Television in 1976 felt like it had one foot in the comfort of the past and the other leaping straight into something brand new. The era of three networks was still firmly in place, but viewers were getting restless, wanting characters with more personality, shows with more energy and stories that reflected a changing world. And somehow, in the middle of all that, 1976 delivered a lineup of premieres that managed to feel familiar, fresh and downright irresistible all at once.

Laverne & Shirley burst onto ABC as a spinoff from Happy Days and the audience instantly fell in love with the duo played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. And with Charlie’s Angels, ABC tapped into a different kind of lightning altogether. Glamorous, high-energy, action-driven—the Angels didn’t look or behave like any private eyes TV had given us before, and that’s exactly why those ladies were so appealing.

But 1976 TV shows didn’t just feature glossy action and sitcom comfort food. Quincy, M.E. arrived with a surprisingly serious beat, tackling crime through the eyes of a medical examiner played by Jack Klugman (fresh off of The Odd Couple)—a concept that felt radical at the time and would eventually pave the way for decades of forensic dramas. At the same time, The Muppet Show launched as something completely different: a variety series that somehow managed to charm kids, adults, celebrities and anyone who could appreciate a frog trying to hold a show together with felt, optimism and sheer willpower.

Looking back at 1976 now feels like opening a scrapbook from a moment when television was stretching, experimenting and discovering just how many shapes it could take. In some ways, that was only the beginning.

‘Alice’ (1976–1985)

Created by: Robert Gretchell, based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore

Cast: Linda Lavin (Alice Hyatt), Vic Tayback (Mel Sharples), Beth Howland (Vera), Polly Holliday (Flo), Philip McKeon (Tommy), Diane Ladd (Belle), Celia Weston (Jolene)

Premise: Widowed mother Alice Hyatt relocates to Phoenix with her son and takes a job as a waitress at Mel’s Diner while pursuing her dream of becoming a singer. Much of the comedy and heart comes from the relationships among the waitresses, customers and the gruff but ultimately caring Mel.

Behind-the-scenes: The series evolved from Robert Getchell’s gritty, Martin Scorsese–directed film into a warmer, character-driven sitcom. Linda Lavin not only starred but became a defining creative force behind the show. Polly Holliday’s Flo became a breakout character, with her catchphrase “Kiss my grits!” turning into a national phenomenon and leading to the spinoff Flo. Cast changes were frequent, with Diane Ladd—who played Flo in the original film—later joining the series as Belle Dupree. The long-running success of Alice cemented it as one of CBS’s most identifiable sitcoms of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

‘The Bionic Woman’ (1976–1978)

Created by: Kenneth Johnson; based on characters by Martin Caidin

Cast: Lindsay Wagner (Jaime Sommers), Richard Anderson (Oscar Goldman), Martin E. Brooks (Dr. Rudy Wells), Lee Majors (Col. Steve Austin – recurring), Max (Maximilian the bionic dog – recurring)

Premise: After a skydiving accident leaves her near death, former tennis player and schoolteacher Jaime Sommers is rebuilt with bionic limbs and a bionic ear. Recruited by the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI), she undertakes missions of espionage and rescue while grappling with the emotional cost of her enhanced abilities.

Behind-the-scenes: Originally introduced in a two-part episode of The Six Million Dollar Man, Jaime Sommers proved so popular that ABC revived her from on-screen death and launched a full series. Lindsay Wagner’s grounded, empathetic performance earned her a 1977 Emmy Award—an uncommon honor for science-fiction television. Network politics led ABC to cancel the show after two seasons, only for NBC to revive it for one final year.

‘Charlie’s Angels’ (1976–1981)

Created by: Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts

Cast: Kate Jackson (Sabrina Duncan), Farrah Fawcett-Majors (Jill Munroe), Jaclyn Smith (Kelly Garrett), David Doyle (Bosley), John Forsythe (voice of Charlie Townsend)

Premise: Three women work as private investigators for the elusive Charlie Townsend, taking on undercover missions involving crime, corruption, and danger. Combining glamour, action and pop appeal, the series follows the Angels as they rely on intelligence, disguise and physical prowess to solve cases.

