70s sitcoms that haven't aged well

[king of comedy]

The 70s were a groovy time and had a lot of great comedies. But not all were that great. Looking at them now, it shows that time hasn't been too kind. Whether it was the acting or anything else that proves that some weren't good. I have made up a list. I'll respect your opinions but please be nice. It's just my opinion. Here is my list of 70s sitcoms that haven't age well

10. Chico and the Man: This was a showcase for Freddie Prinz and Jack Albertson. I love the friendship between the 2 but it grew into carictures and the catch phrase "Looking Good" got annoying. Too broad and silly.

9. Welcome Back Kotter: This was also produce by James Komack who also produce Chico and the Man. It also introduce John Travolta. I want to say that Gabe Kaplan is the worst actor I've ever seen and should have stuck to stand up. Like his first series, everybody acted over the top and became carictures and not like real people. The students acted like The Marx Brothers. Now if I want that type of humor I see the real thing which the Marx brothers movies. This gets a big fat F. Room 222 was way better.

8. The Partridge Family: I love the music and the adventures of this musical family. But what made aged badly was that they are the Mili Vanilli of the 70s. Shirley Jones and David Cassidy were the only 2 who could actually sing and the others lip sync. At least all the Bradys sang. If you want people who could sing, watch Fame and Glee.

7. The Brady Bunch: Speaking of the Bradys, looking at this now, it just looks dull. The jokes are so far in between and the writing is mediocre. I'm glad that the family sitcom has improve like Roseanne but I wouldn't go back to The Bradys.

6. Differant Strokes: Gary Coleman made us laugh as the sassy Arnold. But it got old so fast with scruching up his face and saying " What you talkig about Wills?" Even when he got older, everything seems forced and when Dana Plato left, it just wasn't the same. I remembered there was so much controversy behind the scenes. It was sad to what happened to the cast but I'll never watch the show again.

5. Good Times: It was a spinoff from Maude which was a spin off from All in the Family. Jimmy Walker was too silly and the show got worse as it went on. Estere Williams left the show and John Amos left and I didn't blame them. I tried watching it again and I didn't have a good time.

4. Carter Country: This was suppose to be comic version of In the Heat of the Night but this made The Dukes of Hazzard look more sophisicated. I thought we were done with those other country shows (with the exception of The Andy Griffin Show) from the 60s. I'll stick with the tv version of In the Heat of the Night.

3.Threes' Company: Everybody loved the crazy shannigans of Jack, Chrissy, Janet and later Terry. I forgot the other blonde. But looking at it now, Chrissy got dumber over time and it made me want to bang my head against the wall. Bad writing and worse of all, Jack pretending to be gay was very homophobic and homophobic jokes from Mr. Roper and Mr. Furley didn't help either. Not LGBT friendly. Time to go knocking on somebody elses' door.

2. Mork and Mindy: This was another show that gave us another superstar Robin Williams. But I'm glad he went on to be a movie star. This was annoying after the first season. It tried to deal with serious subjects but it just didn't work. The Genie from Aladdin was much better for him.

Before I get to number 1, here a couple of dishonorable mentions

Hello Larry: This shows that Mclean Stevenson was better off as a supporting player. It was great that the show was about a single dad but they should have hired a leading man who was better suited.

The Ropers: This couple should have stayed on Threes' Company. Dull and unfunny.


1. Happy Days: I enjoyed it when it was in the early seasons 1 and 2. They were down to earth and had that real 50s feel. But after that, they set it in front of a studio audience, added ridiculous situations, (introducing Mork) and became more of a fantasy. Also, adding clothes from the 70s and putting them into the 50s didn't help. It tried to be relevant by putting it into the 60s but it didn't do it well. I'll stick with the first 2 years.

Well, there you have. Do you like the list and there was anything I left out? Agree, Disagree? Also, guys be nice and I respect your opinion. I may make another list later on. Later.

[mandyrenee]

Being a "Lipstick Lesbian" I agree with you completely about Three's Company.

