Ironically, some of theTV showsfrom the1970sthat have aged poorly were also the most popular ones of their decade. Times have changed and what’s considered acceptable and not, funny stereotyping and offensive, has been completely altered. Some might still look back on these shows fondly, and indeed they were fantastic and arguably still remain as such. But the truth of the matter is that they would never get made today.
Interestingly, some shows that people think have aged poorly have ended up beingremadein some fashion, suggesting there’s still room for them in viewer acceptance, albeit with modern-day tweaks. But others would never see the light of day again unless they were completely altered.
10’Three’s Company' (1977-1984)
Created by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, Bernie West
There’s no denying thatThree’s Companyis one of the best sitcoms of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and one of themost underrated sitcoms of the ‘70s, carving its place in television history. But the very premise of the show is one that would never work as a new show today. It begins when Jack Tripper (John Ritter) is looking for a place to live and finds an open room in a shared apartment with two women, Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt) and Chrissy Snow (Suzanne Somers). There’s just one problem: the landlord Stanley Roper (Norman Fell), does not look fondly on unmarried men and women living together. To get around this, Jack pretends that he’s gay.
The series centers around the antics of the trio, who become good friends. But it’s also about how they constantly keep up the ruse to prevent Jack’s eviction, especially when he’s a ladies’ man who always has women over. With plenty of jokes at Jack’s expense due to his purported sexuality and the stereotypical portrayal of an effeminate gay man, along with Chrissy’s depiction as a stereotypical “dumb blonde,“Three’s Companymight be considered inappropriate today. Even so, it’s still arguably one of the funniest sitcoms ever to grace the small screen with one of the best casts.
Three’s Company
9’The Dukes of Hazzard' (1979-1985)
Created by Gy Waldron
To sayThe Dukes of Hazzardsexualized the character of Daisy Duke (Catherine Bach) would be an understatement. In fact, the style of extremely short shorts gained its nickname based on her character, because that’s what she always wore combined with tall cowboy boots and a midriff-tied, cleavage showing flannel shirt.
The show itself centered around Bo (John Schneider) and Luke Duke (Tom Wopat), two rebellious cousins in rural Georgia working to outwit the local sheriff and take down the wealthy city slickers. Almost a character in itself is their 1969 Dodge Charger they named General Lee.The Dukes of Hazzardwas fun and popular for its time. But today, Daisy might have been portrayed as a much stronger female character, while Bo and Luke may deviate from their portrayals of American South stereotypes.
The Dukes of Hazzard
8’Hee Haw' (1969-1993)
Created by Frank Peppiatt, John Aylesworth
Hee Hawwas so popular, one ofthe best sketch comedy shows, it aired through multiple decades, all the way to the early ‘90s. But the show was rife with stereotypes, including plenty of women running around with outfits poking fun at the typical farmer’s daughter look.
Appreciated for what it was,Hee Hawappealed to all types of viewers who enjoyed the recurring sketches and musical performances. But it’s portrayal of eccentric characters in the Southern U.S. might not be viewed the same way today.
7’Welcome Back, Kotter' (1975-1979)
Created by Gabe Kaplan, Alan Sacks
Welcome Back, Kottercenters around Gabe Kotter (Gabriel Kaplan), a teacher who returns a decade after graduating to teach a remedial class. These students, known as the Sweatlogs, are basically tossed aside as being hoodlums with no future. Kotter was hired to keep them from either getting arrested or expelled, but instead, he befriends them and actually starts to get through to them.
It goes without saying that today’s landscape would frown upon a show that suggests an educational institution meant to shape coming-of-age children would completely neglect ones who are too challenging. But also, the show dove right into racial stereotypes, often for the sake of laughs, the antithesis of what diversity should be all about.
Welcome Back, Kotter
6’All in the Family' (1971-1979)
Created by Norman Lear
One of thebest sitcoms of the ‘70sand the most iconic sitcoms of all -time, it is also one of the most controversial.All in the FamilystarsCarroll O’Connoras the memorably grumpy Archie Bunker, who spends his days spewing hate and vitriol against people he doesn’t like, which usually involves prejudicial remarks. The fact that his attitude and racial comments are used for laughs is something fans wouldn’t like today. There’s also his treatment of his sweet wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), who sometimes comes across as naïve and unintelligent, putting up with his name-calling and dismissive attitude towards her.
