Top 10 '70s Shows That Properly Handled Serious Topics
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
Laura
Without even watching this, I bet I can name at least 9 out of the 10, if not all 10 episodes they are going to use. TV back for kids in the 70s & 80s just hit different. You really got invested & these people on the TV were your friends. Just seeing the opening of Florida reading the telegram instantly made me start to cry. Oh my God, that was so beyond painful and as an 6 maybe 7 year old, I really thought James Amos died until I saw him pop up on another show. That was a quick lesson in television. All these shows were so good back then. So much thought towards feelings and really making you think about life through the eyes of another. I wish tv would go back to that, even if it is offensive to some, as all, we need to talk about it.
EDIT
I never would have guessed Police Story as it was past my bedtime. And as far as MASH goes, you cannot get a better dramedy than that. I've seen that show hundreds of times and I'll watch it a million times more. Such perfection. It's up there with Andy Griffith.
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Without even watching this, I bet I can name at least 9 out of the 10, if not all 10 episodes they are going to use. TV back for kids in the 70s & 80s just hit different. You really got invested & these people on the TV were your friends. Just seeing the opening of Florida reading the telegram instantly made me start to cry. Oh my God, that was so beyond painful and as an 6 maybe 7 year old, I really thought James Amos died until I saw him pop up on another show. That was a quick lesson in television. All these shows were so good back then. So much thought towards feelings and really making you think about life through the eyes of another. I wish tv would go back to that, even if it is offensive to some, as all, we need to talk about it.
EDIT
I never would have guessed Police Story as it was past my bedtime. And as far as MASH goes, you cannot get a better dramedy than that. I've seen that show hundreds of times and I'll watch it a million times more. Such perfection. It's up there with Andy Griffith.
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Be
All in the Family and The Jeffersons are my favorites on so many levels. I especially love the friendship between Edith and Louise when The Jeffersons still lived next door to The Bunkers. Though different colors, Edith and Louise were kindred spirits. Strong women who weren't afraid to put their stubborn husbands in their places---but lovingly. When The Jeffersons moved on up I was sad to see Edith and Louise no longer neighbors. Their friendship was a special, inspirational, and unforgettable one. They were true pioneers in the women's liberation movement without even trying, just being their natural selves.
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All in the Family and The Jeffersons are my favorites on so many levels. I especially love the friendship between Edith and Louise when The Jeffersons still lived next door to The Bunkers. Though different colors, Edith and Louise were kindred spirits. Strong women who weren't afraid to put their stubborn husbands in their places---but lovingly. When The Jeffersons moved on up I was sad to see Edith and Louise no longer neighbors. Their friendship was a special, inspirational, and unforgettable one. They were true pioneers in the women's liberation movement without even trying, just being their natural selves.
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David
Umm, hello! There was also this little show called Roseanne that tackled SO many serious issues, and did so brilliantly with a mix of comedy and serious commentary. Just because Roseanne Barr is now officially a piece of unhinged and off her damn rocker shouldn't invalidate all the contributions the show, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE CAST ENSEMBLE, made for nine seasons, except for maybe that last season (but' don't even get me started on The Conners)
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Umm, hello! There was also this little show called Roseanne that tackled SO many serious issues, and did so brilliantly with a mix of comedy and serious commentary. Just because Roseanne Barr is now officially a piece of unhinged and off her damn rocker shouldn't invalidate all the contributions the show, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE CAST ENSEMBLE, made for nine seasons, except for maybe that last season (but' don't even get me started on The Conners)
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Dope
I learned about racism from The Jeffersons yo. The episode where George saves the racist guy and the racist guy saids to George you should have let me die. I remember thinking, as a child thats fcking crazy yo. You would rather die than have a black man save you. Also thought how amazing George is, that he would save the racist guy knowing what a piece of shit he was. I learned a lot from the Jeffersons.
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I learned about racism from The Jeffersons yo. The episode where George saves the racist guy and the racist guy saids to George you should have let me die. I remember thinking, as a child thats fcking crazy yo. You would rather die than have a black man save you. Also thought how amazing George is, that he would save the racist guy knowing what a piece of shit he was. I learned a lot from the Jeffersons.
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caseymac
LHOTP also did a storyline of Albert getting hooked on Morphine and going through a cold turkey detox. Scarred me for life! I haven't seen those episodes in decades but I still remember Albert on the bed with his legs twitching and spasming uncontrollably while Charles cried. Edith's rpe is another topic they covered on Archie. It was handled very well.
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LHOTP also did a storyline of Albert getting hooked on Morphine and going through a cold turkey detox. Scarred me for life! I haven't seen those episodes in decades but I still remember Albert on the bed with his legs twitching and spasming uncontrollably while Charles cried. Edith's rpe is another topic they covered on Archie. It was handled very well.
