Kahan began her career in improv and was a frequent TV player in the 1970s, particularly with MTM Enterprises, as a regular on the short-lived sitcoms All's Fair and Doc, part of the repertory cast on the equally short-lived variety series Mary, and guest appearances on Lou Grant and the later shows Newhart and St. Elsewhere. For Norman Lear, she played Penny Major on Forever Fernwood (the retooled version of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) and guested on All in the Family.