Behind-the-scenes: Often cited as the pinnacle of 1970s “jiggle TV,” Charlie’s Angels was also a ratings juggernaut that left a lasting mark on pop culture. Farrah Fawcett became an overnight sensation, her feathered hairstyle and iconic red swimsuit poster turning her into a national phenomenon. After leaving the show as a regular following the first season, Fawcett returned for guest appearances amid a highly publicized legal dispute with ABC. Despite frequent critical dismissal, the series built a devoted audience, became one of the network’s signature hits and spawned films, reboots and decades of enduring nostalgia..

‘The Gong Show’ (1976–1980)

Created by: Chuck Barris

Cast: Chuck Barris (Host), Jaye P. Morgan, Jamie Farr (frequent panelists), various guest judges

Premise: A chaotic, comedic talent show in which aspiring performers—often deliberately offbeat—take the stage before a rotating panel of celebrity judges. Acts continue until they are either applauded or “gonged” off the stage, making the series a mix of variety entertainment, satire and playful absurdity.

Behind-the-scenes: The Gong Show intentionally embraced unpredictability, with Chuck Barris fostering a loose, anything-goes atmosphere that routinely pushed network standards. The series became infamous for improvised moments, risqué humor and increasingly bizarre acts. Jaye P. Morgan’s on-air antics famously tested censors and led to her dismissal, while Barris later acknowledged that some performers were recruited specifically to provoke reactions. Airing in daytime on NBC before expanding into syndication and prime-time specials, the show became one of the most talked-about television experiments of the 1970s.

‘The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams’ (1976–1978)

Created by: Created by Charles E. Sellier Jr.

Cast: Dan Haggerty (James “Grizzly” Adams), Denver Pyle (Mad Jack), Don Shanks (Nakoma), Ben (the bear — “Number 703” in real life)

Premise: A gentle frontier drama, the series follows James “Grizzly” Adams, a skilled woodsman falsely accused of a crime, who retreats into the mountains and forms a deep bond with the wilderness—particularly with a grizzly bear he rescues. Living far from civilization, Adams builds a peaceful life among animals and a small circle of mountain friends.

Behind-the-scenes: The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams grew out of the enormous popularity of the 1974 TV movie created by Charles E. Sellier Jr., which later expanded into this weekly NBC series. Dan Haggerty’s performance was grounded in real experience, as he had worked extensively with animals prior to the show, lending it an unusual level of authenticity. Filmed primarily in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and parts of California, the series showcased sweeping natural landscapes rarely seen on television at the time. Ben the bear became a star in his own right, though working with him required meticulous planning and strict safety measures. The show’s warm, humane tone resonated strongly with families, making it one of NBC’s most beloved series of the late 1970s.

‘Laverne & Shirley’ (1976–1983)

Created by: Garry Marshall, Lowell Ganz, and Mark Rothman

Premise: A spinoff of Happy Days, the sitcom follows the misadventures of best friends and Milwaukee brewery workers Laverne and Shirley. Their blue-collar lives, comic mishaps, friendships and love lives form the foundation of a warm, slapstick-heavy series set primarily in the late 1950s.

Behind-the-scenes: The show became an instant hit, quickly climbing to the top of the Nielsen ratings. Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams shared an effortless on-screen chemistry, while Michael McKean and David Lander—already an established comedy team before joining the cast—helped define the show’s anarchic tone. Tensions later arose involving contracts, creative direction and Cindy Williams’ pregnancy, ultimately leading to her departure. In later seasons, the series shifted its setting from Milwaukee to Los Angeles, though the early Milwaukee years remain the most fondly remembered. At its peak during the late 1970s, Laverne & Shirley was the No. 1 show on American television.

