1. Barnaby Jones
Buddy Ebsen, who most of us still remember fondly from The Beverly Hillbillies, traded in his folksy charm for a magnifying glass in Barnaby Jones. This detective drama had him playing a retired private investigator who couldn’t resist solving crimes even in his later years. The show ran for eight seasons and gave viewers a mix of suspense and comfort since Jones was always steady and calm no matter how dangerous the case. It wasn’t flashy, but it worked, and audiences loved its reliability.
Despite being a strong performer in its time, Barnaby Jones is rarely mentioned today. Maybe it’s because detective shows were everywhere in the ’70s, and others like Columbo and Kojak overshadowed it in pop culture memory. Still, Ebsen brought a gravitas that made the series worth watching. It’s one of those shows that deserves a second look for its grounded, steady storytelling.
2. The Courtship of Eddie’s Father
Bill Bixby starred in this heartwarming sitcom about a widowed father raising his young son with the help of a quirky housekeeper. The father-son relationship between Bixby and young Brandon Cruz was the heart of the show, offering plenty of tender moments alongside lighthearted humor. It wasn’t just about parenting—it also tackled dating, single life, and how families can look different but still be full of love.
Even though it only ran for three seasons, it made an impact at the time with its warm approach to real-life issues. Today, it’s mostly forgotten, overshadowed by bigger sitcoms like The Brady Bunch. Yet for those who watched, it left an emotional mark. It was one of those shows that made you feel good while still pulling at your heartstrings.
3. Quincy, M.E.
Jack Klugman, fresh off The Odd Couple, took on a very different role as medical examiner Dr. Quincy. Long before CSI and NCIS, Quincy was using autopsies and science to solve crimes when the police overlooked key details. The show was unique because it blurred the line between mystery and medical drama, and Klugman’s fiery energy gave it bite.
In its later seasons, the series leaned heavily into social issues, covering everything from drunk driving to public health concerns. While that made it stand out, it also meant the tone shifted quite a bit from its early days. Despite being groundbreaking, it doesn’t get the recognition today that it probably should. Fans of crime shows owe a lot to Quincy, M.E..
4. Family
This ABC drama explored the lives of the Lawrence family, showing the ups and downs of marriage, parenting, and sibling relationships. It wasn’t flashy, but it was relatable, and Sada Thompson and James Broderick anchored it with realism. The series introduced Kristy McNichol, who became a teen idol thanks to her role as daughter Letitia “Buddy.”
The show ran from 1976 to 1980 and resonated with audiences for its willingness to deal with real family struggles. Unlike some sitcoms, Family wasn’t afraid to get serious. Today, though, it’s mostly forgotten despite its influence on later family dramas. It deserves to be remembered for setting the stage for shows like Parenthood.
5. Police Woman
Angie Dickinson broke barriers as Sergeant Pepper Anderson, one of the first female leads in a cop show. She brought toughness, intelligence, and glamour to a role that helped open the door for women in TV law enforcement dramas. The series mixed undercover work with action and suspense, showing that a woman could lead just as effectively as her male counterparts.
The show was a hit in its time, running for four seasons, but it doesn’t get talked about much today. Other police procedurals have taken the spotlight, but Dickinson’s role was trailblazing. Without Police Woman, later shows like Cagney & Lacey might never have happened. It was a quiet game-changer in TV history.
6. One Day at a Time
This Norman Lear sitcom centered on a divorced mother raising two teenage daughters in Indianapolis. Bonnie Franklin led the cast with Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli, making the show both funny and relatable. It stood out because it tackled single parenthood in a way that wasn’t often seen on TV at the time.
Though it ran for nine seasons, it doesn’t get the same nostalgic spotlight as All in the Family or Good Times. It’s often remembered mostly for Bertinelli’s breakout role. Still, it made an impact by showing how families could survive and thrive through change. For many viewers, it was refreshingly real.
