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I have watched a ton of TV over the course of my life (hence my moniker, “Mr. Television”). So, when I was given this assignment to rank my Top 25 favorite series of the 1970s, my immediate concern was how I could work with only 25 options. Enter the “honorable mentions.”
What was fascinating about the 1970s was the availability of only three broadcast networks: ABC, CBS and NBC. PBS was also an option, and the typical market also offered two to three independent stations. But network television was the center, and despite the limited options there was always something good to watch.
As a benchmark, I include only regularly scheduled network series airing in primetime. Of course, the 1970s was a haven for miniseries and made-for television movies — I recall as many as eight movies scheduled per week, excluding the NBC Mystery Movie wheel. But, I will save that ranking for another feature. And not every TV series I have chosen had a long shelf life. Some of the hidden treasures on the small screen prematurely exited after that first season.
I have never been one to follow any traditional critic patterns. What matters is what they meant to me then, and if they still hold up now.
Since this list will likely open up the floodgates for debate, I invite you to chime in with your picks. On that note…
25. Mannix (CBS) – 1967-75
A staple on CBS for eight seasons. Mike Connors played tough but sincere Los Angeles Detective Joe Mannix, who went from an employee at a sophisticated detective firm in season one to his own shop in season two (and beyond). He was aided by Gail Fisher as his loyal assistant, Peggy Fair.
Unlike tamer entries in the genre at the time like Cannon, Barnaby Jones and Columbo, Mannix was unusually violent — with our hero assaulted in just about every episode. And many of the installments featured topical themes, such as racism and gambling.
Did You Know?
At the same time he was starring in The Brady Bunch, Robert Reed had an ongoing role on Mannix as Lt. Adam Tobias, an LAPD cop who occasionally worked with Joe Mannix.
How to Watch Mannix Today: MeTV or DVD
24. The Hot l Baltimore (ABC): 1975
Given the inventory of hits produced by Norman Lear for CBS, ABC wanted to get into the mix. Enter Lear’s controversial The Hot l Baltimore, which was set at a deteriorating hotel complete with two prostitutes (one played by Conchata Ferrell pre-Two and a Half Men), an undocumented immigrant, and one of the first gay couples featured on a TV series.
And let’s not forget Charlotte Rae (pre-Mrs. Garrett on Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life) as an eccentric woman with a son no one ever saw.
While the built-in controversy did result in initial tune-in, it wasn’t enough to keep the audience intact opposite The Rockford Files on NBC.
Did You Know?
The Hot l Baltimore was the first ABC series to have a warning at its opening, cautioning viewers about the mature themes. CBS ran a similar disclaimer when All in the Family debuted in 1971, but only in the first telecast.
How to Watch Hot l Baltimore today: Aside from some promos on YouTube, it is not available.
23. Here’s Lucy (CBS) – 1968-74
No, this was not I Love Lucy. Not even close. Nor was it as good as Lucille Ball’s second successful sitcom, The Lucy Show. But any series featuring everyone’s favorite redhead is worth revisiting.
Her chemistry with co-star Gale Gordon, this time as Lucy’s brother-in-law Harry Carter, was flawless. And the bonus was six guest appearances by that beloved “second banana” Vivian Vance, as Vivian Jones.
While Doris Singleton (Carolyn Appleby on I Love Lucy) was originally cast as Gale Gordon’s secretary, that idea was dropped after Lucy’s real life offspring, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr., joined the cast.
Did You Know?
The season four finale of Here’s Lucy (“Kim Finally Cuts You-Know-Whose Apron Strings”) was a backdoor pilot for spin-off series The Lucie Arnaz Show. Had the pilot been picked up to series, the idea was to feature Vivian Vance as a regular.
How to Watch Here’s Lucy Today: Hulu, Prime Video or DVD
22. Marcus Welby M.D. (ABC) – 1969-76
Given his reputation as that beloved TV Dad Jim Anderson on family sitcom Father Knows Best, Robert Young stuck to his wholesome family roots as kindly Dr. Marcus Welby.
Paired with James Brolin as Dr. Steven Kiley, the pair worked alongside each other in their private practice in Santa Monica. Unlike the medical dramas of today, there was always a happy ending. Dr. Marcus Welby even made house calls!
Did You Know?
Historically, Marcus Welby, M.D. was the first ABC series to finish a season ranked first overall in primetime, which it did in the 1970-71 season.
