1. Barney Miller
While it ran for eight seasons, Barney Miller has strangely faded compared to other ’70s sitcoms. The show was set almost entirely in a New York City police station, focusing less on crime and more on the quirky, human side of the detectives. Hal Linden played the calm, level-headed Captain Barney Miller, while the supporting cast of oddball detectives brought dry humor and charm. Critics loved it, but today it doesn’t get the rerun love of shows like Cheers or MASH*.
What made Barney Miller so great was its quiet wit and the way it balanced comedy with real issues like corruption, addiction, and poverty. It wasn’t flashy, but it was funny in a grounded way that still feels modern. Fans who revisit it often call it one of the most underrated sitcoms of its time.
2. Soap
When it premiered in 1977, Soap was unlike anything else on television. It parodied daytime soap operas with outrageous storylines, but it also pushed boundaries with its humor. The cast included Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, and Billy Crystal in his breakout role as Jodie Dallas, one of the first openly gay characters on primetime TV.
Despite its popularity, Soap stirred controversy and was often targeted by critics who thought it went too far. That reputation may have kept it from becoming as warmly remembered as other sitcoms. Still, the show was sharp, daring, and hilarious, and it paved the way for more experimental comedy.
3. One Day at a Time
This Norman Lear sitcom ran for nearly a decade but doesn’t get the same nostalgic attention as All in the Family or Good Times. Bonnie Franklin starred as Ann Romano, a divorced mother raising two teenage daughters, played by Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli. The show tackled heavy themes like sexism, addiction, and single parenting with humor and warmth.
It was groundbreaking for its portrayal of a divorced woman making it on her own, something rarely seen on TV at the time. Audiences connected with it, but somehow it doesn’t get talked about as much as other Lear hits. The later Netflix reboot reminded people of its legacy, but the original deserves more recognition.
4. Eight Is Enough
Family dramas of the ’70s are often overshadowed, and Eight Is Enough is one of the most overlooked. The show centered on the Bradford family, led by newspaper columnist Tom Bradford, raising eight kids through the ups and downs of life. It had heartfelt stories, occasional comedy, and dealt with relatable teenage and family struggles.
Dick Van Patten brought warmth to the role of the dad, and the young cast—like Grant Goodeve and Willie Aames—became teen idols. While it was a big hit in its day, it hasn’t endured in reruns the way shows like The Brady Bunch have. It’s a series that deserves to be remembered for its heart.
5. Alice
Starring Linda Lavin as a widow starting over as a waitress in a Phoenix diner, Alice ran from 1976 to 1985. The setting at Mel’s Diner gave it plenty of colorful characters, from Mel the grumpy owner to the wisecracking Flo, whose catchphrase “Kiss my grits!” became a pop culture staple.
Even though it was a long-running sitcom, it doesn’t often get included in the pantheon of ’70s classics. Maybe because it leaned into slice-of-life humor rather than splashy gimmicks. Still, for anyone who watched, Alice was as comforting as a cup of coffee at the counter.
6. What’s Happening!!
This ABC sitcom followed three African-American teenagers—Raj, Rerun, and Dwayne—as they navigated life in Los Angeles. Premiering in 1976, it became a beloved show for its mix of humor, music, and friendship. Shirley Hemphill as the sassy waitress Shirley added a lot of spark, and Fred Berry’s Rerun became an icon with his dance moves.
Although it later inspired a sequel series, What’s Happening Now!!, the original often gets overlooked when people remember ’70s sitcoms. It captured the energy of the decade and gave audiences something different, and it still holds up as a fun, feel-good show.
7. Welcome Back, Kotter
This sitcom introduced the world to the Sweathogs, a group of wisecracking high school students led by their teacher, Gabe Kotter, played by Gabe Kaplan. John Travolta became a breakout star as Vinnie Barbarino, turning the show into a cultural sensation. It ran from 1975 to 1979 and was filled with catchphrases that kids repeated in schoolyards everywhere.
Yet, despite its massive popularity, Welcome Back, Kotter doesn’t get as much nostalgic love as some other sitcoms from the decade. Maybe because its humor was so tied to the slang and style of the era. Still, it’s worth remembering for how it captured the fun and chaos of high school life.
8. Rhoda
A spinoff of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda was hugely popular at first. Valerie Harper reprised her role as Rhoda Morgenstern, moving back to New York and starting fresh. The premiere episode drew record ratings, and Rhoda’s wedding was one of the most-watched TV events of the decade.
But over time, the series struggled to maintain its spark, and its cultural footprint shrank. Today, people mostly remember Mary Tyler Moore but not Rhoda. Still, Harper’s performance was warm and funny, and the show deserves more recognition than it gets now.
9. Barnaby Jones
Buddy Ebsen, best known as Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies, returned to TV as a private detective in Barnaby Jones. Unlike the younger, tougher TV detectives of the time, Barnaby was older, thoughtful, and relied on brains over brawn. It gave Ebsen a completely new role and ran for eight seasons.
Despite its success, Barnaby Jones doesn’t often get mentioned in discussions of classic TV detectives like Columbo or Kojak. It had a loyal audience, though, and it deserves credit for showing a different kind of hero—one who used wisdom and patience instead of force.
10. Quincy, M.E.
Before forensic science was a television staple, Quincy, M.E. put it front and center. Jack Klugman played the title character, a medical examiner who solved crimes by paying close attention to the evidence. Running from 1976 to 1983, it was one of the first shows to blend crime drama with science.
Although it was popular, it often gets overlooked compared to shows like Columbo or later series like CSI. Still, Quincy, M.E. was groundbreaking for its time and gave Klugman one of his most memorable roles after The Odd Couple.
11. CHiPs
With Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox as motorcycle cops cruising the California freeways, CHiPs was pure ’70s cool. The action sequences, flashy bikes, and cheesy charm made it a favorite for kids and teens. Estrada, in particular, became a heartthrob thanks to the show.
Despite being a cultural hit, CHiPs is more of a punchline today than a celebrated classic. But it was fun, fast, and very much of its time. It’s one of those shows that perfectly captured the era’s style but doesn’t get enough credit now.
12. Family
Debuting in 1976, Family was a quiet, emotional drama about the Lawrence family and their everyday struggles. Sada Thompson and James Broderick played the parents, and Meredith Baxter was the adult daughter navigating her own life. Kristy McNichol, as the teen daughter Buddy, became a breakout star and even won Emmy Awards for her performance.
Though it was critically acclaimed, Family doesn’t get remembered as often as flashier family shows. It had a subtle, heartfelt quality that made it unique, focusing on real issues rather than sitcom-style laughs. For those who saw it, it was unforgettable, even if it’s rarely talked about now.
