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From The Honeymooners to Happy Days: Our Favorite TV Kitchens

Take a trip down memory lane and revisit kitchens in which we watched lives unfold.
By Kiri Tannenbaum
<p>Here's the story of a lovely lady. In their California ranch-style home (<a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=brady+bunch+house&qpvt=brady+bunch+house&FORM=delish" target="_blank">see photos</a>), the <a href="http://www.bing.com/tv/overview?q=brady+bunch&seriesid=785F7B9D3459438F949EC6EC93FBD028&qpvt=brady+bunch&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Bradys</a> had the quintessential 1970s open kitchen. The bright red-orange countertops and backsplash are ingrained in our memories, and unfortunately the '70s decor is still present in a few of our own homes.</p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brady+bunch+theme&view=detail&mid=023B385891B06E4A3BE2023B385891B06E4A3BE2&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /> 
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brady+bunch++alice+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=8EFCB9C06509CCCC09E08EFCB9C06509CCCC09E0&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch a clip of the kitchen</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?qpvt=brady+bunch&q=brady+bunch%20filterui:duration-long&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch full episodes</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brady+bunch+tell+all&view=detail&mid=29751B6FF8042751112A29751B6FF8042751112A&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch an interview with Maureen McCormick</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=70s+interiors+&qs=n&sk=&sc=3-14&form=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '70s décor</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett Collection
Growing up, each night we tuned in to catch another "eeeee" from Lucy, "turlet" from Archie, or "aaaay" from the Fonz. Like a member of their families, we were transported into their worlds through the heart of the home: the kitchen. Here's our list of kitchens (and TV families) we miss seeing on a weekly basis.
1

The Brady Bunch

<p>Here's the story of a lovely lady. In their California ranch-style home (<a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=brady+bunch+house&qpvt=brady+bunch+house&FORM=delish" target="_blank">see photos</a>), the <a href="http://www.bing.com/tv/overview?q=brady+bunch&seriesid=785F7B9D3459438F949EC6EC93FBD028&qpvt=brady+bunch&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Bradys</a> had the quintessential 1970s open kitchen. The bright red-orange countertops and backsplash are ingrained in our memories, and unfortunately the '70s decor is still present in a few of our own homes.</p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brady+bunch+theme&view=detail&mid=023B385891B06E4A3BE2023B385891B06E4A3BE2&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /> 
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brady+bunch++alice+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=8EFCB9C06509CCCC09E08EFCB9C06509CCCC09E0&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch a clip of the kitchen</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?qpvt=brady+bunch&q=brady+bunch%20filterui:duration-long&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch full episodes</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=brady+bunch+tell+all&view=detail&mid=29751B6FF8042751112A29751B6FF8042751112A&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch an interview with Maureen McCormick</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=70s+interiors+&qs=n&sk=&sc=3-14&form=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '70s décor</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett Collection

Here's the story of a lovely lady. In their California ranch-style home (see photos), the Bradys had the quintessential 1970s open kitchen. The bright red-orange countertops and backsplash are ingrained in our memories, and unfortunately the '70s decor is still present in a few of our own homes.



Watch the opening theme


Watch a clip of the kitchen


Watch full episodes


Watch an interview with Maureen McCormick


Photos of '70s décor

2

I Love Lucy

<p><a href="http://www.bing.com/search?q=Lucy+Ricardo+&qs=n&sk=&sc=8-13&form=delish" target="_blank">Lucy Ricardo</a> was definitely no <a href="http://www.bing.com/search?q=Martha+Stewart&go=&qs=n&sk=&sc=8-14&form=delish" target="_blank">Martha Stewart</a>. But in her uptown Manhattan apartment, she had a sizable and well-equipped kitchen. Built for the modern cook, the '50s kitchen featured beautiful two-tone cabinetry and a dinette where she and Ethel spent more time scheming than cooking.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=I+love+lucy+theme&view=detail&mid=90281E4A2EE8EFA279C090281E4A2EE8EFA279C0&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=I+love+lucy+show+ethel+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=63908F6274788D283BD263908F6274788D283BD2&first=21&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch Lucy and Ethel in the kitchen</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=lucille+ball&id=ee611348-be72-1520-028a-f6e8508e6d59&qpvt=lucille+ball&FORM=delish" target="_blank">More on Lucille Ball</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=lucille+ball&view=detail&mid=F839A3FC0053606F2A51F839A3FC0053606F2A51&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch her interviewed by Dick Cavett</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=50s+interiors&qs=n&sk=&sc=4-12&form=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '50s décor</a></p>
CBS/Neal Peters Collection

Lucy Ricardo was definitely no Martha Stewart. But in her uptown Manhattan apartment, she had a sizable and well-equipped kitchen. Built for the modern cook, the '50s kitchen featured beautiful two-tone cabinetry and a dinette where she and Ethel spent more time scheming than cooking.