How to Watch Marcus Welby, M.D. Today: Prime Video or DVD
21. The Partridge Family (ABC): 1970-74
Admit it…if you liked The Brady Bunch you also watched The Partridge Family when they aired together on ABC from 1971 to 1973. And you just “dug” David Cassidy as teen heartthrob Keith Partridge and Susan Dey (pre-L.A. Law) as his sister Laurie.
While it was not entirely known who was schooling the five Partridge siblings while they were on tour singing (did Shirley Jones as Mama Shirley drive the bus, sing in the band, and home school the kids?), the mixture of music and innocent family-themed comedy (with Danny Bonaduce at the center of most storylines) resonated with kids and teens at the time.
Did You Know?
ABC needed a series to schedule on Saturday opposite the then-No. 1 show on television, All in the Family, and off The Partridge Family went in June 1973 to compete. One season later the sitcom was history.
How to Watch The Partridge Family Today: DVD or Crackle
20. The Odd Couple (ABC): 1970-75
Based on the hit Broadway play and the 1968 theatrical, Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple transitioned to the small screen in 1970. Jack Klugman inherited the Walter Matthew movie role as Oscar, and Tony Randall took the place of Jack Lemmon as Felix.
The premise, of course, was two men who live together after their marriages fall apart. Transitioning from single-camera with a laugh track in season one to the more traditional three-camera mode with an audience in season two (and beyond), the result was a livelier mix of humor. And the flawless chemistry between the two actors resulted in three Emmy Award victories for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (two for Klugman and one for Randall).
Did You Know?
Two remakes of The Odd Couple have aired to date: The New Odd Couple with Demond Wilson and Ron Glass on ABC in 1982-83, and The Odd Couple with Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon on CBS from 2015-17. There was also an animated spin-off called The Oddball Couple in 1975, which featured the misadventures of a dog named Fleabag and cat named Spiffy who live together under the same roof.
How to Watch The Odd Couple Today: CBS All Access, Hulu or DVD
19. Three’s Company (ABC) – 1977-84
Like so many other series that eventually lose their original stars, Three’s Company was just not the same without Suzanne Somers as dizzy Chrissy Snow and Norman Fell and Audra Lindley as bickering landlords Stanley and Helen Roper (who segued into failed spin-off The Ropers.)
But what a refreshing gem it was in those 1970s years, with this farce an exercise in comical misunderstandings and sexual innuendos. And back at its inception in 1977, the idea of two young women sharing their apartment with a man was also very risqué.
Did You Know?
When Three’s a Crowd, the second spin-off from Three’s Company, was in development in 1984, Suzanne Somers’ manager/husband Alan Hamel suggested Somers as the new live-in love interest for John Ritter. Given her tumultuous exit from the sitcom in 1981, the idea was immediately nixed. Ultimately, ABC decided to cancel Three’s a Crowd after one season in favor of a renewal for its other freshman comedy, Who’s the Boss?
How to Watch Three’s Company Today: Antenna TV, Logo or DVD
18. Kolchak: The Night Stalker (ABC) – 1974-75
Cited by The X-Files creator Chris Carter as an inspiration, Kolchak: The Night Stalker featured Darren McGavin as a crime reporter for Chicago’s fictional Independent News Service. He investigated mysterious crimes with unlikely causes.
Instead of the typical hoods and villains as likely suspects, Kolchak kept running into vampires, werewolves, zombies, mummies and other unusual phenomena. And what aired for only one season (and 20 episodes) following its introduction in 1972 as a made-for television movie (and a second movie in 1973), resulted in a short-lived revival in 2005 (with Stuart Townsend in the lead role) and talk of a theatrical with Johnny Depp (which has yet to happen).
Did You Know?
Richard Kiel, who rose to fame in Jaws and in the James Bond movies, guest-starred in two episodes of Kolchak: The Night Stalker as the monster. Additionally, The Sopranos creator David Chase worked on the series as a story editor, which was his first regular crew position in Hollywood.
How to Watch Kolchak Today: Prime Video or DVD
17. The Jeffersons (CBS) – 1975-85
One of the most successful spin-off sitcoms in television history, The Jeffersons was “movin’ on up” for 11 seasons on CBS, with its peak primetime ranking at No. 3 overall in 1981-82.
