[Baynative]

"Lear actually stole that idea from Brit TV, which had a sitcom with a bigoted guy called Alfie."

Norman Lear got rich ripping off the Brits. Sanford and Son was taken from Brit sitcom "Steptoe and Son".

[Borges]

Not Lear but ‘Three’s Company’ was as well.

[expat2]

Yes, you are right about Steptoe and Son. I can't remember the son, but I did see the scrawny, whining, snuffling Steptoe.

I don't think Steptoe and AITF were the only ones he brought over, but I can't recall the others.