Aired: 1976 – 1981
Budget: $427,000 per episode
Most don’t know this, but “The Muppet Show” originated in the UK. With five seasons, the shoe was broadest to the US as a sketch comedy show. The variety puppet show was top-rated at the time and is still relevant in pop culture today, with toys, comics, and books based on the various characters.
They are even featured on many lines of clothing. “The Muppet Show” was hosted by Kermit the Frog, the showrunner, and Miss Piggy’s partner. After its popularity grew in the UK, the series was acquired in over 100 countries.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
Aired: 1969 – 1975
Budget: $130,000 per episode
Over the years, Scooby-Doo has become one of the most recognizable television characters of all time. The Scooby-Doo gang has been solving mysteries on television, in movies, and in books for decades. "Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!" was created by Ken Spears and Joe Ruby and started airing in 1969.
The show would later get picked up by Warner Bros. and is currently featured on Cartoon Network. With all of the changes made to the show, the main cast's names remain the same!
The Electric Company
Aired: 1971 – 1977
Budget: $7 million in total
Perhaps one of the most famous educational series for children, "The Electric Company," had 780 episodes throughout six seasons. The show was written by Paul Dooley and directed by several people throughout its years on PBS.
The show was eventually syndicated through its sponsor, Johnson Wax, and kept airing reruns through 1985. The show starred some of who would become Hollywood's biggest names; Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno, Bill Cosby, and Lee Chamberlin.
The Huckleberry Hound Show
Aired: 1958 – 1962
Budget: $150,000 per episode
Another Hanna-Barbera classic, "The Huckleberry Hound Show," was the second one the studio ever produced! Interestingly enough, it was sponsored by Kellogg's, the cereal company.
The show was made up of three segments, one featuring Huckleberry Hound, the second with Yogi Bear and Boo Boo, and last but not least, Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinx. As we know, the Yogi Bear sketch was trendy and ended up getting its own series.
The Archie Show
Aired: 1968 – 1969
Budget: Unknown
Before there was "Riverdale," there was "The Archie Show." The comedic sitcom was based on the comic strip called "Archie Comics." The show featured the characters we know and love; Jughead, Archie Andrews, Veronica, Reggie Mantle, and Betty Cooper.
The fresh group of friends was part of a pop band, and their song "Sugar, Sugar" was a #1 hit in reach life. Though the show only had seventeen episodes, it would go on to spark movies, books, comic strips, and more!