Isabel Sanford was “Weezie” (aka Louise Jefferson), the faithful but long-suffering wife of Sherman Hemsley as loudmouth George. Franklin Cover and Roxie Roker were Tom and Helen Willis, the first interracial couple featured on a television series.
And then, of course, was Marla Gibbs as no-nonsense maid Florence (who was upgraded to her own spin-off sitcom, Checking In, in the spring of 1981, but quickly returned after its failure). Like that other classic TV maid before her, Shirley Booth as Hazel, Florence also always knew best!
Did You Know?
When The Jeffersons began, Isabel Sanford was 57 years old in real life, while Sherman Hemsley was a mere 36. Do the math, and George Jefferson would have been about 14 at the time of son Lionel’s birth. No wonder why “Mother” Jefferson (Zara Cully) disliked her!
How to Watch The Jeffersons Today: Prime Video/Starz, MeTV or DVD
16. Laverne & Shirley (ABC) – 1976-83
“The TV critics always hated us,” Penny Marshall once said. But the viewers had a different opinion, with Happy Days spin-off Laverne & Shirley roaring out of the gate on Jan. 27, 1976, as the top-rated series in all of television.
By seasons two and three, this tale of two best friends and roommates (Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams) who work as bottle-cappers in the fictitious Shotz Brewery in late-1950s Milwaukee even out-rated its parent series. While the move to Burbank, California, at the start of season six was a classic example of “Jumping the Shark,” there was just something about these characters we wanted to continuously root for.
Did You Know?
Welcome Back, Kotter’s Ron Palillo was one of the featured voices in animated spin-off Laverne & Shirley in the Army, which aired on ABC in the 1981-82 TV season.
How to Watch Laverne & Shirley Today: CBS All Access, Logo or DVD
15. Alice (CBS): 1976-85
Legend has it that Alice star Linda Lavin was none too pleased that initial co-star Polly Holliday as sassy waitress Flo was getting all the laughs (and Emmy nominations). So out went Holliday after four seasons to headline short-lived sitcom Flo, and in came Diane Ladd (as Belle) in season five and Celia Weston (as Jolene) for the final four seasons.
Without good ‘ol Flo, Alice was nothing special. But with that party gal from Cowtown, Texas, the series was alive with energy and laughter. Note to Linda Lavin: “Kiss my grits!”
Did You Know?
Philip McKeon played Alice’s son Tommy Hyatt throughout the nine seasons of Alice. But the pilot featured Alfred Lutter, the actor who originated the role of Tommy in the 1974 theatrical Alice, Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, which the series was based on.
How to Watch Alice Today: Prime Video or DVD
14. Rhoda (CBS): 1974-78
Naturally, we loved Valerie Harper as Rhoda Morgenstern, the underdog whose quest for a husband on The Mary Tyler Moore Show resulted in a string of bad dates (and endless comical situations).
But when Rhoda finally met her man, David Groh as Joe Gerard in spin-off Rhoda, the suddenly more established and satisfied Mrs. Gerard became more difficult for the writers to find humor in. By the beginning of season three, Rhoda and Joe split. By season four they were divorced. And by season five viewers jumped ship.
While any series with Valerie Harper is worth watching, if you want to see Rhoda Morgenstern at her best, stick with The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the early episodes of Rhoda.
Did You Know?
Although Julie Kavner (pre-Marge Simpson) is remembered for her stint as Rhoda’s insecure younger sister Brenda, one episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show featured the wedding of Rhoda’s sister Debbie. And there was mention of a brother named Arnold. Debbie and Arnold…where are you?
How to Watch Rhoda Today: DVD
13. “M*A*S*H” (CBS): 1972-83
Unlike the then-new wave of Norman Lear comedies and CBS comedy personalities like Lucille Ball and Mary Tyler Moore, M*A*S*H was a combination of comedy and drama adapted from the 1970 theatrical of the same name.
Airing for 11 seasons, technically M*A*S*H lasted eight years longer than the Korean War, which was the time frame of the series. And the early seasons coincided with the later years of the Vietnam War.
While viewers enjoyed the camaraderie of the characters in an often-comical fashion, the death of Col. Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) at the end of season three (Blake’s plane was shot down en route to Japan, and everyone aboard died) was intended to capture the cast’s genuine shock and surprise, and to remind the audience that war is not be taken lightly.
Did You Know?
