Largely responsible for bold American television in the 1970s, Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom. From his childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude) and social activism, Lear proved social change was possible through an unlikely prism - laughter - and created some of the greatest moments in television history.
American Masters: Norman Lear Largely responsible for the explosion of bold American television in the 1970s, writer/producer Norman Lear's name is synonymous with the sitcom. With unprecedented access to Lear, his work and his massive personal archives, American Masters - Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You combines stories from his turbulent childhood and early career with his groundbreaking TV success (All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times, Maude) and social activism.
The documentary also features colorful stories from Lear's family, friends and collaborators, including John Amos, Mel Brooks, George Clooney, Alan Horn, Louise Lasser, Bill Moyers, Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Russell Simmons. Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady show how a poor Jewish kid from Connecticut became one of TV's most successful producers. Bringing provocative subjects like war, poverty, and prejudice into 120 million homes every week, Lear proved that social change was possible through an unlikely prism - laughter - and created some of the greatest moments in television history.
EXTRAS
What do a 92 year old Jew and the world of hip hop have in #Common?
Mary Hartman Breakdown
Mary Hartman Casting
Not Dead Yet
Bill Moyers on Norman Lear
Psychiatry Story
Producer: Suzanne Hillinger, Brent Miller, Julie Sacks
Executive Producer: Michael Kantor
Production Company: Thirteen
Production Year: 2015
Copyright Year: 2015
Rating: TV-14
Director: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
Talent: Norman Lear
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 90 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English (SDH)
Audio Format: 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen
VIDEO USAGE RIGHTS
Why the AV version? Because it provides additional usage options for PBS videos. AV versions come with limited performance rights so they can be shown in classrooms, at PTA meetings, during after school programs, and transmitted on a closed-circuit system within a building or on a single campus. They also can be enjoyed in admission-free public screenings, which also makes them ideal for use by library patrons and businesses involved in community clubs and organizations.