Perhaps no one in the history of television had the influence that producer Norman Lear had in the 1970's. He changed completely the landscape and direction of the situation comedies of the day. And at 92, he's written a book telling his story.

CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
loading...

Until Norman Lear came on the scene, the comedies of the day were of the simplistic and sweet variety such as Andy Griffith, Gilligan's Island, The Beverly Hillbillies, and the like. They had their fans to be sure, and like many, I was weaned on a healthy diet of those programs and enjoyed them in my youth.

Enter Norman Lear who, beginning in 1971 with All in the Family, and continued with Maude, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Good Times and One Day At A Time, starting an incredible run that any producer has had in television. In fact, there was a time when Lear's company had 9 shows on the air at the same time. Instead of the sugary sweet jokes of most of the comedies that came before, Lear's shows had heavy doses of biting social and political humor, totally changing the game.

He also helped finance "This Is Spinal Tap", Rob Reiner's directorial debut and one of the all-time greats. For that alone, he gets a tip of the cap!

What is your favorite Norman Lear show?

 

More From WSHK-WSAK 102.1 & 105.3 The Shark