A real family who looked like real people having real troubles and saying real things. And of course, as Thriftymaid said, great writers to make that happen. I think we were starting to tire of all the beautiful people on shows such as Dallas, Dynasty and Knots Landing and wanted to see regular human beings doing the same things that we do and having the same problems we have;)

The obvious answer -- great writers

It was a funny look at real people with real problems.

My ex and I used to say that many of the things they said and did were just like what we would say and do. ;-)

Because of her

Because it showed a typical mid western family without a lot of money and weren't always happy and cheerful. They were "white trash" and weren't ashamed of it.

yes!!! i still watch it nick at night!!!!!