12 TV Shows from the '70s That Remain Enjoyable to Watch

      Numerous TV shows from the 1970s are considered classics, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are enjoyable to watch today.

      The following series stand out — tune in now, and you’ll still find them delightful.

      Let’s dive in.

      First,

      Maren Jensen appears in one of the series mentioned here. NBC

      What qualifies as a 1970s TV show?

      We are including series that aired entirely during the ’70s, as well as those predominantly broadcast in that decade, even if they carried on into the ’80s. If a program began in the ’70s but was mostly aired in the ’80s, we regard it as an ’80s show.

      We also recognize a 1970s TV show when we see one: hence, we're including a notable late-night program that remains on air as part of our 1970s list. So, pardon us for that.

      Now, let’s proceed with the list.

      Charlie's Angels

      ABC

      TV shows in the 1970s often tried to balance different narratives: audiences craved empowered women to mirror the feminist movement while also enjoying the ratings boost that came from showcasing those women in swimsuits, even if it occasionally seemed somewhat objectifying.

      This led to shows like Charlie's Angels, where strong, intelligent women solved crimes… while sporting a variety of stylish outfits.

      Created by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts for ABC, it aired from 1976 to 1981 and starred original Angels Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Jaclyn Smith, who carried out assignments given to them by their unseen boss Charlie (voiced by John Forsythe). Additional Angels included Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack, and Tanya Roberts.

      The Partridge Family

      ABC

      The Partridge Family features Shirley Jones as a widowed mother who recruits her five children to create a hit record, resulting in their dual existence as polished rock stars and an ordinary suburban family.

      There's a blend of comforting and unsettling vibes in The Partridge Family.

      Lead actors David Cassidy and Susan Dey emanate a seemingly effortless early ’70s charm perfect for teenage magazines, while Shirley Jones, a well-established musical performer before the show, embodies the essence of "Let's put on a show" energy.

      Yet, it all feels a bit dreamily… inauthentic?

      Perhaps that’s exactly what we desire in a ’70s TV show.

      The Brady Bunch

      ABC

      We can’t mention The Partridge Family without including The Brady Bunch.

      This series holds a significant place in the hearts of Gen Xers, who memorized scenarios like Jan’s creation of the perfect boyfriend George Glass long before “sure Jan” became a meme among today’s youth.

      The show skillfully balanced its squeaky clean image with some funkiness, offering the same safe and cozy feeling as a carpeted basement.

      It aired for five seasons on ABC, beginning in 1969, but has since been endlessly revisited, rewatched, and reimagined.

      Saturday Night Live

      NBC

      We acknowledge that Saturday Night Live is still on air, even five decades later.

      However, when it premiered in 1975 with the original Not Ready for Primetime Players, it defined the ’70s — and today’s audiences are still acquainted with tales like General Francisco Franco’s death and an incident involving actress Claudine Longet due to the show's ongoing syndication.

      It’s remarkable that many SNL sketches from the ’70s not only still resonate as humorous but also carry a sense of danger.

      Happy Days

      ABC

      Happy Days enjoys a favorable edge over many ’70s series that feel remarkably outdated today: it was intentionally made to feel nostalgic. It embraced the 1950s revival that swept through much of the 1970s (See: Grease and Sha Na Na).

      The cast was endlessly charismatic, especially the good-natured Richie Cunningham (future mega-director Ron Howard) and the effortlessly cool Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarella (Henry Winkler).

      Its immense success spawned spinoffs like Mork & Mindy, Laverne & Shirley, and Joanie Loves Chachi.

      The show ran on ABC from 1974 to 1984, and in our opinion, Happy Days never experienced the infamous "jump the shark" moment.

      Kung Fu

      For fans of Quentin Tarantino's films, watching a show that significantly influenced his work is a treat. This culminated in QT casting Kung Fu star David Carradine in Kill Bill.

      Carradine portrayed Kwai-Chang Caine on Kung Fu, and part of the fun is considering how fitting or unfitting that casting seems. But then again, that's just how things were in the ’70s.

      The show cleverly capitalized on the kung-fu trend of the early ’70s, which was largely inspired by Bruce Lee's breakthrough success. His widow, Linda Lee Cadwell, claims he initially conceived the