00:00 The television and film industry just lost one of its most influential titans, none other
00:05 than Norman Lear.
00:07 Norman Lear was most well known for blending social and political commentary into his sitcoms,
00:12 such as All in the Family and Good Times, showing that situational comedy shows can
00:16 be both light and meaningful.
00:19 Lear passed away Tuesday due to natural causes at 101 years old, but the legacy the star
00:25 leaves behind will live on much longer.
00:27 Lear heavily believed in blending comedy and serious topics in his activism, which
00:32 was initially met with skepticism from networks.
00:36 When CBS finally decided to air All in the Family, there was a disclaimer before the
00:40 episode started.
00:42 "The program you are about to see is All in the Family.
00:45 It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices, and concerns.
00:50 By making them a source of laughter, we hope to show, in a mature fashion, just how absurd
00:55 they are."
00:56 When it came to creating controversial content, in an interview with Associated Press in 1994,
01:01 Lear shared how important he knew it was to include comedy in the conversation, saying,
01:06 "Controversies suggest people are thinking about something, but they'd better be laughing
01:11 first and foremost, or it's a dog."
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