Norman Lear (Wikipedia)
Norman Lear, the legendary television and movie producer, has died at the age of 101. It would not be an overstatement to say that he changed the world.
Born Norman Milton in New Haven, Connecticut in 1922 to a Jewish family, Norman Lear was a prolific American screenwriter, producer, and developer who had a profound impact on television history. He produced, wrote, created, or developed over 100 shows, but is most famous for his groundbreaking sitcoms of the 1970s that tackled social and political issues head-on.
Norman Lear changed not only television, but the very way in which Americans today can speak about their own culture and openly discuss the problems of their society. Before Lear, you simply could not talk openly about serious subjects like racism and sex on a television show.
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Once upon a time, people could not even say the word “pregnant,” believe it or not. On the “I Love Lucy” in the 1950s when the show’s star Lucille Ball was pregnant herself, people on the show could only say things like “she’s having a baby,” God forbid they say pregnant on television.
But Norman Lear came around at the right place and the right time. After the social upheavals that America endured in the 1960s after it shed a level of social hypocrisies and ended censorship in what could be portrayed in movies, he took advantage of the moment and created television shows in the 1970s that would, for the first time, combine comedy on TV with social awareness.
It started with “All in the Family,” a sitcom where a curmudgeonly and racist World War II veteran Archie Bunker – played by Carol O’Connor – was forced to live in his modest working class home with his daughter and her new husband Michael – played by Rob Reiner – who was a liberal. The two would fight about everything.
Archie represented the older generation that was unable to deal with how the country had changed so dramatically in such a short period of time.
This show was followed by a number of spin-offs like Maude and Good Times. The latter, for the first time on television, portrayed a low-income Black family struggling just to get by.
If you never saw or even heard about those television shows, then maybe you have heard of “Friends,” “Modern Family,” Seinfeld,” or even “The Simpsons.” Well, none of those shows would ever have existed if it had not been for Norman Lear.
Comedians and legendary figures in the world of entertainment have eulogized Norman Lear.
Mel Brooks said, “The world has suddenly become a sadder place to live in with the passing of Norman Lear. He was a great positive force in the entertainment industry, & more importantly to me personally he was a good friend. We are so lucky to have his remarkable body of work to remember him by.”
“It is obviously silly to want more time with a person who outlived a whole century but losing Norman Lear, even at 101 years old, feels unfair. His bravery, integrity and unmatched moral compass were equaled by his kindness, empathy, and wit,” said Jimmy Kimmel.
Al Franken wrote, “God bless Norman Lear who gave America comedy and satire with warmth and hilarity. Norman was a champion of democracy and a kind and generous soul. A giant. May his memory be a blessing to all who had the privilege to know him.”
And Barbra Streisand said, “Just heard about Norman Lear. He was 101. What a long life in television and film as well as being an activist and philanthropist. What an extraordinary man he was! Brilliant, kind and funny.”