Watch the opening theme


Watch Lucy and Ethel in the kitchen


More on Lucille Ball


Watch her interviewed by Dick Cavett


Photos of '50s décor

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3

Happy Days

<p>Bright and sunny, the Cunninghams' pass-through kitchen reflected mom Marion's flighty personality. Her kitchen featured matchy-match decor, blue plaid wallpaper, cornflower blue countertops, and frilly curtains. Throw in linoleum flooring and it was a state-of-the-art 1950s kitchen.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Happy+Days+theme&view=detail&mid=C340BFE244335FB8BA76C340BFE244335FB8BA76&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=%22happy+days%22+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=0242D1570F12AFBFD96D0242D1570F12AFBFD96D&first=41&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Do the Fonzie</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=%22happy+days%22+marion&view=detail&mid=C0776416E491139B4716C0776416E491139B4716&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch an interview with Marion Ross</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=full+episodes+happy+days&go=&qs=n&sk=&sc=1-24&form=QBVR" target="_blank">Watch full episodes</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=%22happy+days%22+house&qpvt=%22happy+days%22+house&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Photos of the "Happy Days" house</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett Collection

Bright and sunny, the Cunninghams' pass-through kitchen reflected mom Marion's flighty personality. Her kitchen featured matchy-match decor, blue plaid wallpaper, cornflower blue countertops, and frilly curtains. Throw in linoleum flooring and it was a state-of-the-art 1950s kitchen.


Watch the opening theme


Do the Fonzie


Watch an interview with Marion Ross


Watch full episodes


Photos of the "Happy Days" house

4

The Honeymooners

<p>Ralph and Alice Cramden spent every episode arguing in their sparse, tiny 1950s Brooklyn kitchen. <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Audrey+Meadows&id=c6573932-f9cf-1dd3-5ede-08dfbf54ae1e&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Alice</a> was constantly plagued by <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=jackie+gleason&qs=n&sk=&sc=8-14&form=delish" target="_blank">Ralph's</a> complaints about every meal she prepared, and, of course, he often threatened to send her "to the moon!" Though pretty dingy, their kitchen had some cheerful aspects, like their checkered tablecloth and the (now antique) basin sink with dual faucets for hot and cold.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=honeymooners+theme&view=detail&mid=0910AEAB500BA2A0D43A0910AEAB500BA2A0D43A&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=honeymooners+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=F72BE3B355B1F2E256BBF72BE3B355B1F2E256BB&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch Ralph and Norton in the kitchen</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=jackie+gleason+to+the+moon+alice&view=detail&mid=5FDC6CBC4828388D3FBD5FDC6CBC4828388D3FBD&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch clips of the scrappy couple</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=jacky+gleason&view=detail&mid=B667EB5506162C297BB8B667EB5506162C297BB8&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch Dan Rather with Gleason's obituary </a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=50s+kitchen&go=&qs=n&sk=&sc=8-11&form=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '50s kitchens</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett Collection

Ralph and Alice Cramden spent every episode arguing in their sparse, tiny 1950s Brooklyn kitchen. Alice was constantly plagued by Ralph's complaints about every meal she prepared, and, of course, he often threatened to send her "to the moon!" Though pretty dingy, their kitchen had some cheerful aspects, like their checkered tablecloth and the (now antique) basin sink with dual faucets for hot and cold.


Watch the opening theme


Watch Ralph and Norton in the kitchen


Watch clips of the scrappy couple


Watch Dan Rather with Gleason's obituary


Photos of '50s kitchens

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5

Benson

<p><i>Benson</i> followed the trials and tribulations of a shrewd and often acerbic butler, <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Robert+Guillaume&go=&qs=bs&form=delish" target="_blank">Benson DuBois</a>, who ran the household of bumbling governor <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=James+Noble&go=&qs=bs&form=delish" target="_blank">Gene Gatling</a>. Set in the gov's mansion, the upscale kitchen was beautifully decked out with a black-and-white checkered floor, stainless-steel appliances, and a farmhouse table — a real chef's kitchen.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=benson+theme&view=detail&mid=7345B4AC9E7661090CD17345B4AC9E7661090CD1&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=%22benson%22+robert+guillaume&go=&qs=n&sk=&sc=1-25&form=delish" target="_blank">Watch clips from the show</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=robert+guillaume+&view=detail&mid=BC8E20B9C43BE3486FDCBC8E20B9C43BE3486FDC&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch Toni Tennille interview Robert Guillaume</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=robert+guillaume&view=detail&mid=9B4BC8C1F05713A977839B4BC8C1F05713A97783&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">
Watch Guillaume on "Saturday Night Live"</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=80s+interior+decor&qs=n&sk=&form=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '80s décor</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett Collection

Benson followed the trials and tribulations of a shrewd and often acerbic butler, Benson DuBois, who ran the household of bumbling governor Gene Gatling. Set in the gov's mansion, the upscale kitchen was beautifully decked out with a black-and-white checkered floor, stainless-steel appliances, and a farmhouse table — a real chef's kitchen.


