My dad was an artist, and my conservative grandfather was afraid he would turn gay going to art school, so when my dad was drafted grandpa made some calls and my dad was forced into the Marine Corps. My dad later said he met a lot more gays in the marines than he had in art school. He learned that homosexuals were just people. Thankfully, men like Lear changed the world, and continues to fight so that we don’t go backwards.
I can't imagine wanting your child to be in the Marines of all of the branches. I say this as someone from a military family with family that have been in all of them (except Space). Marines intentionally break you.
@@bec7080 my grandfather was a Marine Officer during the war, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. His experience of the Corps was as a staff officer arranging Hollywood cocktail parties for the marine general in Los Angeles, not as a private.
@@Sammyandbobsdad that's good. I don't have any ill will towards Marines as people. I respect them. I think that The Marine Corps needs to be reformed because the pain they inflict on people is intentional.
My gay great uncle was a Marine, one of Edson's raiders who earned a Purple Heart fighting in Guadalcanal. I believe with my whole heart gay men are tougher than straight men.
My dad is basically Archie Bunker and thinks “All in the Family” is great. He says “this show would never air today. Woke people would be too offended”. It has always amazed me how he never saw that we were that same tv family and it was trying to teach him something.
When I was a kid "All in the Family" proved to me that bigots were IGNORANT IDIOTS! Archie was created to be laughed at. The episode where he said he got his views from his dad and I learned that racism is a learned behavior!
Same here. I understood All In The Family's messages about racism, bigotry, misogyny, etc. But I could never understand my step dad's inability to see himself in Archie. He simply never understood that the joke was on him. Before, during, and after that show was on the air, he had a similar reaction to life the way Archie did. I used to get so angry as a child thinking, "How in God's name does he not see this is him? How can he not understand and accept the value and rightness of open-mindedness, and gender and racial equality?" Oh well, such is life. Thank you, Norman Lear, and to all the amazing acting talent - Caroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers - that brought this show to life. And helped reform a few (I think?) former equality-for-all naysayers.
It's like the people who didn't realize Stephen Colbert was playing a (uncanny in retrospect) parody of conservatives on the Daily Show and Colbert Report until he roasted G.W.Bush at the correspondents dinner.
@@michaeladkins6 Admittedly, that would be a pretty neat superpower. But if it was true, these hurricanes would perhaps have been more focused on specific places, like the ones where Pat Robertson lived. And that guy with the tacky sports jacket.
We are in another "Satanic Panic" it is sickening. I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's growing up in the 70' and 80's and I remember watching most of his shows when I was there. I had no idea at the time the shows or my grandparents were so "progressive". Thank you for this video.
It's far more than a Satanic Panic. It's one of the two major political parties literally goose-stepping, burning books, talking about extermination and hailing a demagogue as if they were a deity. It's 1920's-30's Germany all over again.
Norman Lear showed Homosexuals, Minorities and Women as ‘Human Beings’ with the same value and the same weaknesses as everyone, NOT as ‘SUPERIOR BEINGS’ whose intelligence and morality were of a greater caliber and they were to obeyed without question and anyone who disagreed was to be persecuted and executed for daring to have an opinion that was in opposition to theirs.
Norman Lear is partially responsible for me being the person I am. My father was Archie (my mother was more Archie than Edith). We would watch All In The Family, but we were seeing two different shows. While my parents were nodding along with Archie, I was seeing the real message behind it. I am forever thankful that I didn't grow up to be like my parents.
My dad too. A so-called "classy" WASP. Thought Archie was hilarious. Missed the point of the everything. Died alone and unmourned. The way of all bigots.
Absolutely, he gave up a free college education & voluntarily joined the army to fight in WW2. 💭 Lear is a REAL patriot, vs the bible waving jingo patriots who run on bigotry & weasel their way out of military service.
I grew up in a small racist town in Central WA during the 70's and 80's. Norman Lear's programs was a light and a beacon of hope for me. As a Gay kid, his stories fueled hope for me. showing me that there was a rich tapestry in the rest of the world. And that making fun of the racists was okay, if you learned how to make the humor smart. So now as a writer I look back at the lessons I learned from him. Thank you for this video and all your hard work Matt. We are all grateful.
Three of the people who I think helped shape rights and understanding were Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, and Rod Serling. Serling may never have used gay storylines in any of his work but he understood what human rights should be about just as Norman Lear and Mel Brooks did.
Conservatives who love the Twilight Zone hate it when you tell them a.) how progressive Rod Serling was and b.) how often TZ plot lines reflected those progressive beliefs.
@@edwardtjbrown1979 Do you mean can't think of one? Actually if that's what you mean, I agree. Remember that this was during a period of time in which network standards and practices wouldn't let TV producers touch certain topics with a ten-foot pole. Also missing from TZ: any mention or implication of an abortion, married people not being allowed to sleep together in the same bed and the absence of toilets. Serling did what he could with what he was allowed to do.
