Celebrating Norman Lear, '70s Sitcom Legend - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 06-05-2009, 10:48 PM

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The starkly modern Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills was full of no-holds-barred affection for an unassuming guy in blue jeans and a white hat. But that modest-looking man just happens to be one of the most influential producers in the history of television.

Norman Lear has been called a legend and an icon, but the stars on hand to pay tribute to him see Lear as the brilliant friend who launched their careers. They couldn't wait to get a hug and a picture with the creator of such critically acclaimed and award-winning primetime hits as All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and One Day At A Time.

Now, you can take a journey back through some of the funniest and most thought-provoking moments ever seen on the small screen with the Norman Lear Collection, 19 DVDs featuring the first seasons of seven groundbreaking series. Parade.com's Jeanne Wolf also got a hugâ€”and a chance to capture some of the memories, starting with the guest of honor.

NORMAN LEAR

The secret of the white hat.
"I was spending 18 hours a day writing, and I was scratching my head so much I actually got a scab and my wife got tired of looking at it. So one day she threw a little white hat on my head, which she picked up somewhere, and I've worn it ever since."

His take on primetime.
"Right now you can see the best drama there ever was, and there's some great comedy too. When I see South Park or Family Guy, when I see Curb Your Enthusiasm, I laugh as hard as I could laugh at anything. I think we have to laugh at ourselves, the foolishness of the human condition."

If he took another shot at producing.
"You know what I want to do? I want to do the other side of South Park. I want to do old people in the right location with their families, a humorous take on the older generation."

Fighting censorship.
"We did an episode where Maude said, 'Walter, you son of a bitch,' because she thought he'd been cheating on her. So it was a moment where it was so right. And I get this call from the network censor, 'You've got to be kidding.' He said, 'There's got to be something else that she can say that would be every bit as right for the moment.' And I said, "You take 24 hours and if you can call me back and say, 'Norman, if Maude said this, it'll be every bit as right,' then I'll use it.' And we ended up leaving 'son of a bitch' in.'"

What kept him in touch with the audience in one hit after another.
"If it feels right, that's the guideline. If I think it's funny, then I imagine you'll think it's funny. If I think it's compelling, then I imagine you'll think it's compelling. And it's big business that does the research and the flow charts and all of that nonsense."

Why retirement isn't in his vocabulary.
"I need to wake up in the morning with something to do. That's as strong a need in me today as it was in my 20s. I have to get up and do something that I'm excited about doing. That's what keeps my pulse going. That's what keeps me alive so that need hasn't been diminished an iota. I know people ask that question, 'What does he need it for with all his money?' I know this is a cliche, but I never saw money as anything but a way to deliver happiness. And I need to work to be happy."

ROB REINER (All in the Family)
"I remember looking at some clips from All in the Family, which I hadn't seen in years and I was laughing but I was also moved to tears. I thought to myself, 'We did something great with Norman.' I've always made the joke that if I won the Nobel Prize they'd say, 'And the award goes to Meathead.' Now, I realize that being a part of that legacy that Norman created is a pretty good way to be remembered."

"I think we're living in a very PC world now. So if we were doing All in the Family it would probably be not as hard-hitting, not as edgy. But the issues are still there. And there's a way of addressing those issues and having passionate arguments on both sides. And you can laugh at them."

BONNIE FRANKLIN (One Day At A Time)
"The days of political correctness are here and none of Norman's stuff could be done in a world of political correctness. Can you imagine Archie Bunker on TV today? Norman always said, 'We can deal with these issues, but we're doing comedy. And you've got to have it be funny. Then you're not batting somebody in the head, telling them that they've got to think a certain way.' That's not what he was about. What Norman was able to do was to show you both sides of an issue."

JIMMIE WALKER (Good Times)
"Norman and I totally disagreed on everything. He's an ultra liberal. I'm a conservative. He said, 'We're trying to tell a little story and have a message.' And I said, 'Norman, if you want to do a message, go to work for Western Union. I'm here for comedy, baby.'"

"But Norman actually did both. I think political correctness stole a lot of stuff out of TV. You look at All in the Family. That couldn't get on the air today. You look at Norman's favorite show which was Maude. They did a show on Maude's abortion [it would] never make air today."

Ja'Net Dubois (Good Times)
"Norman didn't stand there and say, 'Don't.' He was like, 'If you can make it work your way, do it.' And that's why I love him. It's like he let me do my hats and my wigs and my clothes. He let me go. And I loved it."

James · 06-06-2009, 05:52 PM

Zoneboy · 06-06-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Is there a problem? If you don't like the thread then I suggest you take your gripe to one of the moderators of this board or an administrator.

