TMC
07-18-2023, 03:08 AM
http://boomerbust-scooter63.blogspot.com/2013/06/seventies-sitcoms-1976-1977.html
1976. This was a year of hype for the nation's Bicentennial. What with Watergate, Vietnam and most of the violent turmoil in the recent past, the country was focused on the elections--Jimmy Carter was elected this fall, disposing of any (visible) remnants of Nixon's soiled administration extended under Ford. And as race riots and anti-war protests were giving way to a post-trauma malaise, the sitcoms settled down into a maturity of their own this season. Mary Tyler Moore ended her seven-year reign as leader of the comedy revolution while audiences saw the first brief appearances of Jack Tripper and Crissy Snow--ushering in the focus on sexuality and titillation in the network TV comedy world. While Norman Lear would continue to challenge viewer's perceptions and priorities--especially regarding political hypocrisy in this election year--Garry Marshall would hold ratings court with his pop culture offerings reflecting the age of Ike.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhEkCaH3qBc/UbkwtUa4yXI/AAAAAAAAAks/eq0_yjRA1qo/s320/mary_tyler_moore_curtain_call_400.jpg
As we said goodbye to the WJM news crew, bade farewell to Lamont and Fred Sanford (for now), and had our last moments with Freddie "Chico" Prinze, there were a few premieres of note this year. Along with the short mid season blast of "Three's Company" (which we will discuss next segment), audiences enjoyed one of the last attempts at quality ensemble sitcoms via "The Tony Randall Show," the perfect vehicle for insult comic Don Rickles in "CPO Sharkey," and two--count 'em, two-- attempts to capitalize on the vinegar of Nancy Walker. Along with the premiere of the "Barney Miller" spin off "Fish" starring Abe Vigoda (who IS still alive), it is interesting to note how "middle-aged and older" was not necessarily a deduction in the lead comedy role sweepstakes. It is also interesting to note that none of these series lasted more than two seasons--"The Golden Girls" was still eight years away!
1976. This was a year of hype for the nation's Bicentennial. What with Watergate, Vietnam and most of the violent turmoil in the recent past, the country was focused on the elections--Jimmy Carter was elected this fall, disposing of any (visible) remnants of Nixon's soiled administration extended under Ford. And as race riots and anti-war protests were giving way to a post-trauma malaise, the sitcoms settled down into a maturity of their own this season. Mary Tyler Moore ended her seven-year reign as leader of the comedy revolution while audiences saw the first brief appearances of Jack Tripper and Crissy Snow--ushering in the focus on sexuality and titillation in the network TV comedy world. While Norman Lear would continue to challenge viewer's perceptions and priorities--especially regarding political hypocrisy in this election year--Garry Marshall would hold ratings court with his pop culture offerings reflecting the age of Ike.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhEkCaH3qBc/UbkwtUa4yXI/AAAAAAAAAks/eq0_yjRA1qo/s320/mary_tyler_moore_curtain_call_400.jpg
As we said goodbye to the WJM news crew, bade farewell to Lamont and Fred Sanford (for now), and had our last moments with Freddie "Chico" Prinze, there were a few premieres of note this year. Along with the short mid season blast of "Three's Company" (which we will discuss next segment), audiences enjoyed one of the last attempts at quality ensemble sitcoms via "The Tony Randall Show," the perfect vehicle for insult comic Don Rickles in "CPO Sharkey," and two--count 'em, two-- attempts to capitalize on the vinegar of Nancy Walker. Along with the premiere of the "Barney Miller" spin off "Fish" starring Abe Vigoda (who IS still alive), it is interesting to note how "middle-aged and older" was not necessarily a deduction in the lead comedy role sweepstakes. It is also interesting to note that none of these series lasted more than two seasons--"The Golden Girls" was still eight years away!