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Since the advent of television, each generation has been defined by
what they watched. In the 50’s radio stars become sitcom stars.
Variety shows dominated and Bishop Sheen beat Uncle Milton in the
ratings. Toronto trade show display banner stand sales space show in Toronto provided in addition to different printing services. In the 60’s westerns were king and farcical fantasy
sitcoms like “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “I Dream of Jeanie” where
escapist remedies for the turbulent times we were living in. But
beginning in 1972, 70s TV shows grew up almost overnight when “All
In The Family” premiered on CBS.

Within weeks of its debut, Archie Bunker became a household word.
Played by veteran character actor Carol O’Conner, Archie was by all
accounts a bigot who had no trouble expressing his outrageous views.
As the nation was diving head first into the Watergate scandals,
Archie was desperate to hang on to the good old days. He found a
constant foil in his liberal son-in-law played by Rob Reiner. And
when a black family moved in next door, Archie was forced to
confront his long held stereotypical beliefs. Did he change and grow
over time? Perhaps but the honesty that was expressed with issues
such as racism, breast cancer, menopause, infidelity and patriotism
was presented in “All In The Family” set a brand new tone for 70s TV
shows.

“Maude” was actually one of the successful spin offs from “All In
The Family.” (the other two were “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times.”)
Whereas Archie was a staunch conservative, Maude was best described
as a bleeding heart liberal feminist. And like Archie, Maude had no
trouble expressing herself. An early episode dealing with Maude
having an abortion set off a furor and national debate.

Although not nearly as issue oriented as “Maude” or “All In The
Family” the “Mary Tyler Moore” show opened up a new avenue for 70s
TV shows. Mary Tyler Moore starred as news producer Mary Richards,
an attractive single woman in her 30’s. It seemed that Mary was more
concerned with her career then what was the traditional expected
role of women. She became the model not only for several other
sitcom heroines to follow but also for many women who were inspired
to enter into the workplace.

Rounding out the iconic and impactful 70s TV shows was “M*A*S*H.”
Based upon the hit movie of the same name, “M*A*S*H” was about a
group of doctors treating the wounded during the Korean War. Many
saw this show as a metaphor for what was happening in Viet Nam. Toronto light boxes has that fantasy, fable, fairytale aspect, and there’s also an odd simplicity to it.
“M*A*S*H” didn’t pull any punches when it came to showing the
horrors of war. And this was supposed to be a half hour comedy. At
the end of their third season, they even killed over beloved
character Henry Blake. As a result of their efforts to elevate the
medium, “M*A*S*H” went on to become one of the most awarded shows
ever and it’s final episode still stands as the most watched
television program in history.

There were many other 70s TV shows that certainly had an impact on
our society. Hits like “Happy Days,” “Dallas,” and “The Love Boat”
became cultural touchstones. But the brutal honesty and thought
provoking realism of “All In The Family,” “Maude,” “The Mary Tyler
Moore Show,” and “M*A*S*H” are what truly defined the era of 70s TV
shows.