Highlights

Marla Gibbs on Norman Lear's involvement with The Jeffersons

Pamela Fryman on working with Norman Lear on the One Day at a Time reboot

Rob Reiner on working with show creator Norman Lear on All in the Family

Bud Yorkin on Norman Lear

John Amos on repairing his relationship with Norman Lear and his thoughts on the then-current state of television

Jean Stapleton on All in the Family executive producer/series developer Norman Lear
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Berle Adams
Berle Adams on a deal he negotiated for his clients Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin for the Neil Simon play, "Go Blow Your Horn"
Lee Adams
Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on writing the theme to All in the Family
Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on presenting their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - to Norman Lear
John Amos
John Amos on his problems with the scripts of Good Times and Norman Lear dismissing him from Good Times
John Amos on starring on 704 Hauser and Norman Lear's legacy
John Amos on repairing his relationship with Norman Lear and his thoughts on the then-current state of television
Beatrice Arthur
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear casting her on The George Gobel Show
Beatrice Arthur on Maude read-throughs with Norman Lear
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's response when she didn't like a Maude script
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear's taboo-breaking work
Beatrice Arthur with Emerson College
Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear wanting her to come to Los Angeles to work on shows he was writing for
Beatrice Arthur on tackling social issues like abortion and death through the guise of laughter in Norman Lear's shows -- particularly on Maude; on mail she received after the abortion storyline on the show
Paul Bogart
Director Paul Bogart on some of the behind-the-scenes difficulties on the set of All in the Family
Paul Bogart on Norman Lear leaving All in the Family
Hal Cooper
Hal Cooper on being hired to direct Maude; on the first episode he directed; on the creative atmosphere
Hal Cooper on Norman Lear's extraordinary ability to cast actors
David Crane
David Crane and Marta Kauffman on working on The Powers That Be with Norman Lear
David Crane and Marta Kauffman on what they learned from working with Norman Lear
Richard Crenna
Richard Crenna on starring in the short-lived Norman Lear sitcom All's Fair with Bernadette Peters
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal on Norman Lear casting him for a guest spot on All in the Family, where he met Rob Reiner
Bill Dana with Emerson College
Bill Dana on working with Norman Lear on writing the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit," featuring Sammy Davis, Jr.
Bill Dana on writing the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit" for producer Norman Lear
Greg Daniels
Greg Daniels on interviewing Norman Lear in college
Sam Denoff
Sam Denoff on being influenced by the Colgate Comedy Hour with Martin and Lewis
Sam Denoff on writing for Andy Williams, executive produced by Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear
Garvin Eddy
Garvin Eddy on the look of the Norman Lear shows he assistant art directed early in his career
Hector Elizondo
Hector Elizondo on appearing on All in the Family created by Norman Lear
Nanette Fabray
Nanette Fabray on being cast by Norman Lear as stroke survivor on Maude in the episode "Maude's Reunion"
Bob Finkel
Bob Finkel on Norman Lear
Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox on working on Palmerstown U.S.A. with Norman Lear and Alex Haley
Michael J. Fox on how impressed he was to meet Norman Lear; admired Lear's show All in the Family
Ron Friedman
Ron Friedman on writing for All in the Family and working with Norman Lear
Pamela Fryman
Pamela Fryman on working with Norman Lear on the One Day at a Time reboot
Betty Garrett
Betty Garrett on being cast by Norman Lear as "Irene Lorenzo" on All in the Family
Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs on being cast on The Jeffersons, and on staying behind at the first table read to offer her opinions to Norman Lear
Marla Gibbs on Norman Lear's involvement with The Jeffersons
Marla Gibbs on how 227 came about with competing interest from Brandon Tartikoff and Norman Lear
Leonard H. Goldenson
Leonard H. Goldenson on asking Norman Lear to adapt the British show 'Til Death Do Us Part, in what became All in the Family, and passing it up
Louis Gossett, Jr.
Louis Gossett, Jr. on the impact producer Norman Lear had on opportunities for African-American actors in television
Robert Guillaume
Robert Guillaume on working with Norman Lear
Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Hemsley on Norman Lear making the rounds of Broadway shows to look for talent, and being spotted when Hemsley was part of the cast of the musical Purlie
Sherman Hemsley on Norman Lear working with the actors during the cast "readings" on The Jeffersons
Louis J. Horvitz
Louis J. Horvitz on directing Fernwood 2 Night with Martin Mull and Fred Willard
Geri Jewell
Geri Jewell on her relationship with Norman Lear and Ed Simmons and a show she and Simmons tried to sell starring Jewell and Sid Caesar
