Television tagged with 70s - 2/10

Chico and the Man

Two conflicting characters make for some great comedy. Think Laurel and Hardy, think Fred and Ethel, think Felix Unger and Oscar Madison. And for a short time in the 70s, Chico and the Man. Portrayed by Freddie Prinze and Jack Albertson, respectively, the popular sitcom debuted in 1974 and followed the story of a cranky caucasian garage owner and his smooth-talking Puerto Rican mechanic. And for a few seasons, we not only laughed at their antics, we learned that the most unlikely of bedfellows could become friends.

CHiPs

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The battle between good and evil as it played out on California’s freeways found a good home in the classic 70s NBC series, CHiPs. It was an airy mix of action, police drama and comedy but that was not all; there were also tight uniforms and a groovy theme song.

Circus of the Stars

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Imagine if you can, the thrills of the circus with tigers and trapeze and clowns. Now imagine that instead of seasoned veterans, the performers are your favorite celebrities, each with little circus training but plenty of show biz chutzpah. And there you have Circus of the Stars – an evening of ringside spectacles and (not so) death-defying stunts. All you need is the cotton candy.

Dance Fever

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If you were a disco fan in the late 1970s, there was one television show you could tune into to get your weekly fix - Dance Fever. This amateur dance competition was hosted by Deney Terrio, the disco icon who became famous by teaching John Travolta how to get down in the movie Saturday Night Fever. Let's take a look back at this fondly remembered show.

Dark Shadows

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It was the first Gothic daytime drama, ABC’s first soap opera shot in color, and appealed equally to Goth-loving teenagers and their housewife moms. Debuting in 1966, this half hour of ghostly thrills and otherworldly storylines made Dark Shadows one of the most unique – and popular – shows on television.

Davey and Goliath

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Saturday mornings in the 60s and 70s provided hours upon hours of kid-friendly entertainment, with every network vying for their young audience's attention. On the other hand, when Sunday rolled around, the TV often seemed like a vast wasteland by comparison. Still, there was a charming little show that offered moral guidance to the kids that didn't happen to be attending church, and thy name was Davey and Goliath. And, let's face it - after a few hours the previous morning, watching Wile E. Coyote try to destroy the Roadrunner, a little moral guidance probably couldn’t hurt.

Diff’rent Strokes

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Despite the curious mid-word contraction, Diff’rent Strokes certainly made its mark in sitcom history, appealing to a wide audience during its original run in the late 70s-early 80s and during syndication later on. Thanks to a cherubic young star, and aided by an incredibly catchy theme song, the series was immensely popular and still resonates in pop culture today.

Donny and Marie

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She was a little bit country, he was a little bit rock and roll, and they became one of the most successful brother/sister teams in entertainment history. Their wholesome mugs appeared regularly on television through the latter half of the 70s, and their wholesome music across the nation's radio stations. Make no mistake, Donny and Marie made their mark, and then some.

Doug Henning

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For centuries, magicians have been captivating audiences with the power of illusion - making objects seemingly float through the air, or appear and disappear at will. And while there have been hundreds of amazing practitioners of the art throughout history, one name stands out when it comes to the 70s and 80s. Looking like one of the most colorful and happy hippies to ever walk the earth, Doug Henning was a master of the art of magic, and his ever-present smile and enthusiasm compelled millions to tune in with amazement to his numerous television specials over the years.

Dynomutt, Dog Wonder

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Any regular watcher of television will tell you that a dog is man’s best friend. They will also attest that nifty gadgets are a crime-fighter’s best friend. So, what if we had a dog who was a loyal pet and sidekick to a crime fighting millionaire? Logic suggests that he would be equipped with plenty of high-tech sophistication. Such was the case with Dynomutt, a lovable but ever-clumsy canine robot, equipped with an array of gear that would make the future Inspector Gadget a tad jealous.