Sanford and Son
| Television series | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Sanford and Son |
 | |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Year (s) | 1972-1977 |
| Production company |
Tandem Productions |
| length | 22 minutes |
| Episodes | 136 in 6 seasons |
| genre | Sitcom |
| Theme music | The Streetbeater - Quincy Jones |
| idea |
Norman Lear Bud Yorkin |
| production | Norman Lear Bud Yorkin |
| music | Quincy Jones |
| First broadcast | Jan 14, 1972 (USA) on NBC |
| occupation | |
| |
Sanford and Son is an American sitcom that aired 136 episodes in six seasons from 1972 to 1977 on NBC . It is based on the BBC series Steptoe and Son (1962–1965). The leading roles were played by Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford and Demond Wilson as his son Lamont Sanford . The sequel was Sanford, Grady
Sanford and Son is considered the trailblazer for many African American sitcoms and is known for their offbeat racist humor, their running gags and their catchphrases. While the role of Fred G. Sanford was known for his bigotry and insolence, the role of Lamont Sanford was that of Fred's long-suffering, conscientious, and peacemaking son.
action
The sprightly Afro-American Fred G. Sanford demonstrates to his son that he is still a long way from being old. He is constantly trying to outdo Junior Lamont in just about every discipline, but he does not always succeed without a great deal of effort.
background
Redd Foxx 'character Fred G. Sanford was named after his late brother Fred. Due to a contract dispute, he did not appear in various episodes.
The pickup shown in the series is a Ford F1 from 1951. It was auctioned after the series ended and later rented out for other shows. The vehicle has changed hands a number of times over the years and was eventually bought by a real junk dealer.
characters
Fred Sanford
65-year-old Fred G. Sanford (played by Redd Foxx ) is always a little sarcastic and always has new ideas to get rich quick. These efforts routinely fail. Although he always agrees on an equal share of the business with his son Lamont, Fred is always the boss while Lamont has to do all the work. Fred often insults his son and usually calls him "Dummy", whereas Lamont calls him an "old fool". Despite their differences of opinion, the two are closely related and regularly help each other. But everyone is too proud to admit that they couldn't do it without the other.
According to Fred, his wife Elizabeth died around 1950. In a running gag of the series, Fred looks up at the sky with his hand over his chest in times of distress, feigns a heart attack and says, “This is the end, Elizabeth! I'm coming to join you, honey. ”But nobody ever takes this theater seriously. Fred raised Lamont alone and missed Elizabeth deeply. According to Fred, his son was named after Lamont Lomax, a pitcher from the Homestead Grays baseball team .
Initially, Fred's main antagonist in the series was his sister-in-law (Lamont's aunt Ethel). These arguments lasted until the middle of the second season, when Ethel was replaced by her sharper sister Esther. Fred usually compared her to King Kong , which the deeply religious Esther answered with a scowl on her face, often calling him "old heathen" or "old fool with fish eyes".
Despite his tenacity and indescribable nature, Fred turns out to be kind at times, even to Esther, although he keeps making it clear that he doesn't like her.
In the last episode of the series, Fred graduates from high school and is the valedictorian of his senior class.
Lamont Sanford
Lamont Sanford is played by Demond Wilson and is at times portrayed as the greedy of the two. Often times he is reprimanded for disregarding his father's habits and behavior.
At 34, Lamont is always looking for new ways to improve his business, but it never succeeds. In one episode he even tries to become an actor and accidentally gets into a porn producer or tries to sell used car parts.
The biggest change in Lamont's character throughout the series was his attitude towards his job, his father, and his future. Initially, he is portrayed as hostile and angry with Fred and his life, especially when Fred's interference thwarts his plans. His attitude towards his father will get better if he work together to solve a problem. Increasingly he devotes himself to his work and his father and learns to embrace his African heritage.
A source of bitterness against his father for Lemont is the fact that after his mother's death he had to drop out of high school to help his "sick" father. In his fake heart attacks he saw only the reason to keep him in the business as cheap labor.
Esther Anderson
Esther Anderson ( LaWanda Page ), also known as Aunt Esther, is the sister of Fred's late wife, Elizabeth. Esther is a strictly religious person who has little sense of humor despite being kind and loving towards Lamont. Fred and Esther don't like each other very much. When she leaves the Sanford house, she often shouts, “Oh glory!” Or “Hallelujah!” Her longtime husband Woodrow (played by Raymond Allen ) started out as an alcoholic. After overcoming this, the two adopted an orphan ( Eric Laneuville ). Fred and Esther agreed a temporary truce in the episode My Fair Esther .
Grady Wilson
Grady Wilson ( Whitman Mayo ) is Fred's best friend who appears regularly on the series. Grady is very good-natured but also a bit simple-minded. His catchphrase is “Good Googley Goo”. He always says this when something good happens or when he is in a pleasant mood. Grady grew up in southern Chicago and was briefly married there. He is Fred's "buddy" and looked after the business with him when Fred was on vacation for a long time.
Bubba Bexley
Bubba Bexley ( Don Bexley ) is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. He is another friend of Fred who often alternates with Grady. Bubba's trademark is his infectious smile and always cheerful personality. He's a very honest character, but Fred and Lamont always get on their nerves when he greets them both too loudly.
Rollo Lawson
Rollo Lawson ( Nathaniel Taylor ) is Lamont's best friend. Fred often makes disrespectful remarks to Rollo for always blaming Rollo for spending time in jail.
