16 Best Shows From The 70s We Loved Watching In The 80s

We had some of the greatest reruns back in the day!

As a GenX writer and ambassador, it’s so important I recognize the the 1970s and the contribution that 70s television made to our collective viewing experience. 70s shows lay the groundwork for clever comedy shows that continued to resonate with us through the 1980s, and well into the 1990s. These shows, characterized by their humor, relatable characters, and often poignant social commentary, became staples of American culture. I remember having watched all of these shows, some of them rolling into the 1980s with new seasons, and some as reruns. A lot of times, if I played sick, or if I really was sick, and stayed home, these shows brought so much comfort for my soul.

Here’s a look at 16 of the best shows from the 70s that I, and I’m sure you also absolutely loved!

1. Three's Company

Premiering in 1977 and running until 1984, Three's Company was a sitcom that revolved around Jack Tripper (John Ritter), who pretended to be gay to share an apartment with two women, Janet (Joyce DeWitt) and Chrissy (Suzanne Somers). The show was known for its slapstick comedy and misunderstandings, which created a humorous dynamic among the trio. Its lighthearted approach to relationships made it a favorite during its original run and in syndication throughout the 80s.

Alright, right off the bat, this is one of my favorite tv shows of all time! It had an amazing cast and every episode was basically triggered by something misheard or misunderstood by one or more of the cast members.

What’s interesting about Three’s Company is that the show had a few cast changes throughout its eight seasons but still managed to remain entertaining and fun. In fact, I believe it got better and better.

Who could forget The Ropers, Mr. Furley, or the lovable Larry Dallas?

2. The Jeffersons

As a spin-off of All in the Family, The Jeffersons debuted in 1975 and ran until 1985. It chronicled the lives of George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise Jefferson (Isabel Sanford), an African American couple who moved into a luxurious Manhattan apartment. The series was notable for addressing issues of race and class with humor and heart, making it a significant cultural touchstone.

3. Mork & Mindy

Starring Robin Williams as Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, Mork & Mindy aired from 1978 to 1982. Williams' improvisational skills and unique comedic style brought Mork to life, while his relationship with Mindy (Pam Dawber) added depth to the show. The series became iconic for its whimsical humor and exploration of human behavior through an outsider's perspective.

What else can I say about Robin Williams and how much of a comedic genius he was that hasn’t already been said? This show was really special to me. Mork & Mindy was one of the earliest shows I remember watching, and I couldn’t wait until Mork would say, Nanu Nanu!

4. Facts of Life

A spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts of Life premiered in 1979 and ran until 1988. It followed a group of girls at a private boarding school as they navigated adolescence. The show tackled serious issues such as friendship, self-image, and family dynamics while maintaining a comedic tone, making it relatable to young viewers.

I had such a huge crush on Blair! But who didn’t?

Did you know before George Clooney became a superstar, he played handyman George Burnett on two seasons of The Facts of Life.

5. Good Times

Airing from 1974 to 1979, Good Times focused on the struggles of the Evans family living in a Chicago housing project. The series balanced humor with serious social issues, including poverty and racism. Its portrayal of family resilience resonated deeply with audiences and made it a classic.

I’m not ashamed to admit that a Good Times episode is the only television episode that has ever brought me to tears in my entire life. It still does, every time I watch it. That episode is called The Gang: Part 2 - It aired Nov 19, 1974, but I caught it as a rerun in the early 80s. I didn’t know this at the time, but this episode was shot in front of a live audience! It’s an extremely powerful episode, especially if you grew up in an area where gang violence was prevalent, and youth was wasted away because of hard times and poor choices. I don’t want to spoil it for you, but if you care to watch a short scene, I’ve clipped it below.

In this powerful two-part episode, the Evans family faces the harsh realities of urban violence. With JJ returning home after a brief hospital stay, having been shot by by a gang member named Mad Dog, James Evans vows to get vengeance on the gang member.

In court, the justice system's limitations are exposed as Mad Dog faces a judge who struggles to curb the youth's defiant behavior. The overcrowded system seems ill-equipped to keep dangerous individuals off the streets, mirroring real-life concerns of the time.

Now, the most impactful moment comes when Mad Dog's mother confronts him, expressing her hatred and striking him when he insults his absent father. This raw, emotional scene resonated with me because I grew up around kids like this. The worst part was hearing Mad Dog’s mother break down and tell him that she hates him. It really hurt to hear that.