M*A*S*H is considered a key ingredient in CBS’ classic 1970s Saturday night programming block. But it actually only aired on that evening for just one season, 1973-74. After minimal sampling in season one out of failed Anna and the King (a small screen adaptation of classic musical The King and I with Yul Brynner), M*A*S*H was scheduled out of All in the Family and into The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
The result: an immediate top 5 ranking. The following fall, CBS utilized what was then the best time period in all of primetime with short-lived sitcom Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers, which was followed in midseason by the arrival of The Jeffersons.
How to Watch M*A*S*H Today: MeTV, TV Land, Prime Video or DVD
12. Little House on the Prairie (NBC): 1974-83
Adapted from the Little House book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder (and a result, no doubt, of the success of family drama The Waltons on CBS), it was a never-dull moment in the sleepy town of Walnut Grove.
Love always conquered all on Little House on the Prairie, no matter what happened. But what set this show apart was snooty shopkeeper Harriet Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) and Alison Arngrim as her “bad seed” daughter Nellie. If it ever got too sugary on Little House, along came this pair to stir the pot and give little Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) something to fret over.
Did You Know?
The title of the series was changed to Little House: A New Beginning in the ninth — and final — season after the focus shifted to Laura and her husband Almanzo (Dean Wilder). Eleven-year-old Shannen Doherty was featured that season as the couple’s niece, Jenny Wilder. Talk about a bad seed!
How to Watch Little House Today: Prime Video, COZI TV, UP TV or DVD
11. Good Times (CBS): 1974-80
If you want to be picky, you have to question how Esther Rolle as Florida Evans morphed from the housekeeper in Tuckahoe, New York, on parent series Maude to a housing project in inner city Chicago in spin-off Good Times. And wasn’t John Amos as hubby James previously named Henry?
That aside, Jimmie Walker as oldest son J.J. was the breakout star. What was supposed to be a sitcom about a struggling family dealing with serious issues in a comedic fashion turned into a vehicle primarily for Walker.
Without Amos (who was fired after three seasons) and Rolle (who exited after season four but returned for the final season), Good Times lost its spunk. But with the entire cast intact, those first three seasons were pure “Dy-No-Mite.”
Did You Know?
When Esther Rolle left the series, the writers shipped her off to Arizona with new TV husband Carl Dixon (Moses Gunn). After Rolle returned for the sixth — and final — season, there was only one brief reference to Carl. Suddenly, Florida Dixon was Florida Evans again.
How to Watch Good Times Today: Hulu, TV One, Get TV, Prime Video/Starz or DVD
10. Room 222 (ABC): 1969-74
Smack in the middle of what could have been considered the original ABC TGIF programming line-up, Room 222 was a half-hour comedy-drama set at fictional Walt Whitman High School in Los Angeles. Mixing humor with serious issues, episode themes often reflected the contemporary political climate of the time (such as women’s rights, racism, the Vietnam War and Watergate).
The characters included Pete Dixon (Lloyd Haynes) as the compassionate teacher we all wish we had; Liz McIntyre as the understanding guidance counselor; Seymour Kaufman (Michael Constantine pre-My Big Fat Greek Wedding) as the school principal; and Alice Johnson (Karen Valentine) initially as a young student teacher.
Did You Know?
Although ABC had considered canceling Room 222 after the first season due to low ratings, five initial Emmy Award nominations (and three wins, including Outstanding New Series) saved the show from a premature demise.
How to Watch Room 222 Today: Aspire TV or DVD
9. Eight is Enough (ABC): 1977-81
From the production company behind The Waltons, the initial focus on comedy-drama Eight is Enough was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Thomas Braden, a real-life parent with eight children.
After the untimely passing of Diana Hyland as wife Joan during the abbreviated first season, the theme shifted to the arrival Betty Buckley as eventual stepmother Abby and the family’s adjustment to their new matriarch. With ratings on the downside by season five, Ralph Macchio (pre-The Karate Kid) joined the cast as Abby’s orphaned nephew Jeremy.
Did You Know?
Although Betty Buckley as Abby became the stepmother to the Bradford brood, Laurie Walters as daughter Joanie (third in age among the eight Bradford siblings) was actually six months older than Buckley in real life.
How to Watch Eight Is Enough Today: Prime Video or DVD
8. One Day at a Time (CBS): 1975-84
Another solid hit from the Norman Lear wheelhouse, the original version of One Day at a Time focused on the comical (and often dramatic) trials and tribulations of a young divorced woman (Bonnie Franklin) and her two teenage daughters (Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli).
