>>> WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE? .
IN THE MACHINE, YOU WANT ONE? NO.
YOU COME HOME, TURN ON THAT TELEVISION.
TAKE ONE. I DON’T WANT ONE.
I DON’T WANT IT. WHAT DO YOU WANT?
YOU WANT COMEDY. CRAMER, STOP IT.
AND BOOM, THERE YOU GO. A SITUATION COMEDY.
23 MINUTES OF MAGIC. IT’S OKAY.
YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH THESE CHARACTERS.
YOU HIDE MY CLOTHES. I’M WEARING EVERYTHING YOU OWN.
LAUGHTER OPENS YOU UP. OKAY.
READY? READY?
OH! THINGS THAT WE MIGHT BE
AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT. SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE
SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US DIDN’T DO THE RIGHT THING.
WARS. I’M GOING LIKE THAT.
GENDER DIVERSITY. YOU CAN REACH IT AND REALLY
TOUCH PEOPLE’S HEARTS. I HATE YOU.
ARE YOU AS TURNED ON AS I AM? MORE.
WHETHER IT’S A FAMILY LIVING UNDER THE SAME ROOF OR GATHERED
TOGETHER IN A WORKPLACE. THAT’S A GLUE STICK.
ALL THE GREAT SITCOMS ARE ABOUT FAMILY.
SO WONDERFUL. IT’S ONE OF THE GREAT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE MODERN AGE.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING?
BREAKFAST.
FAMILY. RIGHT.
FAMILY IS KEY TO THIS SITCOM. IT’S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL CAN
RELATE TO. YOU’RE IN THESE PEOPLE’S
HOMES FOR YEARS. YOU’RE A PART OF THE FAMILY.
ONE GOOD THING ABOUT MOVING HERE IS I HAVE NO FRIENDS AND NO
DISTRACTIONS. THAT’S WHY I GOT ‐‐ GRANDMA,
WHAT DOES FONZI SAY? HEY.
IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER IN AN UNEXPECTED WAY.
THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT DYNAMICS AT WORK IN FAMILIES.
I WANT YOU HERE TO GIVE US A CHANCE TO GET REACQUAINTED.
THAT IMPLIES WITH WORK. AT ONE POINT.
THERE IS A LOT OF PAIN. THERE IS A LOT OF LAUGHTER.
YOU SORT OF RECOGNIZE YOUR DYNAMIC IN THERE AND GO, WELL,
THEIR FAMILY IS JUST AS CRAZY AS MINE.
I DON’T CARE WHO KISSED WHO AND WHO HAS A PIMPLE ON THEIR
HEAD AND WHO IS WEARING AN OUTRAGEOUSLY INAPPROPRIATE
DRESS. WE’RE GOING TO GET‐TOGETHERS AS
A FAMILY AND ACT RIGHT FOR A SECOND.
IT AMAZING TO TRACK THE FAMILY HISTORY OF THE SITCOM
BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE SO MUCH ABOUT CULTURE THROUGHOUT THE
YEARS NOW LOOKING BACK. AND, YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY
"I LOVE LUCY" THAT KIND OF KICKED IT OFF.
GO BACK AND SIT DOWN. IT WAS A SHOW ABOUT A DITZY
WOMAN THAT WANTED TO BE IN SHOW BIZ.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED ACTING?
HAS SHE EVER CONSIDERED ACTING?
HER HUSBAND WHO IS LATIN AND MUSICIAN ‐‐
HONEY, YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS.
I DON’T WANT MY WIFE IN SHOW BIZ.
WHY NOT? LUCY WAS ALWAYS TRYING TO
EMANCIPATE HERSELF FROM THE WIFE AND HOMEMAKER ROLE.
AND EVERY TIME SHE GETS THE OPPORTUNITY, SOMETHING GOES
AWRY. AWRY.
LUCY OCHO BALL WAS FEARLESS IN HER PHYSICAL COMEDY.
WOMEN WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DEMURE AND DAINTY AND IN THEIR PLACE.
LIEU SEALUCILLE BALL WAS GREA TIMING HER BITS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?
WELL? "I LOVE LUCY" BECAME A
PHENOMENON INSTANTLY. WHEN YOU THINK OF THE ERA
LUCILLE BALL CAME UP IN AND WHAT SHE WAS ABLE TO ACHIEVE IS
ASTOUNDING ASTOUNDING.
I’M A FATHER! WHEN LUCY AND RICKY HAD A
BABY, IT WAS LIKE HUGE. IT WAS THE HIGHEST RATED SHOW OF
THE SERIES. IT CHANGED THE DYNAMIC BECAUSE
ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT BECAME CENTERED AROUND THE FAMILY UNIT.
I THINK "I LOVE LUCY" WAS THE BIG BANG OF THE FAMILY SITCOM.
THE FAMILY MOVED TO THE SUBURBS.
THE MOST EXCITING WE’RE IN OUR VERY OWN HOME.
THAT AND MIRRORED WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN AMERICA AT THE
TIME. ADVERTISERS WANTED TO CATERED
TOWARDS THAT NEW SUBURBAN FAMILY THAT NEEDED THEVACUUM.
AND AFTER "I LOVE LUCY" THERE WAS A FORMULA FOR WHAT THE
AMERICAN FAMILY SHOULD LOOK LIKE.
ADVENTURES OF "OZZIE AND HERRIOT ".
BRING IT IN. I’M STARVED.
IT WAS A HAPPY GENTLE AMERICAN FAMILY OF THE 1950s.
HOW MUCH DO YOU NEED? POP, THAT’S OKAY.
NO, DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT. YOU CAN PAY ME BACK.
HONEST, POP, I DON’T WANT IT. WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU, DAVID?
