There’s nothing quite like investing years into a TV show, only to have the finale leave you feeling cheated. Back in the ’70s, TV finales weren’t the carefully crafted events we expect today. Sometimes they were rushed, unresolved, or just plain bizarre, leaving loyal fans scratching their heads or shouting at the screen. Let’s take a trip back and relive 12 of the most frustrating TV show endings from the ’70s that still stir up strong feelings.
1. Adam-12 (1968-1975)
Adam-12 ended in 1975 with an episode that felt more like any other regular day on the job than a finale. There was no big case, no farewell, just another routine patrol for officers Malloy and Reed. Fans who had followed their beat for years were disappointed by the lack of closure or acknowledgment of the show’s end. It felt like the officers just clocked out and never came back.
2. Bonanza (1959-1973)
Bonanza ran for an impressive 14 seasons, but you wouldn’t know it from the way it ended—or rather, didn’t end. The show didn’t get a proper finale; instead, it just stopped after the 1973 season when Dan Blocker, who played Hoss, passed away. Fans were left without closure, especially after growing up with the Cartwright family for over a decade. The sudden, unresolved ending left a hole in many hearts.
3. Gilligan’s Island (1964-1967)
Technically a ’60s show, but its reruns were everywhere in the ’70s, and fans were still fuming. The series ended without the castaways ever getting off the island, leaving viewers feeling duped after years of hoping for their rescue. It wasn’t until a TV movie in 1978 that they finally escaped—only to get stranded again. That endless loop left fans wondering if they’d ever catch a break.
4. The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
The Brady Bunch didn’t get the send-off it deserved when it quietly ended in 1974 without a proper finale. Fans never saw what happened to Greg, Marcia, and the rest of the crew, leaving plenty of questions about their futures. It felt like the family just vanished from TV, despite being such a big part of people’s lives. Later reunion specials tried to patch things up, but the abrupt original ending still stung.
5. Gunsmoke (1955-1975)
After 20 seasons, you’d expect Gunsmoke to ride off into the sunset with a bang, but instead, it just faded out. The final episode, “The Sharecroppers,” wasn’t even planned as a finale, so there was no farewell for Marshal Dillon or Miss Kitty. Fans who had stuck with the show for two decades were left feeling brushed aside. It was an unceremonious end to one of TV’s longest-running shows.
6. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977)
While many consider the finale of The Mary Tyler Moore Show to be one of the best, not everyone was pleased. Watching the whole newsroom get fired, except for the bumbling Ted Baxter, left fans both laughing and frustrated. Some viewers felt it was unfair that Mary and her hardworking friends were out of jobs while Ted kept his. The bittersweet ending hit too close to home for some, making it a love-it-or-hate-it finale.
7. The Partridge Family (1970-1974)
The Partridge Family ended in 1974 without any real conclusion for the beloved musical clan. There was no farewell concert or final family moment to wrap things up. The show simply didn’t get renewed, leaving fans wondering what happened to the Partridges after their last tour. For a show that brought so much joy, the sudden stop felt like being left in the middle of a song.
8. All in the Family (1971-1979)
While All in the Family technically morphed into Archie Bunker’s Place, fans were furious with how things wrapped up. Edith, a beloved character, was written off between seasons without much explanation, leaving many feeling blindsided. The final episodes didn’t offer the closure fans expected after years of following the Bunkers’ ups and downs. It felt like an abrupt goodbye to one of TV’s most iconic families.
9. Bewitched (1964-1972)
By the time Bewitched ended in 1972, it had already been struggling with recycled plots and declining interest. The finale didn’t resolve anything—Samantha and Darrin just kept living their everyday life, with no real conclusion in sight. Fans wanted to see if Samantha would finally blend her magical life with the mortal world, but the show left that hanging. It felt like an unmagical ending for such a whimsical series.
10. MASH (1972-1983)
MASH* had one of the most-watched finales in TV history, but not everyone loved how it ended. The dark, emotional tone was a far cry from the show’s usual humor, and some fans found it too heavy-handed. Hawkeye’s mental breakdown and the bittersweet goodbyes left many feeling more drained than satisfied. For some, it was a powerful conclusion; for others, it was an emotional gut punch they didn’t want.
11. Room 222 (1969-1974)
Room 222 ended in 1974 without any formal conclusion, leaving fans of the progressive high school series hanging. Viewers never got to see what happened to the beloved students or the dedicated teacher, Pete Dixon. The show tackled serious topics, and fans expected some closure for the characters they’d grown attached to. Instead, it just quietly disappeared from the schedule, leaving loose ends untied.
12. The Fugitive (1963-1967)
While The Fugitive started in the ’60s, its finale aired in 1967 and had fans fuming well into the ’70s. After four seasons of Dr. Richard Kimble chasing the one-armed man to clear his name, the finale wrapped up everything in just two episodes. Many fans felt the resolution was too neat, with little buildup to the big confrontation. It left viewers wanting more depth after years of suspense.
Looking back at these finales, it’s clear that the ’70s didn’t always deliver the satisfying conclusions we craved. Whether it was a lack of closure, abrupt cancellations, or unexpected plot twists, these endings left fans feeling frustrated after years of loyalty. But maybe that’s part of the charm of old TV—you never knew what you were going to get. And even if the endings left us fuming, the shows themselves still hold a special place in our hearts.