[Schmo]

Esther Rolle, not Esther Williams, starred on “Good Times”. John Amos was fired (his character was killed off) because he strongly objected to the way the white writers attempted to portray black life. Rolle also left, but later returned.
https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2017/10...d-times-video/

[Yong Fang]

Chico and the Man. This show was good in the beginning. It was kind of, sort of like Sanford and Son except instead of two black guys, it was an old white man and a chicano, a ran down garage instead of a junkyard. Diverse cast for that era like Sanford. The show died because Prinze did.

Welcome Back Kotter. My only complaint was that the students were too old to be high schoolers to begin with and were stuck at that age, with the same teacher and circumstances for several years. I think other shows that was about teachers, students and schools had the same issue. Kaplan wasn’t a bad actor to me. Like Chico, it was good for about the first year or two.

Never watched the Partridge Family, it was off before I remember and it was never on in reruns. The Brady Bunch was much more popular. And no, the show didn’t stand up at all in the test of time or even that era. Robert Reed was right to bitch to Sherwood Schwartz about the asinine and unrealistic storylines thrusted upon them. A blended family show with teenagers of the early 1970’s could have been a lot better than that.

Different Strokes was hilarious it’s first two or three seasons because of Gary Coleman. As the OP mentioned, as Gary aged, the show was less funny and more cringeworthy, at least looking back on it. But the show did well enough in the ratings that it lasted a long time and even another network picking it up after cancellation.

Even as a kid, I always thought Three’s Company was a dumb show, was never a favorite with similar storylines every week, a misunderstanding that blew up. Jack Ritter has to play gay so he could live with the two girlfriends, in Southern California in the late 1970’s? Norman Fell was gold on that show though, and it did give Don Knotts a good paying gig in the twilight of his career so props to that. But Threes Company is a show I could spend the rest of my life not seeing again.

I never liked Happy Days. It was OK in the beginning and then it became The Fonzie Show. Sort of like Kotter above, the so called teenagers were too old and they still hung around the malt shop in their twenties and the storylines were dumb. Liked a lot of the actors and Ron Howard and Henry Winkler are legends, but again, could go the rest of my days without Happy Days either.

[Schmo]

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

Chico and the Man. This show was good in the beginning. It was kind of, sort of like Sanford and Son except instead of two black guys, it was an old white man and a chicano, a ran down garage instead of a junkyard. Diverse cast for that era like Sanford. The show died because Prinze did.

Welcome Back Kotter. My only complaint was that the students were too old to be high schoolers to begin with and were stuck at that age, with the same teacher and circumstances for several years. I think other shows that was about teachers, students and schools had the same issue. Kaplan wasn’t a bad actor to me. Like Chico, it was good for about the first year or two.

Never watched the Partridge Family, it was off before I remember and it was never on in reruns. The Brady Bunch was much more popular. And no, the show didn’t stand up at all in the test of time or even that era. Robert Reed was right to bitch to Sherwood Schwartz about the asinine and unrealistic storylines thrusted upon them. A blended family show with teenagers of the early 1970’s could have been a lot better than that.

Different Strokes was hilarious it’s first two or three seasons because of Gary Coleman. As the OP mentioned, as Gary aged, the show was less funny and more cringeworthy, at least looking back on it. But the show did well enough in the ratings that it lasted a long time and even another network picking it up after cancellation.

Even as a kid, I always thought Three’s Company was a dumb show, was never a favorite with similar storylines every week, a misunderstanding that blew up. Jack Ritter has to play gay so he could live with the two girlfriends, in Southern California in the late 1970’s? Norman Fell was gold on that show though, and it did give Don Knotts a good paying gig in the twilight of his career so props to that. But Threes Company is a show I could spend the rest of my life not seeing again.

I never liked Happy Days. It was OK in the beginning and then it became The Fonzie Show. Sort of like Kotter above, the so called teenagers were too old and they still hung around the malt shop in their twenties and the storylines were dumb. Liked a lot of the actors and Ron Howard and Henry Winkler are legends, but again, could go the rest of my days without Happy Days either.

It wasn’t the “teenagers” or “students” who were too old, but the actors playing them.

[rcbrad]

Anything from 50 years ago is going to show it's age as times change. Your list does point out some good examples of some shows aging.

For the Partridge Family, it has not aged well because most people cannot identify with people in show business closely. Many people do not want to sit through a musical performance in a sitcom, let alone in each and every episode.

