1. Chico and the Man
Debuting in 1974, Chico and the Man starred Jack Albertson as a grumpy garage owner and Freddie Prinze as the upbeat young mechanic who worked for him. The unlikely friendship between the two drove the show’s humor and heart. For a while, it was one of NBC’s top-rated sitcoms.
But after Freddie Prinze’s tragic passing in 1977, the show struggled to recover. It limped along for another season before fading away. Despite its initial success, it’s rarely seen in reruns today.
2. The Ropers
A spinoff of Three’s Company, The Ropers followed Norman Fell and Audra Lindley’s landlord couple after they moved to a new neighborhood. The series was heavily promoted and drew viewers eager to see more of the bickering pair. At first, it ranked well in the ratings.
But the humor never quite clicked the way it did in its parent show. Within two seasons, it was gone. Today, it’s more of a trivia question than a remembered hit.
3. Angie
Premiering in 1979, Angie starred Donna Pescow as a working-class waitress who marries a wealthy doctor. The romantic comedy was a surprise success, boosted by its catchy theme song, “Different Worlds.” It quickly became a top-ten show in its first season.
Unfortunately, lightning didn’t strike twice. Ratings dropped in season two, and the show was canceled. Once a breakout hit, it’s now almost completely forgotten.
4. Carter Country
Set in a small Southern town, Carter Country (1977–1979) was a sitcom about a mayor, a sheriff, and their quirky citizens. It was inspired by Jimmy Carter’s rise to the presidency, tapping into the national mood. For a brief moment, it resonated with audiences.
But without a strong premise to carry it forward, its popularity fizzled. The show left little cultural footprint despite its initial buzz. It’s a reminder of how tied some sitcoms were to the moment that birthed them.
5. The Tony Randall Show
Tony Randall, fresh off The Odd Couple, starred as a widowed judge raising his teenage daughter in this sitcom. With Randall’s wit and charm, it initially drew a solid audience. Critics praised it, and it built a respectable following.
But it never reached the same heights as The Odd Couple. By 1978, the gavel came down for good. Today, even Tony Randall fans sometimes forget it existed.
6. Apple’s Way
From the creator of The Waltons, Apple’s Way (1974–1975) followed a modern family that left the city for small-town life in Iowa. It was wholesome, family-centered, and carried a similar tone to The Waltons. For a while, it was promoted as the next big family drama.
But the audience never fully embraced it, and ratings sagged. The series quietly ended after two seasons. Once positioned as a heartland classic, it’s nearly vanished from TV memory.
7. Bridget Loves Bernie
This 1972 sitcom followed the marriage of a Catholic schoolteacher and a Jewish cab driver. With Meredith Baxter and David Birney in the lead roles, it was one of the top-rated new shows of the year. Audiences seemed ready for its interfaith romance.
But controversy from religious groups led CBS to cancel it after just one season—despite high ratings. The show quickly disappeared from rerun circulation. Today, it’s remembered more for its abrupt end than its brief success.
8. Phyllis
After the success of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cloris Leachman’s character Phyllis got her own spinoff in 1975. The show followed her move back to San Francisco with her daughter after being widowed. It debuted strong, bolstered by Leachman’s comedic timing.
But the momentum didn’t last, and the series was canceled after two seasons. While Leachman remained a beloved actress, her spinoff has largely faded from memory. Few remember just how popular it was at its launch.
9. What’s Happening!!
Airing from 1976 to 1979, What’s Happening!! was a sitcom about three Black teens in Los Angeles navigating friendship, family, and everyday life. Characters like Rerun and Dee became fan favorites. The show had strong ratings and left viewers quoting lines and imitating dance moves.
Despite its popularity, it never quite lived on in syndication the way other ’70s sitcoms did. A sequel, What’s Happening Now!!, popped up in the ’80s, but the original show is rarely revisited. For a moment, though, it was must-see TV.
10. The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show
This Saturday morning variety show debuted in 1974 and featured the Hudson Brothers in skits, songs, and zany antics. It drew a surprisingly large young audience and became a staple of kids’ weekend mornings. Its music and comedy mix made it stand out.
But the Hudson Brothers’ fame was short-lived, and the show vanished with them. It was hugely popular in its brief run but quickly forgotten. Today, it survives only in faint memories of Saturday morning laughs.
11. The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams
This 1977 series, spun off from a TV movie, followed a man living in the wilderness with his pet bear, Ben. Families loved its wholesome themes and beautiful outdoor settings. It even inspired toys and merchandise.
But the popularity was short-lived, ending after two seasons. Without steady reruns, it faded from public memory. Once a primetime favorite, it’s now barely mentioned.
12. Here’s Lucy
Lucille Ball’s post-I Love Lucy series Here’s Lucy ran from 1968 into the mid-’70s, and it was a top-rated show early on. With Ball’s children, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Lucie Arnaz, appearing alongside her, it felt like a continuation of her TV dynasty.
Despite being one of the most-watched sitcoms of its time, it isn’t celebrated nearly as much as her earlier work. By the end of the decade, it had disappeared from syndication. It’s astonishing how forgotten it is considering its success.
13. Soap
Debuting in 1977, Soap was a satirical sitcom that parodied soap operas with outrageous plots and cliffhangers. It was controversial, but it pulled in big ratings and launched the career of Billy Crystal. For a while, it was the show everyone talked about.
Yet its over-the-top style kept it from being rerun widely, and it slipped out of cultural memory. Today, it’s remembered mostly by TV buffs. At the time, though, it was a phenomenon.
14. McMillan & Wife
Part of NBC’s “Mystery Movie” lineup, McMillan & Wife starred Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James as a crime-solving couple. It ran for six seasons and consistently ranked well. The mix of mystery and marital banter kept viewers tuning in.
But after Hudson’s departure, the show fizzled. It rarely appears in syndication, making it one of the decade’s forgotten hits. For its time, though, it was a household name.
