CBS wasnt expecting the Waltons to achieve much based on the Thursday competition of NBC Flip Watson and ABC's Mod Squad. CBS was correct the show did bad against that competion and finished in mid 50's. The show improved and reach the 40's and CBS still decided to renew the show for rest of the season due to the letters from fans expressing their love of the show. By the end of the season fans wanted the show to return for the fall of 73 wrote. By Feb of 1973 it reached #22 in the ratings and becomimg one of America's favorite TV shows. The show eventually past Flip wilson and by end of the 72-73 season, fans was begging for the show to return

Ya its sad Solomon..

I think its because people didnt realise how good these things were because they hadnt seen anything worse.. Like now most everything is garbage.... These 70s shows are gold!