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A decade of disco music, crazy hairstyles, high-waisted jeans, peace and love, and some really dope TV shows. The 1970s mark the period when icons and divas were born. With the groundwork for a new sense of aesthetic and personal freedom laid in the swinging ‘60s, people experimented with their sound, look, and entire persona.

Even television started to shift. In the pre-cable and satellite days, people could only choose from a handful of options for their entertainment. What we got was a collection of fantastic shows, many of which continue to influence television today.

We had family sitcoms like Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, as well as hit Saturday morning cartoons for kids back then like Scooby-Doo and Space Ghost: Coast to Coast. These shows were the bomb and became cultural phenomena all over the world. The ‘70s nostalgia makes them popular hits even now, after 50 years.

If you’re looking to relive your childhood or discover some old gems, we’ve got you covered with a list of the top ‘70s tv shows.

#1

M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H

1972-1983 | 11 seasons
 

Starring Alan Alda, McLean Stevenson, and Wayne Rogers

M*A*S*H was a highly successful American war comedy-drama tv series about a team of doctors and other medical staff who served in a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War. In season five, the actor who played Father Mulcahy contracted a near-fatal case of hepatitis. Producers wanted to write him off the show, but actor Alan Alda pushed to keep him on the series, knowing how dependent William Christopher was on needing steady work to help raise his autistic son.

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Ally MacMann
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mash was brilliant. It hit hard when it released (during the Vietnam war) but it's as relevant as ever after Afghanistan and now Ukraine.

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K Witmer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad and I watched this together, all in the family and happy days

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Trisha Howson
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad use to watch when where little and than strangely stoped when got a little older and claimed her never like it still a mystery to me today like why lie about it

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Cyndielouwhoo
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photo with this is a little odd...there are much better cast shots 🙂

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#2

The Muppet Show

The Muppet Show

1976-1981 | 5 seasons
 

Starring Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, and Dave Goelz

The series is known for its characters, unique form of variety-sketch comedy, and opening theme song, The Muppet Show Theme, performed by The Muppets. As the theme song suggests, the show was famous for featuring a large cast of puppets called Muppets, created by puppet designer Jim Henson in 1955. Jim Henson wanted the show to go out during its peak in popularity and creativity, and it did. The last year of production featured the highest ratings in the history of the Muppets.

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Zophra
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved this show growing up. Especially the two grumpy men in the balcony seats.

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#3

Happy Days

Happy Days

1974-1984 | 11 seasons
 

Starring Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, and Tom Bosley

The story of Happy Days is, quite simply, a tale as old as time. It’s the classic story of a man and his motorcycle. During its run, the series spawned several merchandising tie-ins, including books, magazine articles, toys and games, jigsaw puzzles, greeting cards, and other items. Fonzie’s signature leather jackets became a trademark, and one of them has been placed on permanent display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

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Dan H
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Chuck Cunningham, missing since 1975, the greatest cold case in television history

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#4

Columbo

Columbo

1968-2003 | 10 seasons
 

Starring Peter Falk, Mike Lally, and John Finnegan

Columbo stars Peter Falk as a homicide detective at the Los Angeles Police Department. The character and show popularized the inverted detective story format, which begins by depicting the events of the crime and its perpetrator. The plot, therefore, usually has no “whodunit” element but instead revolves around how a perpetrator known to the audience will finally be caught and exposed.

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Stefan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stll brilliant acting. And so many famous actors played the villains.

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#5

The Carol Burnett Show

The Carol Burnett Show

1967-1978 | 11 seasons
 

Starring Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, and Lyle Waggoner

This was one of the most influential TV shows of the ‘70s. Carol and her troupe were a comic force unlike any other and created a family-oriented comedy that would be copied for decades to come. The Carol Burnett Show launched the careers of many actors, including Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway, as well as featuring guests like Lucille Ball, Bette Davis, and Rock Hudson.

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Kookamunga
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Carol's Scarlett O'Hara dress with the curtain rod still attached in 1976 is a classic! gone-with-...67007e.jpg gone-with-the-wind-6241e0267007e.jpg

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#6

The Scooby-Doo Show

The Scooby-Doo Show

1976-1978 | 3 seasons
 

Starring Casey Kasem, Frank Welker, and Don Messick
 

What would Saturday mornings be without Scooby-Doo? Follow Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and their talking Great Dane while they solve mysteries involving supposedly supernatural creatures through antics and missteps! The 1976–1978 stretch of Scooby-Doo episodes represent the longest-running format of the original show before the addition of Scrappy-Doo.

