History's Best Selling TV Shows of 1975

Make way for the hits of 1975! This remarkable era stood as a testament to the disco & blockbuster decade and the march of first-rate tv. Crowd-pleasers such as Wheel of Fortune shared the spotlight with mega-bestsellers The Jeffersons and Fawlty Towers. Brought to you by top-notch makers from industry leaders like Merv Griffin and Don Nicholl, these trailblazing products defined the laid-back, radical spirit of the seventies and earned a permanent place in cultural lore. Check out the complete rank-ordered ledger below to relive the finest releases of the year.

1. Wheel of Fortune

   Released in 1975 by Merv Griffin

   With its iconic chant and spinning wheel, *Wheel of Fortune* is a cornerstone of American television, but this multi-billion-dollar empire began with a much quieter daytime debut. On January 6, 1975, the very first episode aired on NBC, hosted by Chuck Woolery. This date marks the birth of a cultural phenomenon, launching a format that would transform television syndication and become one of the longest-running and most beloved game shows in history, captivating audiences for generations with its simple, compelling mix of luck and skill.

2. The Jeffersons

   Released in 1975 by Don Nicholl, Michael Ross, Bernie West, CBS

   On January 18, 1975, American television audiences were formally introduced to the Jefferson family in their new, opulent surroundings. Premiering on CBS, 'The Jeffersons' was a spin-off of the wildly successful and controversial sitcom 'All in the Family,' where George and Louise Jefferson had been the neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker. This premiere was a landmark event, not just for television comedy, but for American culture. It represented a bold narrative shift, moving a Black family from a working-class Queens neighborhood to a luxurious high-rise apartment on Manhattan's affluent East Side. The date marks the beginning of a new era in representation, showcasing Black success and prosperity to a primetime, mainstream audience in an unprecedented way.

3. Fawlty Towers

   Released in 1975 by John Cleese, Connie Booth, BBC Two

   On September 19, 1975, British television viewers were introduced to a seaside hotel run by the most comically inept and ill-tempered hotelier imaginable. The premiere of 'Fawlty Towers' on BBC Two marked the debut of what would become, against initial lukewarm reception, one of the most revered and perfectly crafted sitcoms in history. Created by and starring Monty Python alumnus John Cleese and his then-wife Connie Booth, the show's first episode, 'A Touch of Class,' laid the groundwork for the chaotic, farcical, and brilliantly executed comedy that would define its short but perfect run. This date signifies the beginning of a television institution that would set a new standard for writing, performance, and comedic structure, influencing generations of comedies to come.

4. Saturday Night Live

   Released in 1975 by Lorne Michaels, NBC

   On October 11, 1975, American television was irrevocably altered with the premiere of 'NBC's Saturday Night'. In an era where late-night was dominated by the polished talk-show format of Johnny Carson, NBC sought a new program to capture the younger, post-Vietnam War generation. Airing live from New York, the show, hosted for its inaugural broadcast by comedian George Carlin, was a radical departure from the norm. It presented a raw, unpredictable, and counter-cultural blend of sketch comedy, political satire, and live music. This first episode, featuring musical guests Janis Ian and Billy Preston, introduced the nation to the 'Not Ready for Prime Time Players' and laid the foundation for a cultural institution that would redefine comedy for decades.