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Oldies
Even though this show is not on the list, Happy Days had one serious issue episode that in my opinion is the gold standard for very special episodes. S5 Ep. 18 Richie almost dies has very good performances from all involved, but the one that stands out the most is Henry Winkler when his character, the Fonz, prays to save Richie.
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Even though this show is not on the list, Happy Days had one serious issue episode that in my opinion is the gold standard for very special episodes. S5 Ep. 18 Richie almost dies has very good performances from all involved, but the one that stands out the most is Henry Winkler when his character, the Fonz, prays to save Richie.
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EchoJae
Idk how anyone thinks the serious subjects tackled in these shows - the sitcoms, especially - were NOT heavy-handed or otherwise on the nose. C'mon, now.
They're still classics of TV, well written and performed, and several are (sadly) still as relevant as ever today, but subtlety? Nah, fam. Not even a little bit
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Idk how anyone thinks the serious subjects tackled in these shows - the sitcoms, especially - were NOT heavy-handed or otherwise on the nose. C'mon, now.
They're still classics of TV, well written and performed, and several are (sadly) still as relevant as ever today, but subtlety? Nah, fam. Not even a little bit
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Devin
My favorite TV show from the 1970's that tackles serious issues was Emergency! It is a show about Station 51 of the Los Angeles Fire Department take on daring rescues, taking down massive fires, heck, even the paramedics handles very important medical emergencies. Too bad that the show didn't get an honorable mention.
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My favorite TV show from the 1970's that tackles serious issues was Emergency! It is a show about Station 51 of the Los Angeles Fire Department take on daring rescues, taking down massive fires, heck, even the paramedics handles very important medical emergencies. Too bad that the show didn't get an honorable mention.
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Dave
Captain Hawkeye Pierce is just a BULLY. With no laugh track, he shows how much a hippocrite and bully he is. Hits officers, does surgery on healthy patients, picks on people especially Frank constantly. He can dish it out but he can't take any criticism. Very narcissistic. Charles was my favorite.
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Captain Hawkeye Pierce is just a BULLY. With no laugh track, he shows how much a hippocrite and bully he is. Hits officers, does surgery on healthy patients, picks on people especially Frank constantly. He can dish it out but he can't take any criticism. Very narcissistic. Charles was my favorite.
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Barb-
So many of these topics were brought up on TV as society learned to be aware of or tolerant of each subject. So why do we see such intolerance of many of the same issues still almost 50 years later? It just makes me sad that there is still so much lack of kindness and acceptance in some people.
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So many of these topics were brought up on TV as society learned to be aware of or tolerant of each subject. So why do we see such intolerance of many of the same issues still almost 50 years later? It just makes me sad that there is still so much lack of kindness and acceptance in some people.
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Leto
All in the Family ahead of MASH? Seriously? It's one of the most beloved shows of all time and tackled difficult subjects in a funny and/or authentic way in at least 50% of the shows. And it didn't require a repulsive loudmouth racist in episode to do it.
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All in the Family ahead of MASH? Seriously? It's one of the most beloved shows of all time and tackled difficult subjects in a funny and/or authentic way in at least 50% of the shows. And it didn't require a repulsive loudmouth racist in episode to do it.
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Sara
Most tv shows of the 1970s tackled serious issues because it was a very political decade. The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Watergate, Gay Rights (or lack thereof, Womens lib and trying to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed were on everybodys mind
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Most tv shows of the 1970s tackled serious issues because it was a very political decade. The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Watergate, Gay Rights (or lack thereof, Womens lib and trying to get the Equal Rights Amendment passed were on everybodys mind
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Kamsi
Diffrent Strokes handled pedophilia very well and what was interesting about the episode was Todd Bridges, who played Willis on the show, experienced that situation himself and his mom supported him through that dark time while his dad didn't.
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Diffrent Strokes handled pedophilia very well and what was interesting about the episode was Todd Bridges, who played Willis on the show, experienced that situation himself and his mom supported him through that dark time while his dad didn't.
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Buggy
MASH had to remind people that during wartimes some people never made it home like McClellan's Henry Blake and the Christmas episode where a man dies in the holiday and Alan's Hawkeye turns the clock so it would be the day after.
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MASH had to remind people that during wartimes some people never made it home like McClellan's Henry Blake and the Christmas episode where a man dies in the holiday and Alan's Hawkeye turns the clock so it would be the day after.
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xxbobsetsfirexx
Mauds ok but Sanford and Son tackled grief, heart disease, vision loss, religious differences. big dummies. ect. G stands for give Sanford and Son credit as the greatest and most poignant Lear show!