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#7

The Rockford Files

The Rockford Files

1974-1980 | 6 seasons
 

Starring James Garner, Noah Beery, and Joe Santos
 

James Garner plays the offbeat Jim Rockford, an ex-convict turned private investigator who prefers to use his wits rather than his fists. Rockford is an intelligent guy with an incredible instinct, able to deal even with the most challenging cases. Despite being a very observant and astute investigator, he often fails to correctly remember the license plates of suspects he has just questioned. This became a frequent gag throughout the show.

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#8

WKRP In Cincinnati

WKRP In Cincinnati

1978-1982 | 4 seasons
 

Starring Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, and Loni Anderson

At the center of WKRP in Cincinnati is the dysfunctional staff of a struggling radio station in Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working in advertising sales at WQXI radio station in Atlanta. The whole show was videotaped instead of filmed because the rights to use rock songs were a lot cheaper for a taped show.

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#9

Mork & Mindy

Mork & Mindy

1978-1982 | 4 seasons
 

Starring Robin Williams, Pam Dawber, and Jonathan Winters

A spin-off of Happy Days, produced after a highly successful episode of the series. Mork’s character appeared in Happy Days’ season five to capitalize on the popularity of the recently released Star Wars movie. The episode became so famous that the producers decided to make a spin-off series, with a then-unknown Robin Williams reprising his role with Pam Dawber. The show marked Robin Williams’ first major role.

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Huddo's sister
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although the jokes did become repetitive later in the seasons, I did enjoy this show more than a lot of ones from a similar time period.

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#10

All In The Family

All In The Family

1971-1979 | 9 seasons
 

Starring Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, and Rob Reiner

The main character of All In The Family, Archie Bunker, is a bigoted older man who butts heads with his wife and children over several important social issues. While the show was considered controversial for its time, it went on to be critically acclaimed and has even been called one of the greatest television shows in history. Actor Carroll O’Connor once revealed his personal views were actually very liberal and the polar opposite to his character Archie.

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#11

Sanford And Son

Sanford And Son

1972-1977 | 6 seasons
 

Starring Redd Foxx, Demond Wilson, and Whitman Mayo

Sanford And Son follows the lives of a bad-tempered junk dealer and his frustrated son, Lamont. Set in Los Angeles’ Watts neighborhood, the show was often a commentary on current events, like the Watts riots, the Vietnam War, and the fight for civil rights. The show’s theme song, The Streetbeater, was composed by Quincy Jones and has become one of the most recognizable television themes ever written.

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K Witmer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Loved this show. This is the big one, coming to join Elizabeth!

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#12

Taxi

Taxi

1978-1983 | 5 seasons
 

Starring Judd Hirsch, Jeff Conaway, and Danny DeVito

Taxi revolves around the trials and tribulations faced by a group of cab drivers who are always looking for ways to better their lives. This is one of those ‘70s sitcoms that really stand out: the show has a lot of recognizable faces and stars such as Andy Kaufman, Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, and Judd Hirsch. The show won 13 Emmy Awards and has been continuously rerun since its end.

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#13

Three's Company

Three's Company

1977-1984 | 8 seasons
 

Starring John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, and Suzanne Somers

Three’s Company features three mismatched roommates who have to constantly cover up their wacky behavior in front of their landlord, who is fooled by their fake stories. The storyline was considered a risky venture at the time because of the sexual themes involved, though they were never openly explored in any real depth. The show became one of the biggest successes of American television in the 1970s and 1980s and launched the careers of John Ritter and Suzanne Somers.

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User# 6
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yet another one based of a British comedy, 'Man about the house'

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#14

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

1970-1977 | 7 seasons
 

Starring Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, and Gavin MacLeod

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the first American sitcoms to feature an independent, unmarried career woman as the central character. The show was groundbreaking in its portrayal of women in the workplace and spoke to a new generation of young women entering the workforce at that time. For the show, producers wanted to cast someone “like Betty White” for the role of Sue Ann Nivens. In the end, they cast the real Betty White for it.

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#15

Laverne & Shirley

Laverne & Shirley

1976-1983 | 8 seasons
 

Starring Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, and Eddie Mekka

The Happy Days spin-off, starring Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams as the titular roommates, lasted for eight seasons and was one of the most popular TV shows from the ‘70s. Laverne and Shirley are friends who share a tiny apartment in Milwaukee. Laverne is the hard-working tomboy with a heart of gold, while Shirley is the more sensitive but ditzy romantic of the pair. When The Odd Couple (1970) ended its run, the set was repurposed to become the apartment for Laverne & Shirley.

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Jason Marin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One, two, three, four! Five, six, seven, eight! Schlemiel! Shlimazl! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!

#16

The Brady Bunch

The Brady Bunch

1969-1974 | 5 seasons
 

Starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis
 

Considered one of the last old-style family sitcoms, the series aired for five seasons and became one of the most popular ‘70s shows during its syndication. The series revolves around a large blended family with six kids. Robert Reed and Florence Henderson would often rehearse kissing and hugging scenes off-camera to look more natural during filming. Reed, being a closeted gay man, felt uneasy acting romantically with her, so rehearsing helped them a lot. The entire cast knew about his homosexuality and decided to keep it a secret, until he passed away in 1992.