Marvo301 · 06-06-2009, 06:59 PM

Charles, thanks for posting this article about Norman Lear. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

James · 06-06-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Is there a problem? If you don't like the thread then I suggest you take your gripe to one of the moderators of this board or an administrator.

Just my way of saying that I thought his shows sucked, especially "All In The Family."

Zoneboy · 06-06-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Just my way of saying that I thought his shows sucked, especially "All In The Family."

Ok, Sorry for the misunderstanding. If you feel that his shows sucked then that's fine. Of course the majority of us here know better.

McGillicuddy · 06-06-2009, 09:12 PM

I have the set on order from Amazon, and look forward to all the retrospects and backstory, and the pilot to AITF!

JulieSomoski · 06-06-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Just my way of saying that I thought his shows sucked, especially "All In The Family."

Are you kidding me? His shows were some of the most popular, creative, controversial, and beloved shows to ever hit the airwaves. All in the Family was the #1 show on television for 5 years, so clearly you don't know what good television is.

clj2 · 06-06-2009, 09:23 PM

I'm not putting him down, but all I really care for that he created was Good Times and Maude. Sanford and Son is OK but I got sick of it. The rest...meh. They were huge shows, but just not a big interest to me (especially All in the Family).

Zoneboy · 06-06-2009, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60s70s80stvfan

I'm not putting him down, but all I really care for that he created was Good Times and Maude. Sanford and Son is OK but I got sick of it. The rest...meh. They were huge shows, but just not a big interest to me (especially All in the Family).

Norman didn't create Good Times, That was Mike Evans and Eric Monte.

Jude The Obscure · 06-07-2009, 11:43 AM

Norman is not once ever credited as "creator" on his shows, they all say "Developed by Norman Lear".

Retro4Life · 06-07-2009, 11:48 AM

Norman Lear is a television legend, responsible for some of my favorite moments in sitcom history. 90 percent of the shows on today owe a huge debt of gratitude to him for opening the creative doors he did (I only wish they'd follow his example of high quality).

Long live Norman! And thanks for posting the very informative article!

clj2 · 06-07-2009, 11:49 AM

OK, should have said shows he was 'associated with.' I have never gotten the hype of AITF....guess I don't get it in part because I wasn't around back then.

Jude The Obscure · 06-07-2009, 11:53 AM

I always enjoy The Jeffersons and Good Times. AITF, I can take or leave, S&S is just annoying to me. One Day--haven't seen the reruns in 20 years and Maude was so sporadic in rerun play, I never got that into it.

Stuck In The '70's · 06-07-2009, 11:54 AM

Norman Lear's shows were classics. They were all great. The End.

06-06-2009, 06:59 PM	#4
Marvo301 Forum Veteran I got a rock. Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 16,477	Charles, thanks for posting this article about Norman Lear. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! __________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Alfred Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

06-06-2009, 09:23 PM	#9
clj2 Moderator Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,470	I'm not putting him down, but all I really care for that he created was Good Times and Maude. Sanford and Son is OK but I got sick of it. The rest...meh. They were huge shows, but just not a big interest to me (especially All in the Family). __________________ -Chris

06-07-2009, 11:54 AM	#15
Stuck In The '70's Forum Legend Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: In Television Hell Posts: 56,754	Norman Lear's shows were classics. They were all great. The End. __________________ Sonny

