1970s TV Shows: One-Sentence Summary Quiz

Answer: The Waltons

"The Waltons" was based on Earl Hamner's 1961 book "Spencer's Mountain". It chronicled the lives of the Walton family growing up during the Great Depression, mostly through the eyes of the eldest child, John-Boy Walton. It ran for nine seasons between 1971 and 1981.

Answer: The Muppet Show

Running from 1976 to 1981, as well as two pilot episodes in 1974-75, "The Muppet Show" was the brainchild of Jim Henson. Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo are just a few of the memorable Muppet characters featured on the show. It spawned two more television series and several Muppet films, including "Muppets Treasure Island", starring Tim Curry.

Answer: Happy Days

"Happy Days" starred Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, and was about the Cunningham family--largely their child Richie (Howard) and his friends. Set in the 1950s, the series ran from 1974 to 1984, for a total of eleven seasons. The theme song "Happy Days" was also a hit.

Answer: Mork and Mindy

"I am Mork from Ork. Nanoo nanoo." This was the catchphrase for Mork, played by Robin Williams. He was the clueless alien who ended up rooming with Mindy, played by Pam Dawber. This series ran from 1978 to 1982 for four seasons, and was actually a spin-off from "Happy Days".

Answer: Little House on the Prairie

"Little House on the Prairie" was based on the book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Starring Melissa Gilbert as Laura and Michael Landon as Pa, this series chronicled pioneer life in the late 1800s. Running from 1974 to 1983, the series lasted for a full nine seasons.

Answer: The Brady Bunch

"It's a story/Of a man named Brady/Who was bringing up three young boys of his own..." "The Brady Bunch" was about a man with three sons marrying a woman with three daughters, and what happened next! Oh, and you can't forget Alice, Mr. Brady's housekeeper. The series ran from 1969 to 1974.

Answer: CHiPs

"CHiPs", short for California Highway Patrol, was a series that ran from 1977 to 1983. In it, two CHiPs motorcycle officers (Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox) went about their duties. It was a crime drama series, and culminated in a reunion film in 1998.

Answer: All in the Family

Carroll O'Connor starred as the head of this family, Archie Bunker. He is well known for calling insults and complaining about the issues of the times. "All in the Family" lasted for nine seasons between 1971 and 1979.

Answer: Fantasy Island

Running from 1977 to 1984, "Fantasy Island" had a total of seven seasons. Starring Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as Tattoo, "Fantasy Island" was about an island owned by Mr. Roarke where people come to supposedly have their problems fixed and their fantasies made real. A sequel series premiered in 2021.

Answer: Three's Company

From 1977 to 1984, "Three's Company" told the story of three roommates--two women and a man--in Santa Monica. Although the three's relationship is purely platonic, the series was considered daring at the time. It ran for a total of eight seasons.