@@NJGuy1973 Wow, I had no idea! (I just watched the miniseries "Women of the Movement" about Till's death and his mother's fight for justice afterward.) A 2019 article in Smithsonian Magazine tells that Serling wrote "a teleplay around the racism that led to Till's murder" but advertisers & networks blocked it for fear of the reaction from white Southern audiences. Serling rethought his approach and came up with "The Twilight Zone". As a life-long science fiction fan, it makes sense to me that he was able to tackle prejudice and bigotry that way, when depicting the specific current instances was blocked.
as a trans woman the way things are going terrifies me But the fact that people like Norman Lear still exists and are still fighting gives me some hope
As a little vanilla Gay guy, I'm scared too. I live in the Chicago suburbs. I am politically active, volunteer and try to fight for our rights when I'm not on duty as a Nurse. So often I think about moving to San Francisco or New York. I've visited both these cities and I love both. Maybe I would be safer and happier. Both are ridiculously expensive and I'm not 30 anymore. Start over somewhere new, or stay and fight the good fight here? Life is full of risks and decisions. And at the same time, wonder. I wish I was more like Norman.
It is terrifying the way trans people are being targeted. With the 4th of July last week, I didn’t feel much like celebrating being an American. The intolerance being exhibited is completely alienating to me.
I was born trans but have been female for 45 years. I am scared that media is shoving trans down our throats and is backfiring. I had grown beyond my past and now I'm forced to relive it again !!!
@@user-ot2bk5kh8y as a frequent flyer of the medical system, any time I hear someone is a nurse, I have to give you my thanks. Nursing is often a thankless job, but those of us born as medical curiosities know that a good nurse or tech is often all that is standing between us and crisis. Thanks for your service and I can’t tell you how important you are.
I'm not from the US, but learning about Norman Lear from your videos is incredibly inspiring. I love people who do what they can to try to make the world a better place
Can we all just agree that sometime in the far, FAR future, another tribute in the style of this will be made to honour Matt Baume himself for all the work he's done over the years?
When I see the clips from televangelists ... or Palin say "don't waste ammo on a warning shot" ... it really zaps my hope for a better world. It's hard to stay optimistic
I know. But I just came home from a place where every week, thousands of young people from all over the world and all churches sing, discuss, pray, work and just sit in silence with one another. This week a large group of french Muslims were there to discuss interreligous dialogue, and in my discussion group there was an atheist, a non-binary person and I openly admitted I was bi, and all of those things were ok. I don't know if that will save us, but at least I know there are some good people out there.
Just take it as a reminder that it is ALWAYS the Christians spearheading this. We need to stop giving them so much power and respect, because this is who they are, and always have been. "Religious" is not a synonym for "Good". Look at the things they say and do.
Norman Lear is one of the entertainment industry’s true elder statesmen, and he’s a true national treasure. Thanks for shining a spotlight on him, and his efforts to keep fighting for civil rights and liberties for everyone.
Me too. Rita Moreno is iconic, Justina Machado is feisty and amazing, and the many issues tackled in the first 3 seasons were a breath of fresh air. The 7 episodes of season 4 apparently used to be available to US IPN or VPN addresses via the CBS website, but it is not there anymore, and it is not on Netflix (I checked last month).
God bless Norman Lear! And God bless my parents who let me watch his shows and taught me that gay was okay! One reason I love these videos is that as a kid in the seventies I didn't really understand how revolutionary they were. Well done Matt!
Another great video. As a Brit I had heard his name but knew nothing otherwise about Norman Lear. What an inspirational man. Fascinating video but also sad to see how far WE have come and how little THEY have. I genuinely feel though that there are more Norman's in the world now than ever. Progress is inevitable but it's often painfully slow.
So sad he has passed. 😭😭 He was so brilliant and he loved people, it shows in his shows how much he loved everyone. Love this tribute video. Thank you so much 💖
Rest in peace, Mr. Lear! (I learned of his passing 2 minutes after starting this video) ETA: May America find her way soon. Thank you for everything, Norman Lear
Another superb video. I never went through the unfortunately common phase of feeling shame or guilt about my orientation. That was definitely because of All in the Family M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, Mary Tyler Moore, etc. Those little moments in sitcoms and movies saved my life. Thank you, Matt.
Thank goodness for Norman Lear, his imprint on American culture and his contributions to media. I can’t imagine the last fifty years without him and his impact on television. Thank You dear man.
I'm astounded every time I see clips of old Normal Lear sitcoms, because so many of them are still really funny. That opening All In The Family clip genuinely got an out-loud laugh from me. His stuff ages only in specifics and what he's allowed to do; these jokes still hit today, and don't need much help to be updated.
