The 1970s weren’t just groovy—they were a transformative decade for sitcoms, filled with bold experiments and unexpected risks. While some classics are etched into pop culture history, countless shows from this era broke new ground but have since slipped from memory.
These 15 forgotten gems reflect a fearless creativity that helped shape television’s future. It’s time to rediscover the sitcoms that dared to redefine comedy in the disco decade.
1. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
In this quirky satire of American suburban life, Louise Lasser stars as Mary Hartman, a housewife whose daily struggles with waxy yellow buildup on her kitchen floor seem just as important as the mass murders happening in her neighborhood.
The show’s unique blend of soap opera melodrama and dark comedy made it unlike anything else on television at the time.
Mary’s journey through consumer obsession, family drama, and mental breakdowns captured the zeitgeist of 1970s America, even as it pushed the boundaries of what television could do. Her perpetually bewildered expression and signature pigtails became iconic symbols of suburban discontent.
2. Hot l Baltimore
Set in a run-down hotel (with a broken “E” in its neon sign), this comedy featured an ensemble cast of social outcasts, including sex workers, elderly residents, and one of TV’s first gay couples.
The hotel’s impending demolition loomed over the characters, creating comedy and poignant moments. The series captured the gritty reality of urban decay while celebrating the family of misfits who called the Hotel Baltimore home.
Despite its short run, the show’s warm heart and progressive storytelling left an indelible mark on television history.
3. Romany Jones
This British comedy series followed the misadventures of Bert and Betty Jones, a couple living in a caravan site alongside an eccentric cast of neighbors.
Their attempts to maintain dignity while living on society’s fringes provided laughs and social commentary.
The show’s charm came from its loving portrayal of working-class life and the strong community bonds among the residents, even as they schemed and rowed their way through daily life.
4. Room Service
Set in the service department of a posh London hotel, this comedy series showcased the chaos behind the scenes of luxury hospitality.
The staff’s attempts to maintain a veneer of sophistication while dealing with outrageous guest demands and their dramas provided endless comedic situations.
From missing luggage to mistaken identities, the show captured the farcical nature of high-end hotel service while celebrating the dedication of its working-class heroes.
5. Get Some In!
Following a group of Royal Air Force National Service recruits in the 1950s, this comedy series captured the universal experience of military life through the eyes of naive young men facing drill sergeants, regulations, and incompetence.
The show’s period setting allowed it to poke fun at both military life and 1950s British society.
At the same time, the recruits’ friendships and struggles to maintain their individuality against military conformity formed the series’ hearts.
6. McGurk: A Dog’s Life
This bizarre and short-lived series took a unique approach to family comedy by presenting suburban life through the eyes of McGurk, a philosophical family dog. With actors dressed in elaborate dog costumes, the show attempted to blend social commentary with canine perspectives on human behavior.
The show’s experimental nature, combining puppet-like characters with adult themes, proved too unusual for mainstream audiences.
Despite its brief existence, it remains one of television’s most peculiar attempts at mixing family entertainment with social satire.
7. My Wife Next Door
Chaos and romantic tension ensue when a divorced couple accidentally becomes next-door neighbors.
The sophisticated comedy explored the complexities of modern relationships as the former spouses tried to move on with their lives while living in uncomfortable proximity.
Their attempts to date other people, maintain civility, and ignore their lingering feelings for each other created hilarious situations and touching moments, proving that sometimes the end of a marriage isn’t the end.
8. The San Pedro Beach Bums
Five free-spirited friends living on a houseboat in Southern California embodied the casual lifestyle of 1970s beach culture.
Their various get-rich-quick schemes and misadventures captured the era’s youthful optimism and laid-back attitude.
With colorful character names and equally colorful personalities, the show celebrated the idea of choosing friendship and freedom over conventional responsibility, even if their schemes rarely worked out as planned.
9. Busting Loose
This coming-of-age comedy follows recent college graduate Lenny Markowitz as he moves into his first apartment against his parents’ wishes.
It captures the universal experience of young adults seeking independence in the big city.
Lenny’s struggles with dating, career choices, and adult responsibilities resonated with viewers navigating the challenges of growing up while trying to maintain connections with family and friends.
10. All’s Fair
A May-December romance between a conservative newspaper columnist and a liberal photographer set against the backdrop of Washington, D.C. politics created personal and political sparks.
Their opposing viewpoints and age differences provided rich material for romantic and political comedy.
The show cleverly used their relationship to explore the generation gap and political divisions of the 1970s, proving that love can bridge even the widest ideological divides.
11. Get Christie Love!
This series featured a stylish and tough undercover police detective who could take down criminals while delivering memorable one-liners.
Christie Love broke new ground in action and comedy, proving that a Black female lead could carry a prime-time series.
Her intelligence, strength, and wit made her a unique character for the era. She combined fashion-forward style with serious crime-fighting skills and a sharp sense of humor.
12. A Year at the Top
Two aspiring musicians from Idaho make a deal with the devil’s son for a shot at stardom in Los Angeles.
Their fish-out-of-water adventures in the music industry combined supernatural elements with showbiz satire.
The show’s blend of musical performances and comedy offered a unique take on the price of fame, even if its run was as brief as some one-hit wonders.
13. Phyllis
After her husband’s death, the snobbish but lovable Phyllis Lindstrom moves back to San Francisco with her daughter to start a new life.
Her attempts to maintain her superior attitude while working as a photography assistant created comedy and character growth.
The show allowed the beloved character from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to evolve beyond her original role, dealing with grief, career changes, and family dynamics with humor and heart.
14. The Fantastic Journey
A group of travelers lost in the Bermuda Triangle hops between different periods and alternate realities.
Their weekly adventures combine science fiction elements with fish-out-of-water comedy as they encounter everything from future societies to primitive civilizations.
The show’s ambitious premise allowed it to comment on contemporary issues through the lens of fantasy, while the diverse group of travelers created engaging interpersonal dynamics.
15. Arnie
When a loading dock worker suddenly gets promoted to management, his working-class perspective collides with corporate culture.
Arnie’s attempts to navigate his new position while staying true to his roots provided laughs and social commentary.
The show thoughtfully explored class differences and workplace politics through the eyes of its relatable protagonist, who proved that common sense and decency could be valuable assets in the corporate world.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
