The tv history site says that 1973 was the last year of production for Emerson... after that the name was slapped on a variety of inexpensive offshore sourced products of lower quality, mostly sold in places like K-Mart and Wallmart. In other words "mostly cheap junk".
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1946-49-EMERSON.htm
http://www.tvhistory.tv/1950-59-EMERSON.htm
On the other hand, I have an cheap (60$ or so) Chinese made Emerson branded microwave oven that has held up fine for nearly 10 years. It replaced an expensive Panasonic that only lasted 2 years.
jr