What was all the controversy with 70's sitcoms?

[Brian Damage]

The 70's seemed to be the worst decade for sitcoms. Contract disputes, deaths, and abrupt cancellations. What was the deal with the 70's?

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The 70's seemed to be the worst decade for sitcoms. Contract disputes, deaths, and abrupt cancellations. What was the deal with the 70's?

I agree with the controversy

Sanford and Son-father too racist and rude

All in the Family-Father too racist

Good Times-Mother wasn't working in the beginning

Jeffersons-Father prejudice against whites and poor people

Soap-LOL

CPO-the sharkey character was a bigot

Welcome Back Kotter-Students too THUGGISH

Three's Company-Two SEXY



It goes ON-lol

[Raisingdad2004]

Is it really any different today? Contract disputes don't happen too much because the networks give in, 'Friends' stars wouldn't have gotten the equivalent back then.

Think, there was controversy about Will & Grace at the start - a gay character? Now, who cares? Maybe thats because the show turned into a farse of itself.

[Ireneparalegal]

everytime something new or different was shown, it had to be some sort of talk or controversy. Looking back, those shows don't even compare nowadays. The Jack Tripper character pretending to be "gay" was the talk. He wasn't gay, but just to pretend being gay was a sore spot for a lot of people. I didn't understand why there was any controversy.
Maude having an abortion, whoa!!!!! big stuff. Nowadays, nothing.
I think because Norman Lear was breaking down barriers and the "don't go there" topics. It was realism and people didn't want that. They look to television for entertainment.

[Janice]

The mood of the country was dark during the late 60s and 70s. People were worn down and reacting strongly to the Vietnam War. There was the Civil Right's Movement, Watergate, Roe v Wade, etc.

Light-hearted shows of the 50s and 60s were disappearing (Bewitched, The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, etc.).

All In The Family kicked off a new era of social and message shows. I think that the more serious in nature the show may be, even if it's a comedy -- there are going to be more disputes over creative control.

This was evidenced by the walk-outs and exits of Carroll O'Connor, Esther Rolle, John Amos, Redd Foxx, and others.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Janice

The mood of the country was dark during the late 60s and 70s. People were worn down and reacting strongly to the Vietnam War. There was the Civil Right's Movement, Watergate, Roe v Wade, etc.

Light-hearted shows of the 50s and 60s were disappearing (Bewitched, The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, etc.).

All In The Family kicked off a new era of social and message shows. I think that the more serious in nature the show may be, even if it's a comedy -- there are going to be more disputes over creative control.

This was evidenced by the walk-outs and exits of Carroll O'Connor, Esther Rolle, John Amos, Redd Foxx, and others.

John Amos didn;t walk out, he was released and was considered the star charatcer on the show. Now Carroll and Esther and Redd walked off and was given raises to return because they were considered the stars

[Janice]

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

John Amos didn;t walk out, he was released and was considered the star charatcer on the show. Now Carroll and Esther and Redd walked off and was given raises to return because they were considered the stars

My point being that he didn't like the direction where the show had gone.

[Mikado]

The 70s were the BEST decade for sitcoms, not the worst @_@...Befoire that , sitcoms had little real meaning, and since then, theyve all become either boring introspection ( Seinfeld ) or 50 "jokes" about sex in a half hour ( most of the rest )< No wonder the only NEW sitcom I watch is Corner Gas

[megamanj2004]

Does Mary Tyler Moore count? Although not as controversial as many of Lear's shows were it was one the first sitcoms to have a single woman living on her own.

[Janice]

Originally Posted by megamanj2004

Does Mary Tyler Moore count? Although not as controversial as many of Lear's shows were it was one the first sitcoms to have a single woman living on her own.

I think so. The women's lib/feminist movement kicked into high gear in the 60s and 70s.

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Mikado

The 70s were the BEST decade for sitcoms, not the worst @_@...Befoire that , sitcoms had little real meaning, and since then, theyve all become either boring introspection ( Seinfeld ) or 50 "jokes" about sex in a half hour ( most of the rest )< No wonder the only NEW sitcom I watch is Corner Gas

Mikado, why don't you reread the initial post and why I said it SEEMED to be the worst. It is not because the sitcoms themselves were bad, it was because of all the backstage wars that were taking place. The actors were walking out or quitting, stars were dying unexpectedly. Most of my favorite sitcoms come from the 70's.

[Mr. Television]

Yea their were a lot of contract problems back then especially on Norman Lear shows. They finally came to terms with Carroll O'connor and Redd Foxx but I guess they didn't feel the same with John Amos when he started talking out. I think they thought at that time that Jimmie Walker was the real star of the show and was the one person who couldn't have been replaced. I do remember hearing they were thinking of killing off Archie Bunker. If they had done that the show would have been over just like that. Look what happened when Sanford and Son ended and they tried to keep the series going with Sanford Arms.


I do agree the 70's where the best decade for sitcoms. I can't think of a hit sitcom during that decade that I didn't like.

[Brian Damage]

That's a very good point about Norman Lear shows. I never really thought about that. I guess Lear was a very stingy producer. lol

[Chain Gang Member]

70s must've been some decade for TV

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Chain Gang Member

70s must've been some decade for TV

It was a great decade to grow up in.