RIP Norman Lear

Archie Bunker broke the mold,
All thanks to Norman Lear
And we should all be grateful 
For his brilliant career.

It took a lot of guts to raise
The level of TV
From strictly fluff to shows that dealt 
With stark reality.

Of course, injecting humor helped
When bigots were involved
And even after watching, no one’s
Problems were resolved.

Yet subjects were discussed which made
The audience applaud,
From Archie, Edith, Sanford 
To the Jeffersons and Maude.

To younger folk, his contributions 
Might not be so clear,
But every sitcom owes a debt
To gutsy Norman Lear.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023


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Date: 12/9/2023 10:27:00 PM
A seminal innovator in bringing intelligent conversations and debate into the home via TV comedy. All the spinoffs he engendered are tribute to his legacy, as is your wonderful poem ~ John
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Date: 12/8/2023 6:17:00 PM
I haven't noticed good comedy shoes since the ones you mentioned ended. It was a good poem and heartfelt tribute.
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Date: 12/8/2023 1:32:00 AM
Wonderful tribute, Ilene. Who didnt love Archie Bunker?
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Date: 12/7/2023 8:12:00 PM
You nailed it, Ilene. He was one of the few truly creative people in TV history after the 1960's, methinks. Way, way ahead of his time. I wonder what he'd do with the tomfoolery that's going on today? RIP, Norman, and thanks, Ilene!
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Date: 12/7/2023 4:47:00 PM
Sigh!… I don’t know of Norman Lear ( although, I suspect we Brits have our own ‘version’ of him). Sounds like a ratings winner and you write him so that we all know him already. A fine write on, I’m guessing, a fine guy. Nice homage, Ilene. Terry
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Date: 12/7/2023 11:40:00 AM
I caught up on the Bunkers only lately. I hadn’t watched TV. I would have liked to thank him for so much fun, but I knew my comment wouldn’t reach him.
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