- Years On TV: 1951–1959, 1967–1970
- Run: 11 years
- Actors: Jack Webb, Harry Morgan, Ben Alexander
Dragnet chronicles the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sgt. Joe Friday. The show's often quoted line, "Just the facts, ma'am," is misquoted and isn't actually ever said. It's really "All we want are the facts, ma'am." The show won 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for several others, and it was often praised for its realistic portrayal of police work.
- Years On TV: 1955–1975
- Run: 20 years
- Actors: James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake
The story of Marshal Matt Dillon in Dodge City, Kansas, during the Old West was the longest-running prime-time, live-action series in American television history until it was surpassed by Law & Order: SVU in 2019. Gunsmoke won 5 Primetime Emmy Awards and received numerous nominations, and was inducted into the National Television Hall of Fame.
- Years On TV: 1957–1962
- Run: 5 years
- Actors: James Garner, Jack Kelly, Roger Moore
Maverick follows the adventures of Bret Maverick, a cardsharp traveling through the Old West. This show introduced the anti-hero to television, influencing many shows to come. James Garner won a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series.
- Years On TV: 1959–1973
- Run: 14 years
- Actors: Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker
Bonanza follows the adventures of the Cartwright family on the Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada. The show was one of the first series to be filmed and broadcast in color. It won 3 Primetime Emmy Awards and received 12 nominations. It was also awarded a Golden Globe.
- Years On TV: 1961–1966
- Run: 5 years
- Actors: Shirley Booth, Don DeFore, Whitney Blake
Hazel revolves around the Baxter family and their competent, yet meddlesome, maid Hazel Burke. It is based on the popular comic strip by Ted Key. Shirley Booth won 2 Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
- Years On TV: 1964–1967
- Run: 3 years
- Actors: Brian Kelly, Luke Halpin, Tommy Norden
Flipper follows the adventures of a bottlenose dolphin named Flipper and the family who cares for him in the Florida Keys. The series was often referred to as the "aquatic Lassie." It was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmy Awards.
- Years On TV: 1966–1968
- Run: 2 years
- Actors: Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier
Bewitched chronicles the life of a witch named Samantha who marries a mortal man and tries to lead a normal life. The series subtly broke new ground by focusing on the relationship between a witch and a mortal, which many have interpreted as an allegory for mixed marriages, addressing themes of tolerance and understanding in a lighthearted, magical context. The series won 3 Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for 22 more, and was particularly lauded for its practical special effects.
- Years On TV: 1966–1968
- Run: 2 years
- Actors: Adam West, Burt Ward, Alan Napier
The series follows the adventures of Batman and Robin as they protect Gotham City from various villains. It was known for its campy style, colorful costumes, and catchphrases like "Pow!" and "Bam!" that appeared on screen during action moments, remeniscent of comic books. Batman was nominated for 3 Primetime Emmy Awards.
- Years On TV: 1967–1975
- Run: 8 years
- Actors: Raymond Burr, Don Galloway, Barbara Anderson
The show follows Robert Ironside, a former Chief of Detectives who is paralyzed and continues to solve crimes from his wheelchair. It was one of the first TV shows to feature a protagonist with a disability. The show was nominated for 2 Golden Globe Awards and won a Primetime Emmy Award.
- Years On TV: 1971–1976
- Run: 5 years
- Actors: William Conrad, Patrick Culliton, Tom Pittman
Cannon followed along with the adventures of Frank Cannon, a private detective who solves crimes in Los Angeles. The show was notable for featuring an overweight lead character who uses his intellect rather than physical prowess to solve cases. The groundbreaking series was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
- Years On TV: 1971–2003
- Run: 32 years
- Actors: Peter Falk, Mike Lally, John Finnegan
Columbo features the shrewd and deceptively bumbling detective Columbo as he solves complex murder cases. The show was known for showing the crime and culprit at the beginning of each episode. It won 13 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Golden Globe Awards. Peter Falk also won multiple awards for his role as Columbo.
