Television series
The Krofft Supershow
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
A 1976 variety show that stitched together live-action adventure sketches with a rock band framing device. It's pure Saturday morning chaos—bright, weird, utterly committed to the absurd. For anyone who loves the handmade strangeness of '70s children's television, before everything got slick and focus-grouped.
If you liked this
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In1967
The template for everything The Krofft Supershow does: rapid-fire jokes, sketch comedy, a house band, and a tone that trusts kids to keep up with the absurdity. Faster-paced and sharper.
But The topical humor dates brutally. Some segments feel like watching someone explain a 1968 joke rather than actually hearing it land.
Land of the Lost1974
The Krofts' own sci-fi adventure series, with practical creature effects and a willingness to get genuinely eerie. If you loved the character-driven segments of Supershow, this goes deeper into actual narrative.
But Much slower pacing. It's a serious attempt at adventure, not a comedy variety hour, so it can feel draggy if you want constant energy.
The Brady Bunch1969
Another '70s ABC staple that somehow makes earnestness and weirdness coexist. Same era, same primary-color set design, same willingness to be genuinely strange while staying wholesome.
But It's a sitcom with actual plotting and character arcs. If you want that kaleidoscopic variety-show velocity, this won't scratch that itch.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from The Krofft Supershow
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
The Muppet Show1976
Both are syndicated variety shows from the same era with a troupe of recurring characters, live-action elements or puppets (depending on Muppet format), and a belief that you can sell an entire show on constant costume changes and musical numbers.
A variety show built on character-driven comedy, guest stars, and rapid-fire gags. It's the smartest version of what Supershow was trying to do—faster, wittier, and absolutely in control of its chaos.
But Subtly more sophisticated. It appeals across age groups, which means it's not quite as deliriously weird or purely for kids.
More like this (5)
The Banana Splits Adventure Hour1968
Costumed characters, rock music, and silly adventures all in one show. It's the spiritual ancestor of everything Krofft would do, proving the formula worked before Supershow perfected it.
But Even weirder and more chaotic, with genuinely unsettling costumed characters. If Supershow felt too normal, this might be too much.
Space Academy1977
A live-action adventure show with the same '70s cheerfulness and practical effects as Supershow, but focused enough to actually follow a plot across an episode. Solid space-adventure fun.
But Slower and more serialized. It lacks the variety-show kick and feels more like a conventional kids' show once you're in an episode.
Hee Haw1969
Another variety show from the same era with rapid-fire sketches, a musical backbone, and absolute commitment to its own silliness. Country-music flavored but the DNA is identical.
But It's country comedy, which narrows the appeal. The humor is more cornpone than psychedelic, which is a very different register.
Josie and the Pussycats in Outer Space1972
A cartoon that gets the Krofft energy—colorful, ridiculous, with a band at the center of an adventure. Fast-paced and never takes itself seriously for a second.
But It's pure cartoon nonsense with no live-action element, so you lose the tactile strangeness of real costumes and sets.
H.R. Pufnstuf1969
The Krofts' breakthrough hit: puppets, live-action, a talking flute-playing dragon, and a boy trapped on a magical island. This is where their genius for controlled chaos began.
But The plotting is thinner than you'd want from a real narrative, and the puppetry can feel dated. Some find the whole vibe creepy rather than charming.
