These days, there’s an unending selection of new and interesting television shows coming out all the time, but some of the most iconic series around wouldn’t be here without the classics of yore that paved the way forward. Looking back, the 1970s were a particularly important decade for television, with quite a few Emmy-winning series that formed the blueprint for shows airing now.
Whether it’s innovative and hilarious sitcoms or hard-hitting and thought-provoking dramas, the ’70s got there first. Some of these shows were well-appreciated and critically acclaimed when they first came out, while others were closer to being hidden gems that became classics over the years. These shows might be significant because of their impact on U.S. culture or just because they still manage to touch fans’ hearts years later, but they are still definitely worth watching — especially if you’re into television history. Either way, they are certainly worth checking out. Here are five TV series from the 1970s that officially stand the test of time.
All In The Family
“All in the Family” was one of the leading sitcoms of the 1970s, and decades since it was first on air, it’s still seen as one of the best to ever come out. Adapted from a popular British sitcom, the show focuses on a working-class man named Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O’Connor, and his family. The series was a huge success, largely because of how it managed to expertly weave together comedy and topical issues into an entertaining show, earning 22 Emmy Awards during its nine-season run.
Rob Reiner plays Michael “Meathead” Stivic, the husband of the Bunker couple’s daughter Gloria, played by Sally Struthers. His character is a constant contrast to Archie, representing the counterculture ideals of the time, while the patriarch is kind and personable, but ignorant and bigoted. Even if you haven’t watched the show, you can probably imagine how the two characters clash. Meanwhile, Gloria often plays mediator between her husband and her father, while Archie’s wife Edith, played by Jean Stapleton, takes on the more traditional role of a wife and mother.
In a way that is still extremely relevant today, “All in the Family” successfully explores how to navigate relationships between two wildly different generations. When the show originally came out, a lot of younger people were having the same experiences as Gloria and Meathead when trying to stay close to the older generation (their parents), while also staying true to their beliefs. People these days actually might learn a thing or two about managing some of their current relationships by watching “All in the Family.”
M*A*S*H
Whether it’s one of your parents’ favorite shows, you’ve seen reruns yourself, or you’ve heard people talking about it, “M*A*S*H” remains a key piece of media in American culture. The CBS series follows a group of doctors and other medical staff who work at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital stationed in South Korea during the Korean War, which took place in the early 1950s.
Although “M*A*S*H” is often labeled a comedy, it’s safe to say that its genre feels undefined at times, as the show takes on dark storylines related to the war and real-world experiences of war surgeons. While the show does a fantastic job exploring the true costs of war, it’s expertly navigated with a big dash of humor by the lead character Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, played by Alan Alda, and the rest of the cast. When the series was airing between 1972 and 1983, the U.S. was dealing with the Vietnam War, and the public had a lot of feelings of discontent about America’s involvement. Somehow, “M*A*S*H” was able to balance humor, complex storylines, and a nuanced exploration of anti-war sentiments.
“M*A*S*H” ended in 1983, having won 14 Emmy Awards throughout its long run. It was a huge success as it aired, with the final episode remaining the most-watched TV episode of all time. But even over four decades later, the sitcom is still believed to be one of the best ever created and a clear influence on all war-related media to follow.
The Waltons
Like “M*A*S*H,” “The Waltons” is a period piece, albeit set during a very different time. Instead of the Korean War, the show follows a family living in rural Virginia during the Great Depression, leading into World War II. The story begins in 1932 and follows the Walton family, consisting of John Walton Sr., his wife Olivia Walton, their eldest child John-Boy, his many younger siblings, and his grandparents, who live together trying to get through the tough times.
“The Waltons” is a family drama that takes place in one of the most trying economic times in the U.S., with John Sr. doing his best to make a living while his wife manages the home. Over the course of nine seasons, the Walton siblings slowly realize the difficulties of growing up as they start to play their own part in helping the family survive. While the TV series represents a relatively unique experience given the setting, there are still very relatable struggles throughout, such as losing a grandparent and experiencing young heartbreak. Another strength of “The Waltons” is how effectively it explores the time period, almost like a window to a very significant and influential part of American history.
Unlike some of the other entries on this list, “The Waltons” is still a worthwhile series to watch, less for its impact on U.S. culture and more so for just holding up as a good show. Fans just can’t help but fall in love with the Waltons, and many people continue to rewatch it as a comfort series.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
“The Mary Tyler Moore Show” is a groundbreaking series that arguably changed the landscape of television and how women see themselves in media. It was a true landmark series, with Mary Tyler Moore starring as Mary Richards, an ambitious single woman in her 30s who becomes an associate producer of WJM-TV’s Six O’Clock News in Minneapolis. She’s kind and intelligent, but still fallible, which was a rare realistic female character in television at the time. Of course, Moore’s natural charm was a factor as well, but the show’s production and writing were also some of the best ever.
The story follows Richards through the ups and downs of her career, personal life, and other everyday struggles a woman in the 1970s might face. “Mary Tyler Moore” also featured a slew of other talented actors, including Ed Asner, Ted Knight, Valerie Harper, and Gavin MacLeod. It ran for seven seasons and earned a whopping total of 29 Emmy Awards. It spawned multiple successful spin-off series based on various characters, as well.
Decades after “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” came out, it remains one of the most critically acclaimed television series of all time. In 2007, TIME included it on its list of “17 Shows That Changed TV,” saying, “Mary was human and strong enough to be laughed with and laughed at, and that was the kind of liberation that mattered most.” The series was a pioneer in comedy television, and it has been a direct influence on many classics that have come since, including “30 Rock” and “Friends.”
Taxi
Another Emmy-winning TV show from the 1970s that should certainly be on your to-watch list is “Taxi.” A classic from an era of standout programs, the sitcom took off quickly after it premiered in 1978 thanks to the superb cast, intriguing and relatable storylines, and well-written humor. “Taxi” shines a light on the lives of blue-collar workers, while also exploring a slew of complex topics throughout five seasons, including various forms of addiction, financial instability, burnout, sexual harassment, and so much more.
The show focuses on a crew as taxi drivers working at the same depot and dealing with a variety of personal struggles. For example, Elaine, played by Marilu Henner, is a divorced single mother trying to achieve artistic dreams, while Tony Danza plays Tony, a Vietnam veteran and aspiring boxer who keeps fighting matches despite his dismal record. Judd Hirsch stars as Alex, who left behind corporate success to spend the rest of his life as a taxi driver. The series also features Danny DeVito as the selfish and antagonistic head dispatcher Louie De Palma, with Christopher Lloyd as Reverend Jim, who was disowned by his well-off family after he got addicted to drugs.
In the five seasons “Taxi” was on television, it was nominated for a total of 34 Emmy Awards, winning 18 of them. Now decades later, the sitcom is still a much-praised and cherished series. Many of the people involved behind the camera for “Taxi” also went on to work on other classic sitcoms, like director James Burrows and producers Glen and Les Charles, who co-created “Cheers.”
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