18 Obscure Sitcoms From the 1970s That Few People Remember
The 1970s was a golden age for television, filled with groundbreaking comedies that defined the era. While shows like All in the Family and MASH* have become cultural touchstones, many other sitcoms of the time haven’t enjoyed the same lasting fame.
These forgotten gems were entertaining in their own right but have since faded into obscurity. Whether they were overshadowed by bigger hits or simply didn’t stand the test of time, these 18 sitcoms from the 1970s have been largely forgotten—but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a second chance.
1. Arnie
Arnie starred Herschel Bernardi as a man who rises from a blue-collar worker to a corporate executive. This sitcom focused on the challenges of adapting to life in the corporate world while staying true to one’s working-class roots.
Despite its humor and relatability, it faded after a short run.
2. The Bob Crane Show
Bob Crane, famous for Hogan’s Heroes, starred in this lesser-known sitcom about a man returning to medical school in his 40s. The show’s premise had promise but didn’t resonate enough with audiences to last beyond one season.
Today, it’s largely forgotten by most viewers.
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3. Temperatures Rising
This medical comedy followed the zany antics of a hospital staff and starred James Whitmore and later Cleavon Little. Though it attempted to capture the spirit of other popular workplace sitcoms, it struggled to find its footing.
Temperatures Rising was short-lived and is now mostly a footnote in sitcom history.
4. The Montefuscos
This family sitcom centered around a large, traditional Italian-American family and their comedic interactions. Despite a strong ensemble cast, The Montefuscos failed to make a lasting impression and was canceled after just a few episodes.
It quickly disappeared from the TV landscape.
5. Love, American Style
An anthology series that featured a rotating cast of guest stars, Love, American Style offered a variety of romantic and comedic stories. While it was popular during its run, it’s often overshadowed by the more iconic shows of the 1970s and has mostly been forgotten by modern audiences.
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6. Needles and Pins
Set in New York’s Garment District, this sitcom followed the lives of workers in a fashion design house. Though the premise was unique, Needles and Pins didn’t manage to capture a large enough audience and was canceled after a single season.
7. The Paul Lynde Show
Paul Lynde was known for his sharp wit and comedic timing, but his starring vehicle, The Paul Lynde Show, failed to find success. The sitcom focused on a conservative lawyer navigating family life but couldn’t compete with other family sitcoms of the time. It quickly faded into obscurity.
8. Lotsa Luck
This sitcom starred Dom DeLuise as a bachelor living with his mother, sister, and brother-in-law in a small apartment. Based on a British sitcom, Lotsa Luck had a quirky charm but ultimately didn’t catch on with American audiences, leading to its cancellation.
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9. Dusty’s Trail
From the creator of Gilligan’s Island, Dusty’s Trail was a Western-themed comedy that mirrored the stranded premise of its predecessor. Unfortunately, the show didn’t achieve the same success and only lasted one season before it was forgotten by most TV viewers.
10. The New Dick Van Dyke Show
Despite its famous star, The New Dick Van Dyke Show struggled to recapture the magic of his earlier success. The show followed Van Dyke’s character as a talk show host, but it never quite resonated with audiences and was quickly overshadowed by more memorable 1970s sitcoms.
11. Karen
Karen was a sitcom about a woman balancing her professional career and personal life. Though it aimed to capture the spirit of the burgeoning women’s liberation movement, it didn’t make a significant cultural impact and was soon forgotten.
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12. On the Rocks
Set in a prison, On the Rocks was a comedy that attempted to find humor in an unlikely setting. Despite its innovative premise, the show failed to connect with viewers and was quickly canceled after one season.
13. Bridget Loves Bernie
This sitcom followed the relationship between a wealthy Irish Catholic woman and a working-class Jewish man. Despite strong ratings, Bridget Loves Bernie was canceled after just one season due to controversy over its portrayal of interfaith marriage.
14. When Things Were Rotten
A comedic take on the Robin Hood legend, When Things Were Rotten was the brainchild of Mel Brooks. Despite the clever writing and cast, the show didn’t last long and has since become a forgotten gem of the 1970s.
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15. Holmes & Yoyo
This sci-fi sitcom followed a detective who was partnered with a robot in human form. While the concept was ahead of its time, Holmes & Yoyo didn’t resonate with audiences and was canceled after just a few episodes.
16. The Girl with Something Extra
This quirky sitcom starred Sally Field as a woman with ESP and followed the comedic situations that arose from her ability to read minds. Despite Field’s star power, the show couldn’t find its audience and was quickly canceled.
17. Apple Pie
Starring Rue McClanahan, Apple Pie was a short-lived sitcom about a quirky woman who “builds” her own family. Despite its talented cast, the show never gained traction and lasted only a few episodes before being pulled from the air.
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18. The Super
This sitcom followed a building superintendent and the tenants in his apartment building. Despite the potential for funny situations, The Super couldn’t find a steady audience and is now largely forgotten.
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