I was only vaguely familiar with Lear, I'd heard the name many times of course, and even watched his shows, but I had no idea how important, impactful, or influential he was. This was very informative. Thanks, Matt!
Rest in peace Norman Lear. All the lights in the houses you made laugh are a little dimmer today. Our smiles a little softer and our hearts a little heavier. But we will happily carry you with us always. Sleep well old friend.
Thank you so much for these videos Matt, Thank you for helping to highlight all these wonderful people who have fought so hard to make this world a place for all of us, and more importantly Thank you for helping me to connect with the queer history we all need to carry forward to make better days for those who come after us. You are a treasure and I am often moved to tears by the stories you share in these videos.
This is a brilliant episode. Thank you so much. My dad was a wonderful, funny intelligent man. He was a(an) history teacher. When All In The Family came on the air he would quickly jump up and turn it off because of the singing. One of his colleagues told him how brilliant it was. After that we watched it every week. My dad knew I was gay before I was wiling to admit it. I miss his brilliance.
Thank you, Matt. This video was pretty enlightening and quite inspirational. I remember my own eyes and mind opening more and more with each episode of All In the Family I watched and I could fel the adult me taking shape.
Lear had many great shows, but I still watch reruns of the Jeffersons today. Such a fantastic show that's still entertaining. I would have loved Louise as a mother.
I'm in my 6th decade & grew up watching all of these shows, never realizing how they opened my mind to think outside of the box & accept others for who & what they truly are. My motto these days is "Souls don't have races, genders or religions, they are beyond artificial divisions." I'm so grateful for those like Norman Lear, Gene Roddenbury & others who expanded our minds to think outside of the box.
In our home Norman Lear is as "sainted" as our people can be! Right up with our beloved Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner and of course, the queen, Joan Rivers! These videos, btw, keep getting better and better. Your artistry as a creator comes through across every frame. You treat things so respectfully, you too are helping to shape future audiences and learners. After all, first and foremost everyone in an audience and each learner is a member of society!
I remember when All in the Family debuted. My dad said, "We all have to see this new show about the Bigot! It's supposed to be really good..." And it was. :)
I always knew he was an amazing director. I grew up on "All in the Family". Archie Bunker was my grandfather. Thank you Mr. Lear for creating the liberal gen Xer that I became.
Matt- love your channel so much. Love it that the videos are getting longer. Bought your book Friday and 3/4 of the way through. You are so brilliant at telling this history.
"Till Death Us do Part" and "Steptoe and Son" were HUGE British shows before they were adapted for the US market. More recently you've made great versions of "Queer as Folk", "Shameless" and "The Office". So glad we could help! Norman obviously has a great eye/ear for comedy, and what a hero. Thankyou for this eye-opener. Looks like we need him more now than ever. For sure.
"I want to thank you for raising me." Wow, yeah same. I grew up on TV and a LOT [BABY BRAD DOURIF!] of Lear's shows. The Jeffersons, Good Times, and shows like Barney Miller that FELT like Norman Lear shows. A lot of what I think of as my morality, and more so, a lot of what I was raised to think of as American Morality comes from those shows. It was baked in at a young age. They were intensely humanist. Looking back, it sorta feels like one man's attempt to drag this country kicking and screaming into the Enlightenment. Alas, seems like it didn't stick.
There's not ONE video of yours where I don't get emotional. Thank you so much, Matt, for highlighting parts of our history. Much love from Latin America!!
norman is right. theres a lot of archies these days who are in their qanon newsmax feedback loops who arent seeing other sides of issues growing more and more hateful and indignant. Its a scary time. For how long people have struggled for equality and just to be left alone.... Its crazy how fast politicians can eradicate years of progress in a single day.
Terrific review of a remarkable life and a legacy of groundbreaking shows. Thanks Matt. By the way, Sanford & Son was also a US adaptation of an older British show, Steptoe & Son.
I may have lived in an evangelical fundamentalist home, but my parents, particularly my father did not fully understand the humor of "All in the Family" and thankfully, we watched it religiously. I agree with Jon Stewart: Norman Lear, you raised me, and as acgay man I am so glad you did! It's hard to understand all of the family ills you corrected in one fell swoop. I am in awe of all of the improvements you've made in the world!
I had no idea! Thank goodness for Norman. Just goes to show you how one person does make a difference in spreading truth and goodness. Everyone makes a difference whether for good or bad.
Fantastic video, thank you for this. I'm in my 20s and not from the US, so while I knew his name (I was introduced to his shows through the One Day at a Time remake) I had little knowledge of his history and activism. I have such respect for people like him who created such works that did so much for social progress in a world with such powers that try to prevent it. His words about the current landscape were scary to hear after everything he witnessed over his life, and I hope there are more people like him to continue to make such an impact that he has in the face of it.
