1972, HBO was launched. Notable TV premieres of the year: Sanford & Son (NBC), Emergency! (NBC), Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (CBS), The Bob Newhart Show (CBS), M*A*S*H (CBS), Kung Fu (ABC), The Waltons (CBS), and Maude (CBS). It’s the year that TV Guide stops using a “C” to denote color programs and begins using a “BW” to denote black & white programs.
Top 20 Prime Time Broadcast Programs, October 1971-April 1972:
|
RANK |
PROGRAM |
NETWORK |
HH RATING |
HH SHARE |
|
|
1 |
All In The Family |
CBS |
34.0 |
54 |
|
|
2 |
Flip Wilson Show |
NBC |
28.2 |
44 |
|
|
3 |
Marcus Welby, MD |
ABC |
27.8 |
49 |
|
|
4 |
Gunsmoke |
CBS |
26.0 |
39 |
|
|
5 |
ABC Movie of The Week |
ABC |
25.6 |
38 |
|
|
6 |
Sanford & Son |
NBC |
25.2 |
41 |
|
|
7 |
Mannix |
CBS |
24.8 |
43 |
|
|
8 |
Funny Face |
CBS |
23.9 |
40 |
|
|
8 |
Adam 12 |
NBC |
23.9 |
37 |
|
|
10 |
Mary Tyler Moore Show |
CBS |
23.7 |
39 |
|
|
11 |
Here’s Lucy |
CBS |
23.7 |
35 |
|
|
12 |
Hawaii Five-O |
CBS |
23.6 |
35 |
|
|
13 |
Medical Center |
CBS |
23.5 |
36 |
|
|
14 |
NBC Mystery Movie |
NBC |
23.2 |
36 |
|
|
15 |
Ironside |
NBC |
23.0 |
37 |
|
|
16 |
Partridge Family |
ABC |
22.6 |
37 |
|
|
17 |
The F.B.I. |
ABC |
22.4 |
34 |
|
|
18 |
New Dick Van Dyke Show |
CBS |
22.2 |
36 |
|
|
19 |
Walt Disney |
NBC |
22.0 |
35 |
|
|
20 |
Bonanza |
NBC |
21.9 |
34 |
For a bit of perspective, the top rated show this season, Tuesday’s American Idol, Season To Date HH rating is 16.1 and its share is 24.
There were 2 regular Prime Time Movies (ABC Movie of the Week, NBC Mystery Movie) compared to one in 1982. Commenter Daniel C. notes that the NBC Mystery Movie was more an anthology of a series of shows, see below.
If you count All in the Family and Archie Bunker’s Place as the same show, that’s the only program to survive in the top 20 from 1972-1982. Although perhaps the ABC Movie of the Week and the ABC Monday Night Movie (1982) could fall into the same group.
There were 8 sitcoms (All in the Family, Flip Wilson Show, Sanford & Son, Funny Face, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Here’s Lucy, Partridge Family, New Dick Van Dyke Show).
There were 5 crime dramas (Mannix, Adam 12, Hawaii Five-O, Ironside, The F.B.I.)
There were 2 westerns (Gunsmoke, Bonanza)
60 Minutes and prime time NFL football had yet to reach the long-time plateau on which they both still rest.
On a HH ratings basis, All in The Family was almost 20% more popular than the top show in 1982, Dallas, and more than 1/3 of the nation regularly watched it.
The network v. network competition in the top 20 was more even than 1982 when NBC didn’t have a single show: NBC had 7, CBS had 9, and ABC had 4 of the top 20.
HBO logo courtesy of Wikipedia.
Nielsen TV Ratings Data: ©2005 Nielsen Media Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Although the devil may have made him do it, Flip Wilson was not a sitcom. Comedy, yes, situation comedy no. Think more “Carol Burnett”.
Although the devil may have made him do it, Flip Wilson was not a sitcom. Comedy, yes, situation comedy no. Think more “Carol Burnett”.
I recognize every show on here, but Funny Face. What is that?
I recognize every show on here, but Funny Face. What is that?
Polly, I’m right there with you. I recognize and have probably seen every episode of every show on the list, but Funny Face I could only muster up vague recollections of (I think my mom liked it). After seeing your comment I looked it up on Wikipedia, and as I suspected it involved Sandy Duncan.
According to Wiki its original run was only 9/18/71-12/11/71! CBS held a short leash in those days I guess — and somehow the show still made the top 10. Wacky. CBS apparently had a similar fate when it tried again with the Sandy Duncan Show (9/17/72-12/31/72).
Polly, I'm right there with you. I recognize and have probably seen every episode of every show on the list, but Funny Face I could only muster up vague recollections of (I think my mom liked it). After seeing your comment I looked it up on Wikipedia, and as I suspected it involved Sandy Duncan.
According to Wiki its original run was only 9/18/71-12/11/71! CBS held a short leash in those days I guess — and somehow the show still made the top 10. Wacky. CBS apparently had a similar fate when it tried again with the Sandy Duncan Show (9/17/72-12/31/72).
The fact that it was the #8 show, yet was *still* cancelled after less than 3 months is stunning to me.