James Evans, initially seeking vengeance, shows remarkable growth by the episode's end. In a moment that echoes the spirit of forgiveness, he offers a sympathetic nod to the boy who shot his son, much to Florida's relief.

6. Happy Days

Set in the 1950s, Happy Days ran from 1974 to 1984 and followed the Cunningham family and their friend Fonzie (Henry Winkler). Ayyy 👍 The show celebrated nostalgia for simpler times while addressing contemporary issues through its characters' experiences. I absolutely loved this show, and it was even more special to me because of Pat Morita’s role as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi. Did you know that Pat almost lost his role as Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid as a result of playing a comedic part in Happy Days? Fortunately, the chemistry between Pat and Ralph Macchio was too great to overlook. The rest is history!

7. Laverne & Shirley

This spin-off from Happy Days, which aired from 1976 to 1983, featured Laverne (Penny Marshall) and Shirley (Cindy Williams) as two single women working at a Milwaukee bottling plant. Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams’s comedic chemistry was awesome! The show also had a wonderful supporting cast. I loved it anytime there was a scene involving Lenny & Squiggy!

8. What's Happening!!

Running from 1976 to 1979, What's Happening!! followed three African American teenagers navigating life in Los Angeles. I enjoyed the way the show blended humor with social commentary about race and youth culture.

9. WKRP in Cincinnati

This sitcom aired from 1978 to 1982 and focused on the staff of a struggling radio station. Known for its sharp writing and memorable characters like program director Andy Travis (Gary Sandy) and news director Les Nessman (Richard Sanders), WKRP in Cincinnati tackled issues like media ethics while delivering laughs.

10. Sanford & Son

Airing from 1972 to 1977, this sitcom starred Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford, a cantankerous junk dealer living with his son Lamont (Demond Wilson). Remember every time Fred Sanford feyned a heart attack? “You hear that, Elizabeth? I’m comin’ to join you.”

11. The Love Boat

This ensemble cast series ran from 1977 to 1986 aboard a cruise ship, featuring various guest stars each week. It combined romance, comedy, and drama while exploring relationships among passengers and crew members.

12. The Bob Newhart Show

Airing from 1972 to 1978, this sitcom featured Bob Newhart as Dr. Bob Hartley, a psychologist navigating his professional and personal life in Chicago. This show had some really clever comedy. I remember struggling to watch this show sometimes however, because I was not relating to it much. I’m a much bigger fan of Newhart, the show that ran from 1982 to 1990.

13. All in the Family

Premiering in 1971 and running until 1979, All in the Family was groundbreaking for its frank discussions on social issues such as race, gender roles, and politics through the lens of the Bunker family. With characters like Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), whose bigotry often led to humorous situations, the show set new standards for sitcom storytelling.

14. Welcome Back Kotter

This sitcom aired from 1975 to 1979 and followed Gabe Kotter (Gabe Kaplan), a teacher returning to his high school alma mater to teach a group of underachieving students known as the "Sweathogs." This show had a really great cast, including John Travolta!

15. Taxi

Airing from 1978 to 1983, Taxi was a groundbreaking sitcom that followed a group of New York City taxi drivers and their interactions with each other and their eccentric passengers. The ensemble cast, which included Danny DeVito, Judd Hirsch, and Marilu Henner, brought to life the struggles and triumphs of working-class individuals. The show's blend of humor and heartfelt moments, along with its exploration of friendship and ambition, made it a popular show with audiences well into the 80s. Also, a young Tony Danza as well as a young Christopher LLoyd were on the show!

16. Diff'rent Strokes

Debuting in 1978 and running until 1986, Diff'rent Strokes focused on two boys from Harlem (Arnold Jackson and his brother Willis) who were adopted by wealthy businessman Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain). The show tackled serious themes such as race relations and family dynamics while maintaining comedic elements. Iconic catchphrases like Arnold's ("What'ya talkin' 'bout, Willis?") became part of pop culture.

I absolutely loved Diff’rent Strokes. It was not only conceptually awesome, but it just worked so well with the wonderful cast, which included Dana Plato and Charlotte Rae.

When I think back on these shows I realize their importance to our Baby Boomer parents, but then they also became important to us. Television in the 1980s owes a great deal to the transplanted shows that ran through into the early part of the decade, but also because many of these shows became regular fixtures for us as they were syndicated for some time. Their blend of humor, heartwarming moments, and social commentary ensured their place in television history as some of the best shows that were ever produced.

Which shows listed here were your favorites, and why?