The 1970s were a changing time for television bringing in a mix of new sitcoms and variety shows involving satire and social issues along with new trends and images in action shows and crime dramas. As the curtain closed on the era of western-based shows that were popular during the 1950s and 60s, two new historical dramas focused on the everyday lives of family in rural America - The Waltons and Little House of the Prairie. SImilar in many ways, they were also unique in how they touched American households in the nine seasons they aired. The families from Waltons Mountain and Walnut Grove defined more than just a generation.