YOU GOT ROCKS IN YOUR HAIR? THE KIDS WERE POLITE AND
EVERYONE WAS NICE TO EACH OTHER. THOSE WERE NOT REAL PEOPLE BUT
ENTERTAINED AND ELOQUENT DID LIGHT ‐‐
DELIGHTED US. SIT DOWN.
WHEN YOU GET TO "FATHER KNOWS BEST" IT’S PATRIOT DEALING WITH
TINY PROBLEMS. AND I PLAYED BUD.
BUD USUALLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH TRUTH TELLING ON SOME LEVEL.
WHAT WAS ALL THAT RACKET UPSTAIRS.
I DIDN’T HEAR ANYTHING. IT REPRESENTED THE GOOD LIFE.
THE AMERICAN DREAM. I’LL READ YOU ONE STORY AND
OFF TO BED I GO. LEAVE IT TO BEAVER ENTERS THE
SITCOM REALM IN 1957. WHAT’S THAT?
THE REAL KEY TO "LEAVE IT TO BEAVER" IS IT’S WRITTEN FROM A
CHILD’S POINT OF VIEW. YOU HAVE THE CHARACTER OF
BEAVER AND WALLY WHO IS HIS OLDER BROTHER WHO USUALLY DOES
THINGS RIGHT. BEAVER IS ALWAYS THE ONE THAT
GETS IN TROUBLE.
AND THERE WERE THE PARENTS TO TEACH THEM.
SHOW THEM THE RIGHT PATH. WE WANT YOU TO FEEL THAT YOU
CAN COME TO ME OR TO YOUR MOTHER WITH ANY PROBLEM AND WE’LL
UNDERSTAND. IN THE 1950s SITCOMS WERE
REALLY GIVES US AN IDEALISTIC VERSION OF AMERICA.
BUT AS WE GET INTO THE ’60s, WE’LL SEE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
FAMILY SITCOMS. I’M SURE I’LL BE ABLE TO
HANDLE A LITTLE WASHING AND COOKING OCCASIONAL MEALS
>>> I’M A BAD MOMMY. NO, YOU’RE A DISASTER MOM.
YOU’RE SISTER IS AN AND YOUR OTHER SISTER IS GREAT.
OH, THANKS, MOM. "BETTER THINGS" IS ABOUT A
SINGLE MOM RAISING HER THREE DAUGHTERS ON HER OWN.
YOU’RE MY MOM. I WANT YOU TO KNOW IF I HAVE SEX
OR GET HIGH. IT’S DIRTY.
IT’S FUNNY. NO, HIDE THINGS FROM ME.
PLEASE. "BETTER THINGS" IS A
FESTINATING EXAMPLE OF THE WAY THE SITCOM ADOPTED TO THE 21st
CENTURY. WHERE IS THE BROOM?
WHAT ARE YOU A WITCH? NO A USELESS HOUSEWIFE FROM
THE 50s. I LOVE THAT.
THE BOUNDARIES HAVE BEEN PUSHED BACK AND THE WALLS HAVE
COME DOWN. IF YOU LOOK BACK TO THE ’50s
THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFINES ON WHAT FAMILY LOOKED LIKE AND WHAT
WAS ACCEPTABLE AND WHAT WASN’T. HI, CAT.
THE FIRST SHOW THAT DEFVIATED FROM THE PERFECT PLEASANTVILLE
NUCLEAR FAMILY. YOU’LL BLOW UP THE STOVE
AGAIN? NO, EDDIE.
I DON’T THINK I’LL MAKE THAT SAME MISTAKE AGAIN.
IT WAS A SHOW ABOUT A SINGLE DAD.
HE WAS A WIDOWER WITH THREE BOYS TRYING TO RAISE THEM IN AN ALL
MALE HOUSEHOLD. EVERYONE HAD TO DO SOMETHING.
EVERYONE HAD TO PITCH IN. WE DID DISHING.
WE WERE DINING SOCKS. THESE THINGS THAT YOU NEVER SAW
IN THE "OZZIE AND HARRIET" SHOW OR LEAVE IT TO BEAVER.
WHEN YOU WATCH A SHOW BASED ON LOSING SOMEONE, THAT ADDS A
DEEP ROOTED TRUTH TO THE HARDNESS OF LIFE AND THEN IT
GIVES COMEDY EVEN MORE OF A REASON TO GO AS CRAZY AS YOU
WANT TO GO. I THINK THAT SHIRT IS DONE.
YOU SEE THE SITCOMS MOVE AWAY FROM THE NUCLEAR SUBURBAN
FAMILY. DIVORCE, OF COURSE, HAD
BECOME MORE PREVALENT IN THE ’60s AND MORE PART OF NORMAL
AMERICAN LIFE. IT TOOK AWHILE TO BE REFLECTED
IN SITCOMS.
"THE BRADY BUNCH" IS THE
STORY OF TWO SEPARATE FAMILIES BEING GLUED TOGETHER.
A MAN WITH THREE BOYS, A WOMAN WITH THREE GIRLS.
THE MAN WOULD BE A WIDOWER AND THE WOMAN DIVORCED.
THE DIVORCE WAS A TABOO TOPIC ON TELEVISION SO THEY SAID LET’S
JUST LEAVE IT SO YOU DON’T KNOW. WHAT ARE YOU YELLING ABOUT?
STOLE OUR BALL. I’M JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT.
"THE BRADY BUNCH" WAS AN EVIDENCE
EVOLUTION OF "LEAVE IT TO BEAVER."
IT WAS ALL ABOUT WHAT CHILDREN ARE HAVING PROBLEMS
WITH. THEIR APPEARANCE OR SCHOOL WORK
OR FRIENDS. YOU BROKE THE VASE.
