What exactly are underrated 70s sitcoms?
The 1970s were a game-changing decade for sitcoms. Shows like All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and Good Times helped shift TV comedy toward more socially aware and character-driven storytelling. But beyond the iconic hits, the decade also gave us plenty of clever, offbeat, and short-lived series that never got the recognition they deserved.
If you’re looking to go beyond the big names, here are 10 underrated 70s sitcoms worth rediscovering — a mix of blue-collar comedies, surreal setups, and ahead-of-their-time gems.
1. Arnie (1970–1972)
Why it’s underrated: The rise of a blue-collar boss, with real heart and laughs.
Arnie starred Herschel Bernardi as a working-class man who suddenly gets promoted to an executive position. The show balanced office politics with down-to-earth family life, offering a smart critique of class mobility wrapped in gentle humor. It never became a hit but helped pave the way for more grounded workplace comedies later in the decade.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
2. Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (1974–1975)
Why it’s underrated: A dry, neurotic Boston-based sitcom with sharp writing and musical flair.
This forgotten gem from MTM Enterprises starred Paul Sand as a shy, awkward double bassist with the Boston Symphony, navigating romance and family pressures. Despite strong reviews and a great cast (including Penny Marshall), it was canceled after just one season.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available to stream on any platform or physically.
3. The Tony Randall Show (1976–1978)
Why it’s underrated: Courtroom comedy meets character study with a Broadway pro at the center.
Post-Odd Couple, Tony Randall played a widowed, by-the-book judge raising a daughter and dealing with bizarre legal cases. Created by Garry Marshall, this low-key sitcom balanced snappy writing with tender moments, but never caught on like its predecessor.
Where to stream: It’s available on the Internet Archive for free.
4. When Things Were Rotten (1975)
Why it’s underrated: Mel Brooks. Robin Hood. Total madness.
This spoof of the Robin Hood legend was pure Mel Brooks: rapid-fire gags, ridiculous names, and genre satire at its finest. It only lasted 13 episodes, but fans of Get Smart or Robin Hood: Men in Tights will see the blueprint here. It was simply too far ahead of its time.
Where to stream: Available on DVD.
5. Carter Country (1977–1979)
Why it’s underrated: A sitcom that tackled race and politics in a small Southern town — with surprising nuance.
Set in a fictional Georgia police department, this Norman Lear-produced comedy centered on a Black police chief (played by Kene Holliday) navigating a mostly white department and local politics. It took swings at serious topics with humor and empathy, but its bold tone and regional setting made it a tough sell nationally.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available to stream on any platform or physically.
6. On the Rocks (1975–1976)
Why it’s underrated: Think Barney Miller — but in prison.
This ensemble sitcom focused on a group of inmates in a minimum-security prison. It was adapted from a British series and aired back-to-back with Barney Miller, though it never reached the same heights. Still, it featured strong performances and a surprisingly humanistic take on life behind bars.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available to stream on any platform or physically.
7. The Practice (1976–1977)
Why it’s underrated: Danny Thomas brought classic warmth into the 70s with a subtle update.
Thomas returned to sitcoms as Dr. Jules Bedford, a gruff but lovable old-school doctor sharing a practice with his modern-minded son. It wasn’t groundbreaking, but its intergenerational dynamic and sweet humor made it a worthy continuation of Thomas’s TV legacy.
Where to stream: Available on DVD.
8. The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971–1974)
Why it’s underrated: Same charisma, different coast — and a more realistic family setup.
This follow-up series had Dick Van Dyke playing a local talk show host in Phoenix with a wife and teenage daughter. It tried to update the classic Dick Van Dyke Show formula for the 70s and succeeded in tone, if not ratings. It deserves far more attention than it ever got.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available to stream on any platform or physically.
9. We’ve Got Each Other (1977–1978)
Why it’s underrated: Gender role reversal in the workplace, way before it was trendy.
This sitcom flipped expectations by featuring a working wife with a high-powered job and a husband managing his boss’s photo studio. It leaned into changing gender roles and the comedy of mismatched lifestyles — a rare setup for the time.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available to stream on any platform or physically.
10. The Associates (1979–1980)
Why it’s underrated: A legal sitcom with future stars and biting satire.
This late-70s entry featured a cast of young law associates at a stuffy New York firm, including a young Martin Short and Wilfrid Hyde-White. The humor was intellectual and character-driven, drawing comparisons to Taxi, but it was canceled after just nine episodes despite critical praise.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available to stream on any platform or physically.
Final Thoughts on underrated 70s sitcoms
While the 1970s sitcoms we all remember often tackled big cultural moments, these underrated shows were just as bold in their own ways — whether that meant breaking sitcom molds, spotlighting new kinds of families, or just being gleefully bizarre.
If you’re a fan of smart, funny, and weird television from a decade that changed everything, these lesser-known 70s sitcoms are worth revisiting. Don’t let them fade into TV trivia — they still have something to say.
Be sure to check out the entries in our Underrated Series:
- Underrated 60s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 70s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 80s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 90s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 2000s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
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