The 1970s was a golden age of television, filled with groundbreaking sitcoms, gripping dramas, and experimental series that pushed the boundaries of storytelling. While some shows became legendary, others quietly disappeared, their influence often overlooked. But even the forgotten series of the decade helped shape the way we watch TV today, influencing everything from serialized storytelling to ensemble casts and even the rise of niche cult fandoms. Here are 12 forgotten ’70s TV shows that had a hidden influence on modern entertainment.
1. Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974-1975)
Before The X-Files made paranormal investigations a TV staple, Kolchak: The Night Stalker was laying the groundwork. Starring Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak, a dogged reporter investigating supernatural cases, the show blended horror, mystery, and investigative journalism in a way that was ahead of its time. Though it lasted just one season, its mix of skeptical reporting and eerie storytelling directly inspired Chris Carter when creating The X-Files. Remind calls this show something of a cult favorite five decades later.
Beyond its influence on sci-fi and horror TV, Kolchak also introduced the concept of a “monster-of-the-week” format, which many shows, including Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, later adopted. Its mix of humor, suspense, and conspiracy theories made it a cult classic long after it left the air. While many may not remember Kolchak itself, its DNA runs through some of the biggest genre shows of the past few decades.
2. Soap (1977-1981)
When Soap debuted, it shocked audiences with its outrageous plotlines, controversial themes, and a level of satire rarely seen in sitcoms. A parody of daytime soap operas, the show tackled everything from alien abductions to political scandals, all with a cast of unforgettable characters. Billy Crystal’s portrayal of Jodie Dallas was groundbreaking, marking one of the first openly gay characters on prime-time television. Click Americana recounts this show being the conversation on everyone’s minds back when it aired.
Though Soap was often criticized for being too edgy, its impact on modern comedy is undeniable. The show’s serialized storytelling helped pave the way for sitcoms with longer, interconnected narratives, like Arrested Development and Community. It also influenced the satirical tone of later series, proving that sitcoms could push boundaries while still delivering laughs.
3. Quark (1977-1978)
Long before The Orville and Red Dwarf mixed sci-fi with comedy, Quark was boldly going where few comedies had gone before. This short-lived sci-fi sitcom, created by Buck Henry, followed a group of intergalactic garbage collectors led by Richard Benjamin’s Commander Quark. The show hilariously spoofed Star Trek and other space operas, offering a lighthearted take on the genre. Drunk TV writes that for however short-lived this show was, its impact was long-lasting.
Though it was canceled after just eight episodes, Quark left a mark on the sci-fi comedy genre. Its blend of absurd humor and futuristic adventure paved the way for later shows like Futurama and Galaxy Quest. It proved that science fiction didn’t have to be serious to be compelling, setting the stage for the many genre parodies that followed.
4. The New People (1969-1970)
A show way ahead of its time, The New People followed a group of college students who crash-landed on a deserted island and had to build a new society from scratch. The series explored social issues, morality, and survival, making it a prototype for later hits like Lost and The 100. It tackled themes of leadership, power struggles, and human nature in a way that felt fresh for the era.
While The New People only lasted one season, it introduced ideas that would later define modern TV dramas. Its serialized storytelling and psychological depth were unusual for the time but became standard in later decades. Though few remember it today, its legacy can be seen in the way modern shows handle complex character dynamics in isolated settings.
5. The Blue Knight (1975-1976)
Before Hill Street Blues and NYPD Blue brought a grittier, more realistic portrayal of police work to TV, The Blue Knight set the stage. Starring George Kennedy as veteran LAPD officer Bumper Morgan, the show took a more thoughtful, character-driven approach to law enforcement stories. Unlike the action-packed cop shows of the time, The Blue Knight focused on the emotional and ethical struggles of a beat cop nearing retirement.
While it only lasted one season, its influence on later police dramas is undeniable. The idea of portraying officers as flawed but well-meaning public servants was later perfected in shows like Hill Street Blues and The Shield. It also introduced the idea of focusing on a single officer’s personal and professional life, something that would become a staple in modern crime dramas.
6. James at 15 (1977-1978)
Long before My So-Called Life and Freaks and Geeks gave audiences an honest look at teenage life, James at 15 was tackling serious adolescent issues. Starring Lance Kerwin as James, a bright but socially awkward teenager adjusting to a new school, the show took a more realistic approach to growing up than most sitcoms of the time. It addressed topics like peer pressure, relationships, and even teen sexuality in a way that was almost unheard of in the ’70s.