IT WAS THOSE KINDS OF EVERYDAY PROBLEMS.
MARSHA, I’M PROUD TO BE YOUR SISTER NOW MATTER HOW TERRIBLE
YOU LOOK. THANKS, A LOT.
THIS IS AIRING IN THE NIXON RARE WHEN VIETNAM IS RAGING AND
PEOPLE ARE LOSING FAITH IN GOVERNMENT.
ALL THESE THINGS WERE HAPPENING AND THE BRADY BUNCH
WAS A REFUGE. WATCHING "THE BRADY BUNCH"
HAVING ALL THESE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WAS A GREAT GET AWAY FOR
ME. "THE BRADY BUNCH" WAS A HUGE
SUCCESS FOR ABC. THAT LED TO "THE PARTRIDGE
FAMILY" THAT ATTRACT THE A YOUNG, HUNGRY AUDIENCE.
HEY, KIDS. HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD.
WE’RE MUSICAL FAMILY THAT WOULD TRAVEL AROUND DOING SHOWS.
THAT WAS DEFINITELY GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
"THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY" WAS TRYING TO EMBRACE THIS COOL,
HIPPY CULTURE. WHAT DID YOU HIT, MOM?
I THINK A STUDIER BAKER. YOU CRAZY HIPPIES, IT’S BAD
ENOUGH YOU DON’T TRUST ANYONE OVER 30.
NOW YOU’RE TRYING TO WIPE US OUT.
IT TAKES THIS PHENOMENON OF THE COUNTER CULTURE AND MAKES IT
VERY SAFE. RELAX, MOM.
JUST REMEMBER OUR WHOLE FUTURE DEPENDS ON THE NEXT FEW MINUTES.
IT WAS AN ESCAPE FROM THE REAL WORLD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IN NEW YORK, A STUDENT PROTEST IS MET BY CONSTRUCTION
WORKERS AND THE TENTH STATE IN OHIO, FOUR STUDENTS ARE KILLED.
BUT SOME PEOPLE DIDN’T WANT TO HIDE FROM WHAT WAS HAPPENING.
PEOPLE ARE LIKE NOW, WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE STUFF AND HOW
IT AFFECTING OUR FAMILIES. THAT’S WHEN SHOWS LIKE "ALL IN
THE FAMILY" CAME ON. NORMALLY AT THE BEGINNING OF
HIS CAREER WAS LOOKING TO FIND A SHOW HE COULD MAKE HIS OWN AND
TURNED ON TO A BRITISH SERIES CALLED "’TIL DEATH DO US PART ".
ABOUT A BIGOTED FATHER. I SAID HOLY MOLL MOLY, THAT’S TH
I GREW UP AND I KNEW I HAD A SHOW.
? TAKE ONE.
THEY SHOT THE PILOT AT ABC. FEATURED CAROL O’CONNOR AND GENE
STAPLETON AS ARCHIE BUNKER. WE DON’T SEE ANY EVIDENCE.
THAT’S RIGHT, DADDY. I KNOW WE HAD A COUPLE PINK
COATS IN THE HOUSE BUT I DIDN’T KNOW WE HAD A PAIR OF AITTHIESTS
IT WASN’T FELT THE CHEMISTRY WAS THERE.
WE MAKE IT AGAIN WITH TWO DIFFERENT YOUNG PEOPLE.
WE DON’T SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF GOD, THAT’S ALL.
THAT’S RIGHT, DADDY. I KNEW WE HAD SOME ‐‐
THE NETWORK FREAKS OUT ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO
WATCH THIS SHOW THAT HAS, LIKE, REAL ISSUES.
EVERYBODY IS NERVOUS AND THERE ARE PEOPLE SAYING THEY’RE
GOING TO KILL YOU. THEY’RE GOING TO SHOOT YOU DEA
>>> CBS IS TRYING HELD THESE FAMILY SITCOMS.
THEY ARE MORE SOPHISTICATED AFTER DECLINED TO MOVE FORWARD
MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE TO CBS.
THEY SAID YES, BUT YOU NEED A NEW SET OF KIDS.
ARCHIE AND EDITH BUNKER. SAME SCRIPT WOULDN’T CHANGE A
WORD. WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY WHAT
GOD? WE JUST DON’T SEE ANY
EVIDENCE OF GOD. THAT’S ALL.
THAT’S RIGHT, DADDY. THAT’S RIGHT, KID.
I KNEW WE HAD A COUPLE PINKOS IN THIS HOUSE BUT I DIDN’T KNOW
WE HAD ATHIEST. I SAW THE FIRST EPISODE AND
REALIZE THE GROUND IS SHAKING UNDER ME.
WE REACH OVER TO EACH OTHER AT THE TABLE AND WE HAVE
ARGUMENTS. BECAUSE GUYS LIKE YOU AREN’T
WILLING TO GIVE THE BLACK MAN AND MEXICAN‐AMERICAN AND
MINORITIES THE RIGHTFUL SHARE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.
THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN BEFORE. WE GOT REAL.
POLITICAL STRIFE. INNER PERSONAL ISSUES.
GENERATION GAPS. AND THEY’RE DEALING WITH IT ALL
IN THE FAMILY. I SUPPOSE YOU’LL TELL ME THE
BLACK MAN HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITY IN THIS COUNTRY AS
YOU?
MORE. I DIDN’T HAVE A MILLION
MARCHING AND PROTESTING TO GET ME MY JOB.
NO, HIS AUNG EVERUNCLE GOT IT ARCHIE WAS SAYING THINGS YOU
DON’T SAY ON TELEVISION. JUST BECAUSE A GUY IS
SENSITIVE AND WEARS GLASSES YOU MAKE HIM OUT A QUEER.
