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TV legend Norman Lear gives 7 strong opinions about American life
Entertainment Weekly ^ | August 1 2015 | James Hibberd

Posted on 08/01/2015 8:06:33 PM PDT by Second Amendment First

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To: bigdaddy45; The Antiyuppie

It was also based on a British show and Lear’s relationship with his father.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_in_the_Family#History_and_production


21 posted on 08/01/2015 8:57:16 PM PDT by Moonman62 (The US has become a government with a country, rather than a country with a government.)
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To: The Antiyuppie
I think it's interesting that Norman Lear ended up humanizing the original target, the prototypical bigot Archie Bunker. It's hard to sustain a story in which the protagonist is entirely repulsive. Lear exaggerated Archie's opinions to make them appear absurd, but he wasn't the monster that most people would assume.

This reminds me of the novel Don Quixote. Cervantes set out to satirize him as a foolish imitator of the exploits of medieval knights, but ended up humanizing him (and the later writer Unamuno actually set him forth as a genuine hero). Don Quixote was wrong about many things, but people could identify with him in some respects. The same was true of Archie Bunker.

22 posted on 08/01/2015 9:00:31 PM PDT by GJones2 (Archie Bunker, humanized, not just a stereotypical bigot)
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To: MNDude; Norm Lenhart

No, you’re thinking of Norm Lenhart.


23 posted on 08/01/2015 9:40:09 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: bigdaddy45

My problem is that it seemed out of character for Meathead to abandon the family and move to a commune (especially given that he was “growing” as a person and recognizing when out in the working world was different from when he was a radical student). It was a convenient plot device to give Sally Struthers her own spin-off show when Rob Reiner wasn’t going to be joining her.


24 posted on 08/01/2015 9:44:29 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: Olog-hai

The first season of True Detective was as good as television can be. As for comedy, it’s harder to make the audience laugh as it ages because it seems like everything’s been done already and the joke’s been told too many times.


25 posted on 08/01/2015 10:43:44 PM PDT by sparklite2 (Voting is acting white.)
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To: The Antiyuppie
In the context of the 1970’s, I found him fairly even-handed. For example, on All in the Family, he made fun of The Meathead and liberal causes, also. Maude was the classic “limousine liberal” and this was pointed out repeatedly.

I don't think you watched the same series I did. The one I saw stereotyped conservatives as crude, ignorant, racist and intolerant. The "fun" he was making of Meathead's liberal causes simply reinforced the counter-culture's sense of condescending superiority when dealing with "regular Americans," as Archie called them. Archie became the Left's symbol of all they thought was wrong with America They were laughing at the ignorant buffon.

The series probably wouldn't make it to pilot today, as you say, because of the politically correct atmosphere Lear was diligent in helping to create. The damage Lear has done to the "real America" he claims to love is immeasurable. He's not just a Lefty -- he's a Marxist.

26 posted on 08/01/2015 10:53:26 PM PDT by Bernard Marx
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To: bigdaddy45
I agree as well.

As much as liberals Norman Lear and Carroll O'Connor WANTED the audience to "hate" the stupid buffoon Archie, he ended up pretty much being right on a lot of things.

Even Nixon commented on it.

Nixon hated the way Meathead made fun of Archie and his love of country and his patriotism.

In the end, you watch the show now and realize that Mike is a complete dope.

As a youngster I "rooted" for Mike, because he seemed smart.

As an adult, I find that Mike is the epitome of "stupid liberal".

There are several episodes where Mike gets called out as phony-baloney.

One, where Lionel tells Mike how he acts like he's only friends with him because he's black.

In another, thieves break into the Bunker's house and Meathead attempts to "understand" the robbers.

Cleavon Little says "Oh, so you know all about living in the ghetto, huh?"

27 posted on 08/01/2015 10:57:47 PM PDT by boop (A joke? The hell kind of joke is that? 'Bout as funny as a gutful of pinworms!)
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To: Second Amendment First

To say that and remain a democrat speaks of retardation..
Norman Lear is retarded..


28 posted on 08/02/2015 12:07:51 AM PDT by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited (specifically) to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: bigdaddy45

Agreed.


29 posted on 08/02/2015 12:13:56 AM PDT by Ignatz (Winner of a prestigious 1960 Y-chromosome award!)
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To: GJones2

Norman Lear’s worst moment was realizing that viewers weren’t laughing at Archie Bunker, they were laughing with him.

His ex tried publishing “Lear’s” magazine in the early 90’s, which was like Vogue with radical politics. It bombed.

I hate hypocrisy & I hate wealthy liberal know-it-alls. Screw ‘em.


30 posted on 08/02/2015 3:32:12 AM PDT by elcid1970 ("The Second Amendment is more important than Islam.")
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To: boop

“One, where Lionel tells Mike how he acts like he’s only friends with him because he’s black.”

5:49:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs9nFACjvuU

“In another, thieves break into the Bunker’s house and Meathead attempts to “understand” the robbers.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydGRhb5CEbI


31 posted on 08/02/2015 3:33:36 AM PDT by lowbridge
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To: rikkir

At least George was a self made man. It was George’s personality that made him funny.


32 posted on 08/02/2015 4:52:55 AM PDT by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
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To: Olog-hai

Really? Looks more like the “vast wasteland” gone far beyond

i thot he was talking about the new shows. thx g i do and can’t watch.


33 posted on 08/02/2015 7:34:39 AM PDT by kvanbrunt2 (civil law: commanding what is right and prohibiting what is wrong Blackstone Commentaries I p44)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

Well at least someone thinks of me...sob.... ;)


34 posted on 08/02/2015 11:40:29 AM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: Norm Lenhart

I dunno, I’d be a bit perturbed I was confused with Norman Lear. :-P


35 posted on 08/02/2015 2:01:21 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

Well if someone seriously confuses me with Norman Lear based on my post history, then one of us is seriously broken with reality so I gotta go with simple confusion over/with ‘Norman’ and it being an uncommon name...One for which I will never forgive my mother BTW...

On the other hand, by name does translate to “Man of the north with the heart of a lion” so I guess there are worse options ;)


36 posted on 08/02/2015 2:06:29 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: Norm Lenhart

Would you like to discuss more about your mother, Norman ?


37 posted on 08/02/2015 2:34:54 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

Insert Psycho music here ;)


38 posted on 08/02/2015 2:35:42 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
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To: Second Amendment First

He’s a social conservative? Well, alright! That means he’s pro-life, opposes gay marriage, and calls Bruce Jenner Bruce Jenner! Maybe People for the American Way can mobilize to shut down Planned Parenthood in light of the horrific videos!


39 posted on 08/02/2015 2:42:49 PM PDT by Rastus
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To: Norm Lenhart

I imagine that film went a long ways in limiting the number of baby boys named Norman after it. :-P


40 posted on 08/02/2015 2:45:28 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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