Welcome to a new Wildcard Wednesday! This week, I’m remembering Norman Lear, a true televisionary who was responsible for several of my favorite sitcoms — especially the iconic All In The Family, a formative masterwork. He passed away last week at the age of 101.
Over the years here, I’ve frequently drawn a contrast between the character-driven shows of MTM and the idea-driven shows from Norman Lear’s company, and while voicing my support for character-driven material in the belief that it most validates the sitcom’s inherent definition (where laughs and story must be derived from the elements of an established “situation” — all of which either are or upheld by the characters), it may seem like I was criticizing his work… Okay, sometimes, I was. But let me also clarify: I think Lear was one of the masters of this idea-driven style of sitcommery that has always existed as a viable sensibility within this genre, and I genuinely love so many of the shows with which he’s affiliated — specifically, All In The Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Sanford And Son, because they’re, for the most part, good examples of sitcommery: they use their characters to support their ideas. The sitcom art form would not have thrived as it did in the 1970s — or the decades thereafter — if not for his producing so many great samples, most of which were shot with multiple cameras in front of a live audience: an aesthetic that directly celebrates this genre and its unique charms. Norman Lear was vital to the development of the American situation comedy, and I treasure his legacy.
In his honor, and in accordance with our now annual Holiday Contest tradition, I thought I’d provide Lear-related prizes for this year’s winners. Specifically, to everyone who participates in the contest (rules to follow), I will send access to some of the previously offered material you may have missed — including a script from an episode of HOT L BALTIMORE, a script from an episode of The Nancy Walker Show, and a copy of the full-length sixth season premiere of Good Times (which isn’t on DVD). And for the grand prize winner — whoever gets a perfect score (or the highest score) — I’ll also send over something I’ve never shared before: two episodes of the short-lived Rue McClanahan sitcom Apple Pie (1978). You want this!
For 2023, we’re going simple — I’m merely asking you to name my 13 favorite episodes covered here on Sitcom Tuesdays over the past year (up until yesterday). I am excluding reruns, clip shows, pop-outs, and reboots/revivals. So that means, you’re only looking at six seasons of 3rd Rock From The Sun, four seasons of Cybill, five seasons of Ellen, six seasons of Becker, seven seasons of Malcolm In The Middle, and the first seven seasons of Scrubs. All you have to do is pick what you think are my 13 favorite episodes from those lists — in no particular order (that is, they’re not ranked) — and leave your guesses in the comment section below before the competition closes on Tuesday, December 19 at noon eastern. I will give you a very big hint and say that 11 of my 13 favorites were singled out as MVEs. Use my commentary as your guide. (And, yes, in order to play, you must be a subscriber.) I will announce the answers and winners next week. Happy guessing!
Come back next week for the answers! And stay tuned Monday for a musical rarity!