Bringing the Forgotten Classics Back into Focus
Flipping through the channels of our memory, it’s easy to see why these shows have been overshadowed. They weren’t always the biggest hits, and they don’t have the constant replay factor of a Brady Bunch or a Gilligan’s Island. But their influence is undeniable. From the female-led action of Police Woman to the genre-defining horror of Kolchak, these series were the building blocks for so much of the television we love today. They reflect the anxieties, hopes, and humor of their time with an honesty that is still compelling.
The rise of streaming services and specialty channels has, thankfully, made some of these forgotten gems easier to find than they have been in decades. While availability changes constantly, a quick search on major platforms or on dedicated classic TV channels can sometimes yield surprising results. The experience of watching them now is a unique form of nostalgia—not just for the shows themselves, but for the era they represent.
So here is your call to action, your homework from GoViralStory.com. Don’t just reminisce about the theme songs you remember. Seek out an episode of one of these shows. Create your own “forgotten classic” sampler:
1. A taste of innovation: Watch an episode of Soap to appreciate its ahead-of-its-time serialized comedy.
2. A dose of reality: Try an episode of Emergency! to see the birth of the modern procedural and its real-world impact.
3. A lesson in character: Find an episode of The Bob Newhart Show to witness a masterclass in ensemble acting and subtle humor.
You might be surprised at how well they hold up, and you’ll gain a richer appreciation for the best television shows of the 1970s—both the ones we all remember and the ones that truly deserve a second look.
