Getting Justice for the Silenced Pioneers
Kyle Jacobs
How can we do justice to history without hearing from the highly influential, successful, and groundbreaking pioneers themselves?
At 98 years old, Norman was ready for his interview in his office in Culver City, Los Angeles. He was a busy producer, far from the era that made him a legend - "The Jeffersons", "Good Times", "Maude", "Sanford", and "All in the Family," which set the stage and forever changed television. Decades had passed since those series debuted, but Norman was still actively developing new projects and mentoring a team of development executives.
In the past, I'd interviewed Norman many times. He was always insightful and full of anecdotes from his impressive career. In 2015, I worked with him on an event at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York, where his most famous character, Archie Bunker, originated. During our discussions, I asked him about the early filming of "Family Portrait," a show with which he was familiar; some aspects of it tickled my curiosity:
Both initial pilots were rejected by ABC. Norman believed that the pilot's primary flaw was the cast of the young couple, Gloria and Mike. The show eventually met his expectations once Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner were added to the cast. However, despite the pressures from CBS, the new network host of the series, Norman never considered replacing mainstays like Carol O'Connor and Gene Stapleton or even adopting the previously shocking A-to-Z line in derogatory dialogues.
But it surprised me when he revealed that he had once attempted to convince Mickey Rooney to play the role of Archie. Surprisingly, Rooney, a Hollywood Golden Age star, took issue with the offensive language Archie used to berate people of other races - an epithet that is now widely considered to be deeply offensive.
Norman vividly recalled every detail, even the name of Rooney's agent.
Check out the image below of Norman and me during our March 2015 photoshoot at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City.
I figured interviews for documentary series would provide more in-depth insights and delve deeper into Norman's personal life. My research revealed that he served in the Italian Air Force Corps during World War II as a radio operator. When I asked him about it, he recounted flying 57 B-17 missions and the harrowing experiences that often involved intense gunfights.
My father was also a radio operator during the war, serving in England and flying 33 missions from his home base. Although the tasks of learning Morse code, transmitting regular position reports, and operating a .50 caliber machine gun were largely identical, they were often brutal and dangerous battles.
His eyes widened when he learned that my father served in the same capacity. He began to share war stories, including one about how a mission was repeatedly delayed due to poor weather. At last, they received orders to abandon the mission, but the B-17 was able to take off, only to be shot down along with his best friend onboard. It was a tragic loss that still brought tears to Norman's eyes over 75 years later. I felt a lump in my own throat as I listened.
I find it surprising that the popularity of Norman Lear's most successful comedy can be attributed to a mix of factors, from timing to casting, as well as its powerful message about America's willingness to embrace something beyond trivial matters like barbecue.
Another crucial factor is Norman's understanding of human nature.
Norman always said that Archie reflected some of his own father's characteristics: excessive brutality, simmering anger, and casual racial and ethnic slurs.
He believes that almost everyone has an Archie in their lives, and they can't just dismiss them as small-minded fanatics; they continue to hold a special place in their hearts, much like the American audience's enduring love for Archie.
I can understand that. I grew up in the neighboring Queens, Brooklyn, and the generation before mine shared many experiences with Archie Bunker. In the predominantly ethnic neighborhoods of New York in the 1970s, Irish people rarely associate with Italians, and Italians barely interacted with Jews. No one interacted with Black or Hispanic people.
Libel is a given. Those outside the group are not worthy.
My tribe is Irish. Even in my youth, I heard my uncles utter slurs without hesitation. One uncle never missed an episode of "All in the Family." Archie (played by O'Connor) was instantly recognizable by his strong Irish roots. I'd often hear traditional racist slurs from my uncle, but I know that he has a tender heart. He wasn't full of venom; he was just a relic of outdated prejudices.
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Despite being a stereotypical Hollywood liberal, who even founded his own organization to promote progressive causes, Norman Lear managed to imbue the paranoid Archie with relatable human qualities and flaws. The audience never doubts that he's Archie's liberal son and a conscientious objector, but his embattled, resilient wife will always be there to comfort him in times of need.
Just like the love I wish I had from my Irish uncle.
There's an aspect of Norman Lear's genius that often goes overlooked. He certainly rattled the social conscience of the nation and advocated passionately for a return to our better human nature. But only 40 million people listened to the weekly sermons on tolerance and acceptance. Norman Lear's greatest achievement lay in shining a light on our ugly prejudices and making us laugh at how foolish they really are.
And he made us realize how embarrassing and dumb they truly are.
Also read:
Given Norman Lear's strong opinions and influential role in shaping television comedy, it's essential to consider various perspectives to gain a comprehensive understanding of his impact.
After delving deep into various aspects of Norman Lear's career, it's intriguing to consider how his beliefs on societal issues sparked necessary conversations and influenced popular culture.
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Additional Information(Enrichment Data):
In his initial attempt to cast Archie Bunker, Norman Lear considered Mickey Rooney for the role. Rooney, a successful Hollywood star, was reluctant to take on the part due to the offensive language Archie used towards other racial groups. Norman Lear describes this rejection as a relief, as he felt that Rooney's portrayal of Archie would not have been true to the character. Carroll O'Connor, who ultimately played the role, managed to create an iconic portrayal of Archie that resonated with audiences.