Not sure if anyone else commented this but the Rachel Maddow limited podcast Ultra is in part about that radio priest, Father Connelly. He is even worse than you image and the limited podcast is extremely interesting.
I could never watch All In The Family but didn't understand why until I was an adult. Archie Bunker was a slight caricature of my own grandfather (only he never learned a lesson) and I could only take so much of that IRL.
I have more than a few conservative male relatives who have called Archie Bunker their hero. They aren't so great at understanding irony I suppose, but I know what you mean about it being too much dealing with real life.
Thank you for this helpful tool to link to whenever you come across some blowhard opining how All In The Family could never air today because everyone’s too sensitive. They’d be crying “woke!”
When someone says that a certain person is a "Archie Bunker type" almost anyone who has watched the show would know what you mean, It's usually the angry bitter person at the end of the bar yelling about what a great life they would have if it were not for "those people"
I'm Gen X and his shows were a childhood staple. We watched them together after dinner. School would start and prime time began the week after Labor Day. Thinking back, it's surprising my conservative parents watched (and allowed us to watch) so many progressive shows. I've never thought about it until now, but since becoming an adult I can't recall taking issue with anyone as my social circle grew. Maybe it's a product of seeing things normalized in this programming. To this day I remember the episode on All in the Family where the guy dressed as a woman snatched his wig off. My elementary school self peeled with laughter a decade later I was attending raunchy drag shows (escandaloso!).
I knew the world is a better place because of Norman Lear. I've admired his shows for decades, though I'm too young to have watched them on their original run. I had no clue just how much he has done to further this country.
My dad was an artist, and my conservative grandfather was afraid he would turn gay going to art school, so when my dad was drafted grandpa made some calls and my dad was forced into the Marine Corps. My dad later said he met a lot more gays in the marines than he had in art school. He learned that homosexuals were just people. Thankfully, men like Lear changed the world, and continues to fight so that we don’t go backwards.
I can't imagine wanting your child to be in the Marines of all of the branches. I say this as someone from a military family with family that have been in all of them (except Space). Marines intentionally break you.
@@bec7080 my grandfather was a Marine Officer during the war, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel. His experience of the Corps was as a staff officer arranging Hollywood cocktail parties for the marine general in Los Angeles, not as a private.
@@Sammyandbobsdad that's good. I don't have any ill will towards Marines as people. I respect them. I think that The Marine Corps needs to be reformed because the pain they inflict on people is intentional.
@@bec7080 agreed 100%.
My gay great uncle was a Marine, one of Edson's raiders who earned a Purple Heart fighting in Guadalcanal. I believe with my whole heart gay men are tougher than straight men.
My dad is basically Archie Bunker and thinks “All in the Family” is great. He says “this show would never air today. Woke people would be too offended”. It has always amazed me how he never saw that we were that same tv family and it was trying to teach him something.
Yeah. Same. One person's cautionary tale is another's role model.
Maybe that's how we ended up in these surreal times. 🤔
When I was a kid "All in the Family" proved to me that bigots were IGNORANT IDIOTS! Archie was created to be laughed at. The episode where he said he got his views from his dad and I learned that racism is a learned behavior!
It was the same in the UK, the irony was lost on many people
Same here. I understood All In The Family's messages about racism, bigotry, misogyny, etc. But I could never understand my step dad's inability to see himself in Archie. He simply never understood that the joke was on him. Before, during, and after that show was on the air, he had a similar reaction to life the way Archie did. I used to get so angry as a child thinking, "How in God's name does he not see this is him? How can he not understand and accept the value and rightness of open-mindedness, and gender and racial equality?" Oh well, such is life. Thank you, Norman Lear, and to all the amazing acting talent - Caroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers - that brought this show to life. And helped reform a few (I think?) former equality-for-all naysayers.
It's like the people who didn't realize Stephen Colbert was playing a (uncanny in retrospect) parody of conservatives on the Daily Show and Colbert Report until he roasted G.W.Bush at the correspondents dinner.
So glad Norman Lear outlived Pat Robertson.
And Falwell and Reagan. 😊
It was Pat Robertson who made me believe Gays caused hurricanes.
@@michaeladkins6 Admittedly, that would be a pretty neat superpower. But if it was true, these hurricanes would perhaps have been more focused on specific places, like the ones where Pat Robertson lived. And that guy with the tacky sports jacket.
One less fool to contend with. 😀
Pat Robertson was too mean to die
We are in another "Satanic Panic" it is sickening. I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's growing up in the 70' and 80's and I remember watching most of his shows when I was there. I had no idea at the time the shows or my grandparents were so "progressive". Thank you for this video.