I NEVER SAID A GUY THAT WEARS GLASSES IS A QUERR. RRKSQUEER.
A GUY WHO WEARS GLASSES IS FOUR EYES AND A GUY.
IT WAS JAW DROPPING. IT WAS FUNNY BUT VERY
CHALLENGING. AND YOU REALIZED NORMAN LEER IS
TAKING US INTO A NEW REALM OF THE COMEDY.
THE BLOW BACK FROM THE PUBLIC WAS BURIED BY THE EXCITEMENT AND
THE APPLAUSE. THE SHOW WAS NUMBER ONE FOR A
LONG TIME. IT CHANGED CBS AND THEIR
BRAND AS A NETWORK. AS A RESULT OF ALL IN THE
FAMILY, THEY TURNED TO CREATE MORE SHOWS IN THE IMAGE.
THERE IS A PERSON AT THE
DOOR. PLAYED AS EDITH’S COUSIN IN
"ALL IN THE FAMILY". MARTY IS HERE.
AND SHE COULD TAKE ON ARCHIE HEAD‐TO‐HEAD.
NOW YOU CAN EITHER COME TO THE TABLE AND EAT OR YOU CAN LIE
THERE AND FEED OFF YOUR OWN FAT. THE STORY GOES THAT BY THE
TIME THAT EPISODE HAD AIRED FRED SILVERMAN WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF
CBS AT THE TIME CALLED NORMAN LEER AND SAID GET THAT WOMAN HER
OWN SHOW.
THAT WAS NOT YOUR ALL
AMERICAN FAMILY. GETTING SENILE IN YOUR OLD
AGE. THANK YOU, DARLING.
I ONLY HOPE I LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO BECOME A BURDEN TO
YOU. SHE’S AN INDEPENDENT STRONG
WOMAN WHO SPEAKS HER MIND. SHE WAS MARRIED TO HER FOURTH
HUSBAND WALTER PLAYED BY BILL MACY.
I DON’T HAVE TIME TO FIX YOUR BREAKFAST.
LOVED THEIR COMBATIVE RELATIONSHIP.
I STILL TO THIS DAY IF SOMEBODY PISSES ME OFF, I’LL SAY GOD WILL
GOAT YOU FOR GOD WILL GET YOU FOR THAT
WALTER. GOD WILL GET YOU FOR THAT,
WALTER. SHE WAS NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK
HER MIND AT THE CENTER OF A FAMILY SITCOM.
SHE HAD A MADE FLORIDA WHO WAS A GREAT CHARACTER.
HER HUSBAND MADE AN APPEARANCE. I’M PROUD OF YOU, FLORIDA.
I JUST DON’T WANT YOU TO BE A MADE NO MORE.
>>MOTHER WAS A MADE AND THAT’S HOW YOUR BROTHERS GOT
THROUGH SCHOOL AND YOU GOT TO BE A FIREMAN.
WE THOUGHT LET’S FILL OUT THAT FAMILY.
THAT’S THE FIRST TIME YOU EVER SAW A BLACK FAMILY ON
TELEVISION. LOOK WHO IS TRYING TO GET
BACK FROM HER HONEYMOON IN THE BATHROOM MIRROR.
J. J., YOUR MOUTH IS ALWAYS AHEAD OF YOUR THINK PIECE.
THIS FAMILY AIN’T OZZIE AND HERON
HERRIOT. TRYING TO SURVIVE WITH A DAD
WHO WORKS TWO JOB SITUATIONS. A COLD WORLD OUT THERE AND WE
CAN’T CHANGE IT. MAYBE WE CAN’T CHANGE IT,
JAMES BUT WE SURE CAN’T LET IT CHANGE US.
"GOOD TIMES" WAS NOT ONLY TO SHOW THE PROBLEMS BUT SHOW THE
LOVE OF A MINORITY FAMILY.
WE’RE STAYING IN A USED CAR LOT OF LOVE.
IN 20 YEARS WE ONLY TURNED OUT ONE CLUNKER.
THE IDEA OF WHITE FAMILIES SEEING THINGS ON AN EPISODE OF
"GOOD TIMES "THEY COULD RELATE TO THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE IS THE
POWER THAT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED WITH HOURS OF CONVERSATION.
IT SHOWED HOW SITCOMS WEREN’T AFRAID TO DISCUSS SOCIAL ISSUES
THAT HAD FORMALLY BEEN TABOO.
THE SINGLE MOTHER IN THAT
SHOW WAS DIVORCED. THAT WAS UNUPSUAL FOR TELEVISION
SURE WAS DIFFERENT BEFORE THE DIVORCE WHEN DADDY WAS AROUND.
YEAH, YEAH, I KNOW. YOU USED TO WRAP HIM AROUND YOUR
LITTLE FINGER. HER PARENTS BEFORE HAD BEEN
WIDOWS SO TELEVISION BEGINS TO CATCH UP WITH WHO WE ARE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, MOM? I’M CIRCLING THE JOBS FOR
WHICH IT WOULD APPEAR I’M QUALIFIED.
I DON’T SEE ANY CIRCLES. EXACTLY.
I MEAN, IT WAS THE ’70s. WOMEN WERE FEELING EMPOWERED TO
HAVE LIVES OF THEIR OWN AND STILL HAVE A FAMILY.
DARLING, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON BETWEEN
YOU AND CHUCK? YOU’RE GOING TO DIE.
SHOWING WHAT A FAMILY GOES THROUGH.
SHOWING WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RAISE TWO DAUGHTERS IN A DIVORCE.
WE’LL MAKE IT. I PROMISE.
