New Series 1973

The Six Million Dollar Man (1973-1978). Lee Majors stars as Steve Austin in this series based upon the Martin Caidin novel, Cyborg (which was the original name of the production). There were three made for TV movies in 1973 which became a series in 1974. It spun off the series The Bionic Woman which starred Lindsay Wagner in 1975. More than enough on The Six Million Dollar Man

Kojak (1973-1978). Telly Savalas stars as a hard bald New York City Police Detective. His character Lieutenant Theo Kojak featured the Greek heritage shared by Telly Savalas. Kojak was most famous for sucking on a lollipop and the onliner "Who Loves ya, Baby?". More on the series Kojak.

Barnaby Jones (1973-1980). Starring veteran actor Buddy Epson after a break from his long run as Jed Clampet on the Beverly Hillbillies. The role of Barnaby Jones was that of an aging private detective and his Daugher-in-law assistant played by Lee Meriwether. The series was a spin off of a character from the Cannon series. It has since come to be know as "THE old peoples show". More on Barnaby Jones.

The Tomorrow Show (1973-1982). Hosted by strangely straight Tom Snyder. Following the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson at 1am, it consisted of one one one interviews with cigarettes and no audience. Snyder would book some of the most over the top and controversial celebrities (Charlie Manson, Iggy Pop, Plasmatics) creating some of the most unusual television ever aired. His persona of an unhip hipster worked. He was replaced by David Letterman in 1982. The Tomorrow Show

Police Story (1973-1978) This was a series anthology created by once police officer and author Joseph Wambaugh, who had a non fiction best seller the same year with The Onion Field. It was the first police series done in "realism" and responsible for subsequent acclaimed crime series such as Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and Homicide: Life on the Street. Police Story at Tims Showcase

Last of the Summer Wine (1973-present)

The Young and the Restless (1973-present)

The $10,000 Pyramid

Most Watched 1973 - 1974

1 All in the Family
2 The Waltons
3 Sanford and Son
4 M*A*S*H
5 Hawaii Five-O
6 Maude
7 Kojak
8 The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour
9 The Mary Tyler Moore Show
10 Cannon
11 The Six Million Dollar Man
12 The Bob Newhart Show
13 The Wonderful World of Disney
14 The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie
15 Gunsmoke
16 Happy Days
17 Good Times
18 Barnaby Jones
19 NFL Monday Night Football
20 The CBS Friday Night Movie

Series End 1973

Bonanza (1959-1973)
Mission: Impossible (1966-1973)
Laugh-In (1968-1973)
The Mod Squad (1968-1973)
The Doris Day Show (1968-1973).

Television News 1973

To many complaints daytime television was interrupted over most of the Summer to televise the Watergate hearings. The three networks ABC, CBS and NBC rotated the broadcasts every third day. Those who watched got to know and admire a previously little known Southern Senator , Sam Irvin pictured in the middle in the above photo. Time magazine coverage

Irene Ryan who played Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies died of a brain tumor not tobacco related.

After a 14 year run the hit adult Western Bonanza closes shop. Caused primarily by the deal of Dan Blocker who played Hoss Cartright and being moved from its famous Sunday slot to Tuesdays up against the then hip show Maude. More at Bonanza World

On December 19th 1973 on the Tonight Show Johnny Carson quipped in his monologue "You know what's disappearing from the supermarket shelves? Toilet paper. There's an acute shortage of toilet paper in the United States."

The next morning 20 million people when out and bought as much toilet paper as they could with store shelves all around the nation laid bare. The next day those who did not see the show noticed it disappearing and also began buying it up. Though apologizing two nights after the joke, it took 3 full weeks for it to get back on the shelves. The No toilet paper Joke

The Emmy's for 1973 - 1974

Actor of the Year, Series - Alan Alda, M*A*S*H

Actress of the Year, Series - Mary Tyler Moore, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Outstanding Drama Series - Masterpiece Theatre: Upstairs, Downstairs

Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Telly Savalas, Kojak

Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Michael Learned, The Waltons

Outstanding Comedy Series - M*A*S*H

Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series - Alan Alda, M*A*S*H

Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Mary Tyler Moore, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Best Supporting Actor in Comedy - Rob Reiner, All in the Family

Best Supporting Actress in Comedy - Cloris Leachman, The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Outstanding Music-Variety Series - The Carol Burnett Show (CBS)

1973 Tv Guide Schedule