History doesn't repeat, it echoes
It's far more than a Satanic Panic. It's one of the two major political parties literally goose-stepping, burning books, talking about extermination and hailing a demagogue as if they were a deity.
It's 1920's-30's Germany all over again.
Norman Lear showed Homosexuals, Minorities and Women as ‘Human Beings’ with the same value and the same weaknesses as everyone, NOT as ‘SUPERIOR BEINGS’ whose intelligence and morality were of a greater caliber and they were to obeyed without question and anyone who disagreed was to be persecuted and executed for daring to have an opinion that was in opposition to theirs.
Amen.
@@snorpenbass4196 He real quick what books did they burn?
Norman Lear is partially responsible for me being the person I am. My father was Archie (my mother was more Archie than Edith). We would watch All In The Family, but we were seeing two different shows. While my parents were nodding along with Archie, I was seeing the real message behind it. I am forever thankful that I didn't grow up to be like my parents.
Me too.
My dad too. A so-called "classy" WASP. Thought Archie was hilarious. Missed the point of the everything. Died alone and unmourned. The way of all bigots.
@@bobsanders9114exact same for my dad, except the classy part
I knew Norman Lear was awesome, I had no idea his was THIS awesome. Truly, a national treasure.
Norman Lear has saved more souls than every televangelist put together
98 years old and still fighting Nazis 🫡
Nazis came when he was a kid and came back when he was an elder. Quite sad
101 in a few weeks!
Except the new Nazis are a fabricated fever dream of propagandists.
Well, if you're not going to fight Nazis when you're 98, when are you gonna? 😄
@@PogieJoethat nuts,, how is that not being talked about 101 😮
Norman Lear is, in my opinion, real American hero
Agreed.
Absolutely, he gave up a free college education & voluntarily joined the army to fight in WW2. 💭 Lear is a REAL patriot, vs the bible waving jingo patriots who run on bigotry & weasel their way out of military service.
I grew up in a small racist town in Central WA during the 70's and 80's. Norman Lear's programs was a light and a beacon of hope for me. As a Gay kid, his stories fueled hope for me. showing me that there was a rich tapestry in the rest of the world. And that making fun of the racists was okay, if you learned how to make the humor smart. So now as a writer I look back at the lessons I learned from him.
Thank you for this video and all your hard work Matt. We are all grateful.
Three of the people who I think helped shape rights and understanding were Norman Lear, Mel Brooks, and Rod Serling. Serling may never have used gay storylines in any of his work but he understood what human rights should be about just as Norman Lear and Mel Brooks did.
Conservatives who love the Twilight Zone hate it when you tell them a.) how progressive Rod Serling was and b.) how often TZ plot lines reflected those progressive beliefs.
@@edwardtjbrown1979 Do you mean can't think of one? Actually if that's what you mean, I agree. Remember that this was during a period of time in which network standards and practices wouldn't let TV producers touch certain topics with a ten-foot pole. Also missing from TZ: any mention or implication of an abortion, married people not being allowed to sleep together in the same bed and the absence of toilets. Serling did what he could with what he was allowed to do.
@@Griffinmc It was the murder of Emmitt Till that led to the creation of Twilight Zone.
@@NJGuy1973 Wow, I had no idea! (I just watched the miniseries "Women of the Movement" about Till's death and his mother's fight for justice afterward.)
A 2019 article in Smithsonian Magazine tells that Serling wrote "a teleplay around the racism that led to Till's murder" but advertisers & networks blocked it for fear of the reaction from white Southern audiences. Serling rethought his approach and came up with "The Twilight Zone". As a life-long science fiction fan, it makes sense to me that he was able to tackle prejudice and bigotry that way, when depicting the specific current instances was blocked.
as a trans woman the way things are going terrifies me But the fact that people like Norman Lear still exists and are still fighting gives me some hope
I feel this 😞 sending hugs to you and yours
As a little vanilla Gay guy, I'm scared too. I live in the Chicago suburbs. I am politically active, volunteer and try to fight for our rights when I'm not on duty as a Nurse. So often I think about moving to San Francisco or New York. I've visited both these cities and I love both. Maybe I would be safer and happier. Both are ridiculously expensive and I'm not 30 anymore. Start over somewhere new, or stay and fight the good fight here? Life is full of risks and decisions. And at the same time, wonder. I wish I was more like Norman.
It is terrifying the way trans people are being targeted. With the 4th of July last week, I didn’t feel much like celebrating being an American. The intolerance being exhibited is completely alienating to me.
I was born trans but have been female for 45 years. I am scared that media is shoving trans down our throats and is backfiring. I had grown beyond my past and now I'm forced to relive it again !!!