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06-05-2009, 10:48 PM	#1
Zoneboy Moderator Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: Carthage, NC Posts: 22,522	Celebrating Norman Lear, '70s Sitcom Legend Link The starkly modern Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills was full of no-holds-barred affection for an unassuming guy in blue jeans and a white hat. But that modest-looking man just happens to be one of the most influential producers in the history of television. Norman Lear has been called a legend and an icon, but the stars on hand to pay tribute to him see Lear as the brilliant friend who launched their careers. They couldn't wait to get a hug and a picture with the creator of such critically acclaimed and award-winning primetime hits as All in the Family, Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and One Day At A Time. Now, you can take a journey back through some of the funniest and most thought-provoking moments ever seen on the small screen with the Norman Lear Collection, 19 DVDs featuring the first seasons of seven groundbreaking series. Parade.com's Jeanne Wolf also got a hugâ€”and a chance to capture some of the memories, starting with the guest of honor. NORMAN LEAR The secret of the white hat. "I was spending 18 hours a day writing, and I was scratching my head so much I actually got a scab and my wife got tired of looking at it. So one day she threw a little white hat on my head, which she picked up somewhere, and I've worn it ever since." His take on primetime. "Right now you can see the best drama there ever was, and there's some great comedy too. When I see South Park or Family Guy, when I see Curb Your Enthusiasm, I laugh as hard as I could laugh at anything. I think we have to laugh at ourselves, the foolishness of the human condition." If he took another shot at producing. "You know what I want to do? I want to do the other side of South Park. I want to do old people in the right location with their families, a humorous take on the older generation." Fighting censorship. "We did an episode where Maude said, 'Walter, you son of a bitch,' because she thought he'd been cheating on her. So it was a moment where it was so right. And I get this call from the network censor, 'You've got to be kidding.' He said, 'There's got to be something else that she can say that would be every bit as right for the moment.' And I said, "You take 24 hours and if you can call me back and say, 'Norman, if Maude said this, it'll be every bit as right,' then I'll use it.' And we ended up leaving 'son of a bitch' in.'" What kept him in touch with the audience in one hit after another. "If it feels right, that's the guideline. If I think it's funny, then I imagine you'll think it's funny. If I think it's compelling, then I imagine you'll think it's compelling. And it's big business that does the research and the flow charts and all of that nonsense." Why retirement isn't in his vocabulary. "I need to wake up in the morning with something to do. That's as strong a need in me today as it was in my 20s. I have to get up and do something that I'm excited about doing. That's what keeps my pulse going. That's what keeps me alive so that need hasn't been diminished an iota. I know people ask that question, 'What does he need it for with all his money?' I know this is a cliche, but I never saw money as anything but a way to deliver happiness. And I need to work to be happy." ROB REINER (All in the Family) "I remember looking at some clips from All in the Family, which I hadn't seen in years and I was laughing but I was also moved to tears. I thought to myself, 'We did something great with Norman.' I've always made the joke that if I won the Nobel Prize they'd say, 'And the award goes to Meathead.' Now, I realize that being a part of that legacy that Norman created is a pretty good way to be remembered." "I think we're living in a very PC world now. So if we were doing All in the Family it would probably be not as hard-hitting, not as edgy. But the issues are still there. And there's a way of addressing those issues and having passionate arguments on both sides. And you can laugh at them." BONNIE FRANKLIN (One Day At A Time) "The days of political correctness are here and none of Norman's stuff could be done in a world of political correctness. Can you imagine Archie Bunker on TV today? Norman always said, 'We can deal with these issues, but we're doing comedy. And you've got to have it be funny. Then you're not batting somebody in the head, telling them that they've got to think a certain way.' That's not what he was about. What Norman was able to do was to show you both sides of an issue." JIMMIE WALKER (Good Times) "Norman and I totally disagreed on everything. He's an ultra liberal. I'm a conservative. He said, 'We're trying to tell a little story and have a message.' And I said, 'Norman, if you want to do a message, go to work for Western Union. I'm here for comedy, baby.'" "But Norman actually did both. I think political correctness stole a lot of stuff out of TV. You look at All in the Family. That couldn't get on the air today. You look at Norman's favorite show which was Maude. They did a show on Maude's abortion [it would] never make air today." Ja'Net Dubois (Good Times) "Norman didn't stand there and say, 'Don't.' He was like, 'If you can make it work your way, do it.' And that's why I love him. It's like he let me do my hats and my wigs and my clothes. He let me go. And I loved it." __________________ *"It's the way things are. A big tree falls and a new one grows right out of the same ground. Old animals die and young ones take their places. Even people step aside when it's time."* (R.G. Armstrong as the Contractor in The Twilight Zone episode "Nothing in the Dark")

06-06-2009, 05:52 PM	#2
James Senior Member Member Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,125

06-06-2009, 09:12 PM	#7
McGillicuddy Senior Member Member Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 4,156	I have the set on order from Amazon, and look forward to all the retrospects and backstory, and the pilot to AITF!

06-07-2009, 11:43 AM	#11
Jude The Obscure Senior Member Retired Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,277	Norman is not once ever credited as "creator" on his shows, they all say "Developed by Norman Lear".

06-07-2009, 11:48 AM	#12
Retro4Life Senior Member Accept No Substitutes Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 5,052	Norman Lear is a television legend, responsible for some of my favorite moments in sitcom history. 90 percent of the shows on today owe a huge debt of gratitude to him for opening the creative doors he did (I only wish they'd follow his example of high quality). Long live Norman! And thanks for posting the very informative article!

06-07-2009, 11:49 AM	#13
clj2 Moderator Member Join Date: Sep 16, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 3,470	OK, should have said shows he was 'associated with.' I have never gotten the hype of AITF....guess I don't get it in part because I wasn't around back then.

06-07-2009, 11:53 AM	#14
Jude The Obscure Senior Member Retired Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,277	I always enjoy The Jeffersons and Good Times. AITF, I can take or leave, S&S is just annoying to me. One Day--haven't seen the reruns in 20 years and Maude was so sporadic in rerun play, I never got that into it.