70's Sitcoms -A decade of groundbreaking network TV

All in the Family 1971-1979

All in the Family is considered the most controversial, groundbreaking show of the 70's. Writer's for All in the Family barreled full speed into social topics that many average, white middle class families refused to acknowledge.

M*A*S*H 1972-1983

M*A*S*H was another ground breaking show of the 70's. Set in South Korea, M*A*S*H* was a commentary on the Vietnam War. Through the casualties and horrors of war Alan Alda and the rest of the cast managed to bring home that fact that war involves humans. Injecting humor, pain, and social commentary, the show was a hit borne of the movie by the same name. M*A*S*H gave Americans a glimpse into the topsy-turvy life in a MASH unit. Radar's conversations with other units, visiting brass, and other well written situations led us to believe the drama wasn't too far off for most military camps in Korea.

Maude, 1972 - 1978

Maude was another socially controversial sitcom of the 70's. Maude was introduced on All in the Family as Edith's northern, liberal, outspoken cousin. Maude and Archie were polar opposites who created electricity when they were in the same room.

Good Times, 1974-1979

Maude's maid, Florida Evans, took us home to her two bedroom apartment in the ghetto filled with her husband and three children. American's were given a humorous, yet heartrending look at the life of an African-American trying to survive and always trying to work their way out of the ghetto.

Taxi, 1978 - 1982

I remember watching Taxi, but I never really got it. It wasn't funny, and it had no real meaning to me as a pre-teen. Living in a small town in Alabama, I couldn't fathom life in a big city. Taxi became a hodgepodge of ideas which never took shape in my mind, until much later.

Mary Tyler Moore, 1970-1977

Mary Tyler Moore played from the time I was 3, until I was ten. Despite my young age, I remember Mary Tyler Moore because of her connection with Lou Grant, who would spin off his own show. I'm also reminded of Mary Tyler Moore because the show is considered such an icon classic.

Three's Company

Three's Company broke into America's homes not only as a sitcom, but as a social statement that men and women can be friends. There were always undertones and overtones of sex in the sitcom, but in the end the roommates always did the right thing.

Sanford and Son, 1972-1977

I've got clutter and nothing reminds me of that more than the 70's classic Sanford and Son. Sanford played by Red Foxx and his son Lamont work together in a junkyard trying to make a living. Truthfully, Lamont works while Sanford coordinates. The problem is Sanford coordinates more trouble than he does business.

Happy Days, 1974-1984

Eeeyyyy! Of course we can't conclude the list of the top ten 70' sitcoms without including Happy Days. Happy Days was the story of a typical middle class American family with a straight A student in high school, and a flirty teenage daughter right on his heels. For the most part, the stories involved Richie Cunningham, Ron Howard, and his high school friends.