The Brady Bunch was never meant to be a joke filled show with lots of laughs. The Brady Bunch is an iconic show and a good many of the story lines still hold up well today.

For the gay jokes on Three's Company, yes I agree we have come a long way. The producers were careful of the tone/types of jokes used and did not receive any or very little push back at the time from that community.

Aside from The Brady Bunch and Three's Company the rest of the shows on this list have not been nearly as popular decades later and have aged to a higher degree.

[king of comedy]

Hey guys I'm back! I'm glad you like the list so I have a few more. As I said in the last one, be nice. I'll respect your opinion.
5. The Bob Newhart Show: I enjoy his humor now and then but now it not as funny. I didn't like Bill Daley just coming into his apartment without knocking. That is a felony. If somebody comes into my house without knocking, I call the cops. Also, it looked like he needed therapy and his paitents weren't that bright. Fraiser handled it better and his family were more interesting and he had a radio show which helped. I won't be asking help from Bob anymore.
4. Fish: A spin off from Barney Miller. This is another example as I mentioned before of a character who should have stayed as a supporting player. I couldn't stand the kids and his home life was dull. I'm throwing this rotten fish back into the sea.
3. Alice: This was based on the Martin Scoreseese movie Alice doesn't live here anymore. But this was a watered down version. They took everthing away from the movie that made it great and made it into another 70s sitcom. If this had been an hour show with some humor it would have worked. Also, women not only work as waitresses today, they are also cooks and even managers. This is one I'll drive by and go someplace else to eat.
2. Taxi: Don't get me wrong, this had a great ensemble with Judd Hirsch among them. But it's the character of Louie I now can't stand. With his groping and hitting on Elaine and other women, he should have gone to prison. Also, Latka and his character got tired fast. I'll take the bus next time.
Before we get to number 1 here are some dishonorable mentions,
CPO Sharkey: Don Rickles Mr. Warmth in the army, I'll have a discharge

Nanny and the Professor: Another Mary Poppins clone. Tame today so I recommend Nanny Mphee. Better interesting characters and effects.

Operation Petticoat: Based on the old movie. I'll stick with the movie.

1. Soap: This was a satire on the soap oprea genre. It was shocking at the time but now it doesn't hold up well because of slapstick and silliness. The character with the dummy wasn't developed and said only one liners. Benson was also a black stereotype of the butler and the show went way over top. I wished there had been some sophisication in it but the writers backed out.

There you have. Agree or disagree? Again, be nice. I may do the 80s next. Later.

[stevea]

In The Partridge Family the end credits made clear the music was done mostly by studio musicians. Everyone knew all the actors were faking it, except David Cassidy and occasionally Shirley Jones.

The Brady Bunch has been very successful in syndication; in fact, more so than in its original run.

[king of comedy]

I forgot I wanted to ad for my final word on Soap. I wash my hands of this show literally of this show. LOL! Later!

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

NO WAY should Three's Company should be on that list! It's the funniest comedy of ALL TIME! No one does physical comedy & antics like John Ritter did!

You know who the Queen of comedy's FAVORITE show was? Three's Company! I think Lucille Ball knows better than the "king" of comedy on this board!

Also this is why political correctness is RUINING America. I don't see anything remotely offensive about Three's Company. If you're going to be SO incredibly sensitive the you can find fault with most ALL shows before 1980!

[Babalu]

Originally Posted by king of comedy

The 70s were a groovy time and had a lot of great comedies. But not all were that great. Looking at them now, it shows that time hasn't been too kind. Whether it was the acting or anything else that proves that some weren't good. I have made up a list. I'll respect your opinions but please be nice. It's just my opinion. Here is my list of 70s sitcoms that haven't age well

10. Chico and the Man: This was a showcase for Freddie Prinz and Jack Albertson. I love the friendship between the 2 but it grew into carictures and the catch phrase "Looking Good" got annoying. Too broad and silly.

9. Welcome Back Kotter: This was also produce by James Komack who also produce Chico and the Man. It also introduce John Travolta. I want to say that Gabe Kaplan is the worst actor I've ever seen and should have stuck to stand up. Like his first series, everybody acted over the top and became carictures and not like real people. The students acted like The Marx Brothers. Now if I want that type of humor I see the real thing which the Marx brothers movies. This gets a big fat F. Room 222 was way better.

