Sanford and Son was enormously popular during most of its run, and was one of the top ten highest-rated series on American television from its first season (1971-72) through the 1975-76 season. With its coveted 8pm Eastern Friday night time slot, Sanford and Son put enough of a dent into the middling audience of ABC’s The Brady Bunch to drive it off the air in 1974. Sanford and Son peaked at #2 in the Nielsen ratings during the 1973-74 season, and stayed there for three years in a row. The series was second only to All in the Family in terms of ratings. The show was still quite popular when it was cancelled (due entirely to Foxx’s departure from the show) in 1977.