The most effective sitcoms of the ’70s function a mix of stand-out humor, progressive themes, and memorable characters, here is the standouts of the group, ranked from worst to greatest. Within the Seventies, sitcoms modified and have become extra actual. Whereas the sitcoms of the Sixties concerned many outlandish plots and over-the-top and cartoon-like characters, like The Addams Household or The Munsters, the ’70s featured tales about household life, the office, and naturally, the politics of the time interval. Parody of those parts was a standard thread shared by nearly all sitcoms of the period.
Tales and characters turned extra relatable to audiences, making many TV exhibits from this period absolute classics, and a mirrored image of the tradition within the Seventies. Given the dreary and pessimistic world scenario in the course of the Seventies, this sort of comedy turned a much-needed escape from on a regular basis issues. Regardless of American TV dominating the last decade, not the entire greatest sitcoms of the ’70s got here from the US and, in truth, a number of the most critically acclaimed got here from throughout the pond. Every of those wonderful exhibits deserves to be remembered and handed down by means of the generations for causes past simply nostalgia alone.
15 Sanford And Son (1972–1977)
- Accessible to stream on Prime Video.
Among the best sitcoms of the ’70s, Sanford and Son concerned a father and son, Fred and Lamont, and the conditions they get themselves concerned in as junk sellers. Fred is all the time looking for over-the-top methods to earn a living, and Lamont all the time must discover a means to assist clear up the inevitable mess that adopted.
The collection was groundbreaking, and it featured many controversial points, largely involving racism. Fred and Lamont could also be two utterly completely different characters, however they’re each lovable and enjoyable to look at. The dynamic between the 2 brings quite a lot of coronary heart to this sitcom. The present was so well-received that after it ended, it acquired a continuation with its supporting characters referred to as Sanford Arms, and a derivative referred to as Grady. A revival was tried, however Demond Wilson did not need to return as Lamont.
14 Three’s Firm (1976–1984)
- Accessible to stream on DirecTV and Pluto TV.
Three’s Firm was a bit extra common in the course of the early half of the Nineteen Eighties, nevertheless it acquired its begin in 1976, the identical 12 months that VHS tapes and the Harmony made their debut. The premise of 1 single man dwelling along with two ladies in the identical house was a novel concept that made for some hilarious gender hole storylines, making it among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s.
The present’s three principal leads have been a number of the most loveable on tv, and John Ritter’s efficiency has change into iconic throughout the annals of sitcom historical past. The combination of zesty storylines, sexual rigidity, and gut-busting bodily comedy made Three’s Firm an underrated, but nonetheless appreciated sitcom hit. At one level, Three’s Firm was the highest-rated midseason present ever broadcast on community tv and scores solely went up because the collection went on. It acquired a TV film in 2003 and a rumored in growth movie in 2016.
13 Are You Being Served? (1972–1985)
- Accessible to stream on BritBox.
This laugh-out-loud sitcom Are You Being Served got here courtesy of the zany British in the course of the Seventies, specializing in the women and gents attire part of the Grace Brothers division retailer. Among the best sitcoms of the ’70s was a jab not simply on the gross sales items commerce, however Britain’s class warfare system that was nonetheless clinging to relevancy amidst the backdrop of a social shift.
The present featured madcap hilarity from one episode to the subsequent, whether or not it was malfunctioning gross sales show items, new gimmicks to drive gross sales, or the unbelievably risqué sexual double-entendres. The characters themselves have been bigger than life, and their duplicitous and irredeemable personalities have been a part of what made the present such a success. The sitcom acquired its personal film, a compilation particular, a revival episode in 2016, a derivative titled Grace & Favour, a stage adaptation, and an Australian adaptation.
12 The Bob Newhart Present (1972–1978)
- Accessible to stream on Hulu.
Comedy legend Bob Newhart stars in among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s as Dr. Robert Hartley, a psychologist who will get concerned in ridiculous and hilarious conditions along with his spouse, sufferers, and colleagues. Each settings gave Newhart a dynamic and shifting vary of fabric to work with, in his favor.
The Bob Newhart Present, just like The Dick Van Dyke Present, struck a steadiness between the lead’s work life, and his life at dwelling along with his spouse, including to the creativity and number of the storylines. It helped flip Bob Newhart into much more of a comedic legend. The Bob Newhart present was so well-received that it acquired two Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations for Newhart. The episode “Over the River and Via the Woods” was ranked ninth on TV Information’s 100 Biggest Episodes of All Time.
11 Comfortable Days (1974–1984)
- Accessible to stream on Paramount+.