Also, of course, was Pat Harrington, Jr. as smarmy building handyman — and surrogate father of sorts — Dwayne Schneider. While Phillips was at the center of the storylines in the early seasons, ongoing personal issues (which led to her departure twice) and a blossoming Bertinelli shifted the focus to her Barbara Cooper character.
Did You Know?
CBS had expressed interest in a two-season renewal for One Day at a Time in the spring of 1984, which would have taken the comedy through 11 seasons. But Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli nixed the idea, and the network tested the waters for a potential spin-off series with Pat Harrington, Jr. as Schneider (who moves to Florida to care for his suddenly orphaned niece and nephew). It never went to series.
How to Watch One Day at a Time Today: Prime Video, Crackle or DVD
7. All in the Family (CBS): 1970-79
Groundbreaking, no doubt, All in the Family from Norman Lear came at a time when CBS was canceling basically every series with a tree (nicknamed “The Rural Purge,” which led to the demise of shows like Petticoat Junction, The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Hee Haw).
Oddly, All in the Family aired immediately following Hee Haw in its first season, certainly an unusual audience flow. But the network wanted comedies of a grittier nature that would tackle current issues, and All in the Family was the show to do it. Not a hit initially, Emmy ultimately came calling, viewers suddenly took notice, and by season two Carroll O’Connor and company began a five-year reign as the top-rated series on television.
Did You Know?
All in the Family spun-off five comedies: Maude, The Jeffersons, Archie Bunker’s Place, Gloria, and 704 Hauser. And that does not include the offspring from Maude (Good Times) and The Jeffersons (Checking In).
How to Watch All in the Family Today: Get TV, Crackle or DVD
6. The White Shadow (CBS): 1978-81
As the first dramatic ensemble with a predominantly African American cast, high school-set The White Shadow, starring Ken Howard, tackled subject matters new to the small screen (including drug problems, teenage crime, sexually transmitted diseases, and the dangers of living in a crime-ridden Los Angeles neighborhood).
One student on the basketball team at fictional Carver High School, Eric Kilpatrick as Curtis Jackson, was even gunned down at a liquor store holdup. Developed by executive producer Bruce Paltrow, The White Shadow was never a big draw in the traditional Nielsen ratings. Yet it left an indelible mark because of its realistic portrayal of a group of students trying to survive, and ultimately thrive, under often difficult circumstances.
Did You Know?
Unlike other high school dramas where the students never seemed to graduate (remember Carlo Imperato as Danny Amatullo on Fame, for example?), four of the original students featured on The White Shadow — Milton Reese, Abner Goldstein, James Hayward and Ricky Gomez — actually graduated at the end of season two. A new set of high school students arrived in season three.
How to Watch The White Shadow Today: DVD
5. Dallas (CBS): 1978-91
Technically, serialized drama Dallas is remembered as a 1980s institution, with the signature moment — Larry Hagman as evil oil magnate J.R. Ewing being shot — occurring on March 21, 1980.
But even at the very beginning, when Dallas launched as a five-part miniseries in the spring of 1978, there were signs of an eventual addiction. And by the 1980-81 TV season, Dallas was the top-rated show in primetime (with three seasons in that capacity and seven in total in the Top 10). Dallas also introduced what became a staple in the next decade: the season ending cliffhanger.
Did You Know?
Dallas spin-off Knots Landing featured Donna Mills as villainess Abby Cunningham Ewing Sumner, the female counterpart, perhaps, to Larry Hagman’s J.R. Ewing. Earlier in their careers, Hagman and Mills co-starred together in NBC 1971-72 sitcom The Good Life, which showcased the pair as a middle-class couple working as a butler and a cook for a wealthy family.
How to Watch Dallas Today: Prime Video or DVD
4. The Carol Burnett Show (CBS): 1967-78
We all have our favorite moments. Let’s see … Gone With the Wind takeoff “Went With the Wind,” “As the Stomach Turns,” Tim Conway cracking up Harvey Korman in most of their sketches together, Carol’s opening Q&A, the endless roster of guest stars (Jim Nabors was Carol’s “good luck” charm and always appeared on the season-opener) and, of course, “The Family” sketches.
Remembered as the fifth ingredient on that classic CBS Saturday night line-up, The Carol Burnett Show is a prime example of why this type of comedy-variety is sorely missed in primetime. Carol…we are so glad we had this time together!