Geri Jewell on Norman Lear's role in her career, including casting her on his special I Love Liberty
Rocky Kalish with Emerson College
Rocky and Irma Kalish on working for Norman Lear as a writer
Hal Kanter
Hal Kanter on being executive producer during All in the Family's 1975-1976 season; on his difficulties working with Norman Lear
H. Wesley Kenney
H. Wesley Kenney on directing All in the Family and a typical work week with Norman Lear
Michael King
Michael King on attempting to do a The Little Rascals revival with Norman Lear
Mort Lachman
Mort Lachman on Norman Lear's relationship with the writing staff of All in the Family
Mort Lachman on Carrol O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family and on O'Connor's relationship with Norman Lear
Perry Lafferty
Perry Lafferty on Norman Lear
Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury on turning down a Norman Lear show to do Murder, She Wrote
Louise Lasser
Louise Lasser on working with producer Norman Lear, and director Joan Darling on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and on the show's production schedule
Louise Lasser on "Mary Hartman's" breakdown on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and on working with Norman Lear on the episode
Louise Lasser on hosting Saturday Night Live, and on Norman Lear's reaction to the show
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Lewis on staff members of The Colgate Comedy Hour
Ann Marcus
Ann Marcus on how she came to work for Norman Lear on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Ann Marcus on Norman Lear's contributions to Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Rue McClanahan
Rue McClanahan on being cast by Norman Lear as "Vivian Harmon" on Maude
Rue McClanahan on various pilots she did for Norman Lear
Donald A. Morgan
Donald A. Morgan on how Norman Lear's shows were shot at KTTV in the 1970s
Michael Moye
Michael Moye on beginning to write original plays and winning the American College Theater Festival Play-writing Award sponsored by Norman Lear; on getting an offer to write for Lear's Good Times
Michael Moye on working with the producers of Good Times
Thad Mumford
Thad Mumford on writing for Good Times, Maude, and various other Norman Lear shows
Anne Nelson
Anne Nelson on how contracts have changed since she started in the industry, and on working with Norman Lear
Anne Nelson on her working relationship with Norman Lear
Bob Newhart
Bob Newhart on appearing in the Norman Lear film "Cold Turkey"
Carroll O'Connor
Carroll O'Connor on his rewrite of the pilot script of All in the Family and developer/executive producer Norman Lear telling the story on The Mike Douglas Show
Carroll O'Connor on his contentious working relationship with Norman Lear and how he resented Lear's not offering him an interest in the All in the Family spin-offs
Bernie Orenstein
Bernie Orenstein on he and Saul Turteltaub being hired to produce Sanford and Son by Norman Lear, and Redd Foxx almost dropping out of the show before they started
Pam Polifroni
Pam Polifroni on casting the third pilot for All in the Family, and on working with Norman Lear
Charlotte Rae
Charlotte Rae on becoming a regular on Norman Lear's Hot L Baltimore, and declining a role on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman because of Louise Lasser
Hector Ramirez
Hector Ramirez on working with John Rich and Norman Lear on All in the Family
Hector Ramirez on working with Norm Lear on the day-to-day work of All in the Family
Marian Rees
Marian Rees on joining Tandem Productions with Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear
Marian Rees on the overriding mission of Tandem Productions, headed by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, when it started
Marian Rees on Tandem Productions, headed by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, being on the Paramount lot and Tandem producing a feature film
Marian Rees on her day-to-day duties during her early years at Tandem Productions, headed by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin
Marian Rees on Tandem productions producing feature films with Norman Lear
Marian Rees on being dismissed from Tandem Productions by Norman Lear
Rob Reiner
Rob Reiner on working with show creator Norman Lear on All in the Family
Rob Reiner on Carroll O'Connor and Norman Lear's relationship on All in the Family
Larry Rhine
Larry Rhine on the relationship between Norman Lear and Carroll O'Connor while working on All in the Family
John Rich
John Rich on working with Norman Lear on The Colgate Comedy Hour
John Rich on All in the Family's co-creator Norman Lear
John Rich on casting Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family
John Rich on Norman Lear's involvement and casting on All in the Family
John Rich on how Sherman Hemsley was cast as George Jefferson on All in the Family, and later, The Jeffersons (spin-off)
John Rich on the difficulties of getting All in the Family on the air
Rita Riggs
Rita Riggs on working for Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin on the feature "Divorce, American Style"
Rita Riggs on working with Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, and on heading up the costume department at their Tandem Productions