At first look, Comfortable Days appears prefer it was made within the Fifties, which was precisely the purpose. In actuality, it was a bigger-budget sitcom that might function a template for most of the successors to comply with within the Nineteen Eighties, and its legacy proves that it is among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s. Led by a stellar solid together with future director Ron Howard, Comfortable Days ran for a full decade earlier than calling it quits. The collection by no means reached important mass, nevertheless it did hold going strongly, because of loveable characters, enjoyable storylines, and loads of gags.
Sadly, because the writers started operating out of fabric, so too did the laughs. It was the sitcom that ended up coining the popular culture phrase “leaping the shark,” because of one particularly infamous episode. Regardless, the present has fairly the legacy, seeing Robin Williams’ onscreen debut as Mork. Henry Winkler donated Fonzie’s jacket to the Nationwide Museum of American Historical past and his character was ranked 4th on TV Information’s 50 Biggest TV Characters of All Time. There have been reunions, revivals, spinoffs, comedian books, animated collection, and musicals made about Comfortable Days.
10 Cleaning soap (1977–1981)
- Accessible to stream on Fubo TV.
Among the best sitcoms of the ’70s acts as a parody of daytime cleaning soap operas and contains many severe plotlines comparable to kidnapping and homicide. Parody was a serious focus of the present, which is what made it work so properly. The collection had a implausible ensemble solid, together with future movie star Billy Crystal. The performances are nice, the writing is spectacular, and the collection paved the way in which for the way forward for tv and significantly the sitcom format.
Cleaning soap took many dangers that includes controversial storylines, nevertheless it was emboldened by the surprising runaway success of All In The Household, which broke new molds. The collection was nominated for 17 Emmys, profitable a number of for Richard Mulligan and Katherine Helmond. It was additionally nominated for 2 Golden Globes, seeing one other win for Katherine Helmond.
9 WKRP In Cincinnati (1978–1982)
- Accessible to buy on Apple TV.
Many office comedies can be found to stream proper now, and most of the present ones acquired their inspiration from among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s. WKRP in Cincinnati centered across the lives of a bunch of individuals operating a radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The solid consists of many nice actors, together with Gary Sandy, Tim Reid, and Loni Anderson. There are various implausible songs used all through the collection, which was an vital theme of the present.
The idea of the collection was so easy, nevertheless it quickly became sitcom magic. The chemistry of the solid was plain, as was the creative storytelling constructed on the again of a premise that ought to have made the writing harder, fairly than much less. Broadly thought-about because the blueprint for the office comedy, WKRP in Cincinnati was nominated for 10 Emmys, profitable 1, three Golden Globes, and received a Humanitas Prize.
8 The Odd Couple (1970–1975)
- Accessible to stream on Paramount+.
Tony Randall and Jack Klugman starred in among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s about two divorced males dwelling collectively in an house in Manhattan. They’re the exact opposite of one another, which results in attention-grabbing conflicts, and many laughs. It was an adaptation of the play of the identical title, in addition to the long-lasting 1968 movie. The collection was simply as common because the film, if no more so.
Produced by Gary Marshall, identified for creating different Seventies sitcom hits together with Comfortable Days and the spin-off Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple remains to be an absolute basic, that includes among the finest dynamic duos in tv historical past. Each Tony Randall and Jack Klugman have been nominated for Emmys yearly that the present ran, with Klugman profitable two and Randall one. Klugman was additionally nominated for 2 Golden Globes, profitable one.
7 Fawlty Towers (1975–1979)
- Accessible to buy on Vudu, Amazon Prime, and Apple TV.
John Cleese took a break from his Monty Python gig to go up this beloved basic Britcom and among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s. The deadpan comedy model was suited to a specific sort of viewer, however Fawlty Towers had sufficient cross-appeal to make it one of many highest-rated sitcoms of all the decade.
Basil Fawlty blundered his means from one misadventure to the subsequent as he tried to run his lodge. Sadly, the difficult friends, incompetent workers, and his personal poor mood made that unattainable, to the nice delight of viewers rolling round on the lounge ground with laughter. Apart from being named one of the best British tv collection of all time by the British Movie Institute, the present received three BAFTAs. Even John Lennon, Kate Bush, and Martin Scorcese have been quoted to be followers of the collection.
6 Barney Miller (1975–1982)
- Accessible to stream on Amazon Prime.
Barney Miller was among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s and happened at a New York Metropolis police station, specializing in Captain Barney Miller’s numerous in interactions with workers and others who cross his path. The collection was groundbreaking, that includes many controversial matters, whereas acknowledging many cultural variations between completely different characters. Barney Miller was located in New York Metropolis, which was a hotbed of out-of-control crime in the course of the Seventies.
It was particularly common with precise real-life cops across the nation, who felt that regardless of its comedic tone, it was an correct portrayal of legislation enforcement at the moment. Barney Miller received three Emmy Awards, however was nominated for a lot of extra. As well as, the present received two Golden Globes and was nominated for seven extra. It additionally obtained a Peabody Award in 1978.
