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
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