7. Soap
This satirical comedy spoofed daytime soap operas while still keeping viewers hooked with its ongoing storylines. With a huge ensemble cast that included Billy Crystal, Katherine Helmond, and Richard Mulligan, the show pushed boundaries with its outrageous humor and serialized storytelling. It even tackled topics like sexuality and mental health long before most shows dared to.
At the time, it was both controversial and wildly popular. Some critics loved it while others thought it was too daring. Today, though, it’s not often discussed despite influencing later ensemble comedies. Soap was way ahead of its time in format and subject matter.
8. The White Shadow
This drama followed a former professional basketball player who became a high school coach at an inner-city school. Ken Howard played the coach, navigating not just sports but also social and racial issues that were rarely portrayed on TV in the late ’70s. The mix of sports and heartfelt drama struck a chord with audiences.
Despite critical acclaim and its influence on later shows like Friday Night Lights, The White Shadow has faded from memory. It ran for three seasons but doesn’t get re-aired much. For fans who watched, though, it was a groundbreaking take on sports television. It deserves more credit than it gets.
9. Trapper John, M.D.
A spin-off of M*A*S*H, this series followed Dr. “Trapper” John McIntyre years after the Korean War. Played by Pernell Roberts, the older Trapper worked at a San Francisco hospital mentoring a younger doctor. The series mixed medical cases with personal stories and had a very different feel than M*A*S*H.
It was successful in its own right, running for seven seasons, but it has mostly been forgotten today. The shadow of M*A*S*H loomed so large that it never quite escaped comparisons. Still, Roberts gave a warm and steady performance that made the show engaging. It’s one of those forgotten gems worth remembering.
10. Eight Is Enough
This family drama followed Tom Bradford, a widowed father raising eight children, with Dick Van Patten leading the cast. It was warm, chaotic, and relatable, showing the ups and downs of a big family trying to navigate life together. The show balanced humor with heartfelt moments, making it a popular choice in its time.
Despite its popularity, Eight Is Enough doesn’t get much mention today. It helped launch the careers of Grant Goodeve and Willie Aames, but otherwise has been overshadowed by flashier family shows. Still, it offered comfort viewing and was loved by audiences in the late ’70s. It’s one of those shows that quietly slipped into TV history.
11. Starsky & Hutch
This buddy cop series paired David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser as two detectives working the gritty streets. Known for its action, car chases, and the iconic red-and-white Ford Gran Torino, the show was a mix of style and substance. Antonio Fargas as Huggy Bear gave it extra character and flair.
Though it was hugely popular, it doesn’t get the nostalgic buzz that other cop shows do today. Maybe its flashy style dates it a bit, but it was undeniably entertaining. At the time, kids wanted to be Starsky or Hutch, and that car was practically a character itself. It was the definition of cool in the ’70s.
12. What’s Happening!!
This sitcom followed three African American teenagers navigating life in Los Angeles. Inspired loosely by the movie Cooley High, it featured Ernest Thomas, Haywood Nelson, and Fred Berry as the unforgettable Rerun. The show was lighthearted, fun, and showcased friendship in a way that resonated with viewers.
Though it spun off into What’s Happening Now!! in the ’80s, the original isn’t often talked about anymore. It offered representation at a time when few shows did, making it important as well as funny. Its mix of humor and heart gave audiences something relatable. Today, it deserves more love than it gets.
13. The Rockford Files
James Garner starred as private investigator Jim Rockford, a down-on-his-luck detective who relied more on wit than muscle. The show stood out because Rockford wasn’t your typical tough-guy hero—he often got beat up, struggled with money, and preferred to talk his way out of trouble. That made him relatable in a genre full of larger-than-life figures.
The series was a hit during its run and even won Emmys, but it doesn’t get as much nostalgic attention today as it should. Garner’s charm carried it, and the show blended mystery, action, and humor in a way that still feels fresh. It quietly influenced countless detective dramas that followed. For those who loved it, The Rockford Files was TV comfort food.
