ONWARD: SEVENTIES SITCOMS INTO THE EIGHTIES PLUS THE BEGINNINGS OF RETRO

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It is difficult to imagine now how the sitcoms that defined the seventies ethos lasted well into the eighties. In this chapter, I will explore how they continued on. I will also touch on the re-emergence of the sixties sitcoms as nostalgia. In the next chapter, I will discuss the new sitcoms of the eighties.

The reason we saw the continuation of shows that became irrelevant was due to continuing high ratings. CBS had a powerhouse Sunday night lineup anchored by the remnants of the Norman Lear universe as well as M*A*S*H on Monday night which became even more popular if less irreverent until it's blockbuster feature-length finale. ABC's Tuesday night lineup remained popular despite the lack of material and the devolution of the characters into stock sitcom hell. NBC started the 80's sitcom revival with it's family-oriented "Diff'rent Strokes" universe until the critical favorite "Taxi" moves to the network from ABC to usher in a new group from a Boston sports pub.

The most interesting "continuation" involved psychiatrist Bob Hartley. Bob Newhart's signature series ended it's run in 1978. But he returned with his droll sense of humor in 1982 with "Newhart" on CBS as Dick Loudon, a self-help author who runs an historic inn in Vermont. Once again, he was surrounded by a beautiful wife (Mary Frann) and a cast of loonies: Tom Poston as the bumbling handyman; Julia Duffy as the spoiled housekeeper; Peter Scolari as her yuppie boyfriend (80's alert!); and William Sanderson leading a trio of backwoods hillbillies--Larry, Darryll and Darryll. The comedy was sophisticated wacky--like the original--but the series long run (eight years) led to predictable character jokes and contributed in a strange way to the re-ruralization of CBS. The ratings were decent on Monday nights until the end. And that's where things get crazy.

The amazing finale in 1990 is why "Newhart" is actually an extension of a seventies classic. As Dick gets hit in the head with a golf ball hit by some Chinese investors who are buying the inn. When he wakes up, he is in bed with....Emily! In Chicago. And Bob Hartley stammers out the incredible (eight-year) dream he just had. Brilliant.