How Forgotten Shows of the 70s Shocked the World Forever - MyGigsters

Understanding the Context

Television in the 1970s was transitioning from lighthearted entertainment toward bold storytelling. With newfound creative freedom and advancing production technologies, producers weren’t afraid to tackle topics long considered taboo. This era gave birth to conceptual shows, surreal narratives, and raw documentaries that unsettled and fascinated audiences in ways that reverberated for decades.

1. The Society (1974–1976) – A Chilling Look Behind Closed Doors

Perhaps one of the most shocking series of the decade was The Society, a limited-run yet visceral experiment in docudrama. Though short-lived, the show simulated a micro-society where participants were stripped of personal freedom and subjected to psychological stress. What made it shocking wasn’t just its participant-driven drama, but its brutal honesty about control, rebellion, and mental health. The raw performances and unflinching portrayal of group dynamics shocked critics and viewers alike, foreshadowing modern reality TV and systemic critique shows like The Jinx or Winter on Ice.

2. The Parade (1974) – Equal Rights on American Airwaves

Key Insights

Long before #BlackLivesMatter or widespread conversations about gender equality, The Parade, a groundbreaking CBS drama, tackled race relations head-on during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Broadcasting in 1974, the show depicted a black family navigating systemic discrimination and personal dignity with groundbreaking authenticity. Though criticized by some for its sensitive subject matter, the network aired it as a rare television candid statement—provoking national discourse and setting a precedent for socially conscious programming that challenged viewers to reflect deeply.

3. The Monkees in The Partridge Family Crossover Special (1975) — A Surreal Experiment

While The Partridge Family itself wasn’t forgotten, its 1975 special featuring a surreal, fourth-wall-breaking crossover episode with Monkees members shocked audiences. Al Thirring’s meta-narrative, where fictional characters interacted with the cast in unexpected ways, shocked purists and amazed sci-fi/TV buffs. This experimental leap illustrated how 70s creativity blurred genre boundaries—teasing futurism in media and inspiring series that play with narrative reality, from The Individual to Westworld.

4. Marriage (1973–1977) – Intimacy and Conflict on Every Screen

Though technically a radio show adaptation frequently broadcast on television, Marriage captured the raw tension of domestic life with unprecedented intimacy. Each episode laid bare marital breakdowns with unflinching honesty, exploring emotional extremes rarely acknowledged in mainstream media. The series shocked listeners—and later viewers—by rejecting idealized family tropes, laying groundwork for emotionally raw shows like This American Life and today’s psychological dramas.

Socially, shows like The Society pioneered immersive realism, prefiguring today’s reality and documentary hybrids. Meanwhile, The Parade exemplified TV’s role as a catalyst for cultural change, proving that entertainment can drive empathy and awareness. Even surreal experiments like the Partridge/Fortune special expanded narrative possibilities, inspiring generations of creators unafraid to bend reality.