The Number Two shows of the 1970s and 1980s

It's 2/2/22, and to mark the date, I look back at the BOTNS era's number-two shows; that is, the series that finished the season as the second-highest-rated series according to Nielsen.  

The way I see it, the true twos--shows that peaked at that spot on season-end charts but didn't finish at 1--are the following:

The Flip Wilson Show
Sanford and Son
The Waltons
Rich Man, Poor Man
The Dukes of Hazzard

Family Ties
A Different World

Let's go through and discuss the ones as well. That's the lot in life of a two, isn't it? Always second fiddle.  But many of these twos, as we shall see, were also ones. And we might even get into some threes! OK, that's enough math. I meant to do a simple list post, and this got out of hand.

(Number twos in bold below)

1970/71 and 1971/72: The Flip Wilson Show is one of the biggest semi-forgotten hits of the 1970s, and it finished second behind Marcus Welby one year, then All in the Family (with Welby third) the next before starting a drop that would lead to a flame-out. Welby  has the distinction of being the first ABC series to finish a season as #1.

1972/73: NBC had another big hit with Sanford and Son, but like the Flipster, it couldn't unseat All in the Family. Wilson was 12 and Welby 13 this season, by the way.

1973/74: This season, CBS' The Waltons edged Sanford for second behind ratings king All in the Family. Welby was out of the top 20, and Wilson was on the way out, period, after a big slide and behind-the-scenes strife.

1974/75: This time, The Waltons slid down a bit, and Sanford edged new sensation Chico and the Man for #2, but they were all still playing catch-up to All in the Family.

1975/76: Rich Man, Poor Man was officially #2, but if you don't count minseries, Laverne & Shirley gets the honor of being runner-up to All in the Family. Chico slid down to 25, while Sanford remained a top 10 show and The Waltons were 14--still strong but losing ground due to the rise of ABC and its shows with younger appeal.

1976/77: After 5 years and some timeslot changes, All in the Family (#12) finally lost its grip on numero uno, replaced by Happy Days. Laverne was #2 again, with the ABC Monday Night Movie third. The Waltons slipped just one spot, while Sanford and Son was now out of the top 25. Chico and the Man had its season interrupted by star Freddie Prinze's death and was on the way out.

1977/78: This year, Laverne barely beat Happy Days, so the latter took its turn as #2. Three's Company was a bit behind each of them.

1978/79: Three's Company moved up to second and was not far behind top-rated Laverne at all. Happy Days settled for a tie with Mork and Mindy at #3. Showing the strength of the top ABC comedies, Angie and The Ropers scored top ten spots with their limited runs.

1979/1980: 60 Minutes ascended to the top and Three's Company returned as #2.  As we discussed on the podcast, Mork and Mindy plummeted out of the top 25. An even bigger drop hit Laverne & Shirley after a timeslot change (one that pitted them against the aging Waltons!). Happy Days was still in the top 20 but had peaked.

1980/81: CBS was feeling good again (and LOOKING good!), as Dallas finished #1, and it wasn't even close. It was close for second, where Dukes of Hazzard beat 60 Minutes. Laverne climbed back up somewhat after another timeslot change, and Happy Days stayed about level, but while Three's Company remained top 10, ABC's biggest show was The Love Boat.

1981/82: 60 Minutes was #2 behind Dallas. Interestingly, Three's Company was a tick behind The Jeffersons at #3. This was the last season Happy Days and Laverne were in the top 20.

1982/83: The top shows switched, and now Dallas trailed 60 Minutes. On ABC, Three's Company and Love Boat were still top 10 shows. NBC's A-Team and its abbreviated first season gave that network its first top 10 finisher since Little House a few seasons earlier.

1983/84: A flip-flop at the top again, and now 60 Minutes was #2 behind Dallas. 2-4 were all very close--Dynasty and The A-Team were right up there. And right behind them was a show you might not guess at #5: Simon and Simon.

1984/85: It's Cosby time! But The Cosby Show isn't #1 yet. No, it's Dynasty reaching the top, with Dallas right behind it and the Huxtables third. 60 Minutes, A-Team, and Simon and Simon are all still top 10.

1985/86: NOW it's Cosby time. Family Ties is runner-up, and Murder, She Wrote peaks at #3 for the season ahead of 60 Minutes. Fading A-Team is all the way down to 30. Dynasty and Dallas are still in the top 10.

1986/87: Family Ties again behind Cosby Show, with Cheers at #3.

1987/88: Sitcoms rule this season with A Different World trailing Cosby. MSW and 60 Minutes are the non-coms in the top 10.

1988/89: Roseanne vaults the NBC shows to finish #2 behind Cosby. Dallas is down at 29.

1989/90: Cosby and Roseanne tie for #1, so you could count Cheers #2, but it's technically third, just ahead of A Different World.

The way I see it, the true twos--shows that peaked at that spot on season-end charts but didn't finish at 1--are the following:

The Flip Wilson Show
Sanford and Son
The Waltons
Rich Man, Poor Man
The Dukes of Hazzard

Family Ties
A Different World