Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit seven bizarre aspects of the ’70s that seemed perfectly normal back then.
1. The New Adventures of Scooby-Doo
This animated series was a sequel to Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? While the idea of teenagers solving mysteries with a (sort-of) talking dog is a bit out there, what really stands out about The New Adventures of Scooby-Doo is its crossovers. Long before The Simpsons made celebrity cameos a thing, iconic figures—real and fictional—hopped aboard the Mystery Machine. Episodes featured appearances from The Addams Family, with the voice of Gomez Addams, John Astin, and even the Harlem Globetrotters! Not to mention Don Knotts and Phyllis Diller as themselves. Seriously, take a look at Phyllis Diller’s hair!
2. The World of Sid & Marty Krofft
Shows like Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, H.R. Pufnstuf, and Land of the Lost were the definition of trippy Saturday morning viewing. I still remember the indoor amusement park in Atlanta, Georgia, themed around Sid & Marty Krofft. You’d ride the world’s largest escalator to enter a realm as bizarre as the shows themselves, complete with animatronics and funhouse mirrors. Sadly, the park is now just a distant memory, with few images or videos to remind us of its existence.
3. King Tut’s Spectacular Tour
In 1976, King Tut’s exhibit took North America by storm, much like a massive pop star tour. Over three years, millions flocked to see the treasures of Tutankhamun, with Steve Martin even performing a comedic number about him on Saturday Night Live. Eight million attendees were captivated by history and culture—not exactly what you’d expect from a typical exhibition.
4. Coors and Smokey and the Bandit
In the classic film Smokey and the Bandit, Jerry Reed’s character, the Snowman, was tasked with delivering an illegal shipment of Coors beer from Texas to Georgia. Coors was considered a premium beer at the time, but its distribution was limited to the West. It’s amusing to think about how Burt Reynolds and his Trans Am were central to this caper involving a beloved beer brand.
5. The Streaking Craze
Streaking became a popular phenomenon in the ’70s, so much so that it inspired a novelty song by Ray Stevens that topped the charts. With each verse, he humorously warns “Don’t look, Ethel!” only for her to miss the moment. While the occasional streaker still pops up today, that level of widespread streaking—and catchy novelty songs—seems to belong to a different era.
6. Joe Namath’s Pantyhose Commercial
In the ’70s, Joe Namath was the epitome of cool, strutting through New York City in a fur coat. His unexpected endorsement of Beauty Mist pantyhose must have raised a few eyebrows. Yet for kids like me, if Mom liked Joe Namath, that was a solid endorsement!
7. Pantyhose in a Plastic Egg
Remember when pantyhose came packaged in those iconic L’Eggs plastic eggs? It was a staple in many households, often leading to crafty Easter projects. These eggs, along with the pantyhose they contained, have faded into nostalgia, much like the Styrofoam Quarter Pounder box. The real question is, when will we finally say goodbye to the pantyhose themselves?
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In summary, the ’70s were filled with oddities that, at the time, seemed completely normal. From bizarre TV shows to unusual trends, those years offered a unique blend of culture that continues to amuse and surprise us today.