‘The Muppet Show’ (1976–1981)

Created by: Jim Henson

Cast: Jim Henson (Kermit the Frog, Waldorf), Frank Oz (Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal), Jerry Nelson (Statler), Richard Hunt (Scooter, Statler), Dave Goelz (Gonzo)

Premise: A variety show hosted by Kermit the Frog and featuring a cast of eccentric Muppets, the series blends sketch comedy, musical numbers, backstage chaos and celebrity guest stars.

Behind-the-Scenes: After American networks initially passed on Henson’s idea for an adult-friendly puppet variety show, British producer Lew Grade offered to finance the series in the U.K., where it became a runaway success. The show’s mix of vaudeville, satire and innovative puppetry was unlike anything else on television. Guest stars—ranging from Elton John to Vincent Price—embraced the Muppet spirit and often pushed the show into unexpected comedic territory.

‘Operation Petticoat’ (1976–1977)

Created by: Based on the 1959 film; adapted for TV by Harry Ackerman and others

Cast: John Astin (Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Sherman), Gary Collins (Lt. Nick Holden – Season 1), Mary Cadorette (Nurse Crandall – Season 1), Jamie Lee Curtis (Lt. Barbara Duran – Season 1), Richard Gilliland (Lt. Mike Higgins – Season 2)

Premise: A comedic military ensemble series set during World War II, the show follows the misadventures aboard the USS Sea Tiger, a pink submarine staffed by Navy officers and Army nurses. Episodes center on slapstick situations, romantic entanglements and the chaos of life on an unconventional vessel.

Behind-the-Scenes: The sitcom sought to capture the charm of the original Cary Grant/Tony Curtis film but expanded the ensemble to fit weekly storytelling. A young Jamie Lee Curtis appeared in the first season, one of her earliest television roles; she was later replaced during a cast retooling. Although the show boasted a strong comedic cast—led by The Addams Family‘s John Astin—it struggled to stand out in a crowded ABC lineup. A major Season 2 overhaul, including almost a full cast replacement, failed to improve ratings, and the show ended after two seasons.

‘Quincy, M.E.’ (1976–1983)

Created by: Glen A. Larson and Lou Shaw

Cast: Jack Klugman (Dr. R. Quincy), Garry Walberg (Lt. Frank Monahan), John S. Ragin (Dr. Robert Asten), Val Bisoglio (Danny), Joseph Roman (Sgt. Brill)

Premise: The series centers on Dr. Quincy, a Los Angeles County medical examiner who investigates suspicious deaths and often clashes with police and bureaucratic superiors. Each episode pairs forensic deduction with passionate moral arguments, showcasing Quincy’s relentless pursuit of the truth.

Behind-the-Scenes: Debuting as part of The NBC Mystery Movie wheel before spinning off into a weekly series, Quincy, M.E. became a surprise hit. Jack Klugman’s fiery, emotional performance grounded the procedural stories and often veered into socially conscious themes—ranging from drunk driving to unsafe working conditions. Klugman fought aggressively for more issue-oriented episodes, clashing with producers but increasing the show’s impact. It became an early precursor to later forensic dramas like CSI and remains one of Klugman’s most celebrated roles.

‘Rich Man, Poor Man’ (1976)

Created by: Based on the novel by Irwin Shaw; adapted by Dean Riesner and others

Cast: Peter Strauss (Rudy Jordache), Nick Nolte (Tom Jordache), Susan Blakely (Julie Prescott), Edward Asner (Axel Jordache), Dorothy McGuire (Mary Jordache), Bill Bixby (Willie Abbott), William Smith (Falconetti)

Premise: A sprawling, multi-decade saga following the lives of the Jordache brothers—ambitious Rudy and rebellious Tom—as they navigate family conflict, love, class divisions, success and tragedy in the decades after World War II. The series uses shifting historical moments as a backdrop for deeply personal drama.

Behind-the-Scenes: One of the first great American miniseries, Rich Man, Poor Man, helped redefine television storytelling. Its success proved that serialized, novelistic drama could thrive in prime time. Nick Nolte’s breakthrough performance turned him into a major star, while Peter Strauss’s emotionally nuanced portrayal solidified his career. The miniseries’ intense popularity led to a sequel, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II. The show’s villain, Falconetti (played by William Smith), became one of TV’s most memorable antagonists of the era.