@@user-ot2bk5kh8y as a frequent flyer of the medical system, any time I hear someone is a nurse, I have to give you my thanks. Nursing is often a thankless job, but those of us born as medical curiosities know that a good nurse or tech is often all that is standing between us and crisis. Thanks for your service and I can’t tell you how important you are.
In the same way Irving Berlin is "America's music", Norman Lear is "America's TV". I am grateful to have grown up watching his shows.
I was born in 1964. Norman Lear pretty much raised me.
Matt's ability to weave together disparate sources into a cohesive whole is always impressive. (corrected)
*whole
You're so right!! That it's such a talent because sometimes too much information can be overwhelming. But Matt also manages to make it entertaining 😊
Norman Lear is a real mensch. I hope he lives forever.
Nazi hunter turned comedy writer --- a good mix and smooth career transition!😅😊❤
I’m happy to hear he’s still living a great life after having completed a century. Also, congratulations on getting that interview with him.
Amazing that he's still here and seems like a good human and real ally to lgbtqia people.
I'm not from the US, but learning about Norman Lear from your videos is incredibly inspiring. I love people who do what they can to try to make the world a better place
Me too
I was just about to post that exact comment! I knew Norman Lear was great--but I didn't know he was THIS great!
Normal worked for the CIA.
ruclips.net/user/shortsg3yAGV2BHAs?si=Ieo4K420UX3698Ob
Norman Lear never paid Mike Evans goodtimes was created by mike evans and Eric monte he deny those BM work smh
Can we all just agree that sometime in the far, FAR future, another tribute in the style of this will be made to honour Matt Baume himself for all the work he's done over the years?
RIP Norman. You touched so many lives.
When I see the clips from televangelists ... or Palin say "don't waste ammo on a warning shot" ... it really zaps my hope for a better world. It's hard to stay optimistic
At 100 he's still fighting nazi's
I know. But I just came home from a place where every week, thousands of young people from all over the world and all churches sing, discuss, pray, work and just sit in silence with one another. This week a large group of french Muslims were there to discuss interreligous dialogue, and in my discussion group there was an atheist, a non-binary person and I openly admitted I was bi, and all of those things were ok. I don't know if that will save us, but at least I know there are some good people out there.
Just take it as a reminder that it is ALWAYS the Christians spearheading this. We need to stop giving them so much power and respect, because this is who they are, and always have been.
"Religious" is not a synonym for "Good". Look at the things they say and do.
R.I.P. Norman Lear. He passed away yesterday, and this video is a lovely tribute, even if it was posted months before his death. ❤
Norman Lear is one of the entertainment industry’s true elder statesmen, and he’s a true national treasure. Thanks for shining a spotlight on him, and his efforts to keep fighting for civil rights and liberties for everyone.
YES !
I’m still bitter that Netflix cancelled the One Day At A Time reboot after 3 seasons. It was positively stunning
Me too. Rita Moreno is iconic, Justina Machado is feisty and amazing, and the many issues tackled in the first 3 seasons were a breath of fresh air. The 7 episodes of season 4 apparently used to be available to US IPN or VPN addresses via the CBS website, but it is not there anymore, and it is not on Netflix (I checked last month).
Thank you very much for discussing Lear's contributions to life in the USA. I am a gay veteran of the Vietnam era.
Thanks for your service & for coming out Zeyev. Brave 👏 🏳️🌈🇺🇸
Rewatching this after hearing about his passing - his legacy will live on ❤️
I learned about Norman-and the good he did- through this episode. May his memory be a blessing.
Ran here as soon as I saw the news notification…May his memory be a blessing
God bless Norman Lear! And God bless my parents who let me watch his shows and taught me that gay was okay! One reason I love these videos is that as a kid in the seventies I didn't really understand how revolutionary they were. Well done Matt!
Same!
RIP Norman Lear - the goat of television
Another great video. As a Brit I had heard his name but knew nothing otherwise about Norman Lear. What an inspirational man. Fascinating video but also sad to see how far WE have come and how little THEY have. I genuinely feel though that there are more Norman's in the world now than ever. Progress is inevitable but it's often painfully slow.
100 years old. when i was in my teenage years, his shows were my favorite.
So sad he has passed. 😭😭 He was so brilliant and he loved people, it shows in his shows how much he loved everyone. Love this tribute video. Thank you so much 💖
R.I.P Norman!!! ❤ Thank you for everything!!!
Rest in peace, Mr. Lear! (I learned of his passing 2 minutes after starting this video)
ETA: May America find her way soon. Thank you for everything, Norman Lear
It's a shame that he's 100 because we will always need Norman Lear. Who will pick up the torch?
BTW, Matt, your 70s couch jacket is fire. 🔥
We all have to pick up the torch
Another superb video. I never went through the unfortunately common phase of feeling shame or guilt about my orientation. That was definitely because of All in the Family M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, Mary Tyler Moore, etc. Those little moments in sitcoms and movies saved my life. Thank you, Matt.
