The 1970s may have ushered in a new era for American culture, but for The Ramblin' Rod Cartoon Show, it was business as usual.  The same ingredients that made Rod's show an immediate hit in the 1960s, proved just as popular in the next decade.

Popeye and Bugs Bunny continued to be the primary source of animated entertainment, along with Hanna-Barbera favorites Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Lippy the Lion, Wally Gator, Touché Turtle and others.  Children still competed in the "smile contest" for candy and prizes. Birthday guest were still serenaded by a bleacher full of tone-deaf well-wishers. 

As the decade progressed, however, the television landscape began to change.  KPTV, as an independent, had ample time during the day for local programs. The other Portland stations, however, found themselves with fewer available hours, as ABC, CBS and NBC expanded their soap opera, game show and news franchises. The local children's shows, so abundant since TV's early days, started to disappear. By 1973, even KPTV stalwarts "Rusty Nails" and "Hobo Kelly" would sign off, leaving Rod as the last local kid's show in the market.

Another change would take place in 1975, as for the first time, The Ramblin' Rod Cartoon Show would be tape recorded, instead of airing live. KPTV moved the show to weekday mornings, and children who appeared on the show in the afternoon could now watch themselves the following morning.

Buoyed by a lack of competition, Rod's show was expanded to an hour. Parents, anxious to see their child on TV, found themselves having to make reservations weeks or even months in advance.

Rod's popularity continued to rise, and he continued to make public appearances at parades, fairs and festivals. He also reached outside of the children's community, doing live commercials for Mike Salta Pontiac, appearing on the yearly Jerry Lewis Telethon and taking over the hosting duties of 12 in the Morning from Gene Brendler.