Lear and Letterman. Two classics. (From CBS.com)
I stayed up later than usual Friday night and caught Norman Lear chatting with David Letterman on CBS.
Man, he looked old.
Letterman, not Lear.
No, the guest in the porkpie hat look positively dapper as he discussed the the period of TV in which he was the undisputed leader in cutting edge comedy. “All in Family.” “Sanford and Son.” “The Jeffersons.” “Good Times.”
Classic TV: George Jefferson in Archie Bunker’s living room. (From CBS)
Host Letterman was not cranky as he rolled photos from the 1960s and ’70s shows that changed the color and tone of the little box in America’s living rooms, thanks to Lear’s production. I was a teen when I most happily watched black people poke fun at and warm up a touch the heart of unwitting bigot Archie Bunker, and then have funny and normal-for-Hollywood family situations of their own. Thank you.
Lear is 92, he reminded Letterman as they talked about his new book, “Even This I Get to Experience,” which is surely the reason the spry guy showed up on late night TV. Letterman asked him if he’s working on any new shows, and Lear said he’s been trying for two years to get one titled “Who’s Dead?” on the air. Dave shook his head slowly at that wit.
Letterman made sure to ask Lear about his kids, particularly their range of age.
Norman Lear, age 92, has twins who are 20 years old. His oldest child is 68.
Imagine that. My dear wife Karen looked at me, three weeks shy of my 57th birthday, and asked if I could picture being the father of new twins 15 years from now. Hats off to Norman Lear.
If you remember Norman Lear’s stable of TV shows, which was your favorite, and why? Would you be up for a Norman Lear-produced show by the name of “Who Died?” What do you think Norman Lear should plan to do with his twins for their 21st birthday?
Here’s the source for the Norman Lear/David Letterman image.
Here’s the source for the photo of the late Sherman Hemsley and Carroll O’Connor.
Mark Bialczak 
I liked Archie Bunker as a character. No matter how much of a jerk he could be, he had his moments of redemption. In one episode, he and his son-in-law were locked in a shed, trying to stay warm in the cold. They may have been drinking – I can’t recall. What I do recall is Carroll O’Connor’s heartfelt performance as Archie telling Mike about his own father. Mike didn’t think much of Archie’s old man and begins to criticize him. Archie shows a sweetness when he says to Mike something along the lines of, ‘He was my father, he taught me things, looked out for me – how could he be bad or wrong?’ I cannot say why this episode has stayed with me all these years, but it has.
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We watched that Letterman episode, but I guess I missed the part about his kids. Wow! That’s quite a span there. The amazing power of endless fresh little sperms compared to the limited ability of aging eggs is always boggling. “The Jeffersons” was one of my favorite shows, growing up. We would dance to the theme song and act like Florence and sass and backtalk and call people “honkies” and “zebras.”
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You crazy kids, Kerbey. “The Jeffersons” let us all Move It On Up to that deluxe apartment in the sky!
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Im an avid TvLand watcher! I so miss those shows I grew up watching. Good Times, MASH, etc.
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They had me good, Apple Pie.
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Did Norman Lear do “Laverne and Shirley?” I liked that one a lot! I am out of time at the library but had a rather busy week so far. I will come back and read more soon! I promise! smiles!
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No, Robin, that was Mr. Marshall. David? Not Norman Lear. Have a good night. …
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I did like “Maud” and “The Jeffersons,” while I had times I liked “All in the Family,” there were times I was not too crazy about it. It had its messages, but sometimes I wanted there to be more ‘redeeming’ qualities in the fine actor, Carroll O’ Connor was. I loved his portrayal in the t.v. series, “In The Heat of the NIght,” although not Norman Lear’s, of course.
Hope you have a special family gathering with all the fun and laughter, while enjoying family, Mark!! Happy Thanksgiving!
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Happy Thanksgiving, Robin. Enjoy the time with your family, I hope! You know what. I never really watched “In the Heat of the NIght.” By the time that came on, I was already working nights at the newspaper!
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I hope my wife doesn’t find out about this twins at 72 thing. It will fill her head full of ideas that I want nothing to do with.
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Your wife is pretty frisky and willing and … well … watch out, Snoozer. 🙂
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All in the Family was a staple at my house. My dad loved that show:). It was so indicative of the times, as I look back on it now.
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My father made sure I knew of Archie’s wrong-headedness at our house, Kay. Teaching moment. 🙂
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There’s a big difference between Norman Lear having children at that age and you and I having children at that age. That difference is: wealth.
Think of the math. When he was 72, he was sleeping with a woman young enough to bear children. James Brown was right. It’s a man’s world.
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You betcha there’s a big difference, Mark. I wouldn’t want to no matter the wealth.
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I liked All in the Family and The Jeffersons. Good Times was too depressing. Maude yelled too much. I didn’t like how Lamonte yelled at his dad all the time on Sanford and Son. I think it’s a little creepy that so year olds have a 68 year old sibling! But hey, good for him for still going strong. LOL!
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He is going strong mentally, for sure. The kids part, his choice. I’m out. 🙂
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looks you watched a good one. I’ve never been too into talk shows outside of Ellen. Bet she’d have a wonderful interview with Lear! Hate to admit, but the tv shows you mentioned were too “old” for me. I just didn’t get it at the time (like Kerbey 😉 ). When I look back, I still don’t get it. My bad 😉 Though Jeffersons was funny. Movin’ on up!