Thank goodness for Norman Lear, his imprint on American culture and his contributions to media. I can’t imagine the last fifty years without him and his impact on television.
Thank You dear man.
I'm astounded every time I see clips of old Normal Lear sitcoms, because so many of them are still really funny. That opening All In The Family clip genuinely got an out-loud laugh from me.
His stuff ages only in specifics and what he's allowed to do; these jokes still hit today, and don't need much help to be updated.
I ❤❤ All In the family and Sanford and Son
You present such well researched content. I'm always impressed.
Hes a hero for all of us 💖
Had to come back and rewatch this after hearing of Lear's death. May his memory be a blessing.
Outstanding video. Thank you. Long live Norman Lear and his legacy! 💗
This is an outstandingly good video essay about a truly great figure. I am embarrassed to say that I knew little about him.
I can truly attest that Norman Lear made an immense impact on my life and who I am today. Thank you Norman!
Thank you for everything Mr. Lear. Thank you for fighting for the real American values even until you were over a hundred years old.
Norman Lear is a national treasure. ❤
Norman Lear is a real one
I was only vaguely familiar with Lear, I'd heard the name many times of course, and even watched his shows, but I had no idea how important, impactful, or influential he was. This was very informative.
Thanks, Matt!
Another great video Matt. We need more ppl like Mr. Lear now more than ever!!
@MattBaume We lost Norman this morning. 😢 At least he outlived Kissinger, at both ends.
Rest in peace Norman Lear.
All the lights in the houses you made laugh are a little dimmer today.
Our smiles a little softer and our hearts a little heavier.
But we will happily carry you with us always.
Sleep well old friend.
Thank you so much for these videos Matt, Thank you for helping to highlight all these wonderful people who have fought so hard to make this world a place for all of us, and more importantly Thank you for helping me to connect with the queer history we all need to carry forward to make better days for those who come after us. You are a treasure and I am often moved to tears by the stories you share in these videos.
This is a brilliant episode. Thank you so much. My dad was a wonderful, funny intelligent man. He was a(an) history teacher. When All In The Family came on the air he would quickly jump up and turn it off because of the singing. One of his colleagues told him how brilliant it was. After that we watched it every week. My dad knew I was gay before I was wiling to admit it. I miss his brilliance.
Thank you, Matt. Once again.
Thank you, Matt. This video was pretty enlightening and quite inspirational. I remember my own eyes and mind opening more and more with each episode of All In the Family I watched and I could fel the adult me taking shape.
Awesome work Norman Lear is a national treasure and hero! ❤😊
I hate how much we need this work right now. Thank you for this.
Lear had many great shows, but I still watch reruns of the Jeffersons today. Such a fantastic show that's still entertaining. I would have loved Louise as a mother.
I'm in my 6th decade & grew up watching all of these shows, never realizing how they opened my mind to think outside of the box & accept others for who & what they truly are. My motto these days is "Souls don't have races, genders or religions, they are beyond artificial divisions." I'm so grateful for those like Norman Lear, Gene Roddenbury & others who expanded our minds to think outside of the box.
In our home Norman Lear is as "sainted" as our people can be! Right up with our beloved Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner and of course, the queen, Joan Rivers! These videos, btw, keep getting better and better. Your artistry as a creator comes through across every frame. You treat things so respectfully, you too are helping to shape future audiences and learners. After all, first and foremost everyone in an audience and each learner is a member of society!
I remember when All in the Family debuted. My dad said, "We all have to see this new show about the Bigot! It's supposed to be really good..." And it was. :)
This channel is pure quality. So great. Thank you Matt!
I always knew he was an amazing director. I grew up on "All in the Family". Archie Bunker was my grandfather. Thank you Mr. Lear for creating the liberal gen Xer that I became.
Matt- love your channel so much. Love it that the videos are getting longer. Bought your book Friday and 3/4 of the way through. You are so brilliant at telling this history.
Great book ! Buy it for yourself or as a gift. I did both, fun and interesting
RIP to this American Legend
"Till Death Us do Part" and "Steptoe and Son" were HUGE British shows before they were adapted for the US market. More recently you've made great versions of "Queer as Folk", "Shameless" and "The Office". So glad we could help! Norman obviously has a great eye/ear for comedy, and what a hero. Thankyou for this eye-opener. Looks like we need him more now than ever. For sure.
Didn't know Shameless originates across the pond. Neat!
So so sad to hear of his passing - what a great life and contribution to making the world a happier place - Rest In Peace ❤🙏
As a straight guy I really love your content. I never fail to be wrapped up in your videos.
Norman Lear was the enemy of the establishment. And we love him for it.