Rita Riggs on working on costuming with the creative team of All in the Family, and the freedom she enjoyed working under Norman Lear
Paul Rodriguez with Emerson College
Paul Rodriguez on how he came to star on Norman Lear's a.k.a. Pablo
Stanley Ralph Ross
Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award, and on working with Norman Lear
Stanley Ralph Ross on Norman Lear
Isabel Sanford
Isabel Sanford on watching All in the Family before she was cast as "Louise Jefferson", and on auditioning for Norman Lear
William Schallert
William Schallert on The Nancy Walker Show and being under contract for Norman Lear
Bob Schiller
Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on writing for Maude and working with Norman Lear
Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the writing process on Maude and Norman Lear's involvement with the writing
Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the famous two-part abortion episode on Maude; on Norman Lear's contributions to storylines
Nina Shaw
Nina Shaw on Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin's company, Tandem Productions/T.A.T. Communications, being a client of O'Melveny & Myers
Nina Shaw on Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin bringing more Black characters to television and on the number of women who worked for Tandem
Nina Shaw on Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin's company, Tandem Productions/T.A.T. Communications, playing a major role in creating the business of syndication
Nina Shaw on how the skills she learned at her first job at O'Melveny & Myers negotiating for Normal Lear helped her throughout her career
Jack Shea
Jack Shea on Sanford and Son producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin
Jack Shea on how he got involved with directing The Jeffersons
Jack Shea on directing 704 Hauser starring John Amos, produced by Norman Lear
Hazel Shermet
Hazel Shermet on working with various people in her career
Fred Silverman
Fred Silverman on the autonomy given to Norman Lear to create All In The Family
Doris Singleton
Doris Singleton on working on All in the Family and getting direction from Norman Lear
Jean Stapleton
Jean Stapleton on All in the Family executive producer/series developer Norman Lear
Jean Stapleton on the decision by Norman Lear to have the character of "Edith Bunker" die, in the Archie Bunker's Place episode "Archie Alone"
Jean Stapleton on the All in the Family episode "Edith's Christmas Story," which dealt with breast cancer, and how Norman Lear convinced her to do the story
Ben Starr
Ben Starr on working with Norman Lear while writing for All in the Family
Jeremy Stevens
Jeremy Stevens on writing for Fernwood 2-Night
Jeremy Stevens on working with Norman Lear and the cast of Fernwood 2-Night
Howard Storm
Howard Storm on pitching to Norman Lear for All in the Family with writing partner Paul Lichtman
Charles Strouse
Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on writing the theme to All in the Family
Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on presenting their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - to Norman Lear
George Sunga
George Sunga on working with Norman Lear on All in the Family and The Jeffersons
William Tankersley
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Norman Lear on All In The Family
William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)
Mel Tolkin
Mel Tolkin on writing for All in the Family with writing partner Larry Rhine, and on working with Norman Lear
Mel Tolkin on Norman Lear's day-to-day involvement with All in the Family, and on the shooting schedule of the show
Mel Tolkin on writing Joe's World with Norman Lear
Saul Turteltaub
Saul Turteltaub on Norman Lear asking him and his partner Bernie Orenstein to produce Sanford and Son
Saul Turteltaub on producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin being hands-off on the production of Sanford and Son
Jimmie Walker
Jimmie Walker on his first days playing "J.J. Evans" on Good Times, and on working with producer Norman Lear
Jimmie Walker on his Good Times catch phrase, "Dyn-o-mite!," and on how Norman Lear felt about it
Jimmie Walker on working with show creator Norman Lear on Good Times, and on Aaron Spelling dealing with actors on Starsky & Hutch
Jimmie Walker on Norman Lear wanting to cover controversial topics on Good Times
Bob Weiskopf
Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on writing for Maude and working with Norman Lear
Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the writing process on Maude and Norman Lear's involvement with the writing
Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the famous two-part abortion episode on Maude; on Norman Lear's contributions to storylines
Tucker Wiard
Tucker Wiard on working on the Norman Lear show, Good Times and other Norman Lear shows
Fred Willard
Fred Willard on playing "Jerry Hubbard" on Fernwood 2-Night
Fred Willard on Fernwood 2-Night "going too far"
Bud Yorkin
Bud Yorkin on the writers for The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show: Norman Lear, Danny Arnold, and Roland Kibbee
Bud Yorkin on partnering up with Norman Lear to form Tandem Productions
Bud Yorkin on sharing an office with Norman Lear
Bud Yorkin on Norman Lear