Good Times (1974-80)
All in the Family (more on that later) struck such a chord with viewers that it spawned spin-offs with their own spin-offs. This is an example of Good Times. (which came from Maude via All in the Family). The primary actors, John Amos and Esther Rolle, were outstanding. The Chicago-based family brought to the screen not only wit and hilarity, but also a genuine sense of love, compassion, and unity. It’s why, at its peak, the show was one of America’s most-watched shows.
Dallas (1978-91)
Dallas, a hybrid drama/soap opera, lasted 357 episodes. (over 14 seasons). We enjoy any series with family strife, which Dallas had. Families despised one another, family members plotted against one another, and money was flung around like it was out of date. We couldn’t have a successful program without some serious star power at the top. On-screen brothers Patrick Duffy and Larry Hagman were terrific in almost every role as a brother dichotomy. The “Who shot J.R.?” episode is still one of television’s most-watched single episodes.