Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-75)
The frightening show Kolchak: The Night Stalker kicks off our ’70s list. It’s one of those cult classics like Freaks and Geeks, which lasted only one season while receiving both critical acclaim and fan adoration. Veteran actor Darren McGavin (A Christmas Story) plays a journalist who investigates some bizarre and extraordinary happenings. This show, which combined elements of mystery and science fiction, paved the way for many others to come. While Kolchak isn’t a household name, it has far more power than many people know.
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-75)
Hawaii Five-O (1968-80)
Prior to the latest long-running episode on CBS, Hawaii Five-O had a previous run that began in 1968. Despite starting in two separate decades, the majority of this series took place in the 1970s. The scenery of Hawaii combined nicely with the exciting narratives for individuals who’ve never seen the ocean — or wished for a tropical paradise. When you have a cop-centric criminal story, it’s almost a given. The addition of this type of environment simply added to the mystery surrounding characters like Jack Lord, Kam Fong, Richard Denning, and James MacArthur.
Hawaii Five-O (1968-80)
The Odd Couple (1970-75)
The Odd Couple began as a Broadway play created by acclaimed author Neil Simon. Since then, we’ve seen a number of variations, whether in film or on television (most notably with the late Jack Lemmon/Walter Matthau). However, Garry Marshall opted to turn this play into a five-year-long series. Many of the dynamics depicted in the play were brought to life by the duo of Jack Klugman and Tony Randall. The two had fantastic chemistry with one another, and the audience was led to believe that they had a genuine dislike for one another. The series ran a massive 114 episodes in all.
The Odd Couple (1970-75)
The Partridge Family (1970-74)
During this span, every teenage girl was completely smitten with David Cassidy. Cassidy, the show’s principal actor/musician, was one of Hollywood’s biggest performers at the time. The event itself was a huge success in the suburbs. The Partridge Family is a white version of The Jackson 5 that live in a Northern California suburb. It wasn’t as popular as The Brady Bunch, but it did carve out its own niche in the sitcom world. (primarily stemming from Cassidy).
The Partridge Family (1970-74)
Donny & Marie (1975-79)
The musical family from Utah broke from their group The Osmonds to launch an ABC series. Of course, Donny and Marie were the stars of their family’s band, which was once one of the biggest musical ensembles on the planet. This Friday night show capitalized on the aforementioned duo’s success. You were treated to musical acts as well as comic comedy. The show’s guest stars were truly A-List superstars at the pinnacle of their respective careers. Sonny and Cher, Jerry Lewis, Little Richard, Loretta Lynn, Desi Arnaz, Bob Hope, Tom Jones, Raquel Welch, Dick Van Dyke, and Billy Crystal were among them. (among others).
Donny & Marie (1975-79)
Mannix (1967-75)
For eight seasons, detective Joe Mannix (Mike Connors) had his own set of standards when it came to solving cases. Mannix, who disliked being instructed what to do, frequently functioned in an unusual manner when solving a case. Many people identified with the titular character, who possessed characteristics that many people could connect to. (former soldier in the Army). Apart from the real persona, Mannix was thrilling, as he frequently faced violent challenges from the opposition in the form of physical punishment and weaponry. Surprisingly, this series was produced by the Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz production business.
Mannix (1967-75)
The Jeffersons (1975-85)
The Jeffersons, a spin-off from All in the Family, was a groundbreaking show for its day. A sitcom based on an African-American family was unusually rare on network television. The laughter between Isabel Sanford and Sherman Hemsley leaped off the screen, so it wasn’t a difficult option. The two were so natural together that you’d think they were married in real life. The Jeffersons, like other progressive sitcoms, addressed a variety of critical subjects. Some were humorously depicted, while others were more serious in character.
The Jeffersons (1975-85)
Happy Days (1974-84)
When you hear the term “heeeeeeey,” you know it’s probably a reference to Happy Days. For 255 episodes, the humorous sitcom was a popular favorite. (over 11 seasons). Of course, we’ve all heard of the big-name actors who got their start on the show. Ron Howard plays Richie, Scott Baio plays Chachi, Erin Moran plays Joanie, and Henry Winkler plays Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli. Garry Marshall created a series set in the 1950s, using the framework of other great shows. Many believe the 1950s to be the golden age of authentic Americana. Happy Days also included a number of seasoned actors, including Pat Morita, Al Molinaro, Anson Williams, Marion Ross, and Tom Bosley, in addition to the aforementioned performers.