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James Chandler
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This show destroyed the lives of millions of families because as we say now this ain't the Brady bunch

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#17

The Six Million Dollar Man

The Six Million Dollar Man

1973-1978 | 5 seasons
 

Starring Lee Majors, Richard Anderson, and Martin E. Brooks

Many old TV shows are incredible, but get ready for a real gem. The Six Million Dollar Man tells the story of a severely injured plane pilot who has been rebuilt with bionic limbs and implants by the government and now serves as a secret agent. The early episodes of the series had Austin killing criminals, but as it became clear that he was becoming a role model for kids, the level of violence decreased so that the character rarely (if ever) killed someone.

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#19

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple

1970-1975 | 5 seasons
 

Starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman 
 

The story centers around two divorced men sharing an apartment in New York City: Oscar is a slob, and Felix is a neat freak. Hilarity ensues whenever these polar opposites interact with each other or with their friends and neighbors. On the surface, the show is about two mismatched roommates. However, underneath their squabbles about household chores and other mundane matters lies a strong bond of friendship and caring for each other.

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#22

Charlie's Angels

Charlie's Angels

1976-1981 | 5 seasons
 

Starring Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith, and Farrah Fawcett

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Charlie’s Angels was one of the most acclaimed television shows. The show followed the experiences of three stunning female private investigators (often referred to as “angels”) working for a private investigation agency headed by a mysterious man named Charlie. Although Charlie was never seen, he was heard as an off-screen voice, and only his silhouette was shown.

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#24

Welcome Back, Kotter

Welcome Back, Kotter

1975-1979 | 4 seasons
 

Starring Gabe Kaplan, Marcia Strassman, and John Sylvester White

Welcome Back, Kotter stars Gabe Kaplan as a sardonic high school teacher in charge of a racially and ethnically diverse remedial class called the “Sweathogs”. The class is led by troublemaker Vinnie Barbarino, played by a super young John Travolta in his stardom years. The fourth and last season saw both Gabe Kaplan and John Travolta leaving the show, alongside the original writers. The new writing staff couldn’t deliver the fresh dialogues the audience was used to, and the ratings fell off pretty quickly. Despite this, the show definitely deserves a watch!

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#25

The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk

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#27

The Dukes Of Hazzard

The Dukes Of Hazzard

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Zophra
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How did I ever ever like this when I was little? Ugh. I watched a rerun and was embarrassed.

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#36

The Tom And Jerry Show

The Tom And Jerry Show

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Mouse Man
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seriously! I'm watching them on DVD RIGHT NOW! The orphan episode where Jerry feeds his little fat friend, Nibbles, for Thanksgiving!

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#43

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

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R Carson
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oldie but goodie- also innovative for the time. Sock it to me!

#45

Benson

Benson

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MelB.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Groundbreaking because it showed a very smart black man in position of power with a seemingly good income, right alongside male colleagues. People looked to him for answers instead of overlooking him. I don't think the show gets enough credit.

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#52

The Bionic Woman

The Bionic Woman

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K Witmer
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandmom loved this show. We'd watch it while she made dessert in her mushroom themed lime green kitchen on the little black and white tv w the antenna on top of the refrigerator along w knots landing then dallas and of course her soaps young and the restless and guiding light. I was the only 7 yr old that knew who shot JR and who was having an affair w who lol

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#58

Maude

Maude

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Maye Deleon
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, The Jeffersons was a spinoff of AITF as was Maude, while Good Times was spun off from Maude

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#64

Fat Albert And The Cosby Kids

Fat Albert And The Cosby Kids

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Thomas Hunt, Jr.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have it on DVD. Regardless of certain "things", at least this show is a positive influence.

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#69

One Day At A Time

One Day At A Time

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#71

Dallas

Dallas

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Thomas Hunt, Jr.
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wasn't allowed to watch it as a kid since it was (according to mom) a soap opera. However, I when it came on at 11pm (my bed time was 8pm) I would dash to the living room just to watch the intro. Love the music. Dallas is also a graphical text adventure game for the Atari 8bit in the mid 80s

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#86

What's Happening!!

What's Happening!!

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#90

ABC Movie Of The Week

ABC Movie Of The Week

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#92

The New Adventures Of Batman

The New Adventures Of Batman

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#97

Mannix

Mannix

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willi santiago
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I saw an episode on YouTube. It didn't age well. 55 minutes of toxic masculinity. I remember I loved the music

#102

Marcus Welby, M.D.

Marcus Welby, M.D.

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