NBC at 10pm — the series not only altered cop shows, it influenced all of television by bringing a movie-like look and feel to the small screen.

By setting and shooting the series in Miami, executive producer Michael Mann introduced America to a city vastly different from the sleepy retirement communities most associated with the sunshine state. Mann’s Miami was fast, modern, baroque and dark. The city was more than just a location, it was another character; a breathing backdrop to a series that reflected the glitz and glam of the ’80s.

Grab your shades and shorts and hop aboard the flashback train. We’re takin’ a trip to the 3-0-5, where gorgeous women, tanned bodies, cutting-edge sports cars and super-stealthy speedboats are the norm. Welcome to the world of Miami Vice.

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The Partridge Family: The Complete Third Season. Who knew cute little Danny Bonaduce would grow up to be a reality star with substance abuse issues? OK, maybe that’s not such a huge stretch, but there’s something comforting about the singing Partridge Family and their groovy bus. It’s good clean fun that ran from 1970 to 1974. You know what? I think I love you. Buy It.

Nash Bridges: The First Season. I love the buddy-stuff between Don Johnson and Cheech Marin, one of the coolest cop teams to ever take down the bad guys. Sadly, much of the original music on this set has been replaced by instrumental overdubs, and season one includes only eight episodes. Buy it anyway.

Survivorman: Collection 2. It takes a special breed of person to plop themselves down on an Arctic ice floe or Costa Rican rainforest and struggle to survive. Maybe watching it makes us feel we could make it, too, with a little ingenuity and resourcefulness. Whatever the reason, we love Survivorman in this house, and continue to marvel at Les Stroud’s self-imposed adventures. Kinda glad I’m not married to him, though. Buy It.

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