Based on the UK show "Till Death Us Do Part", "All in the Family" ran from 1971 to 1979 and focused on the Queens New York family of bigoted blue-collar worker Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor), his wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), their daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) and her liberal husband Michael (Rob Reiner).
Although a sitcom, the show had episodes on many serious issues including racism, rape, breast cancer, with Edith being the central character in some of the more serious story lines. For her work on the show, Stapleton received Emmy nominations in 1971-1975, 1977-1979, winning in 1971, 1972 and 1978.
2. Upstairs, Downstairs
Answer: Jean Marsh
The "Downton Abbey" of its day, the British drama "Upstairs, Downstairs" ran from 1971 to 1975 and took place between 1903 and 1930. Originally conceived as a comedy by Jean Marsh and Eileen Atkins, the show ended up being a drama with Marsh portraying parlormaid and later lady's maid, Rose Buck, for the wealthy Bellamy family in London. Marsh was nominated for an Emmy for her work on the show in 1974 and 1975, winning in the latter year.
3. Police Woman
Answer: Angie Dickinson
The police drama "Police Woman" ran from 1974 to 1978 and followed the adventures of undercover Los Angeles officer Sgt. Pepper Anderson (Angie Dickinson). It was the first successful U.S. hour-long drama to feature a woman as the leading role, and the show was credited for sparking interest in police work among women. Dickinson received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1975-1977 but didn't win.
4. Maude
Answer: Beatrice Arthur
A spin-off from "All in the Family", "Maude" was the cousin of Edith Bunker. Beatrice Arthur portrayed Maude, a liberal, outspoken New Yorker living with her fourth husband. Although a comedy, the series, which ran from 1972 to 1978, dealt with several serious issues including abortion and alcoholism. Arthur received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1973, 1974, 1976-1978, winning in 1977.
5. Good Times
Answer: Esther Rolle
A spin-off from "Maude", "Good Times" ran from 1974 to 1979 and featured the adventures of Maude's former housekeeper Florida Evans (Esther Rolle). The show was relocated to Chicago, where Florida lived with her husband James (John Amos) and their three children, J.J. (Jimmie Walker), Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis), and Michael (Ralph Carter).
Although the show was meant to focus on Florida and James, the J.J. character became the break-out star, much to the disapproval of the leads. Rolle complained that the character was foolish and illiterate, and both Amos and Rolle eventually left the show because of the portrayal. Rolle was overlooked by the Television Academy for her work on the show, although she did pick up a Golden Globe nomination in 1975.
6. Rhoda
Answer: Valerie Harper
One of the successful spin-offs from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Rhoda" ran from 1974 to 1978. The character of Rhoda had been Mary Richards' best friend on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", and after playing the role for four years on that show, Valerie Harper was rewarded with her own sitcom that became the first ever to debut in the number one Nielsen ranking with its pilot episode (and against "Monday Night Football" at that). Harper received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1975-1978, winning the award in 1975.
7. The Waltons
Answer: Michael Learned
"The Waltons" ran from 1971 to 1981 and followed the story of a depression-era multi-generational family living in the Virginia mountains. The series took place from 1933 to 1946 so the later seasons focused on World War II. Originally presented as a television movie, the story was so popular that it was made into a series starring Richard Thomas as John-Boy, Ralph Waite as John Walton Sr. and Michael Learned as Olivia Walton. Learned received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1973-1978, and she won the award in 1973, 1974 and 1976.
8. Charlie's Angels
Answer: Kate Jackson
Farrah Fawcett-Majors was the break-out star of "Charlie's Angels", which ran from 1976 to 1981, but it was Kate Jackson who received the acting nominations, so she gets the acknowledgment here. The show featured three leads, Jackson, Fawcett-Majors and Jaclyn Smith, as police officers who had been recruited to work for a private detective agency run by the elusive Charlie (John Forsythe). Jackson received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1977 and 1978 but didn't win.
9. The Bionic Woman
Answer: Lindsay Wagner
A spin-off from "The Six Million Dollar Man", "The Bionic Woman" featured Lindsay Wagner as surgically enhanced super woman Jaime Sommers (she had amplified hearing, enhanced legs and an enhanced arm following surgery after a skydiving accident). The show ran from 1976 to 1978 and followed Sommers' adventures as an operative for the Office of Scientific Intelligence. Wagner won the Emmy award for her work on the show in 1977.
10. The Mod Squad
Answer: Peggy Lipton
Although it debuted in 1968, "The Mod Squad" ran until 1973; hence its inclusion in this quiz. The show featured Michael Cole, Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III as three young, hip undercover cops. Tige Andrews was the police captain who served as their mentor, convincing them to work for the police instead of ending up in jail themselves. Lipton received Emmy nominations for her work on the show in 1969-1972 but didn't win.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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