- Years On TV: 1972–1974
- Run: 2 years
- Actors: George Peppard, Ralph Manza, Murray Matheson
The show follows Thomas Banacek, a suave and sophisticated Boston-based freelance insurance investigator, known for his use of clever Polish proverbs. Banacek was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
- Years On TV: 1972–1978
- Run: 6 years
- Actors: Bea Arthur, Bill Macy, Adrienne Barbeau
The series centers around the life of Maude Findlay, a liberal, outspoken woman living in suburban New York. A spin-off of All in the Family, it tackled numerous social issues. Bea Arthur won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1977. Hermione Baddeley won a Golden Globe Award in 1975 for Best Supporting Actress - Television.
- Years On TV: 1972–1979
- Run: 7 years
- Actors: Randolph Mantooth, Kevin Tighe, Julie London
Emergency! is all about the work of Los Angeles paramedics and firefighters. The series helped popularize the profession of paramedics and inspired the creation of emergency medical services in the U.S. It was also nominated for 4 Primetime Emmy Awards.
- Years On TV: 1972–1983
- Run: 11 years
- Actors: Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit
MASH is one of the most seminal television series in American history. It follows the staff of a Korean War field hospital as they deal with the horrors of war while trying to maintain their sanity. The series finale became the most-watched television episode in U.S. history at the time, attracting over 100 million viewers. It's still the most-watched non-Super Bowl TV programming. It won 14 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series, and received numerous other nominations and awards.
- Years On TV: 1973–1978
- Run: 5 years
- Actors: Telly Savalas, Dan Frazer, Kevin Dobson
Kojak chronicles the cases of bald, New York City detective Lt. Theo Kojak. It made famous the catchphrase, "Who loves ya, baby?" The series won 2 Primetime Emmy Awards and received several nominations. Telly Savalas won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role.
- Years On TV: 1975–1978
- Run: 3 years
- Actors: Robert Blake, Tom Ewell, Michael D. Roberts
Baretta is centered around title character Tony Baretta, an unconventional and street-smart undercover cop. His famous catchphrase was, "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time." Robert Blake won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
- Years On TV: 1976–1985
- Run: 9 years
- Actors: Linda Lavin, Vic Tayback, Beth Howland
Alice chronicles the life of a widowed mother working at a roadside diner while trying to become a singer. The TV shwo was originally based on the movie Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. It won 1 Golden Globe Award and received multiple Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
- Years On TV: 1977–1981
- Run: 4 years
- Actors: Katherine Helmond, Richard Mulligan, Robert Mandan
Soap is a parody of soap operas. The two main families on the show are the Tates and the Campbells. The show coverered controversial topics and broke new ground as a television comedy, winning 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and securing multiple Golden Globe Awards nominations.
- Years On TV: 1977–1983
- Run: 6 years
- Actors: Erik Estrada, Larry Wilcox, Robert Pine
The daily lives of two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers as they patrol the highways of Los Angeles create the plot of CHiPs. Erik Estrada became a household name and a teen idol thanks to his role as Officer Ponch. The show was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.
- Years On TV: 1978–1991
- Run: 13 years
- Actors: Larry Hagman, Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray
The main characters of Dallas are the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family involved in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. The show gained immense popularity, particularly with the "Who shot J.R.?" episode, which remains one of the highest-rated TV episodes of all time. It achieved critical acclaim, winning 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and receiving 21 nominations, along with a Golden Globe Award and several Soap Opera Digest Awards. You may think of Dallas as peak 80s TV, which it was, but the show actually started at the tail end of the 70s.
- Years On TV: 1979–1986
- Run: 7 years
- Actors: Robert Guillaume, James Noble, Inga Swenson
The show centers around Benson DuBois, portrayed by Robert Guillaume, who was originally a butler on the series Soap, before getting his own spin-off in Benson. In Benson, he begins as the head of household affairs for Governor Eugene Gatling, a bumbling and well-meaning but often incompetent politician. Benson's role is to manage the governor's mansion and deal with its colorful staff, but over time, he becomes much more involved in state politics. Robert Guillaume won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1985 for his role as Benson, becoming one of the few Black actors to win in that category. He had also been nominated multiple times throughout the show’s run.
