Hey there, fellow TV lovers! The 1970s were truly the golden age of television, marked by groundbreaking shows that revolutionized the way we viewed entertainment. While everyone remembers the heavy hitters like All in the Family and Happy Days, there were some absolute gems that time has somewhat forgotten. Let’s dust off our memories and revisit these hidden treasures that deserve another moment in the spotlight.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. “The Good Life” (1971-1972)
- 2 2. “When Things Were Rotten” (1975)
- 3 3. “Nanny and the Professor” (1970-1971)
- 4 4. “The Paul Lynde Show” (1972-1973)
- 5 5. “Temperatures Rising” (1972-1974)
- 6 6. “The Corner Bar” (1972-1973)
- 7 7. “On the Rocks” (1975-1976)
- 8 8. “Karen” (1975)
- 9 9. “The Texas Wheelers” (1974-1975)
- 10 10. “The Practice” (1976-1977)
- 11 11. “Doc” (1975-1976)
- 12 12. “The Betty White Show” (1977-1978)
- 13 13. “Ball Four” (1976)
1. “The Good Life” (1971-1972)
This NBC sitcom starred Larry Hagman and Donna Mills as Albert and Jane Miller, a middle-class couple who become live-in servants to a wealthy industrialist and his wife. The show’s fish-out-of-water premise and the chemistry between Hagman and Mills made it a charming addition to the network’s lineup, though it only lasted 15 episodes.
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2. “When Things Were Rotten” (1975)
Created by Mel Brooks, this ABC parody of Robin Hood starred Dick Gautier as Robin Hood, with Dick Van Patten as Friar Tuck and Bernie Kopell as Alan-a-Dale. The show featured Brooks’ signature slapstick humor and witty wordplay. Despite lasting only 13 episodes, it paved the way for future parody shows and maintains a devoted cult following.
3. “Nanny and the Professor” (1970-1971)
Juliet Mills starred as Phoebe Figalilly, a magical nanny who helped widowed Professor Harold Everett (Richard Long) raise his three children. The show ran for 54 episodes across three seasons, delighting audiences with its blend of family comedy and gentle supernatural elements. Elsa Lanchester joined the cast in the final season, adding to the show’s charm.
4. “The Paul Lynde Show” (1972-1973)
Paul Lynde starred as Paul Simms, an uptight attorney dealing with his liberal son-in-law, Howie (John Calvin), and the changing times. Despite Lynde’s popularity from “Hollywood Squares” and strong writing, the show struggled against tough competition from “The Flip Wilson Show” and lasted only 26 episodes.
5. “Temperatures Rising” (1972-1974)
This ABC medical comedy underwent several format changes during its run. The first season starred James Whitmore as Dr. Vincent Campanelli and Cleavon Little as Dr. Jerry Noland. Paul Lynde joined in the second season as the penny-pinching hospital administrator. Despite multiple retoolings, the show maintained its commitment to mixing comedy with medical drama.
6. “The Corner Bar” (1972-1973)
This ABC series focused on the regulars at Grant’s Bar & Grill in New York City. The show made television history by featuring Vincent Schiavelli as Peter Panama, one of the first recurring gay characters on American television. While it ran for only two brief seasons, its groundbreaking representation and ensemble cast set it apart from other sitcoms of the era.
7. “On the Rocks” (1975-1976)
This CBS prison comedy followed the inmates of Alamesa Minimum Security Prison, bringing humor to an unlikely setting. With a diverse cast and sharp social commentary, the show managed to find comedy in confinement while still addressing serious issues about the justice system. It aired for 24 episodes.
8. “Karen” (1975)
Karen Valentine starred in this ABC workplace comedy about Karen Angelo, a young woman working in the nation’s capital. The show was a spin-off from “Room 222” and featured Valentine’s character navigating the complexities of Washington D.C. politics. Its blend of political satire and romantic comedy was unique for its time, though it lasted only 13 episodes.
9. “The Texas Wheelers” (1974-1975)
This ABC comedy starred Jack Elam as Zack Wheeler, a lovable ne’er-do-well father raising his children in rural Texas. The show featured early performances by Gary Busey and Mark Hamill, before they rose to fame. Its authentic portrayal of rural life and family dynamics set it apart from more urban-centered sitcoms of the era, although it was short-lived, with only eight episodes.
10. “The Practice” (1976-1977)
Not to be confused with the later legal drama, this NBC sitcom starred Danny Thomas as Dr. Jules Bedford, a general practitioner in an inner-city neighborhood. The show struck a balance between comedy and social commentary, addressing healthcare issues that remain relevant today. Its mix of humor and heart made it a worthy, if brief, addition to the medical comedy genre, spanning 27 episodes.
11. “Doc” (1975-1976)
Barnard Hughes starred in this CBS series as Dr. Joe Bogert, an elderly physician practicing in a New York City apartment building. The show stood out for its portrayal of a senior citizen as the main character and its realistic depiction of urban healthcare issues. Despite excellent performances and thoughtful storylines, the series lasted only two seasons, comprising 42 episodes.
12. “The Betty White Show” (1977-1978)
Before “Golden Girls,” Betty White headlined this CBS comedy about an actress starring in a police series. The show featured White as Joyce Whitman, dealing with the challenges of being a middle-aged woman in Hollywood. It was ahead of its time in addressing ageism and sexism in the entertainment industry, themes that would later become central to many successful shows. It ran for 14 episodes.
13. “Ball Four” (1976)
Based on Jim Bouton’s controversial baseball memoir, this CBS series starred Bouton himself as a player-turned-broadcaster. The show was revolutionary in its behind-the-scenes look at professional sports, mixing comedy with social commentary. Although it only lasted five episodes, it paved the way for more realistic sports-themed shows and remains a fascinating time capsule of 1970s television.
