It Was the Best of Times - American TV in the 70s Quiz

Answer: All in the Family

"All in the Family" aired the span of the entire decade and left an indelible mark on American popular culture. From its debut in January 1971 through the 1976 season, it was the top-rated program on American television. The unforgettable protagonist, Archie Bunker, became a symbol of narrow-minded bigotry.

The show was the first to seriously portray many provocative issues, such as race relations, menopause, homosexuality, masturbation, atheism, and cross-dressing.

Answer: The Flip Wilson Show

This groundbreaking show was the second-highest rated program during its first two seasons. Wilson, who dressed in a mini-skirt as the hilarious character Geraldine, coined such catch phrases as "What you see is what you get" and "The devil made me do it!" The show also featured many prominent black musical acts, including such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Lena Horne, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and The Temptations.

Answer: She had an abortion.

Maude Findlay was the liberal, feminist cousin of Edith Bunker, the long-suffering wife of "All in the Family" patriarch Archie Bunker. The 47 year-old Maude found herself pregnant and, learning from her daughter that abortion was legal in the State of New York, tearfully made the difficult decision to end her pregnancy.

The episode aired two months before the historical Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling.

Answer: Bill Murray

Murray made his 'SNL' debut halfway through the show's second season, on January 15, 1977. Although not initially well-received by fans, Murray quickly proved to be an 'SNL' star, with unforgettable characters such as Nick the Lounge Singer, Todd the Nerd, and Honker the Homeless Guy.

Answer: Sanford and Son

The show starred comedian Redd Foxx as the sarcastic curmudgeon Fred G. Sanford, a junk dealer in South Central Los Angeles. Along with "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times", it was one of several highly rated shows that starred African-American actors. The show was based on the hit British sitcom "Steptoe and Son".

Answer: She was over 30 and single.

Not only was the lovable Mary Richards unmarried, she was also a successful career woman. It's hard to believe that before the debut of this funny and critically-acclaimed show, there had not been a 30+ never-married female lead character on American television. Mary Richards became a role model for many young women.

Answer: The U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy

"M*A*S*H", which ran from 1972 until 1983, was set during the Korean War of the early 1950s. Although homosexuality was a topic that was discussed on the show, the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was not instituted in the U.S. military until 1993.

Answer: Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman

Because it covered the usual fare of soap opera issues in a very direct manner, this hilarious satire was aired at the 11:30 PM time slot on most stations. "Mary Hartman" spawned the memorable spin-off "Fernwood Tonight", a parody of a talk show.

Answer: Toby

"Roots", which was based on a best-selling novel by author Alex Haley, was nominated for a staggering 36 Emmy Awards. After its airing in 1977, tracing one's genealogical history became a very popular hobby.

Answer: Rhoda

Valerie Harper portrayed Rhoda Morgenstern, the sassy and spunky best friend of Mary Richards of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". Rhoda, who was always bemoaning her weight problem and her single status, lived in a New York City apartment with a drunken doorman who was frequently heard, but never seen.

The hour-long episode in 1974 in which Rhoda got married was one of the highest-rated shows of the entire decade.