5 Taxi (1978–1983)
- Accessible to stream on Paramount+.
Taxi is a enjoyable comedy in regards to the on a regular basis lives of some taxi drivers in New York Metropolis, and among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s. The chemistry between the characters was spot on, because of some wonderful casting choices. In flip, the present helped both launch, or solidify the careers of most of the stars on the time, comparable to Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, and Christopher Lloyd.
The solid included Danny DeVito, pre-Who’s The Boss star Tony Danza, pre-Grease star Jeff Conaway, and Christopher Lloyd, earlier than he took on the long-lasting position of “Doc” Brown within the basic ’80s flick Again To The Future. New Yorkers particularly loved the model of off-beat comedy, which was cathartic in an age when the town was plagued with violence. Taxi ended up profitable 11 Emmys and two Golden Globes, along with a slew of nominations.
4 The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
- Accessible to stream on Amazon Prime.
One significantly notable All In The Household spinoff present was The Jeffersons, specializing in the Bunkers’ Black next-door neighbors who finally make it large in enterprise, and transfer into an prosperous house. This allowed the primary characters of George and Louise Jefferson to flourish on their very own, with some nice episodes in addition. The choice to develop on the All In The Household formulation by specializing in Archie Bunker’s equally bigoted nemesis George was a terrific transfer.
Like its father or mother present, The Jeffersons confronted most of the social and political woes of the time head-on, with no apologies or cares given besides find out how to make individuals chortle. One of many longest operating sitcoms in historical past and among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s, The Jeffersons was the primary sitcom to prominently function an interracial couple. The present ended up profitable two Emmys however was nominated for 12 extra, in addition to eight Golden Globes, two Picture Awards, and a Younger Artist Award.
3 M*A*S*H (1972–1983)
- Accessible to stream on Hulu.
This monster hit TV present and among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s targeted on the workers of an Military hospital in the course of the fateful Korean Battle. This collection is an ideal instance of “laughter is one of the best drugs,” utilizing comedy to steadiness out the horrors of a really expensive, and politically precarious battle. M*A*S*H was one of many most-watched TV exhibits of all time, and the favored finale remains to be the one of many highest-rated collection finales of all time.
The choice to deal with a battle that America had largely forgotten, versus Vietnam was a stroke of genius, even when a lot of its messages would later fall on deaf ears. In the course of the TV present’s 11-year run, it was nominated for over 100 Emmy Awards, finally profitable 14. M*A*S*H additionally received eight Golden Globes, seven Administrators Guild Awards, and plenty of extra.
2 All In The Household (1971–1979)
- Accessible to stream on Freevee and Pluto TV.
No different comedy broke down extra cultural limitations than All In The Household, pushed by the outrageous Archie Bunker, a traditionalist bigot who grew as an individual because the collection progressed. It was feared that the present would spark riots throughout the nation, however All In The Household truly helped bridge extra divides than it prompted and turned out to be among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s. The political local weather of the Seventies was a central focus of the present, with radically liberal Mike Stivic battling towards his no-nonsense, stuck-in-his-ways father-in-law Archie Bunker.
No matter was too scorching sufficient, and the combination of simple, unapologetic comedy, hilarious dialogue and loveable characters made it a scores hit for years. All within the Household has spawned probably the most spinoffs of any primetime televisions collection (5 in complete), and it was the primary ever collection to see every of its lead actors win an Emmy. It received 21 Emmys in complete, eight Golden Globes, and was given a Heritage Award for its cultural and social affect.
1 The Mary Tyler Moore Present (1970–1977)
- Accessible to stream on Amazon Prime.
The Mary Tyler Moore Present revolutionized the way in which that girls appeared on tv perpetually, and was among the finest sitcoms of the ’70s. Mary Tyler Moore first rose to fame within the Sixties sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Present, earlier than starring on this basic present as Mary Richards, a single girl who strikes to Minneapolis to begin a brand new chapter in her life. She turns into an affiliate producer at WJM-TV within the newsroom, the place she works with a wide range of characters together with Lou Grant, Ted Baxter, and Murray Slaughter, with legend Betty White becoming a member of the solid later within the collection.
The collection is taken into account one of many best-written sitcoms of all time, even going as far as to spark a number of spinoff exhibits. With probably the most recognizable theme songs, this collection is taken into account a sitcom basic, and a must-watch. The Mary Tyler Moore Present received 29 Emmys, a report that remained unbroken till Frasier in 2002, a Peabody Award, and three Golden Globes. It was the primary female-dominated sitcom in tv historical past, and whereas nonetheless a product of its time, was extremely progressive.