Based on the UK show "Till Death Us Do Part", "All in the Family" ran from 1971 to 1979 and focused on the adventures of bigoted blue-collar worker Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), his gentle wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), his daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) and his liberal son-in-law Michael (Rob Reiner).
Although a sitcom, the show had episodes on many serious issues including racism, rape, breast cancer and the Vietnam War. For his work on the show, O'Connor received Emmy nominations in 1971-1975 and 1977-1979, winning in 1972 and 1977-1979.
2. Barney Miller
Answer: Hal Linden
"Barney Miller" was a police sitcom that ran from 1975-1982. The show was based in Greenwich Village, New York City and featured a quirky team led by Capt. Barney Miller (Hal Linden), with the majority of the action on the show taking place within the squad room.
Other members of the squad included Fish (Abe Vigoda), Wojo (Max Gail), Harris (Ron Glass), Dietrich (Steve Landesberg), and Yemana (Jack Soo). Linden received Emmy nominations for his work on the show in 1976-1982 but didn't win.
3. Doctor Who (Fourth Doctor)
Answer: Tom Baker
The BBC show "Doctor Who" first aired in 1963. Several actors have portrayed the title time traveler, with Tom Baker assuming the role of the fourth "Doctor Who" from 1974 to 1981. Baker's incarnation of the Doctor was one of the most recognizable, particularly in the U.S. where the show aired in many markets on the Public Broadcasting System.
He was also declared the favorite doctor in the 50th anniversary poll conducted by BBC America.
4. M*A*S*H
Answer: Alan Alda
Based on the 1970 film of the same name, "M*A*S*H" ran from 1972-1983. The sitcom took place during the Korean War and followed the antics of the personnel at an Army mobile hospital. Alan Alda portrayed Dr. Hawkeye Pierce, one of the main doctors in the unit along with Trapper John (Wayne Rogers), Frank Burns (Larry Linville) and later B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) and Charles Emerson Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers). Alda not only acted on the show but also worked as a writer, director and producer.
He received Emmy nominations for his acting work on the show in 1973-1983, winning the award in 1974 and 1982.
5. The Rockford Files
Answer: James Garner
"The Rockford Files" was a detective series that ran from 1974 to 1980. James Garner starred as Jim Rockford, an ex-con who worked as a private detective and lived in a trailer at the beach. The intro to the show featured quirky messages left on Rockford's answering machine which often had nothing to do with the episode but were fan favorites. Garner received Emmy nominations for his work on the show in 1976-1980 and won in 1977.
6. Fawlty Towers
Answer: John Cleese
The BBC sitcom "Fawlty Towers" was created by John Cleese and then wife Connie Booth, and although it only consisted of twelve episodes, the show frequently shows up on lists of the best British comedies of all time. The episodes were originally broadcast from 1975-1979 and featured Cleese as obnoxious hotel owner Basil Fawlty with Booth playing hotel maid Polly. Prunella Scales portrayed Basil's wife Sybil and Andrew Sachs was Manuel, the waiter from Barcelona. Cleese won a BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance for his work on the show in 1976.
7. Columbo
Answer: Peter Falk
Another detective series, "Columbo" originally ran from 1971-1978 and starred Peter Falk as Los Angeles police detective Lieutenant Columbo. His first name was never given on the show, but in a few episodes, the name "Frank" could be seen on his badge.
The "Columbo" character first appeared in a 1960 episode of the "Chevy Mystery Show" and was played by Bert Freed; later Thomas Mitchell played the character in a play called "Prescription: Murder". Falk was selected to play Columbo when the play was made into a TV movie in 1968 and continued with the role when the show was developed. Falk received Emmy nominations for his work on the show in 1972, 1973, 1976-1978, winning in 1972 and 1976.
8. Kojak
Answer: Telly Savalas
And yet another detective series from the 1970s, "Kojak" ran from 1973 to 1978 and featured Telly Savalas as New York police Lieutenant Theo Kojak. Kojak's habit of sucking on lollipops actually emerged as a consequence of backlash against cigarettes that occurred in the years following the 1971 ban on advertising.
In the early episodes of the show, Kojak was shown smoking cigarettes but started using lollipops to help him quit. Savalas received Emmy nominations for his work on the show in 1974 and 1975, winning in 1974.
9. Happy Days
Answer: Henry Winkler
The sitcom "Happy Days" ran from 1974 to 1984 and returned us to the carefree days of 1950s Wisconsin. Although Ron Howard was essentially the star, portraying Richie Cunningham, it was Henry Winkler's Arthur Fonzarelli who became the breakout member of the cast. "The Fonz" was one of the best known characters from American TV during the 1970s. Winkler received Emmy nominations for his work on the show in 1976-1978 but didn't win.
10. Mork and Mindy
Answer: Robin Williams
The show that introduced us to Robin Williams, "Mork and Mindy", ran from 1978 to 1982 and was actually a spin-off from "Happy Days". Williams had played the "Mork" character on the season five "Happy Days" episode, "My Favorite Orkan". On "Mork and Mindy", Williams resided in current-day Colorado with Mindy (Pam Dawber) where he'd been sent to observe human behavior. Williams received an Emmy nomination for his work on the show in 1979 but didn't win.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Gamemaster1967 before going online.
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