Perfect Strangers 1986
“Now we are so happy we do the Dance of Joy!”
What is Perfect Strangers?
Perfect Strangers is a television comedy series that premiered in 1986 and carries a TV‑PG rating. The program centers on the relationship between two main characters: Larry Appleton, a resident of the American Midwest, and his distant cousin, Balki Bartokomous, who arrives from the eastern Mediterranean region of Europe.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1986
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 150
- First aired
- Mar 25, 1986
- Last aired
- Aug 6, 1993
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC
- Genres
- Comedy
- Updated
Where to watch
Buy
Buy
With ads
Buy
Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 150 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Perfect Strangers is a television comedy series that premiered in 1986 and carries a TV‑PG rating. The program centers on the relationship between two main characters: Larry Appleton, a resident of the American Midwest, and his distant cousin, Balki Bartokomous, who arrives from the eastern Mediterranean region of Europe. The series presents a chronicle of their rocky coexistence, highlighting the contrast between Larry’s Midwestern background and Balki’s Eastern Mediterranean origins. By focusing on the everyday interactions of these two relatives, the show explores how differing cultural perspectives shape their joint experiences. The comedic tone is emphasized throughout, reflecting the series’ classification as a comedy. The narrative structure follows the evolving dynamic between the cousins as they navigate personal and social situations together. As a product of its 1986 debut, Perfect Strangers contributes to the landscape of American sitcoms that examine interpersonal relationships across distinct cultural backgrounds, using humor to portray the challenges and misunderstandings that arise from their divergent upbringings.
Should you watch it?
“An American man and his European cousin navigate life together in this classic sitcom.”
- engaging character dynamic
- classic comedy style
- dated production values
Watch it if you enjoy sitcoms centered on the humorous friction between mismatched relatives.
The series is a lighthearted sitcom suitable for general audiences.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Perfect Strangers — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is Perfect Strangers worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 6 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Knock Knock, Who's There? Mar 25, 1986
- E2 Picture This Apr 1, 1986
- E3 First Date Apr 8, 1986
- E4 Baby, You Can Drive My Car Apr 15, 1986
- E5 Check This Apr 22, 1986
- E6 Happy Birthday, Baby Apr 29, 1986
Season 2 · 22 episodes
- E1 Hello Baby Sep 17, 1986
- E2 Hunks Like Us Sep 24, 1986
- E3 The Unnatural Oct 1, 1986
- E4 Ladies and Germs Oct 15, 1986
- E5 Lifesavers Oct 22, 1986
- E6 Babes in Babylon Oct 29, 1986
- E7 Falling in Love is... Nov 12, 1986
- E8 Two Men and a Cradle Nov 19, 1986
- E9 Can I Get a Witness Nov 26, 1986
- E10 The Rent Strike Dec 10, 1986
- E11 A Christmas Story Dec 17, 1986
- E12 Dog Gone Blues Jan 7, 1987
- E13 Since I Lost My Baby Jan 14, 1987
- E14 Trouble in Paradise Jan 21, 1987
