New Series 1974

Happy Days Lead in 1974

Happy Days (1974-1984). The 1950's are revisited with the antics of Richie, Potsie, Ralph and Fonzi hanging out at Al's Drive in. Starring Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Donny Most, Erin Moran and Tom Bosley. It originated from a pilot from Love, American Style coupled with the popularity of Ron Howard's believable role in the hit movie America Graffiti. Happy Days spun two very popular sitcoms; Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy. Happy Days Museum TV

Good Times (1974-1979). A spin off of Maude it was the story of Florida Evans trying to hold her family together in the Chicago Projects. Though it was the first show to deal heavily with African American urban poverty, it was a comedy which rode on the oldest teenage son J.J. played by comedian Jimmy Walker. It also starred Esther Rolle as Florida, John Amos, Ja'net DuBois, Bern Nadette Stanis and Ralph Carter. Janet Jackson joined the cast for the last two seasons. Good Times at TV Museum .

Rhoda (1974-1978). A very successful spin off of the Mary Tyler Moore Show had Rhoda Morgenstern move back to New York to find a husband. She was married within a few weeks and the show moved into marital problems, separation and divorce. Starring Valerie Harper, David Groh, Nancy Walker (the Bounty quick cleaner upper waitress), Harold Gould and Julie Kavner. Rhoda on Line

Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983) It did not take long for Michael Landon who left his role as Little Joe on Bonanza to get his own series which he both starred in and directed. A family drama, Landon played farmer Charles Ingalls, husband and father of four girls coming of age in late 19th century Minnesota. It also starred Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle, Melissa Sue Anderson and Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush. Little House at TV Land

Chico and the Man (1974-1978) The first Mexican American sitcom on the heels of Sanford and Son but a mechanics' garage rather than a junkyard. Veteran actor Jack Albertson (the Man) plays the crusty old bigot who is slowly brought around by Chico played by Freddie Prinze. It also starred Scatman Crothers. It was a hit holding in the top 10 for its 4 year run until Prinze's drug problem caused him to commit suicide. Freddie Prinze Bio

Nova (1974-present) This most watched and awarded science series began as an American dubbed version of the BBC's science show Horizon brought over and produced by Michael Ambrosino. Though brought to you by WGBH in Boston, even to this day in its 35 year success finds many of the programs still produced by the British and overlaid with an American narrator. Topics Nova covered in 1974

Dinah! (1974-1980)

Tattletales (1974-1978)

Land of the Lost (1974-1977)

Rockford Files (1974-1980)

Police Woman (1974-1978)

Series End 1974

Love, American Style (1969-1974)
Room 222 (1969-1974)
The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971-1974)
Here's Lucy (1968-1974)
The Partridge Family (1970-1974)
The Dean Martin Show (1965-1974)
The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971-1974)
The Flip Wilson Show (1970-1974)
The F.B.I. (1965-1974)
Monty Python's Flying Circus (UK) (1969-1974).
The Newlywed Game (1966-1974).

Television News 1974

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman was a made for TV movie portraying the life of a 110-year-old black woman which spanned American History from the Civil War to the civil-rights movement. It was taken from the best selling novel by Ernest J. Gaines and starred Cicely Tyson and won 8 Emmys. New York Times Review of on The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pitman

The made for TV movie The Execution of Private Slovik, told the story of Pvt. Eddie Slovik, the only American soldier to be executed for desertion since the Civil War. It was both an anti war and anti capitol punishment film which Frank Sinatra had wanted to do in 1960 but passed on in difference to his friend Jack Kennedy. It starred Martin Sheen, Ned Beatty and Gary Busey. Photo of the real thing. More on the movie history of Eddie Slovik

Tom Baker replaces Jon Pertwee to become the most popular 4th Doctor in the Dr Who British science fiction series.

Monty Python's Flying Circus the popular British sketch comedy is first aired in the United States, 5 years after its British debut in 1969 and a few months after it, like that parrot, ceased to be.

News personality Christine Chubbuck for WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida shot herself in the head during a live broadcast. The classic movie NETWORK was partly inspired by this horrible scene. More on Christine Chubbuck

The Emmy's for 1974 - 1975

Outstanding Drama Series - Masterpiece Theatre: Upstairs, Downstairs

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Robert Blake, Baretta

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Jean Marsh, Masterpiece Theatre: Upstairs, Downstairs

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Will Geer, The Waltons

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Ellen Corby, The Waltons

Outstanding Comedy Series - The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Tony Randall, The Odd Couple

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Valerie Harper, Rhoda

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Ed Asner, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Betty White, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series - Gene Reynolds, M*A*S*H

Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series - The Carol Burnett Show

Most Watched 1974 - 1975

1 All in the Family
2 Sanford and Son
3 Chico and the Man
4 The Jeffersons
5 M*A*S*H
6 Rhoda
7 Good Times
8 The Waltons
9 Maude
10 Hawaii Five-O
11 The Mary Tyler Moore Show
12 The Rockford Files
13 Little House on the Prairie
14 Kojak
15 Police Woman
16 S.W.A.T.
17 The Bob Newhart Show
18 The Wonderful World of Disney
19 The Rookkes
20 Mannix

TV Guide Schedule 1974

1974 Tv Guide