I LOVE YOU. YOU GROW UP IN FAMILIES AND
WE ALL SHARE THESE EXPERIENCES IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
ONE DAY AT A TIME ALL IN THE FAMI
>>> THE 1980s WERE A RADICAL TRANSFORMATION FROM THE 1960s
ASK 1970s. THE ECONOMY MY WAS BOOMING.
CONGRATULATIONS, SIR. AS THE REGAN ERA TOOK HOLD
THERE IS RISE IN CONSERVATIVE VALUES.
WE SAW AMERICAN AUDIENCES LOSING INTEREST IN THE SOCIALLY
RELEVANT SITCOMS. AND REALLY THE SITCOMS STARTED
TO DIE AWAY. DRAMAS HAD REALLY TAKEN OVER.
THOSE SOAPS WERE SO BIG. "DYNASTY, DALLAS, MAGNUM P.I. ""
YOU SAW THE FAMILY SITCOM STRIVE TO FIND A NEW IDENTITY.
I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU GUYS WATCH THIS.
YOU LOOK RIDICULOUS. "FAMILY TIMES" HAS ONE OF THE
GREAT PREMISES IN SITCOM HISTORY.
HALF A MILLION PEOPLE TRYING TO STOP A SENSELESS WAR.
YOU FIND THAT RIDICULOUS? I’M TALKING ABOUT THE
OUTFITS. THESE TWO FLOWER CHILDREN
FROM THE ’60s GROW UP AND IN THE ’80s FIND THEMSELVES WITH THIS
YOUNG REPUBLICAN SON. HOW DO I LOOK?
MIDDLE‐AGED. IT WAS ABOUT THE CLASHES
BETWEEN TWO GENERATIONS. YOU’RE A YOUNG MAN.
YOU SHOULDN’T BE WORRIED ABOUT SUCCESS.
YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT HOPPING ON A STEAMER AND GOING
AROUND THE WORLD. THE ’60s ARE OVER, DAD.
THANKS FOR THE TIP. "FAMILY TIES" IS A REVERSAL
IN MANY WAYS OF "ALL IN THE FAMILY" EXCEPT YOU HAVE THE
LIBERAL APPEARANCE AND CONSERVATIVE CHILD.
I FOUND A COPY OF "THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL"" UNDER HIS BED.
I THINK HE WAS SWITCHED AT BIRTH AND THE ROCKEFELLERS HAVE
OUR KID. MICHAEL WAS JUST WONDERFUL.
HE WAS YOUNG AND ENERGETIC. AND HE HAD SUCH GOOD TIMING.
WHO DID THIS?
WE STARTED RATHER SLOWLY. NBC WAS MOVING US AROUND A
LITTLE BIT TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT PLACE FOR US.
"FAMILY TIES" PUMPED A LITTLE LIFE INTO THE FAMILY SITCOM BUT
THE SITCOM IN GENERAL HAD BEEN PRONOUNCED DEAD.
THERE WERE VERY FEW ON THE AIR AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN COMES
THE COSBY SHOW IN ’84. DAD, CAN I HAVE AN ADVANCED
ON MY ALLOWANCE? SON, YOU’RE ALREADY BACKED UP
UNTIL YOUR 50th BIRTHDAY. "THE COSBY SHOW" WAS A GAME
CHANGER FOR ME. THIS IS A FAMILY I ADORED.
PRESENT HISTORY HAS TAINTED THAT A LITTLE BIT.
THAT DIDN’T STOP THE FACT THAT WAS A GROUND BREAK EXPERIENCE.
THEY HAD AN IDEAL FAMILY. CLAIRE WAS A LAWYER.
HE WAS A DOCTOR. THERE WAS A VERY NATURAL
CHEMISTRY BETWEEN CLIFF HUXTABLE AND CLAIRE AND HER CHILDREN THAT
WASN’T CLICHE BLACK POVERTY. SON, YOUR MOM ASKED ME TO
COME UP HERE AND KILL YOU. HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO GET INTO
COLLEGE WITH GRADES LIKE THIS? NO PROBLEM.
THERE IS A MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE PARADIGM THAT IS
DRIVING "THE COSBY SHOW". INSTEAD OF ACTING
DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I’M NOT LIKE YOU, MAYBE YOU CAN JUST
ACCEPT WHO I AM AND LOVE ME ANYWAY.
YOU KNOW, IN ANY OTHER SITCOM THAT WOULD BE THE MOMENT WHERE
THE MUSIC WOULD START AND THE FATHER WOULD EMBRACE THE SON AND
SAY SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, REALLY ENCOURAGING.
THEO, THAT’S THE DUMBEST THING I’VE EVER HEARD IN MY
LIFE. AND YOU COULD HEAR THE
AUDIENCE GASP BECAUSE LIKE, THIS IS A STRONG FATHER WHO IS GOING
TO SAY TO HIS SON AS HE SAID, YOU KNOW, I.
I BROUGHT YOU IN THIS WORLD AND I’LL TAKE YOU OUT.
THE AUDIENCE CHEERED BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE THE PARENTS ARE
SAYING YES, WE’RE TAKING BACK THE HOUSE.
I JUST WANT YOU TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN.
THAT’S ALL. THERE WAS SUCH A LOVE AND
COMRADERY IN THE HUXTABLE FAMILY THAT I THINK YOU HAD A UNIVERSAL
AUDIENCE. WE GOT SUPER BOLD RATINGS
EVERY SINGLE WEEK AND THEY’RE TUNING IN BECAUSE EVERYONE WANTS
TO BE A HUXTABLE. "THE COSBY SHOW" REVITALIZED
THE SITCOM. ALL RIGHT.
LET PUT COSBY AT 8:00. LET PUT "FAMILY TIES" AT 8:30
AND FAMILY TIES WENT THUMP IN A HUGE WAY.