- E15 Beautiful Dreamer Jan 28, 1987
- E16 Tux for Two Feb 4, 1987
- E17 Ten Speed and a Soft Touch Feb 11, 1987
- E18 Snow Way to Treat a Lady (1) Feb 18, 1987
- E19 Snow Way to Treat a Lady (2) Feb 25, 1987
- E20 Up on a Roof Feb 27, 1987
- E21 Get a Job Mar 5, 1987
- E22 Hello, Elaine Apr 1, 1987
Season 3 · 22 episodes
- E1 All News That Fits Sep 22, 1987
- E2 Weigh to Go Buddy Sep 29, 1987
- E3 Sexual Harrassment in Chicago Oct 7, 1987
- E4 Taking Stock Oct 14, 1987
- E5 Better Shop Around Oct 21, 1987
- E6 Your Cheatin' Heart Oct 28, 1987
- E7 The Horn Blows at Midnight Nov 4, 1987
- E8 Karate Kids Nov 11, 1987
- E9 Night School Confidential Nov 18, 1987
- E10 Future Shock Nov 25, 1987
- E11 Couch Potato Dec 2, 1987
- E12 The Break-In Dec 9, 1987
- E13 To Be or Not to Be Jan 6, 1988
- E14 My Lips Are Sealed Jan 13, 1988
- E15 The Pen Pal Jan 27, 1988
- E16 Just Desserts Feb 3, 1988
- E17 Pipe Dreams Feb 10, 1988
- E18 Bye Bye Biki Feb 24, 1988
- E19 The Graduate Mar 9, 1988
- E20 Defiant Guys Mar 11, 1988
- E21 My Brother, Myself Mar 18, 1988
- E22 You Gotta Have Friends Mar 25, 1988
Season 4 · 22 episodes
- E1 The Lottery Oct 14, 1988
- E2 Assertive Training Oct 21, 1988
- E3 Aliens Oct 28, 1988
- E4 Piano Movers Nov 4, 1988
- E5 High Society Nov 11, 1988
- E6 Up a Lazy River (1) Nov 18, 1988
- E7 Up a Lazy River (2) Nov 25, 1988
- E8 College Bound Dec 9, 1988
- E9 The Gift of the Mypiot Dec 16, 1988
- E10 Maid to Order Jan 6, 1989
- E11 That Old Gang of Mine Jan 13, 1989
- E12 Crimebusters Jan 20, 1989
- E13 Games People Play Feb 3, 1989
- E14 Come Fly with Me Feb 10, 1989
- E15 Blind Alley Feb 17, 1989
- E16 The 'King' and I Feb 24, 1989
- E17 Prose and Cons Mar 10, 1989
- E18 Car Wars Mar 17, 1989
- E19 Just a Gigolo Mar 31, 1989
- E20 Seven Card Studs Apr 14, 1989
- E21 Teacher's Pest Apr 28, 1989
- E22 Wedding Bell Blues May 5, 1989
Season 5 · 24 episodes
- E1 Good Skates Sep 22, 1989
- E2 Lie-Ability Sep 29, 1989
- E3 The Newsletter Oct 6, 1989
- E4 Tooth or Consequences Oct 13, 1989
- E5 Dog Day Mid-Afternoon Oct 20, 1989
- E6 Poetry in Motion Nov 5, 1989
- E7 Father Knows Best (1) Nov 10, 1989
- E8 Father Knows Best (2) Nov 17, 1989
- E9 Hello Ball Nov 24, 1989
- E10 Almost Live from Chicago Dec 1, 1989
- E11 Home Movies Dec 8, 1989
- E12 Everybody in the Pool Dec 15, 1989
- E13 Because They're Cousins Jan 5, 1990
- E14 Disorderly Orderlies Jan 12, 1990
- E15 The Selling of Mypos Jan 26, 1990
- E16 Nightmare Vacation Feb 2, 1990
- E17 Three's a Crowd Feb 9, 1990
- E18 Blast From the Past Feb 16, 1990
- E19 He's the Boss Feb 23, 1990
- E20 Here Comes the Judge Mar 9, 1990
- E21 This Old House Mar 30, 1990
- E22 Eyewitless Reports Apr 11, 1990
- E23 Bye, Bye Birdie Apr 13, 1990
- E24 Digging Up the News Apr 27, 1990
Frequently asked questions
What is the premise of the show?
The show chronicles the rocky coexistence of an American man and his cousin from eastern Mediterranean Europe.
Who are the main characters?
The main characters are Larry Appleton and his cousin Balki Bartokomous.
When did the series air?
The series ran from March 25, 1986, to August 6, 1993.
How many seasons were produced?
The series consists of eight seasons.
Which network aired the show?
Perfect Strangers aired on the ABC television network.