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Shindigger · 12-06-2001, 01:13 AM

Forgive any inaccuracies in this posting, but watching Julia, now, with the knowledge of the whole social climate at the time of the show's premier, I find it amazing and very laudable that producer Hal Kanter developed the show and network NBC gave the green light to it.

You figure, at the time, what other Black was on television with any regularity and in a starring role with the exception of Bill Cosby, who I believe was one of a few Black celebrities who begged Diahann not to do the show! Add in the racial climate at the time and the fact that many Southern affiliates opted not to carry the show, and it's all the more amazing that NBC stood firmly behind this ground-breaker.

Then, watching many of the early episodes, sometimes I am left speechless at how the whole race issue wasn't dodged at all, and in some cases prominently displayed, discussed and discected with no vague dialogue. Some to the speeches Julia made would burn the tar off a Georgia highway! None of this hurt the show, as later, many of the stations in the South eventually did end up placing the show in their line-ups.

I don't know how people could say the show was unrealistic in it's portrayal of Julia's life and where she lived; many felt she wasn't "Black" enough!!! What a nauseatingly stereotypical insult! I guess some wanted her living in a rat-infested den of trash to lend that "realistic" touch! But now really, does anyone think a single, young actress would be able to afford such a fabulous wardrobe as Ann Marie had? I hardly think anyone watches television for hard-core reality. We get enough of that in real life!

ThomasE · 12-10-2001, 04:14 PM

I am so glad that I am not alone. I could not have said it better myself.

DJM77 · 12-10-2001, 06:43 PM

Another thing that made this show groundbreaking was that Julia was a strong independant single mother. A sitcom like this had never aired before. Julia was truly one of a kind.

Shindigger · 12-10-2001, 10:48 PM

Thomas: It is nice, isn't it, to find others are on the same wavelength. I was too young during the show's initial prime-time run to really ascribe any importance or relevance to what was taking place "In Living Color! On NBC!" (boy, wasn't that truth in advertising!) but catching the show again when it was on TV Land, I really had the breath knocked out of me a few times when I realized just how daring this show was for the late 60's and what an accomplishment for all involved that it became not just a ground-breaking show, but a HIT ground-breaking show!

"DJM": That is an excellent point about Julia being such an important show in terms of her being the first truly strong, independent single mom. I always thought this show was such a step above the normal sitcom, because it played more like a half hour drama with just enough human comedy to make it go down well. The comedy never came from one-liners or silly situations, but from things we all have been through at some time or other. I'm glad you reminded us about Julia's importance in showing a determined, wonderful single parent. The more I read the comments of others, the more I appreciate this show!

12-06-2001, 01:13 AM	#1
Shindigger Frequent Poster Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Posts: 79	Amazing Show, Amazing Network, Amazing Producers Forgive any inaccuracies in this posting, but watching Julia, now, with the knowledge of the whole social climate at the time of the show's premier, I find it amazing and very laudable that producer Hal Kanter developed the show and network NBC gave the green light to it. You figure, at the time, what other Black was on television with any regularity and in a starring role with the exception of Bill Cosby, who I believe was one of a few Black celebrities who begged Diahann not to do the show! Add in the racial climate at the time and the fact that many Southern affiliates opted not to carry the show, and it's all the more amazing that NBC stood firmly behind this ground-breaker. Then, watching many of the early episodes, sometimes I am left speechless at how the whole race issue wasn't dodged at all, and in some cases prominently displayed, discussed and discected with no vague dialogue. Some to the speeches Julia made would burn the tar off a Georgia highway! None of this hurt the show, as later, many of the stations in the South eventually did end up placing the show in their line-ups. I don't know how people could say the show was unrealistic in it's portrayal of Julia's life and where she lived; many felt she wasn't "Black" enough!!! What a nauseatingly stereotypical insult! I guess some wanted her living in a rat-infested den of trash to lend that "realistic" touch! But now really, does anyone think a single, young actress would be able to afford such a fabulous wardrobe as Ann Marie had? I hardly think anyone watches television for hard-core reality. We get enough of that in real life!

12-10-2001, 04:14 PM	#2
ThomasE Moderator Member Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: Dallas, by way of New York in attendance at JR Ewing's funeral. Posts: 9,223	Thank You! I am so glad that I am not alone. I could not have said it better myself.

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12-10-2001, 06:43 PM	#3
DJM77 Senior Member Member Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 2,108	Another thing that made this show groundbreaking was that Julia was a strong independant single mother. A sitcom like this had never aired before. Julia was truly one of a kind.

12-10-2001, 10:48 PM	#4
Shindigger Frequent Poster Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Posts: 79	Thomas: It is nice, isn't it, to find others are on the same wavelength. I was too young during the show's initial prime-time run to really ascribe any importance or relevance to what was taking place "In Living Color! On NBC!" (boy, wasn't that truth in advertising!) but catching the show again when it was on TV Land, I really had the breath knocked out of me a few times when I realized just how daring this show was for the late 60's and what an accomplishment for all involved that it became not just a ground-breaking show, but a HIT ground-breaking show! "DJM": That is an excellent point about Julia being such an important show in terms of her being the first truly strong, independent single mom. I always thought this show was such a step above the normal sitcom, because it played more like a half hour drama with just enough human comedy to make it go down well. The comedy never came from one-liners or silly situations, but from things we all have been through at some time or other. I'm glad you reminded us about Julia's importance in showing a determined, wonderful single parent. The more I read the comments of others, the more I appreciate this show!