THAT GREAT THURSDAY NIGHTLINEUP, "COSBY, FAMILY TIES, CHEERS,
NIGHT COURT ". NBC REALLY CREATED THIS IDEA
OF MUST SEE TV. YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT 20 AND 30
AND 40 MILLION PEOPLE TUNING IN. PEOPLE SAY YOU WERE ONE OF
AMERICA AMERICA’S MOST SUCCESSFUL
FATHERS. I SAID NO, BILL COSBY.
COSBY WAS NUMBER ONE. WITH RESPECT TO WHAT HAS
HAPPENED OF LATE, IT’S LIKE HUGELY DISAPPOINTING TO ALL OF
US. BUT HE SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT
A FAMILY SITCOM WAS. "THE COSBY SHOW" HAD PROVEN
THAT THE FAMILY SILT COMETCOM WA VIABLE GENRE AGAIN.
BY THE LATE ’80s FAMILY SITCOMS WERE POPULAR AMONG THE
BIG THREE NETWORKS. THERE WAS THIS INCREDIBLE
RESURGING. THIS IS GREAT.
WE SHOULD BE MOTHERS. OH, YEAH.
FAMILIES TUNED INTO THESE TV SHOWS TO SEE AN ASPIRATIONAL
VERSION OF WHAT FAMILY CAN BE. DID I DO THAT?
"SILVER SPOONS" AND "GROWING PAINS" IS CONSTANTLY HUGGING AND
LEARNING, RIGHT? WITH THE FAMILY SITCOM AT THE
HEIGHT OF ITS POPULARITY, FOX STARTED MOVING INTO THE
TELEVISION ARENA. FOX WAS NEW BUILDING THEIR
NETWORK. THEY WERE ONE OF THE LAST MAJORS
TO BUILD IN THAT WORK. THEY DECIDED THEY WOULD USE
THE FAMILY SITCOM TO DO THAT AND COMPETE AGAINST THE BIG THREE.
AL, LOOK AT OUR LITTLE GIRL. WE DON’T REALLY HAVE TO GO TO A
RECITAL, DO WE? THEY WOUND UP GOING IN A
COMPLETELY OPPOSITE DIRECTION, SORT OF THE ANTI IN A WAY, ANTI
FAMILY SITCOM. BUD, APOLOGIZE TO YOUR
SISTER. NO.
OKAY. "MARRIED WITH CHILDREN" IS
FULL OF TRASH PEOPLE THAT DO HORRIBLE THINGS AND SAY HORRIBLE
THINGS. QUIET YOU MORONS.
YOU’RE ALWAYS AWARE THERE WERE WISE GUYS SINGING EACH
OTHER. PEG, HOW COULD YOU SELL THE
FAMILY PLAYBOY? LOOKING BACK AT IT NOW, I
DON’T KNOW HOW THAT SHOW STAYED ON AIR.
I HAVEN’T WORN IT SINCE GRANDMA’S FUNERAL.
IT HELPED PUT FOX ON THE MAP. THIS IDEA OF A DARKER FAMILY
PRESENTATION SPOKE TO PEOPLE. WHO WERE BORED WITH WHAT THE
MAIN FAMILY SITCOMS WERE OFFERING AT THE TIME.
WHEN YOU GO
>>> YOU JUST SIT THERE AND DRINK YOUR BEER.
I’LL FIX THIS MYSELF. THE HELL YOU WILL.
WE SAW THE BIG NETWORKS START TO EXPERIMENT WITH THE FAMILY
SITCOM. SOME SITCOMS WERE VERY EDGY LIKE
"ROSEANNE" AND "MARRIED WITH CHILDREN."
ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAD SHOWS GOING BACK TO A MORE WHOLE SOME
STORY TELLING YOU SEE ON ABC’S "HOME IMPROVEMENT."
IN A BROAD STROKE "HOME IMPROVEMENT
IMPROVEMENT" MADE A STABLE FAMILY AND LOVING FAMILY.
NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE. HOLD THE BALL WITH BOTH HANDS
SO YOU DON’T FUMBLE. TIM.
I ALSO WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT MADE MEN TICK.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A RIDE AND COOL STEEL HANGING UNDER
YOUR HIPS. TIM THE TOOL MAN TAYLOR HAS A
SHOW CALLED "TOOL TIME". WE WANT A JOB DONE QUICK AND
RIGHT WHAT DO WE NEED? MORE POWER WAS MY SAYING MY
WHOLE LIFE PLUS THE GRUNTING AND BLOWING STUFF UP.
HE’S LIKE THIS SUPPOSED MAN’S MAN.
AND THEN HE COMES HOME TO A WOMAN WHO IS A FEMINIST AND
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES DO YOU EVER TREAT THE FEMALE SEX AS
THOUGH THEY ARE HOUSEKEEPERS PUT HERE TO WAIT ON YOU HAND AND
FOOT. HONEY, WANT TO POP THAT IN
THE WASHER FOR ME? WHAT WAS GREAT ABOUT OUR
FAMILY WAS THAT EVEN THOUGH WE DISAGREED, I THINK I JUST POP ON
OUT OF HERE. WE LOVED EACH OTHER AND ALWAYS
MADE UP. "HOME IMPROVEMENT" WAS PROOF
A TRADITIONAL FAMILY SITCOM WOULD BE A HIT BUT THROUGH THE
’00 -0 ‐‐ ’90 -S ARE WE SAW THE
FAMILIES CHANGE. WE SAW PEOPLE HAVING CHILDREN
LATER IN LIFE AND THE FAMILY SITCOM REFLECTED THAT.