Happy Days (1974-84)
The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour (1971-74)
During the 1970s, variety shows were all the rage. While they haven’t precisely been timeless in the eyes of the younger generation, there was something appealing about watching a show that had a variety of components such as humor, music, comedy, sketches, and monologues. Of course, Sonny Bono and Cher were two of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the time. Though the show was only supposed to air during the dreadful summer season, it lasted four seasons, thanks in large part to the legendary couple’s popularity. This comedy show’s theme song, “I Got You Babe,” will live on in our hearts forever.
The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour (1971-74)
The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78)
We’d be remiss if we didn’t put Bob Newhart among the top comedians in professional comedy history during the previous 60 years. When prodded, Newhart’s timing was impeccable, as was his quick-witted delivery. The Bob Newhart Show provided him with a platform to display his entire skill set. He portrayed a psychologist who frequently interacted with the most significant persons in his life. As Newhart’s schoolteacher wife, the late Suzanne Pleshette was a fantastic counterbalance. The show aired 142 episodes before being cancelled in April 1978.
The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78)
Taxi (1978-83)
When Taxi was added to the mix, ensemble casts became extremely popular. Beginning in 1978, this tale about New York cab drivers featured a fantastically loaded cast of young actors. Judd Hirsch was clearly well-known at the time. However, Tony Danza, Rhea Pearlman, Christopher Lloyd, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, and Jeff Conaway emerged as potential A-List performers. Andy Kaufman, the enigmatic and odd comedian, was even a guest on the show. (as Latka Gravas). With so much talent on screen all the time, the audience was treated to hilarious treasure — especially when Kauffman went on his soliloquys in the guise of several impressions.
Taxi (1978-83)
Laverne & Shirley (1976-83)
During this time period, spin-off shows from well-known brands were fairly frequent. Laverne & Shirley was one of the shows, originating on Happy Days. Garry Marshall cast his sister, Penny, as one of the main characters in this show. (alongside Cindy Williams). The show itself was a huge success. It spanned eight seasons and 178 episodes. It is also frequently discussed in popular culture nowadays. Despite their on-screen friendship, Williams and Marshall did not get along in real life. Several complaints have been leveled in recent years. Some even believe Marshall was attempting to get Williams fired from the show.
Laverne & Shirley (1976-83)
One Day At A Time (1975-84)
When it comes to coming up with ideas for television shows, Norman Lear was a genius. One of these efforts was One Day at a Time. It centered on a divorced mother (Bonnie Franklin) with two young daughters. (Valerie Bertinelli, Mackenzie Phillips). The premise for this show was not typical of 1970s sitcoms. While the performance had its upbeat, poignant moments, it also tackled a lot of subjects with varying degrees of levity. The fact that Lear was forward-thinking enough to develop a program about a single mother demonstrates his insight as someone who understands what many families have dealt with and continue to deal with.
One Day At A Time (1975-84)
The White Shadow (1978-81)
This three-season sitcom, created by Bruce Paltrow (Gwyneth’s father), follows a former NBA player (Ken Reeves) who takes a position as a high school coach in a poor part of Los Angeles. Of course, the show had numerous racially charged themes, especially as a Caucasian head coach presided over a team dominated by African-American and Hispanic players. This was not a lighthearted show. It addressed subject that was somewhat contentious (whether it was about drug usage, neighborhood danger, or violence). Whether directly or indirectly, The White Shadow was a forerunner to many subsequent films (Boyz n the Hood, Juice) that shed focus on the struggles that many marginalized youths endure when confronted with a challenging surrounding environment.
The White Shadow (1978-81)
Eight Is Enough (1977-81)
The television drama Eight is Enough was based on a newspaper writer who authored a book about his life with eight children. Of course, as the title implies, this was essentially the old school version of a show if you combined This is Us and Shameless. Dick Van Patten was a fantastic leading man. The energy he provided to this act as the patriarch of the family was well received by audiences worldwide. Willie Aames and Adam Rich gained enormous notoriety as two of the children on the show.
Eight Is Enough (1977-81)
Little House On The Prairie (1974-83)
Little House on the Prairie, based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s writings, is about as wholesome a show as one could find. It is a period piece set in the late 1800s that follows the daily life of a little community in Minnesota. Michael Landon, a juggernaut of an actor, co-starred with budding actress Melissa Gilbert as the show’s main protagonist. The series featured a number of young actors who went on to become famous stars. (such as Jason Bateman). It provides a fascinating peek into the past while simultaneously entertaining the audience. It has a cult following due to re-runs on television and is a show full of nostalgia.
