The FCC ordered the three major broadcast networks to give four hours of primetime programming back to their affiliates, beginning in the fall of 1971. For the most part, the networks cut an hour from their Sunday night schedules and a half-hour on the remaining nights. There were a couple of exceptions where ABC and NBC aired an extra half-hour on one night but had to give back a half-hour on another night.

Because every night but Sunday previously featured three-and-a-half hours of programming per network, sitcoms often aired as either the only comedy of the night, in a block of three comedies, or even as a group of five. Now that most nights consisted of three hours per network, sitcoms would now mostly air as a pair or in a block of four.

When the networks put their schedules together for the fall of 1971, each network targeted Saturday night for comedy, beginning at 8:00 p.m. (ET). ABC went against the grain by airing only one sitcom (Getting Together), followed by a 90-minute movie. NBC scheduled a pair (The Partners and The Good Life). CBS chose to go with a block of four (My Three Sons, Funny Face, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show).

It appeared CBS had the advantage, as My Three Sons and The Mary Tyler Moore Show finished 19^th and 22^nd in the ratings, respectively, the previous season. The two new shows in between were headed up by stars CBS was high on — up-and-comer Sandy Duncan and proven sitcom success Dick Van Dyke.

Likewise, NBC was high on the police detective comedy The Partners, as it marked the return of Get Smart star Don Adams, who somehow won three Emmys for his performance on that series. The Good Life would also star a former NBC sitcom actor, Larry Hagman of I Dream of Jeannie. ABC’s Getting Together was a vehicle for teen idol pop star Bobby Sherman. ABC attempted to promote the show by debuting Get Together as a backdoor pilot episode of the network’s popular series The Partridge Family.

CBS was in the process of changing its schedule and its image by dropping programs that were popular with older and rural viewers in favor of shows that would appeal to younger, urban audiences. All in the Family, one of the cornerstones of this strategy, debuted in January 1971. Due to its adult content, CBS put a warning on the opening episode and expected a backlash that mostly never happened. Perhaps that was because the show only debuted in 54^th place as CBS seemed afraid to promote it too widely. In addition, it was tucked into a Tuesday at 9:30 timeslot, following the incompatible Hee Haw.

Hee Haw was popular with many viewers around the country, finishing as the 16^th highest-rated series of the year. However, it did not do well with the young and urban viewers that CBS surmised would enjoy All in the Family. In fact, Hee Haw only drew a 12 share in New York City at a time when anything below a 30 share was usually considered unacceptable.

Back then, networks announced their fall schedules considerably earlier than they do today. All in the Family grew its audience from its debut, but it was still not a hit when CBS compiled its 1971 schedule. CBS also still seemed hesitant to give the series too much exposure, scheduling it on Monday at 10:30, an unusually late slot for a sitcom. It was to follow Arnie, a series that was a borderline renewal, having lost viewers from its lead-in, My Three Sons, on Saturday the previous season.

With All in the Family growing in the ratings and garnering publicity, CBS immediately reran its 13 episodes after the new segments concluded. Between word of mouth and a few Emmy wins, All in the Family suddenly surged in popularity. At the same time, CBS programmers began to worry about their Saturday night lineup. While still popular, My Three Sons was entering its 12^th season, minus one of its sons. Don Grady, who had been with the show from the beginning, departed when the network failed to pick up a potential spin-off for his character.

CBS programmers were also unhappy with the show scheduled to follow My Three Sons. Sandy Duncan’s Funny Face was creatively troubled even after its pilot was revamped. Additionally, CBS executives expected NBC’s The Partners to provide formidable competition.

The solution? Move the now potent All in the Family into the Saturday at 8:00 slot. My Three Sons would be relocated to Monday at 10:00, followed by Arnie. While those two series struggled on Monday and were cancelled at season’s end even after moving to new timeslots, All in the Family was a huge success on Saturday, lifting CBS’ entire night of comedies to high ratings.

Because All in the Family soared to the number one slot in the ratings with a huge 33.4 rating, there were few viewers left for its competitors. The Partners was only good for 66^th place in the Nielsen ratings, with Getting Together trailing in 74^th. Their combined ratings were only about two-thirds of the numbers All in the Family alone achieved. Both were cancelled at mid-season, along with The Good Life.

Getting Together had little chance against All in the Family and couldn’t duplicate the family appeal of The Partridge Family. The lack of success of The Partners was more surprising. Although it should be noted that Adams’ Get Smart hadn’t been popular for some time, as it was cancelled by NBC in 1969 and by CBS in 1970. NBC was so disappointed in The Partners that it didn’t move it to a new timeslot and burned off its five remaining episodes during the summer.

Thanks to the popularity of All in the Family, CBS would dominate Saturday nights for years to come.

Winner: All in the Family