1922-
Television Producer

Television Innovator.

Before the 1970s American television comedies were mostly formulaic shows that presented a largely idealized portrait of middle-class life. One example is the popular program The Brady Bunch, which ran from 1969 to 1974. Even during the turbulent 1960s, situation comedies failed to reflect what life was like for most American families. During the 1970s, however, many creators in the media sought to introduce a greater degree of relevance into their work. One of the most prominent — and controversial — to do so in television was Norman Lear. His many successes during the 1970s changed the nature of much American television comedy.

Finding a Niche.

Lear began his television career in the mid 1950s as a comedy writer. In 1959 he formed a production company, Tandem, with director Bud Yorkin. They produced theater films during the 1960s; achieving little success, they turned their...