1. The Ropers
This short-lived spin-off of Three’s Company had all the makings of a hit. Norman Fell and Audra Lindley reprised their roles as the nosy landlords Stanley and Helen Roper, and for a while, audiences were curious enough to tune in. The show even premiered with strong ratings thanks to the built-in popularity of its parent series. But the charm didn’t last long once viewers realized the formula didn’t translate as well without Jack, Chrissy, and Janet around.
By the second season, ratings slipped, and despite efforts to keep it afloat, ABC canceled the show. Unfortunately, Fell and Lindley were unable to return to Three’s Company due to their contractual agreement, leaving them in sitcom limbo. Fans still remember the couple fondly, but The Ropers is a prime example of how a spin-off can catch fire quickly only to fade just as fast.
2. Charlie’s Angels
When Charlie’s Angels debuted in 1976, it was an instant phenomenon. Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith became household names practically overnight, and their posters were plastered on every teenager’s wall. The “jiggle TV” format may have drawn some critics, but it also drove ratings through the roof during its early years.
The trouble began when the original Angels started leaving, and the constant cast changes hurt the show’s identity. Viewers slowly lost interest as the novelty wore off, and by 1981, ABC pulled the plug. Though it disappeared from primetime, its cultural footprint stayed strong, inspiring movies and even a 2011 reboot.
3. Welcome Back, Kotter
Who could forget the Sweathogs? Welcome Back, Kotter made stars out of John Travolta and Gabe Kaplan when it premiered in 1975. The mix of classroom antics and relatable humor had people laughing and tuning in week after week. For a while, it seemed unstoppable.
But Travolta’s meteoric rise to movie stardom pulled him away from the series, and the show’s quality suffered when he became less available. Combined with changing tastes in television, ratings plummeted by its fourth season. What started as a huge hit quickly disappeared, though the theme song and catchphrases are still instantly recognizable today.
4. Laverne & Shirley
A spin-off of Happy Days, this sitcom followed the lovable roommates played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. It became one of the most-watched shows in America by the late ’70s, even overtaking its parent series at times. Their physical comedy and infectious chemistry made it a joy to watch.
However, behind-the-scenes drama and Williams’ eventual departure caused the show to stumble. Ratings dropped sharply, and by 1983 it was canceled. While it had an impressive run, its disappearance was abrupt compared to its early dominance. Still, “Schlemiel! Schlimazel!” remains part of TV lore.
5. CHiPs
Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox patrolled California’s highways in CHiPs, which kicked off in 1977. With a mix of action, humor, and good-looking leads, it drew in a steady audience. For a time, it was one of NBC’s more dependable shows.
Yet, as the seasons dragged on, the repetitive storylines and production challenges began to wear thin. Wilcox left after season five, and by season six the ratings had taken a nosedive. The show ended in 1983, remembered fondly but without the staying power of some other police dramas.
6. Good Times
Spinning out of Maude, Good Times centered on a working-class Black family in Chicago. With strong performances by Esther Rolle, John Amos, and Jimmie Walker, the show tackled serious social issues while balancing humor. Its ratings soared in the mid-’70s, especially when Walker’s “Dy-no-mite!” catchphrase became a cultural sensation.
But tension among cast members and disputes over the show’s direction weakened it. Rolle and Amos both left at different times, and without their grounding presence, audiences started drifting away. Despite its huge initial success, the show ended in 1979 after six seasons, disappearing far faster than fans expected.
7. Soap
Soap was groundbreaking when it premiered in 1977, parodying the melodrama of daytime soap operas. With its zany storylines, cliffhangers, and characters like Billy Crystal’s Jodie, it was a ratings powerhouse and a constant conversation starter.
The very things that made it popular, however, also made it controversial. Religious groups and critics pushed back against its edgy themes, and the show struggled with constant battles over censorship. By 1981, ratings slipped and the network canceled it. While it disappeared suddenly, it left a lasting influence on serialized TV comedy.
8. The Love Boat
Few shows felt as iconic in the late ’70s as The Love Boat. Each week, guest stars boarded the Pacific Princess for romance, laughs, and lighthearted drama. Audiences adored its escapist charm, and it became a fixture of ABC’s Saturday night lineup.
By the mid-’80s, however, the formula felt dated. Ratings sank as viewers moved toward edgier fare, and the show ended in 1986. Although it ran into the next decade, its peak and subsequent disappearance as a ratings juggernaut cemented it as a show tied to the late ’70s television boom.
9. One Day at a Time
Norman Lear struck gold again with One Day at a Time, which starred Bonnie Franklin as a divorced mother raising her two daughters. Viewers connected with its mix of humor and real-life challenges, and it pulled in impressive ratings when it debuted in 1975.
As the years went on, though, the novelty wore off. Storylines became repetitive, and like many Lear shows, the balance between comedy and social commentary sometimes faltered. By the early ’80s, audiences moved on, and the show ended in 1984. Despite its disappearance, it later inspired a modern-day reboot.
10. Angie
Angie, starring Donna Pescow as a working-class woman who marries into a wealthy family, had all the elements of a hit. When it debuted in 1979, it quickly captured audiences with its sweet mix of romance and comedy. In fact, it ranked high in the ratings during its first season.
But scheduling shifts and behind-the-scenes struggles doomed the show. By its second season, ratings nosedived, and ABC canceled it after just 36 episodes. It remains one of those shows that burned brightly at first but then vanished almost overnight.
11. Family
Running from 1976 to 1980, Family starred Sada Thompson and James Broderick as parents raising their children in California. It wasn’t flashy, but its thoughtful storytelling and heartfelt drama earned critical acclaim and strong ratings during its first seasons. Viewers appreciated its grounded approach compared to more outlandish shows of the era.
Still, as TV shifted toward faster-paced programming, Family struggled to keep up. Ratings declined, and the show was quietly canceled. Today it’s rarely remembered, but at its peak, it was a staple in many households.
12. Barnaby Jones
Buddy Ebsen made a surprising return to television in Barnaby Jones, playing an older private detective. The show premiered in 1973 and quickly found a loyal audience, thanks in part to Ebsen’s likable presence and the familiar crime-of-the-week formula. It climbed the ratings and held steady for several years.
By the end of the ’70s, however, crime dramas had evolved, and Barnaby Jones began to feel dated. Its audience dwindled, and CBS canceled it in 1980. Though it disappeared, it still stands as an interesting late-career highlight for Ebsen after his Beverly Hillbillies fame.