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Youngster! I had to walk uphill to school both ways, too! Nah, I don’t blame you for not plugging into what this meant back in the 70s, Liz. The old guard back then held onto some odd ideas that needed breaking loose by satiric humor from TV guys like Norman Lear.
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All in the Family – The Archie Bunker family – such a funny show! I miss those funny shows.
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There are a few good ones now, PJ. Have you tried “Modern Family,” Wednesday nights on ABC? I think they get multi-generations right.
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No I haven’t Mark, but I will!
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Let us know what you think, PJ.
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Hey Mark. You know, I got the social commentary of these shows and the acting was excellent. I just never liked them because of the name calling. It made me uncomfortable. I was always taught that name calling was wrong and i did not like to be called names. Still to this day, if i am involved in a conversation and name calling or prejudice happens, i will object and ask that it not be done in my presence. If it does not stop, then i will leave (this remains unsaid). It rather surprises people that i do that, but Que sera.
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To me, the name calling on these shows was done in a satircal manner, to show that it was wrong, Paul, and to take it out of the dark corners of society. But you are correct to squirm when it is used these days, for I do too.
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No I would not want twins in my seventies. Holy Moly!
All In The Family. MAUD (!!!!), The Facts Of Life. Oh the good shows!!!!!!!!!! I wish Normal Lear would put shows back on. I’m tired of hearing that sitcoms aren’t wanted. They are! I’m sick and tired of the crime scenes and fake reality. Give me something to laugh at. 🙂
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I agree, sitcoms are wanted, Colleen. I watch “The Big Bang Theory” and “Modern Family” and “The Goldbergs” and look forward to them every week. There’s plenty of room for good ones. Bring ’em back!!
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Two of those are my favorite shows! And heck yeah! Bring them back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I enjoyed All In The Family, Chum. I cannot get on board with having children 48 years apart. Imagine! He is brave!
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Brave is one way to put it, yes, Aud. :-O Fearless, also.
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I loved All in the Family Mark! Hey didn’t Charlie Chaplin have a baby in his 90s?
Diana xo
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He may have, Diana. I have a vague recollection of that fact about CC. Yes, “All in the Family” was quite the show for its time. 🙂
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Well someone like Norman Lear probably has a fleet of Nannies. Larry King as well. I loved All in The Family. Do not forget Edith, Jean Stapleton. What a great actress. What did Archie say to her, ” Edith stifle yourself!” Are you ok in Syracuse with the snow?
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Archie was indeed always telling Edith that, Deborah. You are right. It was always a shock to me to see Jean Stapleton in non-Edith roles when she was not a ding-bat. That was the other Archie insult. Edith was smart and lovely in her own way. We all know that, right?
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i loved his shows, all were ahead of their time and made a point, beyond their great humor and social statements, just by virtue of being on the air. i’d be up for his new show idea, and not up for raising 20ish twins when i’m in my 90s. i’m pretty clear on that. ps – time for me to learn the fight song, i guess )
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One thing about The Head. He keeps a consistent emotion no matter where he’s sent, Beth. ))
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“All in the Family” used to be aired at 8 p.m. on Saturday nights in my part of the country. I would arrive at my girlfriend’s apartment at around 7:45 for our Saturday night date, but before we went out whatever date night activities we had planned, she would turn on the TV and we would watch AITF. This was, of course, in the olden days before VCRs and DVRs.
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It was Must Watch TV before anybody thought of acronyms like that on the netword side, Doobster. When we got to school on Mondays, all the kids would talk about the episodes. Social ground was being broken.
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TV today needs him and others like him. I introduced kidlet to “All in the Family” because he liked Carroll O’Connor on “In the Heat of the Night”. Of course he loved it!
I will have to check out that book now. 🙂
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Yes, Norman Lear was very clear-headed then and now. I will be checking that book out too, Jeanette. I am glad to hear that Matthew thinks AITF was relevant to his life. 🙂
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All in the Family, without question, was my fave.
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Yeah, Meathead was my boy, and I had a crush on his wife. Thanks, Jennifer.
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I loved Archie Bunker….I even had a doll…Archie Bunkers grandson.
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That’s quite the doll, Mer. I never knew that little bundle of joy was put out in the doll world!
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I’ll have to look for the picture, Mark. My face was full of pure joy.
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You should post that if you find it, Mer!
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Twins at 72? Forget Bob Dole… Norman Lear is the man Viagra should have gotten to do ads for the little blue pill!
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I don’t think Norman needs the bucks like Dole did, Bill. 🙂
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Here are my answers to your questions today, Mark:
1. I do remember Norman Lear’s stable of shows.
2. I don’t like to play favorites.
3. Yes.
4. I think Norman Lear should do whatever the hell he pleases and perhaps he and his twins should all read your blog that day, because I think they’d love it.
Any other questions?
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No other questions, Ann. Delighted as always.
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Mark, the thought of raising babies at that age just pooped me out.
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Yeah, you think? Even with nannies, as somebody else mentioned in a comment, the crying alone …
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And I mean my crying.
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My favorite of Norman Lear’s wonderful series will always be “All In The Family.” Brilliant writing and a cast like no other. I heard him interviewed on NPR the other day and they played excerpts of the show which made me laugh out loud in the car. So politically incorrect and so funny.
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It was trail-blazing, Barbara. I loved it so much!
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