Did You Know?
Vicki Lawrence segued into spin-off sitcom Mama’s Family on NBC on January 22, 1983. But inbetween The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family was a CBS TV movie called Eunice on March 15, 1982, featuring Carol and Vicki, plus Harvey Korman, Ken Berry and Betty White.
How to Watch The Carol Burnett Show Today: Prime Video, MeTV or DVD
3. The Brady Bunch (ABC): 1969-74
Yes, I know. This picture-perfect blended family was pure fiction. None of us, then or now, could really relate to a childhood set in a groovy house (complete with green Astroturf in the backyard), with two loving and understanding parents, six ideal children, and a housekeeper who was just pure plain fun.
There was always a wisecrack out of the mouth of Ann B. Davis as Alice! But as an escape from our mundane existences, The Brady Bunch offered a place to go where all was good and the worst problem was Marcia (Maureen McCormick) being hit by a football and Jan (Eve Plumb) having another meltdown. As always, it was a happy ending in every episode.
Did You Know?
In its five season run (and excluding any of the endless spin-offs), The Brady Bunch never cracked the Top 30 of all shows in primetime. Each season, the sitcom only received a 13-episode renewal (with additional episodes ordered at a later time). It was not until The Brady Bunch made its debut in off-network syndication that the masses began to take notice. And they have never left!
How to Watch The Brady Bunch Today: Prime Video, CBS All Access, Hulu, MeTV or DVD
2. The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS): 1970-77
Single at age 30 at the start of this beloved sitcom, Mary Tyler Moore as Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a breakup.
And that set the stage for an equal balance of Mary’s home and work life, complete with characters we cared about, situations we could all relate to, and comedy derived from these individuals — Mary, Rhoda, Phyllis, Mr. Grant, Ted, Murray and, in later seasons, Georgette and Sue Ann — instead of just the punch lines.
While she could not make it through the funeral of a clown without breaking into laughter (in the classic “Chuckles Bites the Dust” episode), Mary could indeed “turn the world on with her smile.” And, thanks to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, this tale of an independent woman ushered in a new era for the TV sitcom.
Did You Know?
The original plan was to have Mary as a divorceé, but the network brass feared the audience would not accept the Mary they knew as happily married Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show as suddenly divorced. Mary also wore a wig in season one so viewers would not confuse her with Laura.
How to Watch Mary Tyler Moore Today: Decades, Prime Video or DVD
1. The Waltons (CBS): 1972-81
Initially airing opposite two established series — The Mod Squad on ABC and The Flip Wilson Show on NBC — the expectations were low for this dramatic tale of a loving family trying to survive during the Depression from Earl Hamner, Jr.
The audience caught on, however, and by season two The Waltons ranked second overall in all of primetime (behind All in the Family). After nine seasons and six made-for-television reunion movies (the last was A Walton Easter in 1997), a number of the surviving cast members will be present at “The Forever Friends of The Waltons” reunion. It’s happening at the opening of the John & Olivia’s Bed & Breakfast Inn in Schuyler, Virginia, in October.
Did You Know?
Ralph Waite is remembered for his portrayal of John Walton. But the first choice for the role was Henry Fonda, who was featured in the 1963 theatrical Spencer’s Mountain, which was based on the novel by Earl Hamner, Jr. (and it became the basis of The Waltons). Fonda declined because he felt it was Richard Thomas’ show and, at age 67 when The Waltons began, he was also a bit long in the tooth.
How to Watch The Waltons Today: Prime Video, INSP or DVD
Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order):
Apple’s Way (CBS), Barney Miller (ABC), The Bob Newhart Show (CBS), Donny and Marie (ABC), The Doris Day Show (CBS), Happy Days (ABC), Hawaii Five-O (CBS), Julia (NBC), Love, American Style (ABC), Lucas Tanner (NBC), Maude (CBS), My Three Sons (CBS), The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (CBS), Sons and Daughters (CBS), Taxi (ABC), WKRP in Cincinnati (CBS)
Marc Berman is the founder and Editor-in-Chief for Programming Insider. He also covers the broadcasting landscape, at present, for Forbes.com, Watch!, Newspro and C21 Media in London. His prior pieces have appeared in Campaign US, The New York Daily News, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times and Emmy Magazine, among other outlets.