Watch the opening theme


Watch clips from the show


Watch Toni Tennille interview Robert Guillaume


Watch Guillaume on "Saturday Night Live"


Photos of '80s décor

6

Family Ties

<p>The tight-knit Keaton family <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Michael+J.+Fox&id=833324a5-8310-bded-cbd2-11c723530edf&FORM=delish" target="_blank">(who played Alex?)</a> spent breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their country-style kitchen — one of the most popular designs of the 1980s. The Keaton kitchen was adorned with copper pots, floral wallpaper, wood accents, and a six-burner stove.</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=family+ties+theme&view=detail&mid=F78466E1B648E2FD67D6F78466E1B648E2FD67D6&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=family+ties+filterui%3amsite-youtube.com+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=1AC57C549CF44E3E471C1AC57C549CF44E3E471C&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch Alex and Uncle Ned in the kitchen</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?qpvt=family+ties&q=family+ties%20&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch clips from the show</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=michael+j+fox&view=detail&mid=3C31CEF2BC991D6A5ED33C31CEF2BC991D6A5ED3&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Michael J. Fox on "Late Show With David Letterman"</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=80s+kitchen&qpvt=80s+kitchen&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '80s kitchens</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett Collection

The tight-knit Keaton family (who played Alex?) spent breakfast, lunch, and dinner in their country-style kitchen — one of the most popular designs of the 1980s. The Keaton kitchen was adorned with copper pots, floral wallpaper, wood accents, and a six-burner stove.


Watch the opening theme


Watch Alex and Uncle Ned in the kitchen


Watch clips from the show


Michael J. Fox on "Late Show With David Letterman"


Photos of '80s kitchens

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7

All in the Family

<p>You can't forget the catchy theme song, which played over the opening images of the Bunkers' home in Queens, NY. <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Carroll+O%27Connor&id=6ac978db-4a73-2251-323c-265c7b6f288f&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Archie</a>, <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Jean+Stapleton&id=16ba6e03-d926-9bf3-9e60-02902dc459f5&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Edith</a>, <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Sally+Struthers&id=521fb08e-a1fa-6b57-cbcd-5e6a9bf44729&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Gloria</a>, and <a href="http://www.bing.com/celebrities/overview/search?q=Rob+Reiner&id=3255326f-cc52-3a31-ec77-b0633b27708e&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Mike</a> (a.k.a. Meathead) were modest working-class folk who lived in a simple home with a very functional kitchen for the housewives of the time. But most of the time we just saw Edith scurrying back and forth through the swinging kitchen door to bring Arch his beer. Those <i>were</i> the days!</p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=All+in+the+Family+theme&view=detail&mid=1C61DD5FAFEB3E5B7ED61C61DD5FAFEB3E5B7ED6&first=0&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch the opening theme</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=%22All+in+the+Family%22+filterui%3aduration-short&view=detail&mid=BCEA2E9E9EE33B90EA7ABCEA2E9E9EE33B90EA7A&first=181&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Catch a peek at the kitchen in this trailer</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/videos/search?sk=&sc=8-20&qpvt=%2522All+in+the+Family%2522&q=%2522All+in+the+Family%2522%20filterui:duration-short&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Watch clips from the show</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=All+In+The+Family+Bunker&qpvt=all+in+the+family+cast&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Cast photos</a></p><br /><p><a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=70s+kitchen+&qpvt=70s+kitchen+&FORM=delish" target="_blank">Photos of '70s kitchens</a></p>
Courtesy of Everett collection

You can't forget the catchy theme song, which played over the opening images of the Bunkers' home in Queens, NY. Archie, Edith, Gloria, and Mike (a.k.a. Meathead) were modest working-class folk who lived in a simple home with a very functional kitchen for the housewives of the time. But most of the time we just saw Edith scurrying back and forth through the swinging kitchen door to bring Arch his beer. Those were the days!


Watch the opening theme


Catch a peek at the kitchen in this trailer


Watch clips from the show


Cast photos


Photos of '70s kitchens

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