Norman Lear: R.I.P.

[Dr. Cheese]

Invalid Link Removed

He defined an era of TV comedy.

 

[2saddleslab]

RIP, NL. Quite the impact for those 101 years.

 

[MonetBass]

His shows were part of my formative years for sure. RIP.

 

[GregC]

RIP. He was the brains behind so many great shows.

 

[Michedelic]

He ‘went there’ in an era of denial and avoidance.

 

[kesslari]

One of the greats. RIP.

 

[FilterFunk]

Is there anyone more successful and influential in the history of television? The list of people as successful and influential can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.

What a legacy. R.I.P, Mr. Lear.

 

[ElectroVibe]

RIP.

I enjoyed a lot of his earlier shows. All in the Family, though, seemed to be kind of simplistic sometimes. When it should have treated issues in a more complex way.

 

[ElectroVibe]

You have to respect him because his shows were groundbreaking and hugely popular, at least in the 70s.

Unfortunately one of his colleagues from the 1970s has taken his death as an opportunity to express his personal views. Honestly I don't think anyone on the planet cares if a rich kid from Hollywood has those kind of views. Just stick to what you do well. No one cares what you think on other issues.

 

[kobass]

RIP Norman.

 

[MJ5150]

I loved watching The Facts of Life as a kid.
Back in the day we lived in a predominantly white area. I remember watching Sanford and Son, and seeing people who didn't look like me. At that young age I couldn't really relate to the show, but I sure loved Lamont. I remember wanting my parents to take me to meet him and ride in that sweet truck.
Years and years later we move to Washington State. One of my first friends I made, his pop owned an auction house called Sanford and Son. I was old enough now to know better, but I recall being intrigued that maybe I would finally meet Lamont.
I sure appreciate all of the effort and time Mr. Lear spent to entertain me.

-Mike

 

[The Golden Boy]

He ‘went there’ in an era of denial and avoidance.

Absolutely.

 

[ElectroVibe]

I have decided to set aside my preconceived ideas and start watching All In the Family again. I do actually have good memories of the show from my childhood. I was just too young to understand it at the time.

 

[ElectroVibe]

This Sunday, December 10, 6 pm ET, MeTV will air the 90-minute ALL IN THE FAMILY 200th EPISODE RETROSPECTIVE, hosted by Norman Lear. It was broadcast only once on March 4, 1979 and has never aired in syndication.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Stifle it, dingbat.

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

Studied his work some. Shrewdly took the Sit-Com from simple comedy / social commentary to actually confronting social issues with heart and wit.

 

[ElectroVibe]

View attachment 5278561

Studied his work some. Shrewdly took the Sit-Com from simple comedy / social commentary to actually confronting social issues with heart and wit.

One reason I cannot stand sitcoms like Seinfeld or the Office.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Heard Al Franken’s podcast dedicated to Norman Lear. Listening to Lear speak about casting and writing I recognized his many talents including recognizing talent, matching actors up and watching for what emerges from them. A great mind from another era. RIP

 

[FilterFunk]

Stifle it, dingbat.

As a preschool teacher, sometimes when my students were getting a little too rambunctious, I'd say to them in my best Archie Bunker voice, "Aw, geez, wouldja stop dat!"

Of course, they had no idea what I was referencing, but they laughed anyway!

 

[ElectroVibe]

Well, my new take on All In the Family is that I'm not surprised that it was a popular show. It's ironic that Archie was the most popular character because that probably wasn't the intention.

Rob Reiner is a likeable person and could have probably done more acting in the 70s if not for the Meathead character which seemed to have no redeeming qualities. It was not good for his acting career.