Little House On The Prairie (1974-83)
Good Times (1974-80)
All in the Family (more on that later) struck such a chord with viewers that it spawned spin-offs with their own spin-offs. This is an example of Good Times. (which came from Maude via All in the Family). The primary actors, John Amos and Esther Rolle, were outstanding. The Chicago-based family brought to the screen not only wit and hilarity, but also a genuine sense of love, compassion, and unity. It’s why, at its peak, the show was one of America’s most-watched shows.
Good Times (1974-80)
Dallas (1978-91)
Dallas, a hybrid drama/soap opera, lasted 357 episodes. (over 14 seasons). We enjoy any series with family strife, which Dallas had. Families despised one another, family members plotted against one another, and money was flung around like it was out of date. We couldn’t have a successful program without some serious star power at the top. On-screen brothers Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman were terrific in almost every role as a brother dichotomy. The “Who shot J.R.?” episode is still one of television’s most-watched single episodes.
Dallas (1978-91)
Three’s Company (1976-84)
“Come knock on our door…We’ve been expecting you…” The popular theme music from the classic show Three’s Company always had viewers humming along. Both John Ritter and Suzanne Somers made their debuts on the show. This format has been used numerous times over the last 40 years. Three roommates attempting to live together. Three’s Company, on the other hand, did it the best – and it’s not even close. The show was so popular that the legendary Don Knotts joined for the final five seasons of its run. After eight seasons and 172 episodes, the show was cancelled in 1984. Ritter went on to star in several films.
Three’s Company (1976-84)
M*A*S*H (1972-83)
You’ve probably watched an episode of M*A*S*H, either live or on reruns. The show appears to be like a cockroach…It will never perish. You might definitely find an episode of the show showing on some channel if you turned on your television. The show’s 11-year run was bolstered by popular storylines of the period (war/combat), astute writing, and a very fine ensemble cast. (led by Alan Alda and Loretta Swit). M*A*S*H was unique in the sense that it was not a slapstick comedy. It has genuine drama components. The program required great acting abilities to walk the fine line between being a drama and a comedy. Fortunately, it had plenty of it.
M*A*S*H (1972-83)
The Waltons (1972-81)
What viewers know gives them comfort. The Waltons was a television sitcom that depicted life in rural Virginia during the Great Depression. Of course, no one enjoyed the Great Depression. However, millions of others watching at home could relate to the plots, according to their personal experiences. The show was extremely popular, lasting nine seasons. (221 episodes). In its latter years, it even included a number of television movies to help piece together the narrative. When viewed via a generational lens, it’s easy to see why this narrative captivated so many people.
The Waltons (1972-81)
The Carol Burnett Show (1967-78)
During the 1970s, sketch comedy was all the rage. Carol Burnett used the stage as her playground to exhibit her enormous comedic versatility in her own program. In terms of success, the sitcom received a whopping 25 Emmy nominations. It lasted 11 seasons and even a brief stint in the 1990s. In addition to Burnett and her crazy talent, she was joined by Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, and Tim Conway. Burnett, along with Mary Tyler Moore, opened the door for subsequent female comedians to have a legitimate place in this industry.
The Carol Burnett Show (1967-78)
All In The Family (1970-79)
Carroll O’Connor was an unstoppable force. He always stole the show whenever he was in a scene. As a result, he is still largely recognized as one of the best leads in television history. All in the Family has a subtle nuance — as well as a depth that many don’t notice on the surface. The content of this performance was pretty progressive. It wasn’t afraid to tackle what many saw as contentious issues. On-screen wife Jean Stapleton brilliantly complimented O’Connor’s role. As a result, Sally Struthers and future director Rob Reiner were cast in this Norman Lear-led movie.
All In The Family (1970-79)
The Brady Bunch (1969-74)
America’s most popular blended family. The Brady Bunch embodied what we all sought in the perfect family. It contained two supportive, wise parents, a profusion of siblings to play with, a wise-cracking housekeeper, and the typical escapades that any family would get into at this time of year. (whether it be a football to the face or the jealousy emanating from a middle child). Surprisingly, the show gained a lot of attention once it appeared on television. The Brady Bunch would undoubtedly be on any definitive list of the most influential American television shows.
The Brady Bunch (1969-74)
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77)
Mary Tyler Moore unquestionably ascended to the summit of 1970s television. Moore, like Burnett, defied foolish and outdated assumptions as a powerful yet assured woman who would not rely on a man for anything. This alone distinguished the show as ‘new’ for its period. When you add in amazing writing, a fantastic comedy structure, and a cast of very talented actors, you’ve hit gold. There are numerous shows that are capitalizing on what this program did. Understandably, it is still regarded as one of television’s best sitcoms.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-77)