The fact that it was the #8 show, yet was *still* cancelled after less than 3 months is stunning to me.
Robert – Thanks! No wonder I didn’t recognize it. Wow, competition must have been tough if you got cancelled after making it into the top 10.
Robert – Thanks! No wonder I didn't recognize it. Wow, competition must have been tough if you got cancelled after making it into the top 10.
Bill – is it possible that there was something behind the scenes that caused it to be cancelled? (Maybe something personal with the star? Just a guess.)
Bill – is it possible that there was something behind the scenes that caused it to be cancelled? (Maybe something personal with the star? Just a guess.)
Polly, a very good guess, and as is often the case, Wikipedia enlightens all of us,
Despite ranking #8 in the Nielsen Ratings for the 1971-72 season, it was cancelled less than three months after its premiere, because Duncan had to undergo eye surgery. CBS returned the Sandy Stockton character and Miss Duncan the next season in The Sandy Duncan Show.
Polly, a very good guess, and as is often the case, Wikipedia enlightens all of us,
Despite ranking #8 in the Nielsen Ratings for the 1971-72 season, it was cancelled less than three months after its premiere, because Duncan had to undergo eye surgery. CBS returned the Sandy Stockton character and Miss Duncan the next season in The Sandy Duncan Show.
Sadly the second incarnation couldn’t hang against FBI and movie of the week fare and still got cancelled after 3 months.
Tom Bosley who’d go on to fame as Mr. C. on Happy Days starred in the second season and the team who wrote the theme song (both versions of the show used the same theme) went on to collaborate on the classic themes for Maude and Good Times.
Temporary layoffs
Good times!
Easy credit rip offs
Good Times!
The more things change… But I should probably save that for the 1974-1975 post
Sadly the second incarnation couldn't hang against FBI and movie of the week fare and still got cancelled after 3 months.
Tom Bosley who'd go on to fame as Mr. C. on Happy Days starred in the second season and the team who wrote the theme song (both versions of the show used the same theme) went on to collaborate on the classic themes for Maude and Good Times.
Temporary layoffs
Good times!
Easy credit rip offs
Good Times!
The more things change… But I should probably save that for the 1974-1975 post
I would respectfully contend that the NBC Mystery Movie was not so much a weekly movie but a compilation of “McCloud”, “McMillan and Wife” and – one of my all time faves – “Columbo”. This would more rightly be called an anthology show, as in “Twilight Zone”
I would respectfully contend that the NBC Mystery Movie was not so much a weekly movie but a compilation of “McCloud”, “McMillan and Wife” and – one of my all time faves – “Columbo”. This would more rightly be called an anthology show, as in “Twilight Zone”
Another thing that I find interesting is that fully half of the top 20 shows listed here include the names of people, whether real or fictitious. The only name on last weeks list was “Samantha Who?”
Now this may or may not be significant, but I find it interesting that shows then often looked to a big name (Mary Tyler More, Lucy, Walt Disney) or one lead character (Marcus Welby, Mannix, Ironside) to identify the show with.
Today these shows are “CSI” or “ER” or “Desperate Housewives”…which often split the stories among the many characters on the show. Maybe this makes it easier to spin off “CSI: NY” or “Law & Order: SVU” or change characters on a current hit, keeping these franchises rolling in dough.
Just a thought.
Another thing that I find interesting is that fully half of the top 20 shows listed here include the names of people, whether real or fictitious. The only name on last weeks list was “Samantha Who?”
Now this may or may not be significant, but I find it interesting that shows then often looked to a big name (Mary Tyler More, Lucy, Walt Disney) or one lead character (Marcus Welby, Mannix, Ironside) to identify the show with.
Today these shows are “CSI” or “ER” or “Desperate Housewives”…which often split the stories among the many characters on the show. Maybe this makes it easier to spin off “CSI: NY” or “Law & Order: SVU” or change characters on a current hit, keeping these franchises rolling in dough.
Just a thought.
Daniel, thanks for the heads up on NBC Mystery Movie. I have added a note above to clarify.
And I love the “names” observation! That’s the kind of thing I like to catch myself. Well done.
Your guess as to why is as good as anything I can come up with, but I’ll keep thinking/looking.
Daniel, thanks for the heads up on NBC Mystery Movie. I have added a note above to clarify.
And I love the “names” observation! That's the kind of thing I like to catch myself. Well done.
Your guess as to why is as good as anything I can come up with, but I'll keep thinking/looking.
I agree with Bill, Daniel great catches — I’d be OK if you “guest wrote” one of the strolls down memory lane as I think you probably watched more TV than Bill!
I loved the Mystery Movie and Columbo was my favorite too. Peter Falk was born for that role! I liked McMillan and Wife too (Rock Hudson and Susan St. James!). Dennis Weaver as Mcleod was my least favorite.
Quincy, M.E. was born out of the NBC Mystery Movie and then spun off on its own. But I’m a theme song guy and the Sunday Mystery Movie was one of my favorites – and by Henry Mancini who wrote my favorite instrumental theme song of all time: the theme from Peter Gunn.
