The Mensch
From his tours of duty during WWII to his sensational, culture changing television creations, to his political activism, to the good, decent, kind life he lived, Norman Lear represented the greatest of the greatest generation. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Norman. Yes, he was a comedic genius and maybe television’s most important creator, but he was also a deeply interested, open, curious, people person. He was great, and also good. He truly lived the lyrics of the theme for his show One Day at a Time. This is it. This is life, the one you get, so go and have a ball. I once gave a toast at a birthday party we both attended, after which Norman told me I was funny. Given the source of the compliment, that was probably my greatest creative achievement. In another weird twist, Norman once invited me to read for the part of Schneider for the remake of One Day at a Time. No one who saw that recording ever recovered. Later, Norman was generous enough to blurb my book. What a gift to be even a little connected to a personal hero. While a handful of Norman’s final days were spent in hospice, (fortunately for him and his family, and the world) Norman was able to live just about all of his 101 years to the fullest. Sending love and strength to his wife Lyn and all his friends and family members. What an amazing life, an amazing American, and an amazing century.
+ Jimmy Kimmel did a great job working with Norman Lear to bring live remakes of some his shows to a new audience. He also does a great job remembering his friend. “His bravery, integrity and unmatched moral compass were equaled by his kindness, empathy, and wit. Norman was very proud of the fact that the so-called Reverend Jerry Falwell dubbed him ‘The number one enemy of the American family.’ The opposite was true. More than anyone before him, Norman used situation comedy to shine a light on prejudice, intolerance, and inequality. He created families that mirrored ours, showing us a world in which Archie Bunker and Michael Stivic could learn to not only co-exist, but to love one another.”Rob Reiner, Quinta Brunson, Jimmy Kimmel and More Pay Tribute to Norman Lear: ‘My Second Father’.
+ “‘You looked around television in those years,’ Mr. Lear said in a 2012 New York Times interview, referring to the middle and late 1960s, ‘and the biggest problem any family faced was ‘Mother dented the car, and how do you keep Dad from finding out’; ‘the boss is coming to dinner, and the roast’s ruined.’ The message that was sending out was that we didn’t have any problems.'” NYT (Gift Article): Norman Lear, Whose Comedies Changed the Face of TV, Is Dead at 101.
+ On television he brought us Sanford & Son, One Day at a Time, All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and The Jeffersons. In politics he co-founded the nonprofit People for the American Way (that among other things, fights against book bans). Movies he was involved with include This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, and The Princess Bride. Norman said Action and took more than a century for life to say Cut. What a run. Norman Lear, Sitcom Genius and Citizen Activist, Dies at 101.