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Mauds ok but Sanford and Son tackled grief, heart disease, vision loss, religious differences. big dummies. ect. G stands for give Sanford and Son credit as the greatest and most poignant Lear show!
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Sword_of_Light
Wait. What? You left out. Soap? Which dealt with suicide, infidelity, racism, transgender issues, and had an openly gay character? On network TV? In the '70s? And was still extremely funny? C'mon.
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Wait. What? You left out. Soap? Which dealt with suicide, infidelity, racism, transgender issues, and had an openly gay character? On network TV? In the '70s? And was still extremely funny? C'mon.
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Leto
I really like it when Mojo covers these more serious topics and historical events instead of the same crap over and over (like every Karen video you made where you reuse the same cases for each one.
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I really like it when Mojo covers these more serious topics and historical events instead of the same crap over and over (like every Karen video you made where you reuse the same cases for each one.
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Marilyn
I was in my 20s in the 70s and watched all of these programs. Just think of going from Leave it to Beaver to Archie Bunker. But it was good for us to get out of the sugary shows to real life.
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I was in my 20s in the 70s and watched all of these programs. Just think of going from Leave it to Beaver to Archie Bunker. But it was good for us to get out of the sugary shows to real life.
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jdrheat
You forgot the show Soap (1977. Billy Crystal started on this show. Spin offs with characters like Benson came from this show and walked so Geoffrey in Fresh Prince of Bel Air could run
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You forgot the show Soap (1977. Billy Crystal started on this show. Spin offs with characters like Benson came from this show and walked so Geoffrey in Fresh Prince of Bel Air could run
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Tadyll
I remember All in the Family for the arc with the character Beverly LaSalle; a drag performer who saved Archie, became friends with Edith, then was tragically murdered for bring unique.
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I remember All in the Family for the arc with the character Beverly LaSalle; a drag performer who saved Archie, became friends with Edith, then was tragically murdered for bring unique.
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Cliff
What about the show Emergency?
When it started there was almost no knowledge of paramedics and by its end more than 80% of the US was within 30 minutes of an EMT/paramedic unit
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What about the show Emergency?
When it started there was almost no knowledge of paramedics and by its end more than 80% of the US was within 30 minutes of an EMT/paramedic unit
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LtVanBuren
I remember Esther Rolle - What a phenomenal actress she was! When I was a kid, she was the Guest of Honor at a parade and I saw her in person. I remember being so excited.
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I remember Esther Rolle - What a phenomenal actress she was! When I was a kid, she was the Guest of Honor at a parade and I saw her in person. I remember being so excited.
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FolkFaninMA
Wow, I can honestly say I watched every one of these shows. Even the honorable mentions.
Correction: Except police Story. I think that came on past my bedtime.
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Wow, I can honestly say I watched every one of these shows. Even the honorable mentions.
Correction: Except police Story. I think that came on past my bedtime.
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Jill
It should not surprise me that WKRP has an episode about the Who concert crush (contemporary to the show's run and very much in its wheelhouse, but somehow it did.
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It should not surprise me that WKRP has an episode about the Who concert crush (contemporary to the show's run and very much in its wheelhouse, but somehow it did.
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Sharya
The guy who played the rapist on that episode of All in the Family did so well that he received death threats to the point he was scared to leave his house.
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The guy who played the rapist on that episode of All in the Family did so well that he received death threats to the point he was scared to leave his house.
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Kap00rwith2os
Scary thing is when people watched All in the Family, a sizable chunk of the viewership actually empathized with Archie's bigotted points of view.
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Scary thing is when people watched All in the Family, a sizable chunk of the viewership actually empathized with Archie's bigotted points of view.
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Justin
Very very great epic list I like it a lot very very great job mis mojo one of my absolute favorite list ever you should do a part 2 of this great list
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Very very great epic list I like it a lot very very great job mis mojo one of my absolute favorite list ever you should do a part 2 of this great list
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THE
Diffrent strokes was a show that handled serious situations right. Now that I look back, it was more than I remember. Really good show.
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Diffrent strokes was a show that handled serious situations right. Now that I look back, it was more than I remember. Really good show.
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Kris
Barney Miller showed the lgbtia group as regular people who had children and jobs and deviants. They were one of the first.
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Barney Miller showed the lgbtia group as regular people who had children and jobs and deviants. They were one of the first.
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Jamie
I'll never understand why in all of these lists from the 70s, the very controversial sitcom Soap is never mentioned.
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I'll never understand why in all of these lists from the 70s, the very controversial sitcom Soap is never mentioned.
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