IN "MAD ABOUT YOU" THE MARRIAGE ITSELF WAS THE PREMISE
OF THE SHOW. A STRONG WOMAN CHARACTER
AGAINST THE STRONG MALE CHARACTER AND SO THE FIREWORKS
JUST KEPT HAPPENING. WATCHING HOW TWO PEOPLE TRY
TO LOVE EACH OTHER OVER TIME. IT DOESN’T BOTHER YOU THAT WE
HAVEN’T HAD SEX IN FIVE DAYS? HELLO.
YOU KNOW THE FEELING YOU GO TO A PARTY AND YOU AND YOUR WIFE
ARE HAVING FUN AND SAY GOOD NIGHT AND GET INTO THE CAR.
THE MINUTE THAT CAR DOOR CLOSES, THAT’S THE SHOW.
WHAT’S GOING ON WITH US? WHAT’S GOING ON IS WE’RE
MARRIED FIVE MONTHS AND THE SEXUAL PART IS OVER.
SEE, I THOUGHT YOU UNDERSTOOD
THAT. I’M SORRY.
AT THAT TIME WHAT THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS.
I PLAY CHECKERS IN THE PARK AND YOU START ARGUING WITH BUSES.
THAT’S NOT FUNNY. THEY ARE TWO PEOPLE THAT CAN
VOICE THEIR OWN OPINIONS ABOUT FEAR AND THE AWFUL UNAPOLOGIZE
AND HIT A DRY SPELL IN THE MARRIAGE AND FIND THE HEAT
BETWEEN THEM AGAIN. PEOPLE WERE FEELING PROBABLY
THAT COMBINATION OF I RELATE TO IT AND ASPIRE TO IT.
THAT MADE IT VERY MUCH ITS OWN. EARLY ON SEASON ONE THE
NETWORK SAID YOU SHOULD HAVE A KID.
NO, NO, NO THAT’S TOO SOON. SEASON TWO, TIME FOR A KID.
THE NETWORK WAS LIKE ANNOYING IN LAWS.
WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO TRY? I’LL LET YOU KNOW.
IN "RAYMOND" YOU NEVER SAW THE KIDS.
I SAW YOUR CAR PULL UP. YOU DIDN’T CALL.
WE REALLY WANTED TO FOCUS ON
THE MARRIAGE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARENTS.
HI. I’M RAY AND I LIVE HERE IN LONG
ISLAND WITH MY WIFE DEBRA. THE VERY FIRST SEASON RAY
SAYS IN THE OPENING CREDITS. IT’S NOT REALLY ABOUT THE
KIDS. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE KIDS.
I SAY THAT FOR EVERY YEAR YOU’RE OVER 40, YOU SHOULD ADD
AN INCH TO THE HEM LINE OF YOUR DRESS.
WELL, THEN YOU SHOULD BE DRAGGING AROUND A PERSIAN RUG.
WE ALL HAD PARENTS WHO DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS REJECT
ALL OF OUR KINDNESS AND IT BACKFIRES.
I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU WOULD USE BLEACH ON THESE
TOWELS. THEY JUST SEEMED A LITTLE
YELLOW YELLOW.
YES, THEY ARE YELLOW TOWELS. WE ALL COME INTO A FAMILY.
WE NEED A FAMILY, LOVE THEM OR HATE THEM, THAT’S WHO, YOU KNOW,
WE WERE GIVEN. THE SUCCESS OF COSBY REST
RESURRECTED THE SITCOM. WHEN "THE COSBY SHOW" WENT OFF
THE AIR WE HAD OTHER BLACK SITCOMS TO FILL THE VOID, WHICH
WAS "FRESH PRINCE" WAS ASPIRATIONAL BLACK FAMILY
WEALTH. I DIDN’T KNOW THERE WERE SO
MANY BROTHERS LIVING IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE DOING ALL RIGHT, HUH? FOX WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
NETWORKS THAT REALLY TOOK RISK WITH BLACK SITCOMS WITH MINORITY
PEOPLE VERY MUCH PART OF THE WRITING AND CREATION OF IT.
IT’S VITAL PEOPLE OF COLOR WRITE THEIR OWN STORIES BECAUSE
THAT’S WHERE THE AT THEN ’TISTY COMES FROM.
HE’S PROBABLY TIRED. HE SHOULD BE.
HE KEPT US UP ALL NIGHT. WE SHOULD BE THE ONES CRYING.
WE SAW BLACK FAMILY SITCOMS LIKE "MARTIN."
LIKE "THE BERNIE MACK SHOW." IT SHOWED PARENTING TO BE
DIFFICULT. TOO OLD TO PLAY WITH THAT.
CAN WE PLAY SOMETHING ELSE? WHICH WAS NOT SOMETHING YOU
SAW ON A SHOW LIKE "THE COSBY SHOW".
CHRIS! GET IN THE BATHROOM AND WIPE THE
PEE OFF THE TOILET SEAT. DISGUSTING.
FOX NETWORK HAD COME ON AND DONE WELL WITH BLACK SITCOMS SO
THE WB AND UPN AT THE TIME WERE COMING ON AND THEY STARTED TO
DIVERSIFY AND GROW THAT AUDIENCE.
THEY ARE ABLE TO SNATCH UP THIS AUDIENCE THAT THE OTHER
NEFT NETWORKS WERE REALLY IGNORING UP
UNTIL THAT POINT. SO THESE SHOWS KIND OF SET
THE STAGE FOR THE DIVERSITY IN THE FAMILY SITCOM THAT CAN BE
SEEN ON TELEVISION TODAY. WELCOME.
I’M RICK. THE LENGTH AND DEPTH OF MY BOW
AND PRESS EXPRESSES MY DEE
>>> IN THE LATE ’90s AND 2000s, YOU SEE THE REALITY OF SITCOM.
