1. Happy Days – The Fonz Jumps the Shark
When people talk about TV shows going off the rails, this is the moment they’re referring to. In season five of Happy Days, Fonzie literally dons water skis and jumps over a shark while still wearing his leather jacket. The entire premise is so wild that it gave us the phrase “jumping the shark,” which we still use today whenever a show pushes things too far.
The funny part is that Henry Winkler actually pulled off the stunt and looked pretty cool doing it. But the idea of a greaser on skis, in California of all places, felt completely disconnected from the Milwaukee diner hangouts we were used to. It was supposed to be a daring, adventurous plot, but instead, it became one of the most hilariously bizarre episodes in TV history.
2. The Brady Bunch – Jan Wears a Wig
Jan Brady always had middle child problems, but nothing sums it up quite like the episode where she buys a short black wig to reinvent herself. When she shows up to a party in the thing, her entire family is shocked, and her classmates are not impressed. The wig itself looks like something out of a bargain bin Halloween costume.
The episode is played so seriously that it ends up being unintentionally hilarious. Jan thought she’d finally stand out, but she just looked out of place. Watching her sulk around in that wig while everyone tried to be polite is pure comedy gold now.
3. Gilligan’s Island – The Harlem Globetrotters Visit
Technically airing in 1979 as a TV movie, this one deserves a spot because of how ridiculous it was. The Globetrotters land on the island and, instead of panicking, everyone gets involved in a basketball game against robots. Yes, robots.
By this point, the castaways had already seen guest stars ranging from spies to rock bands, but the Globetrotters took things to a whole new level. The basketball scenes are staged like a real game, with all the tricks and gags the team was famous for. It’s so absurd that it loops right back around to being entertaining.
4. The Partridge Family – Keith Thinks He’s a Monkey
David Cassidy had to carry some odd plots, but none weirder than the episode where Keith becomes convinced he’s turning into a monkey. He thinks his hair is changing, he starts mimicking sounds, and the family is genuinely worried for him.
It was meant as a metaphor for teenage anxiety, but it’s so over-the-top that it ends up playing like slapstick. Watching Cassidy crawl around and scratch his head like a chimp is both baffling and hilarious. Fans still bring up this one when talking about the most out-there TV episodes.
5. The Mary Tyler Moore Show – Chuckles the Clown’s Funeral
This episode is legendary because of how strange the premise is. Chuckles the Clown dies in a parade accident while dressed as a peanut and being trampled by an elephant. The newsroom can’t stop making jokes about it, but Mary insists it’s not funny.
Of course, once she’s at the funeral, she’s the one who bursts out laughing uncontrollably. The dark humor of the setup mixed with Mary’s meltdown has made this one of the most talked-about sitcom episodes of all time.
6. All in the Family – Sammy Davis Jr. Kisses Archie
This one still makes people laugh because it’s so unexpected. Sammy Davis Jr. stops by Archie Bunker’s home, and after a lot of awkward tension, he plants a kiss right on Archie’s cheek for a photo. The look on Carroll O’Connor’s face is priceless.
It was a moment that pushed boundaries in the ’70s while also being genuinely funny. The fact that Archie, the poster child for stubborn prejudice, ends up immortalized in a picture with Sammy is comedy history.
7. Laverne & Shirley – The Alien Encounter
In one of the more forgotten episodes, Laverne and Shirley believe they’ve made contact with aliens. Strange lights and odd noises convince them they’re in the middle of a close encounter. Naturally, the whole situation spirals into pure chaos.
Instead of being scary, the episode plays more like a cartoon, with pratfalls and exaggerated reactions. Seeing the duo scream and stumble around their apartment like it’s an alien invasion still gets laughs today. It’s a reminder of how wild sitcom plots could get when writers ran out of everyday scenarios.
8. Three’s Company – Jack Pretends to Be a Woman
Jack Tripper was always faking something, but one of the funniest episodes has him dressing up as a woman to get out of a sticky situation. With his high-pitched voice and over-the-top mannerisms, John Ritter sold the gag completely.
The episode itself plays into every cliché, but that’s what makes it so funny. Watching the roommates try to keep the act going while landlords and neighbors raise their eyebrows is classic farce. Ritter’s physical comedy ensures this one never gets old.
9. The Jeffersons – George Thinks He’s Jesus
George Jefferson’s ego gets the best of him when he becomes convinced he’s some kind of savior figure. He starts dressing in white robes, preaching advice, and acting like he’s walking on water. The rest of the cast can barely keep a straight face around him.
It’s one of those episodes where the character’s confidence is so outsized that it becomes absurd. Sherman Hemsley’s delivery makes it both funny and surreal. By the end, George is put back in his place, but not before we get some truly memorable laughs.
10. Welcome Back, Kotter – The Sweathogs Time Travel
Only a show like Welcome Back, Kotter could attempt something this outlandish. The Sweathogs somehow imagine or dream that they’ve traveled back in time. They pop up in different eras, complete with wigs, costumes, and slang.
The whole setup is so corny that it’s hilarious to watch. Seeing Vinnie Barbarino as a caveman or Horshack in a powdered wig is worth it for the visual alone. The episode didn’t make a ton of sense, but it was pure ’70s sitcom fun.
11. Mork & Mindy – Mork Gives Birth to an Egg
Robin Williams had plenty of weird moments as Mork, but one episode takes the cake. Mork somehow ends up “pregnant” and lays a giant egg in the living room. Mindy has to coach him through the whole ordeal.
The sight of Williams flapping around and moaning like he’s in labor is unforgettable. It’s bizarre, awkward, and ridiculously funny. Only Mork & Mindy could make something like alien childbirth into a sitcom storyline.
12. The Love Boat – The Ventriloquist Dummy Romance
Since The Love Boat always had quirky guest stars, some plots leaned toward the absurd. One of the strangest involved a ventriloquist whose dummy caused just as much drama as he did. The dummy “talked back,” got jealous, and even interfered with the man’s love life.
The cast treated the puppet like a real character, which only made it funnier. Watching Captain Stubing and the crew try to handle a wooden doll like it had feelings is peak cheesy television. It’s so odd, yet it perfectly captures the anything-goes nature of ’70s TV.