‘Serpico’ (1976–1977)

Created by: Based on the book by Peter Maas; developed for television by David Birney and others

Cast: David Birney (Frank Serpico), Tom Atkins (Capt. Tom Sullivan), Alan Mixon (Det. Lt. Dan Sullivan), Sydney Lassick (Otto Lindemann)

Premise: Inspired by the real-life NYPD whistleblower Frank Serpico, the series follows the young detective as he battles corruption within the police force while trying to uphold his own strict moral code. Episodes feature undercover assignments, moral dilemmas and Serpico’s clashes with both criminals and compromised colleagues.

Behind-the-Scenes: Arriving three years after Al Pacino’s acclaimed film, the series tried to capture the grit and reformist spirit of the original story on a 1970s TV budget. David Birney’s portrayal was earnest and committed, but the show struggled to meet audience expectations following the film’s success. NBC paired it with other crime dramas, but ratings remained modest.

‘Starsky & Hutch’ (1976–1979)

Created by: William Blinn

Cast: Paul Michael Glaser (David Starsky), David Soul (Kenneth “Hutch” Hutchinson), Antonio Fargas (Huggy Bear), Bernie Hamilton (Capt. Dobey)

Premise: The streets of Bay City set the backdrop for the adventures of two undercover detectives—tough, impulsive Starsky and cool, introspective Hutch—as they battle drug dealers, mobsters and violent criminals. The show blends action, character-driven drama and buddy-cop chemistry with a distinctive 1970s flair.

Behind-the-Scenes: Though the pilot aired in 1975, the weekly series officially launched in 1976 and quickly became a signature ABC hit. The red-and-white Ford Gran Torino became an icon, a fact that Paul Michael Glaser wasn’t happy with: he disliked the attention it drew during scenes. The show pushed boundaries with darker storylines but also faced ongoing debates over violence on television. Antonio Fargas’ Huggy Bear became a breakout character, and the chemistry between Glaser and Soul cemented the series as one of the defining cop shows of the 1970s.

‘The Tony Randall Show’ (1976–1980)

Created by: Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses

Cast: Tony Randall (Judge Walter Franklin), Penny Peyser (Katherine Franklin), Barney Martin (Mario Lanza), Rachel Roberts (Miss Reubner), Allyn Ann McLerie (Martha)

Premise: A sophisticated character comedy centered on Philadelphia judge Walter Franklin, whose no-nonsense courtroom demeanor contrasts with his warm, humorous domestic life as a widower raising two children.

Behind-the-Scenes: After The Odd Couple, Tony Randall sought another character-driven vehicle that showcased his wit and urbane charm. The show was built around his strengths, resulting in a critically admired sitcom with a devoted following. Despite strong reviews, ratings were inconsistent, and ABC eventually canceled it. CBS revived the show for its final season, where it maintained its well-crafted, literate humor but still struggled to find a wide audience.

‘What’s Happening!!’ (1976–1979)

Created by: Eric Monte (inspired loosely by his film Cooley High), developed by Michael Elias and Rich Eustis

Cast: Ernest Thomas (Roger “Raj” Thomas), Haywood Nelson (Dwayne), Fred Berry (Rerun), Danielle Spencer (Dee), Mabel King (Mama), Shirley Hemphill (Shirley)
Premise: A warm, character-driven sitcom centered on three Black teenagers navigating school, friendships and life in Los Angeles. The show blends humor, heart, and slice-of-life storytelling, often emphasizing family and community.

Behind-the-Scenes: What’s Happening!! became a breakout hit for ABC and remains one of the most beloved sitcoms of the era. Fred Berry’s Rerun—always dancing, always hungry—became the show’s breakout star, thanks to his comedic physicality and disco-era energy. It also produced one of TV’s most famous episodes: the Doobie Brothers’ anti-bootlegging storyline. The series’ success led to a follow-up, What’s Happening Now!!, in the mid-’80s. It was loosely inspired by the 1975 film Cooley High.