A Dozen Socially Significant TV Shows from the Seventies
American television showcased societal issues of the decade
Before the internet and social media came along, television was the most significant mass medium of our time. In the Fifties and Sixties, television shows were largely non-controversial entertainment. But in the Seventies, television reflected social issues in American society as never before. Several of these shows were edgy and even risky for their time, pushing the boundaries of what was “acceptable” to be shown on television. Here are a dozen of the socially significant TV shows of the Seventies, in chronological order, whose content showcased an evolving society.
The Brady Bunch (1969–1974)
This family sitcom was one of the first to depict a blended family. It focused on the combined household of architect Mike Brady and his three sons and Carol Martin and her three daughters. Through their marriage, Mike and Carol integrate the three boys and three girls into a sizable family, helped along by live-in housekeeper Alice Nelson. Early seasons of the series addressed the complexities, conflicts and sibling rivalries among the children of the blended family. The Brady Bunch became more popular when it was syndicated after its five-season run, resulting in television spinoffs and…
