Best Sitcoms of the 70s
It was hard to put these in order as so many of these shows were groundbreaking because of their subject matter (war, single women, African-American families) and the issues they tackled that were considered taboo on T.V. until these shows came along (race relations, divorce/single parents, alcoholism, women's rights, homosexuality, abortion, rape, etc. --these are all funny things, right? ). Norman Lear is to thank for this. He produced All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons, and One Day at a Time.
The show that really started it all in terms of pushing the envelope of what a sitcom could do. It was #1 in the ratings for five consecutive years (1971-1976). Spun-off Maude (which spun off Good Times), The Jeffersons, and Gloria.
This was the Beginning of a lot of today's shows Direction!
They Broke a lot of rules but they were very Successful
Groundbreaking and some episodes still hold up to this very day. Also Archie is hilarious and so is edith
One of the greatest

It depicted how war could be absurd, poignant, pointless, heartbreaking, and really funny, often simultaneously.
First show to really tackle women's rights with a never-married, career oriented lead character. Spun-off Rhoda and Phyllis.

Sanford & Son stinks! Sweet Valley High was way more better!
"Elizabeth, I comin' to join ya! "

In my top 5 for favorite sitcoms ever!
Rode the wave of 50s nostalgia.
Best show in the 70s
I love his deadpan humor.
The first (and only? ) to show a working-poor family (and African-American) struggling to get out of the ghetto.

Yeah, yeah, I know this show wasn't controversial or clever. I suppose the whole blended family was something new. But this show has become a part of American pop culture in a way that perhaps none of the other shows on this list have. It has been airing on some network or T.V. station nearly continuously for 40 years. (And I really loved it when I was a kid, so there's that, too. )
One of the best, in my opinion. The movies should have never been made though.

Amazing, classic sitcom filled with lots of misunderstandings and physical comedy. It was very popular in the ratings too at the time. My favourite show of all time.
The second best sitcom, in my book...
Another show set in the 50s (and 60s) with two single women as the main characters.
Funniest show I've ever watched. I even bought the DVD sets.
A hilarious top 10 show. Definitely better than Good Times.
What you talking bout top tens?
I can't believe you didn't put this show on the list!
It's an awesome show and Arnold is so cute.


