Norman Lear, producer of TV's 'All in the Family' and influential liberal advocate, has died at 101

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Norman Lear, producer of TV's 'All in the Family' and influential liberal advocate, has died at 101

A liberal activist with an eye for mainstream entertainment, Lear fashioned bold and controversial comedies that were embraced by viewers who had to watch the evening news to find out what was going on in the world.

news.yahoo.com

LOS ANGELES — Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with "All in the Family," “The Jeffersons” and “Maude,” propelling political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of TV sitcoms, has died. He was 101.

Also a decorated war hero as he was a navigator/gunner in a B-17 and flew 52 combat missions.

What a life he lived.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

I don't think that you could get a show like "All in the Family" on Network TV today. It would have to go on streaming or HBO. the 70's were just a different era in movies and TV. producers were willing to take a lot more chances and try different directions. then in the 80's, things swung back in a more conservative or 'traditional' direction.

FWIW - Lear also developed "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" - one of the wackiest shows ever put on TV (although it was on syndication, not network TV). that was some prime stoner viewing.

 

[tikited]

Dominated my childhood. RIP.

 

[tikited]

FWIW - Lear also developed "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" - one of the wackiest shows ever put on TV (although it was on syndication, not network TV). that was some prime stoner viewing.

I was young, but I'm pretty sure I got a contact high just from watching it.

 

[Ope3]

Such a trail blazer in terms of comedies.

On March 25, 1992 I was on vacation in LA and a friend scored an extra ticket to the Tonight Show. It was one of the last episodes for Jay Leno as a Guest Host before taking over full time for Carson.

Guests were Willem Dafoe, Tim Daly, Norman Lear and the band Poi Dog Pondering. That's a really full line-up by today's talk show standards. I don't think there was a sketch or bit after the opening monologue. Leno did a quick warm-up for the crowd and did a little Q&A before the cameras rolled.

Lear wore his trademark hat and was about to hit the age of 70.

I don't recall much about the show itself. I do remember it was rather chilly in the studio, it was taped later in the afternoon and Poi Dog Pondering played 2 songs, but only 1 aired.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

The Baxters.