I agree with Bill, Daniel great catches — I'd be OK if you “guest wrote” one of the strolls down memory lane as I think you probably watched more TV than Bill!
I loved the Mystery Movie and Columbo was my favorite too. Peter Falk was born for that role! I liked McMillan and Wife too (Rock Hudson and Susan St. James!). Dennis Weaver as Mcleod was my least favorite.
Quincy, M.E. was born out of the NBC Mystery Movie and then spun off on its own. But I'm a theme song guy and the Sunday Mystery Movie was one of my favorites – and by Henry Mancini who wrote my favorite instrumental theme song of all time: the theme from Peter Gunn.
Monk, House, I suppose we could give a nod to “According to Jim”, but only House is a “top 20″ show. I can’t think of any other shows with names that have been on broadcast this year.
Monk, House, I suppose we could give a nod to “According to Jim”, but only House is a “top 20″ show. I can't think of any other shows with names that have been on broadcast this year.
Well, we can add “Eli Stone”, “Old Christine”, “Oprah’s Big Give”, “Ugly Betty”, “Chuck”, “My Name Is Earl”, “Shark” (kind of), “Cantebury’s Law”, and “Terminator: SCC”, That’s all I could find in the whole schedule. That’s about a dozen shows total including what you mentioned.
Oddly enought, names are used all over the networks in 2 key areas: nightly news and late night television. All 5 late night talkers include the hosts’ name…even Fox’s Saturday night show does this. And nightly news shows include the anchors’ names to the point that when a substitute anchor is in the seat, the original anchor is being “substituted for”
Well, we can add “Eli Stone”, “Old Christine”, “Oprah's Big Give”, “Ugly Betty”, “Chuck”, “My Name Is Earl”, “Shark” (kind of), “Cantebury's Law”, and “Terminator: SCC”, That's all I could find in the whole schedule. That's about a dozen shows total including what you mentioned.
Oddly enought, names are used all over the networks in 2 key areas: nightly news and late night television. All 5 late night talkers include the hosts' name…even Fox's Saturday night show does this. And nightly news shows include the anchors' names to the point that when a substitute anchor is in the seat, the original anchor is being “substituted for”
My missing any/all of those is bad enough, but missing Sarah Connor is unthinkable! I blame it on a heavy dose of sports beginning at 10am…
You forgot one though… Grey’s Anatomy! (Meredith Grey)
Am I redeemed?
My missing any/all of those is bad enough, but missing Sarah Connor is unthinkable! I blame it on a heavy dose of sports beginning at 10am…
You forgot one though… Grey's Anatomy! (Meredith Grey)
Am I redeemed?
So that gives us 13. A quick count at wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971-72_United_States_network_television_schedule)
gives me a about 33 shows in the 1971-2 fall schedule, without FOX or CW.
So that gives us 13. A quick count at wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971-72_United_Sta...)
gives me a about 33 shows in the 1971-2 fall schedule, without FOX or CW.
huge difference is there were no unscripted shows in the 1972 top 20. This year half the list might be. Idol, Dancing, Extreme Makeover, Sunday Night Football, Survivor, Hell’s Kitchen, etc.
Of all the unscripted programming only Oprah’s Big Give really made sense as a name.
huge difference is there were no unscripted shows in the 1972 top 20. This year half the list might be. Idol, Dancing, Extreme Makeover, Sunday Night Football, Survivor, Hell's Kitchen, etc.
Of all the unscripted programming only Oprah's Big Give really made sense as a name.
FYI – 1972 TV Households = 60,100. 2008 TV Households = 112,800. (Info from -http://www.tvb.org/rcentral/mediatrendstrack/tv/tv.asp?c=tvhouseholds)
FYI – 1972 TV Households = 60,100. 2008 TV Households = 112,800. (Info from -http://www.tvb.org/rcentral/mediatrendstrack/tv/tv.asp?c=tvhouseholds)
Polly, you have reminded me that while we’ve had this chart since our first day online, a data table would have been nice, so I added it!
Here’s some more TV household data for your enjoyment.
Polly, you have reminded me that while we've had this chart since our first day online, a data table would have been nice, so I added it!
Here's some more TV household data for your enjoyment.
Regarding names: Don’t forget “New Amsterdam” is about John Amsterdam.
Regarding names: Don't forget “New Amsterdam” is about John Amsterdam.
The reason “Funny Face” only lasted a few episodes was because Sandy Duncan had an eye tumor and had to undergo eye surgery. When Sandy was sufficiently recovered, CBS revamped the show as “The Sandy Duncan Show” and moved it to another time slot. The show failed in the new slot.
The reason “Funny Face” only lasted a few episodes was because Sandy Duncan had an eye tumor and had to undergo eye surgery. When Sandy was sufficiently recovered, CBS revamped the show as “The Sandy Duncan Show” and moved it to another time slot. The show failed in the new slot.
All In The Family would never make it in the ultra sensetive, politically correct world in which we now live. Someone or some group would be ‘offended’ with each episode. Like Archie and Edith used to sing…”those were the days”