New Series 1977

Soap 1st Season Intro

Soap (1977-1981) - A prime time parody of daytime soap operas. Stories of two families in serial format covering such topics as gay sons, alien abduction, demons, murder, kidnapping and runaway ventriloquism. The series made a star of Billy Crystal and also created a spin off for Robert Guillaume with Benson. Also featuring Robert Mandan, Donnelly Rhodes, Katherine Helmond, Diana Canova, , Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Jay Johnson and Robert Urich. Soap the TV show at Wiki

Three's Company (1977-1984) - The vehicle for this popular sitcom was Janet and Chrissy could only get away with sharing an apartment with their platonic male friend Jack Tripper by telling the landlord he is gay. Starring John Ritter, Joyce DeWitt, Suzanne Somers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley. In 1979 Don Knots replaced Norman Fell as the clueless landlord. Three's Company at the sitcom museum

Eight is Enough (1977-1981) - A hour long sitcom which starred Dick Van Patten as the father of a large family taken from a book by the same name. Also starring Diana Hyland, Betty Buckley, Grant Goodeve, Lani O'Grady, Laurie Walters, Susan Richardson, Dianne Kay, Connie Newton and Willie Aames. Eight is Enough hompage

CHiPs (1977-1983) - A light hearted cop show starring newcomer Eric Estrada and his sidekick Larry Wilcox. The story revolves around the two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers with the macho Estrada always getting himself in trouble with the rock solid Wilcox bailing him out. The ladies loved it! CHiPS at Wiki.

Lou Grant intro

Lou Grant (1977-1982) - A spin off of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, grumpy old Lou Grant moves to Los Angeles to become newsroom editor of the to newspaper in town. The show as critically acclaimed with The show and Ed Asner winning lots of awards. Also starring Robert Walden, Linda Kelsey, Mason Adams and Jack Bannon. Lou Grant at the TV Museum.

Love Boat Intro

The Love Boat (1977-1986) - A cruise ship sets the stage for this hour long romantic comedy with cameos from an endless roster of well known Hollywood stars. Regulars include the ships captain played by Gavin MacLeod and Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes, Jill Whelan and Ted McGinley. The Love Boat online.

Most Watched 1977 - 1978

1 Laverne and Shirley
2 Happy Days
3 Three's Company
4 60 Minutes
5 Charlie's Angels
6 All in the Family
7 Little house on the Prairie
8 Alice
9 M*A*S*H
10 One Day at a Time
11 How the West Was Won
12 Eight Is Enough
13 Soap
14 The Love Boat
15 NBC Monday Night Movie
16 NFL Monday Night Football
17 Barney Miller
18 Fantasy Island
19 The Amazing Spider-Man
20 Project U.F.O.

Television News 1977

Roots Trailer

Roots was a Mini Series adapted from the historical novel by Alex Haley. It went on to become the top mini series of all time by not only winning nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, and a Peabody Award but unprecedented Nielsen ratings which crossed racial lines as no show before or since. It is most remembered for newcomer LeVar Burton as Kunta Kinte who we witness being taken into slavery in West Africa and his and his descendants subsequent lives under American slavery. It also starred Ben Vereen, John Amos, Louis Gossett, Jr., Leslie Uggams, Cicely Tyson and O.J. Simpson. Roots the Mini Series

In March of 1977 the David Frost / Richard Nixon interviews aired in in four 90 minute segments. Nixon got $600,000 which he needed and thought he could out maneuver Frost to redeem himself. Though 75% of those who watched believed Nixon guilty and had no business in public service it did manage to help redeem him as an elder statesman on matters or geo politics.The Nixon Frost interview at PBS.

Chico and the Man star Freddie Prinze died of a self inflicted bullet wound. In rapid succession a DUI, a divorce and a law suite became too much for the cocaine and Quaalude addicted star. Freddie Prinze Tribute page

Bill Murray joins the cast of Saturday Night Live replacing replacing Chevy Chase. where he also became Gilda Radner's real life boyfriend. Also Don Novello first appeared on the show as Father Guido Sarducci. Bill Murray SNL.

The Reverend Donald Wildmon upset with sex and violence of TV begins the American Family Foundation with a media blitz to "Turn the Television Off Week." Few do but it is the first rumblings of what will become known as the Religious Right. Donald Wildman at Right Wing Watch.

The Emmy's for 1977 - 1978

Outstanding Drama Series - The Rockford Files

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Edward Asner, Lou Grant

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Sada Thompson, Family

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series - Robert Vaughn, Washington - Behind Closed Doors

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Nancy Marchand, Lou Grant

Outstanding Comedy Series - All in the Family

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Carroll O'Connor, All in the Family

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Jean Stapleton, All in the Family

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series - Rob Reiner, All in the Family

Outstanding Continuing Performance By a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Julie Kavner, Rhoda

Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series - The Muppet Show

Series End 1977

Sanford and Son (1972-1977)
Mary Tyler Moore (1970-1977)
McCloud (1970-1977)
McMillan and Wife (1971-1977)
Space: 1999 (1975-1977
Let's Make a Deal (1971-1977)
Emergency! (1972-1977)

TV Guide Schedule 1977

1977 Tv Guide