Donna Harris
Donna Harris ( Lynn Hamilton ) is a nurse and Fred's girlfriend, who later becomes his fiancée. She is a lovely, even-tempered woman who understands Fred's ingenuity and the occasional mishap. Lamont, initially distrusts Donna, but gradually approaches her. Esther is also initially hostile to Donna, which changes later.
Julio Fuentes
The always friendly Julio Fuentes ( Gregory Sierra ) is the Puerto Rican neighbor of the Sanfords, who befriends Lamont. Fred doesn't like him and treats him as a stranger. Despite the arguments, Fred stands up for Julio's nephew, who is supposed to move him to a lower class due to his lack of English. Fred even teaches him for a while. In the fifth season, Julio moves away.
Ah Chew
Ah Chew ( Pat Morita ) is a Japanese-American friend of Lamont whom Fred insults at every suitable opportunity. Fred becomes friends with Ah Chew in a later episode because he wants to open a Japanese restaurant and use him as a chef.
Officer "Smitty" Smith
"Smitty" Smith ( Hal Williams ) is a cop who occasionally shows up at the Sanford residence.
Officer Howard "Hoppy" Hopkins
Howard "Hoppy" Hopkins ( Howard Platt ) is also a police officer who shows up occasionally at the Sanford residence and usually gives exuberant lectures in police language. Usually he comes with a colleague who changes over the course of the episodes.
Officer "Swanny" Swanhauser
Officer "Swanny" Swanhauser ( Noam Pitlik ) is originally Officer Smitty's Caucasian partner, who will be replaced by Officer Hopkins at the beginning of the second season. Swanny is basically the same as "Hoppy", but his demeanor is much more serious and humorless.
May Hopkins
May Hopkins ( Nancy Kulp ) is Officer Hopkins' mother who appeared in season five. She is a retired detective and rents a room with the Sanfords. Landlord Fred often insults her when she pays a visit.
Janet Larson
Janet Larson ( Marlene Clark ) is divorced and befriends Lamont in season five. Janet also has a young son, Roger ( Edward Crawford ). Lamont and Janet split on the sixth and final season due to the return of Janet's ex-husband.
Melvin White
Melvin White ( Slappy White ) is an old buddy of Fred who showed up in season one. He also appears in a season two episode.
Lucky Leroy & Slick Skillet
Leroy & Skillet ( Leroy Daniels and Ernest Mayhand ) are a wild couple among Fred's friends who love to tell jokes and play poker and billiards. They appear in the second and third seasons.
Otis Littlejohn
Otis Littlejohn ( Matthew 'Stymie' Beard ) is a friend of Grady's third and fourth seasons.
George "Hutch" Hutton
George "Hutch" Hutton ( Arnold Johnson ) is an elderly Sanford tenant who befriends Fred. When they first meet, Hutch admits serving a long sentence just to avoid his ugly sister-in-law. This immediately makes him Fred's friend, but when "Hutch" joins Aunt Esther's Bible study group, Fred is outraged. He appears in the fifth season.
Dr. Caldwell
Dr. Caldwell ( Davis Roberts ) is the Sanfords family doctor who appears in several early episodes. He often enters the Sanford residence with an alarming cough and his qualifications as a doctor are in doubt. When asked whether he is really a doctor, he claims: “I'll be a doctor on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On the other days I work in the post office. "
Nelson B. Davis
Nelson B. Davis ( James Wheaton ) is an undertaker who stops by the Sanford Residence several times during season two to see some of the caskets Lamont bought. With a deep voice and a creepy laugh, he often makes funny jokes about his unusual job.
reception
Sanford and Son was hugely popular for most of its runtime and was one of the top ten rated series on American television from season one (1972) through the 1975/76 season.
In 2007 Time Magazine included the show in its "100 Best TV Shows of All Time" list.
The Hollywood reporter rated most of the episodes as "superficial and slightly disappointing." Since the original series came from the BBC program Steptoe and Son , "the hostile humor of the Cockney version [...] has been somewhat sweetened for American television."
"Parents need to know that this classic 1970s sitcom is based on the strong bond between an aging father and adult son. [...] Parents should also know that the language and situations in the series are mild compared to today's sitcoms are. However, Fred Sanford's consistent use of racial insults and stereotypes makes him a less desirable role model - so the series is only suitable for children who can understand the original context. "
continuation
After the series ended in 1977, an 8-part sequel with the supporting characters entitled Sanford Arms was broadcast shortly thereafter . Whitman Mayo previously played in the 10-part spin-off series Grady from 1975 to 1976 .
In 1980-1981, Foxx attempted to revive the show with another short series called Sanford , but Demond Wilson refused to repeat his role as Lamont Sanford for the new series.
Charisma
| Season | Episodes | First broadcast |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14th | Jan. 14, 1972 - April 14, 1972 |
| 2 | 24 | September 15, 1972 - March 16, 1973 |
| 3 | 24 | September 14, 1973 - March 29, 1974 |
| 4th | 25th | September 13, 1974 - April 25, 1975 |
| 5 | 24 | September 12, 1975 - March 19, 1976 |
| 6th | 25th | September 24, 1976 - March 25, 1977 |
All episodes were also released on DVD from 2002 to 2008
Web links
- Sanford and Son in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Sanford and Son at Fernsehserien.de
Individual evidence
- ↑ Sanford and Son at tvguide.com
- ^ Sanford and Son at Fernsehserien.de
- ↑ Songfacts - Sanford & Son Theme (The Streetbeater) by Quincy Jones at songfacts.com
- ^ Sanford and Son ': THR's 1972 Review at hollywoodreporter.com
- ^ Criticism at commonsensemedia.org