All in the Familyis a show for its time, of course, and back in the ‘70s, Archie’s mentality wasn’t all that rare. Still, an unlikeable, grumpy character would be fine today, but not someone who repeatedly makes offensive remarks against various racial groups.
All In The Family
5’Charlie’s Angels' (1976-1981)
Created by Ivan Goff, Ben Roberts
Charlie’s Angelshas since become a franchise with several movies and even a TV series reboot. So, to say it has aged poorly sounds odd. But these all stemmed from the original, and the newer versions made changes for the times. The first series centers on Sabrina (Kate Jackson), Jill (Farrah Fawcett), and Kelly (Jaclyn Smith), three recent graduates from the police academy who decide to work as private investigators for an agency led by the mysterious Charlie (John Forsythe). (Later,Cheryl Laddtook over for Fawcett in the new role of Kristine “Kris” Munroe”).
The good news is thatCharlie’s Angelsfeatures three females at its core, a rarity for shows of the time, which made it progressive in some ways. But the ways the ladies were objectified throughout the series, often wearing revealing outfits, cheapened that. It’s no surprise that later interpretations of the characters onthe laterCharlie’s Angelsmoviesfocused on making them less sexual and more badass.
Charlie’s Angels
4’The Benny Hill Show' (1955-1989)
Created by Benny Hill, Dave Freeman
This sketch comedy show was regular late-night viewing for many families throughout its run.The Benny Hill Showfeatured a mix of hilarious sketches ranging from slapstick to mime, parody, and double entendre, many completely silent asBenny Hillemoted through his expressive face and ridiculous movements.
But many of the sketches feature scantily clad women, often running from Hill and other male characters as they chase them relentlessly. In other scenes, he would be looking up women’s skirts. Shorter, older men would ogle their breasts, and objectify them in all sorts of ways. It seemed like predatory behavior, with a new generation likely perceiving Hill as creepy versus funny.
The Benny Hill Show
3’The Love Boat' (1977-1986)
Created by Wilford Lloyd Baumes
The Love Boatwas fun for its time, not so much for the stories as for the revolving list of guest stars it welcomed on every episode. It was a groundbreaking format for the time that say everyone fromDebbie AllentoKirstie Alley, Desi Arnaz Jr., Frankie Avalon,Kathy Bates, Barbara Billingsley, Sonny Bono, Charo, and more appear in episodes.
But diving deeper, the treatment of various characters when it comes to race, gender, and politics, is typical for the time, but not so much for today. With that said, many call the new seriesDoctor Odysseya 21st century version ofThe Love Boat, proving that while the show in its original form hasn’t aged well, it does leave room for finessing for the times.
The Love Boat
2’WKRP in Cincinnati' (1978-1982)
Created by Hugh Wilson
Unlike the others on this list that have aged poorly because of the subject matter relating to things like objectification, stereotypes, or prejudicial or inappropriate behavior,WKRP in Cincinnatisimply hasn’t aged well because the show is set in the offices of a struggling AM radio station. While AM and FM radio still exist, of course, today’s world has shifted to streaming music and talk radio. So, the idea of viewers being interested in looking into the inner workings of a radio station isn’t as appealing.
Perhaps a version of the show following those running a podcast or streaming radio station might make sense. But a lot of the references and the type of work the characters do on this show are extremely dated. With that said, the lead character, Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) might fit right in with today’s culture as a controversial, outspoken podcaster.
WKRP in Cincinnati
1’Kung Fu' (1972-1975)
Created by Ed Spielman, Jerry Thorpe, Herman Miller
Even today, viewers are upset when characters of one race are hired to play a character of another. This goes as well for straight individuals portraying LGBTQ characters, or straight people in drag portraying trans individuals. It doesn’t fly today and didn’t even fly back in the ‘70s when many Asian Americans were upset at the casting ofDavid Carradineas Kwai Chang Caine in the seriesKung Fu.
Allegedly,Bruce Leecame up with the idea for the show and was supposed to star, but he had expressed indirectly in interviews that the network didn’t think American audiences would be ready for an Asian actor in a lead television role. That sounds ridiculous today and clearly was back then as well. Thus, whileKung Fu, an action-adventure martial arts Western drama, would be perfect for today’s audiences, only if it was an Asian actor playing the lead.
Keep Reading:10 Movies and TV Series That Capture the Spirit of the 70s