THE SITCOM WAS PRONOUNCED YET AGAIN SO ‐‐ WHAT’S A NEW WAY TO
DO A FAMILY SHOW? WHAT IF WE DO IT DOCUMENTARY
STYLE?
AND INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON ONE FAMILY, WHAT IF WE FOCUS ON
MULTIPLE FAMILIES? DAD, WHAT HAPPENED?
LUKE JUST SHOT ME. WE WANT TO PORTRAY THESE
CHARACTERS AS REAL. I DIDN’T MEAN TO.
ARE YOU OKAY? NO, THE LITTLE ‐‐ SHOCK ME.
LANGUAGE. THE LINE CAME FROM MY
DAUGHTER. TELLING STORIES FROM OUR OWN
LIVES AND NOT BEING AFRAID OF THOSE STORIES, THAT’S WHAT
PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO. HI, I AM GLORIA, MANNY’S
MOTHER. I AM SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR DAD,
NO, I AM HER HUSBAND. DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE ‐‐
NONE OF THESE PEOPLE LOOK LIKE THEY WOULD BE A FAMILY BUT
THEY ARE. WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?
IS THAT IS US WITH WINGS? I WAS REALLY TAKEN BY THE
PORTRAYAL OF A GAY COUPLE. IT IS PART OF AN EQUAL OF THE
CAST. SHE’S A BIT OF A DRAMA QUEEN.
YOU COME INTO MY HOUSE AND YOU INSULT ME AND MY BOYFRIEND
BY THE WAY WHO’S NOT THAT DRAMATIC.
WHEN HE REVEALS TO THE THEME
SONG OF "LION KING." THIS LOVING GAY COUPLE WHO
ADOPTED A CHILD, THIS WAS THE MOST PROGRESSIVE THING IN
TELEVISION AT THAT MOMENT. IN THIS FAMILY WE KICK AND
PUNCH EACH OTHER, OR DO WE LOVE EACH OTHER?
LOVE EACH OTHER. "MODERN FAMILY" TOOK THIS
GENRE AND UPDATED IT AND BRING LIFE TO THE FAMILY SITCOM.
WE STARTED TO SEE MORE PERSPECTIVES AND FRESH
PERSPECTIVES. YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE
ORLANDO. I HAVE GROWN TO LOVE IT LIKE THE
DAUGHTER EVAN HAD BEEN.
IN "FRESH OFF THE BOAT," IT CENTERS THE NARRATIVE AS OPPOSED
TO BE THE BUTT OF A JOKE. CLASS, I WANT TO GIVE A WARM
WELCOME TO HUNG GI‐YAN NOON. CALL ME EDDIE.
HI, WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT WAS A REALLY
GOOD WINDOW INTO THE HOW MAINSTREAM CULTURE COULD FEEL
STRANGE TO SOMEBODY ELSE. "FRESH OFF THE BOAT" MADE A
MAJOR IMPACT IMPROVING TO THE INDUSTRY THAT A SHOW LIKE THIS
CAN BE SUCCESSFUL. STILL TO THIS DATE I GET
PEOPLE ON THE STREET WHO COME UP TO ME IN TEARS SAYING HOW
MEANINGFUL IT WAS TO SEE THEMSELVES REPRESENTED AND
FEELING LIKE YOU ARE APART OF AMERICA.
IT IS A PART OF A PROGRESSION, REPRESENTATION AND
TV. OKAY, SO I AM JUST YOUR
STANDARD AND REGULAR, HANDSOME CHARISMATIC BLACK DUDE.
THIS WOMAN IS MY WIFE. >>.
YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT NAMING OUR KID DEVONTE, ARE YOU?
I WANT TO GIVE THEM A WHITE NAME, THEY ALL END UP "BLACKISH
KWST"BLACKISH ."
I WANT ONE OF MY KIDS TO BE BLACK SO I CAN LOVE IT.
HERE IS US LIVING EVERYDAY. THE BLACKISH FAMILY IS UNAPOLL
GET UNAPOLIGETIC.
I AM THROWING YOU AN AFRICAN RIGHT PASSIVE CEREMONY.
THAT DOES NOT SOUND FUN. NO, IT DOES NOT.
"BLACKISH" TALKS ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN.
THAT LEADS UP TO NORMAN LIRA 1960s CLASSIC, ONE DAY AT A
TIME. I GET IT WE ARE HUMANS.
IT FOLLOWS THE GENERATIONS OF LATINAS.
EVERYTHING WE GET INTO AS A NORMAL FAMILY BUT TACTIC MSKLES
OF THINGS GOING ON IN THE WORLD LIKE WEIRD ISSUES.
ARE WE WITH THE IDEA LIKE TELLING THEM.
HEY, I LIKE GIRLS. YOU FINALLY HAVE SOMETHING IN
COMMON. THERE IS PTSD WITH THE MOM
AND THERE IS ANXIETY. WHAT DID HE CALL YOU?
STUPID, DUMMY OR GUBER? I THINK IT ALLOWS THE
AUDIENCES TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.
I WOULD NEVER HAD AN INCIDENT.
YOU AND YOUR BROTHER ARE OF DIFFERENT SHAPES.
YES. IF YOU PUT SOMETHING IN YOUR
SHOW THAT IS SHOCKING AND RADICAL
RADICAL. THE HOPE IS IN FIVE YEAR’S TIME
IT IS GOING TO BECOME MORE NORMAL.
WHO DECIDES WHAT LATINA LOOKS LIKE.
I LOOK LATINA. OF COURSE, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT YOU LOOK LIKE ANNE HATHAWAY.
THIS SHOW IS MOST PRESENT IN SHOWS LIKE ONE DAY AT A TIME.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE BEST FAMILY SITCOM ON TV RIGHT NOW, THAT’S
WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THAT’S SO COOL.