Despite strong reviews, James at 15 struggled with network interference, particularly when it dared to discuss topics considered too mature for TV. However, its influence on later teen dramas is unmistakable. The show’s willingness to portray adolescence as confusing, painful, and sometimes unfair paved the way for the more nuanced storytelling found in later coming-of-age series.
7. Holmes & Yoyo (1976)
This bizarre buddy-cop comedy paired a veteran detective with an android partner—essentially predicting the future of police procedurals with high-tech twists. The show’s humor was broad, with Yoyo the robot displaying superhuman strength and encyclopedic knowledge, but it also satirized the idea of technology replacing human intuition in law enforcement. While the show was dismissed as too silly at the time, its influence can be seen in later series that blended cops and tech, like Almost Human and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Though it only lasted 13 episodes, Holmes & Yoyo was ahead of its time in exploring the intersection of law enforcement and artificial intelligence. While modern crime shows often use technology as a key tool for solving cases, this show took it a step further by making tech itself part of the team. If it had been made a few decades later, it might have found a cult following instead of fading into obscurity.
8. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977)
A true oddity of television, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman was a surreal, satirical take on soap operas, created by Norman Lear. It followed the life of an anxious, small-town housewife (played by Louise Lasser) navigating a world filled with absurd tragedies and melodramatic neighbors. The show was both funny and unsettling, pushing the boundaries of what a sitcom could be.
Its biggest contribution to modern TV was its serialized storytelling. Unlike traditional sitcoms, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman required viewers to follow long, unfolding storylines, much like today’s prestige dramas. The show’s dark humor and offbeat style also influenced later cult comedies like Twin Peaks and Desperate Housewives.
9. Cliffhangers! (1979)
Before binge-worthy TV and streaming services made cliffhangers a major storytelling tool, NBC experimented with a show literally called Cliffhangers! The series was broken into three rotating serialized stories, each episode ending with a dramatic, unresolved moment. It borrowed from old movie serials, creating mini-adventures that required audiences to tune in each week to see what happened next.
Though it was canceled before its mysteries could be fully resolved, Cliffhangers! was a precursor to modern serialized storytelling. Today, shows like Lost, Game of Thrones, and Breaking Bad thrive on suspenseful, episode-ending twists that keep viewers hooked. While Cliffhangers! itself vanished quickly, its narrative style became a fundamental part of modern television.
10. City of Angels (1976)
This stylish noir detective show starring Wayne Rogers brought the classic private eye formula into the 1970s. Set in 1930s Los Angeles, City of Angels had all the hallmarks of a great detective series—gritty cases, femme fatales, and a wisecracking lead. Unfortunately, it struggled to find an audience and was canceled after just 13 episodes.
However, its influence can be seen in later neo-noir TV shows like Moonlighting and Veronica Mars, which mixed traditional detective stories with a modern twist. City of Angels was one of the first TV shows to embrace the noir aesthetic in a way that felt authentic rather than campy. Though short-lived, it helped pave the way for detective shows that leaned into atmosphere and character depth rather than just action.
11. Man from Atlantis (1977-1978)
Before Aquaman made underwater heroes cool, Man from Atlantis gave TV audiences a sci-fi take on oceanic adventure. Starring Patrick Duffy as a mysterious amnesiac with webbed hands and the ability to breathe underwater, the show mixed deep-sea exploration with science fiction. It had a loyal fan base but never quite found mainstream success, leading to its cancellation after just 13 episodes.
Despite its short run, Man from Atlantis influenced later sci-fi TV, particularly shows that blended superheroes with speculative fiction. It helped establish the concept of the reluctant hero searching for his past, a trope seen in shows like The Incredible Hulk and even Smallville. Though largely forgotten today, it was an early example of genre television taking big risks.
12. Lucan (1977-1978)
A truly bizarre premise, Lucan followed a young man raised by wolves who re-entered human society to search for his true identity. Part action-adventure, part drama, it tapped into the era’s fascination with wild, lone-wolf heroes. The show had a unique emotional core, exploring themes of identity, survival, and the conflict between civilization and instinct.
While Lucan didn’t last long, its influence can be seen in later shows about outsiders trying to fit into society, like The Incredible Hulk and Highway to Heaven. It was one of the first TV series to explore the idea of a wandering protagonist who helped people while searching for answers about his own past. While Lucan never became a household name, its storytelling style found success in later decades.
These shows may not be household names, but their impact on modern entertainment is undeniable. Whether through pioneering serialized storytelling, redefining sitcom humor, or pushing the limits of what TV could explore, they laid the foundation for many of today’s biggest hits. While they may have faded from memory, their influence still shapes the way we watch and create television today.