8. The Partridge Family: I love the music and the adventures of this musical family. But what made aged badly was that they are the Mili Vanilli of the 70s. Shirley Jones and David Cassidy were the only 2 who could actually sing and the others lip sync. At least all the Bradys sang. If you want people who could sing, watch Fame and Glee.

7. The Brady Bunch: Speaking of the Bradys, looking at this now, it just looks dull. The jokes are so far in between and the writing is mediocre. I'm glad that the family sitcom has improve like Roseanne but I wouldn't go back to The Bradys.

6. Differant Strokes: Gary Coleman made us laugh as the sassy Arnold. But it got old so fast with scruching up his face and saying " What you talkig about Wills?" Even when he got older, everything seems forced and when Dana Plato left, it just wasn't the same. I remembered there was so much controversy behind the scenes. It was sad to what happened to the cast but I'll never watch the show again.

5. Good Times: It was a spinoff from Maude which was a spin off from All in the Family. Jimmy Walker was too silly and the show got worse as it went on. Estere Williams left the show and John Amos left and I didn't blame them. I tried watching it again and I didn't have a good time.

4. Carter Country: This was suppose to be comic version of In the Heat of the Night but this made The Dukes of Hazzard look more sophisicated. I thought we were done with those other country shows (with the exception of The Andy Griffin Show) from the 60s. I'll stick with the tv version of In the Heat of the Night.

3.Threes' Company: Everybody loved the crazy shannigans of Jack, Chrissy, Janet and later Terry. I forgot the other blonde. But looking at it now, Chrissy got dumber over time and it made me want to bang my head against the wall. Bad writing and worse of all, Jack pretending to be gay was very homophobic and homophobic jokes from Mr. Roper and Mr. Furley didn't help either. Not LGBT friendly. Time to go knocking on somebody elses' door.

2. Mork and Mindy: This was another show that gave us another superstar Robin Williams. But I'm glad he went on to be a movie star. This was annoying after the first season. It tried to deal with serious subjects but it just didn't work. The Genie from Aladdin was much better for him.

Before I get to number 1, here a couple of dishonorable mentions

Hello Larry: This shows that Mclean Stevenson was better off as a supporting player. It was great that the show was about a single dad but they should have hired a leading man who was better suited.

The Ropers: This couple should have stayed on Threes' Company. Dull and unfunny.


1. Happy Days: I enjoyed it when it was in the early seasons 1 and 2. They were down to earth and had that real 50s feel. But after that, they set it in front of a studio audience, added ridiculous situations, (introducing Mork) and became more of a fantasy. Also, adding clothes from the 70s and putting them into the 50s didn't help. It tried to be relevant by putting it into the 60s but it didn't do it well. I'll stick with the first 2 years.

Well, there you have. Do you like the list and there was anything I left out? Agree, Disagree? Also, guys be nice and I respect your opinion. I may make another list later on. Later.

This seems more to be a list of shows you don't or didn't like at all as opposed to shows that you at one time like but don't think aged well.

[Tubehead]

others would be court ship of eddies father & family Affair!!

[king of comedy]

To Babalu and SitcomHey DayFan, I used to like the shows on the list but looking at them now is cringeworthy. I'm just being honest.

[SitcomsHeydayfan]

Originally Posted by king of comedy

To Babalu and SitcomHey DayFan, I used to like the shows on the list but looking at them now is cringeworthy. I'm just being honest.

And Three's Company has aged very well. It's one of the biggest hits in syndication! The only shows bigger in syndication are shows like Seinfeld.

Shows that haven't aged well eventhough they were hits or pretty big when they ran are shows like Family Ties, Night Court, Perfect Strangers, Webster, etc.

[Crusinforabrusin2.5]

The early seasons of Happy Days still hold up IMO. Starting with season 7 is where it doesn't hold up

As for sitcoms that have aged poorly

-Welcome Back Kotter - Most TV shows that center around high school age badly(I. E. Saved By the Bell) and Kotter is no exception

- Maude- Bit surprised how bad it has aged. Very funny in the 70s, not so much today.

- The Facts of Life - This show has aged worse than any other show I've ever seen