ALL IN THE FAMILY AND THE JEFFERSONS RETURN FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY

Carroll O' Connor, Sherman Helmsley, Isabelle Sanford, and Jean Stapleton in All in The Family

After more than three decades off the air, two of the most influential and prolific comedies, All in The Family and The Jeffersons return to TV on ABC tonight. Jimmy Kimmel (host of Jimmy Kimmel Live) will present, Live In Front of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear Presents All In the Family and The Jeffersons tonight at 8pm. This production is headlined by a stellar cast which includes Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Foxx, and Wanda Sykes. This special presentation of these two iconic TV classics, demonstrates the effect both shows have on society. 

In 1971, All In The Family premiered on CBS and changed the landscape of TV forever. The show centered around Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O' Connor), a hard-working middle class man who was a bigot and hated the changing landscape of America during the 1970's. Archie's home life at 704 Hauser Street reflected America's changing values as he clashed with his family including his wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers), and her husband Mike (Rob Reiner) over such hot button issues of the 70's such as the War in Vietnam, Women's Liberation, and race in America. During its 8-year run the show became one of the most popular show of its time and stayed at #1 in the Nielsen ratings for 5 consecutive seasons. All In The Family ended in 1979 but had a spinoff called Archie Bunker's Place. 

The Jefferson started out as neighbors of The Bunkers for four seasons. Louise Jefferson  (Isabel Sanford) and her son Lionel (Mike Evans) were introduced first and in season 4 we finally met George Jefferson. In George Jefferson (Sherman Helmsley), Archie found a kindred spirit who could match him word for word and outsmart him as well. The Jeffersons proved so popular with the audience that Norman Lear would create a spinoff, rarely done in TV at the time, but commonplace today. 

In 1975, The Jeffersons, premiered on CBS and George Jefferson was now a wealthy black man due to his successful dry cleaning business that moved from Queens to the Upper East Side. George's son Lionel was married to Jenny who was a mixed race child whose mother, Helen Willis was African American and her father, Tom Willis was Caucasian. The crux of the comedy came with George dealing with The Willis' as his neighbors and his wisecracking maid, Florence (Marla Gibbs). The show dealt with serious issues such as racism, gun control, suicide, and adult illiteracy. The Jeffersons ran for 11 seasons on CBS before being cancelled in 1985.


Norman Lear

Tonight, All In The Family and The Jeffersons return to TV for one night only on ABC. It is a testament to Norman Lear and what he created that these shows stand the test of time. With the political and racial tone being so divisive today, it seems like a perfect time for these shows to return to TV. As a fan of classic TV I will be watching tonight when the show premieres tonight at 8pm. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR

ALL ELITE WRESTLING TO AIR ON TNT AND WARNER MEDIA

Cody Runnels and The Young Bucks

TNT is getting back into the wrestling business. At the Warner Media Upfront TNT released a press release stating that TNT will air All Elite Wrestling later this year according to The New York Post. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is a company owned by Tony Khan and has stars such as Chris Jericho, Cody Runnels, The Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson), Kenny Omega, and Hangman Page. TNT has not had a pro wrestling show on its network since WCW (World Championship Wrestling) was bought by WWE and the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro aired on March 26, 2001. Since that fateful day in 2001, fans have wanted a new competitor that would challenge the monopoly that WWE has on the pro wrestling marketplace and now they have it. 

This new development adds a new wrinkle to the pro wrestling and TV landscape in 2019. Starting in October, WWE Smackdown will move from its Tuesday night spot on USA Network to Friday nights on Fox. Many in the wrestling news media believe that AEW will air its show on Tuesday nights to attract fans that are accustomed to watching wrestling on that night. 

WWE will certainly have competition once All Elite Wrestling begins airing on TNT. Many questions still remain as to how AEW will market itself to the masses and how will they attract talent both unknown on a national level and talent that have been in WWE. With WWE experiencing low ratings because of their lack of new stars, this may be the perfect time for AEW to bring something innovative to the industry. As a fan I can't wait to see what happens. 

Class Dismissed, 
THE PROFESSOR