New Series 1971

The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (1971-1974) - No longer producing hit songs Sonny and Cher took their act on the nightclub circuit. Fred Silverman of CBS saw the show and thought it would be a good variety show to fill the Sumner doldrums. It became a hit and ended in 1974 not for lack of interest but by Cher divorcing Sonny Bono. Movie actress Teri Garr got her start as regular on the show while Cher went on to super Diva stardom. Sonny Bono became a California Congressman in the 1994 conservative sweep of Congress. He was a favorite of Robert K. Dornan and Newt Gingrich. Sonny Bono - a conservative congressman killed by a tree in 1997.

Columbo (1971-1978) - Starring Peter Falk as the disheveled Los Angeles detective whose proficiency was always underestimated. The format was called inverted in that each show began with the viewer witnessing the crime and the perpetrator. Without supporting cast, great writing or the Who Done It factor, the success of the show was carried by the acting idiosyncrasies of Peter Falk and his glass eye. Everything Columbo

McMillan and Wife (1971-1977) - Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James star as Police Commissioner and his young wife mixing with the upper crust of San Francisco society. John Schuck, Nancy Walker (Rosie and Rhoda's Mom) and a sometimes Martha Raye add the comedy. McMillan and Wife Webpage.

Rosie and the quicker pickerupper

Masterpiece Theatre PBS (1971-present) PBS brings us serious television theater from England. Introduced and narrated by Alistair Cooke, the first year ran mult-episode dramas The First Churchills,The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Elizabeth R, The Possessed, Pere Goriot, and The Last of the Mohicans. Masterpiece Theater at PBS

Soul Train (1971-2006) - From Chicago comes the first black television show. Created, produced, directed and moderated by Don Cornelius. The Soul Train Story

Gladys Knight and The Pips - Friendship Train

The Electric Company (1971-1977)

The New Dick Van Dyke Show (1971-1974).

Series End 1971

Julia (1968-1971)
Family Affair (1966-1971)
That Girl (1966-1971)
The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971)
Mayberry R.F.D. (The Andy Griffith Show) 1960-1971)
Dark Shadows (1966-1971)
Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971)
Green Acres (1965-1971)
The Ed Sullivan Show (1948-1971)
The Johnny Cash Show (1969-1971)

Television News 1971

"They canceled every show that had a tree in it."

Said Pat Buttrum on CBS ending production of Green Acres(and his part as Mr. Heney), The Beverly Hillbillies, Mayberry R.F.D., and Hee Haw

The final cigarette advertisement is presented during The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson on NBC.

Lawrence Welk and company sing goodbye after a 16 year run on ABC. The Lawrence Welk Show was picked up for syndication a few months later and ran for another 11 years until 1982. The Lawence Welk Show

The Emmy's for 1971 - 1972

Outstanding Series, Drama - Masterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth R

Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series - Peter Falk, NBC Mystery Movie - Columbo

Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series - Glenda Jackson, Masterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth R

Outstanding Single Program, Drama or Comedy Movie of the Week - Brian's Song

James Caan and Billy Dee Williams

Outstanding New Series - Masterpiece Theatre: Elizabeth R

Outstanding Series Comedy - All in the Family

Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series - Carroll O'Connor, All in the Family

Outstanding Continued Performance By an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series - Jean Stapleton, All in the Family

Outstanding Performance By an Actor in a Supporting Role in Comedy - Edward Asner, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Outstanding Performance By an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Comedy - (tie) Valerie Harper, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Sally Struthers, All in the Family

Outstanding Variety Series Musical - The Carol Burnett Show

Most Watched 1971 - 1972

1 All in the Family
2 The Flip Wilson Show
3 Marcus Welby M.D.
4 Gunsmoke
5 ABC Movie of the Week
6 Sanford and Son
7 Mannix
8 Funny Face
9 Adam 12
10 The Mary Tyler Moore Show
11 Here's Lucy
12 Hawaii Five-O
13 Medical Center
14 The NBC Mystery Movie
15 Ironside
16 The Partridge Family
17 The F.B.I.
18 The New Dick Van Dyke Show
19 The Wonderful World of Disney
20 Bonanza

TV Guide Schedule 1971

1971 Tv Guide