All I can say is thank God for Norman Lear! He is a great human being! May he live 20 more years!
Very well done. I watched the whole video. Everyone should.
"I want to thank you for raising me." Wow, yeah same. I grew up on TV and a LOT [BABY BRAD DOURIF!] of Lear's shows. The Jeffersons, Good Times, and shows like Barney Miller that FELT like Norman Lear shows.
A lot of what I think of as my morality, and more so, a lot of what I was raised to think of as American Morality comes from those shows. It was baked in at a young age.
They were intensely humanist. Looking back, it sorta feels like one man's attempt to drag this country kicking and screaming into the Enlightenment. Alas, seems like it didn't stick.
Bernadette Peters!!
I am 1000000% certain that's Kermit playing John Adams.
truly a river to his people
There's not ONE video of yours where I don't get emotional. Thank you so much, Matt, for highlighting parts of our history. Much love from Latin America!!
Rewatching in memory of a wonderful man. RIP Sir Thank you for being a part of my foundation. ❤
Baume provides yet another perfectly executed video on another significant player in gay (and intentional) culture.
Plus, the plaid jacket is great!
I really wish we had more people as brave as Norman. He is the most amazing man. Thank you for sharing this with us. You are an amazing guy! 👏 ❤❤
I appreciate your channel. And, I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. Norman Lear was definitely one of my hero’s.
norman is right. theres a lot of archies these days who are in their qanon newsmax feedback loops who arent seeing other sides of issues growing more and more hateful and indignant. Its a scary time. For how long people have struggled for equality and just to be left alone.... Its crazy how fast politicians can eradicate years of progress in a single day.
Terrific review of a remarkable life and a legacy of groundbreaking shows. Thanks Matt.
By the way, Sanford & Son was also a US adaptation of an older British show, Steptoe & Son.
May his memory be a blessing
I may have lived in an evangelical fundamentalist home, but my parents, particularly my father did not fully understand the humor of "All in the Family" and thankfully, we watched it religiously. I agree with Jon Stewart: Norman Lear, you raised me, and as acgay man I am so glad you did! It's hard to understand all of the family ills you corrected in one fell swoop. I am in awe of all of the improvements you've made in the world!
It's amazing the ripples one good person can make in the world
I had no idea! Thank goodness for Norman. Just goes to show you how one person does make a difference in spreading truth and goodness. Everyone makes a difference whether for good or bad.
rest in peace, norman
Fantastic video, thank you for this. I'm in my 20s and not from the US, so while I knew his name (I was introduced to his shows through the One Day at a Time remake) I had little knowledge of his history and activism. I have such respect for people like him who created such works that did so much for social progress in a world with such powers that try to prevent it. His words about the current landscape were scary to hear after everything he witnessed over his life, and I hope there are more people like him to continue to make such an impact that he has in the face of it.
I'm a huge admirer of Norman Lear. He is an absolute genius.
Not sure if anyone else commented this but the Rachel Maddow limited podcast Ultra is in part about that radio priest, Father Connelly. He is even worse than you image and the limited podcast is extremely interesting.
I could never watch All In The Family but didn't understand why until I was an adult.
Archie Bunker was a slight caricature of my own grandfather (only he never learned a lesson) and I could only take so much of that IRL.
I have more than a few conservative male relatives who have called Archie Bunker their hero. They aren't so great at understanding irony I suppose, but I know what you mean about it being too much dealing with real life.
Thank you for this helpful tool to link to whenever you come across some blowhard opining how All In The Family could never air today because everyone’s too sensitive. They’d be crying “woke!”
Which is funny as conservatives love Archie Bunker. Without realizing just what the show was about and what his role was.
Exactly.
When someone says that a certain person is a "Archie Bunker type" almost anyone who has watched the show would know what you mean, It's usually the angry bitter person at the end of the bar yelling about what a great life they would have if it were not for "those people"
your videos are awesome. they help me understand the culture that my parents and grandparents grew up in, so thank you!
Can't imagine what it feels like for people like him to watch what's happening now.
Yeah. It's like reliving the past over and over again.
R.I.P Norman Lear.
Thank you.
Norman Lear and Phil Donahue saved my life. The only positive messages I got about gay people anywhere.
I'm Gen X and his shows were a childhood staple. We watched them together after dinner. School would start and prime time began the week after Labor Day. Thinking back, it's surprising my conservative parents watched (and allowed us to watch) so many progressive shows. I've never thought about it until now, but since becoming an adult I can't recall taking issue with anyone as my social circle grew.
Maybe it's a product of seeing things normalized in this programming. To this day I remember the episode on All in the Family where the guy dressed as a woman snatched his wig off. My elementary school self peeled with laughter a decade later I was attending raunchy drag shows (escandaloso!).
❤ Matt has the best stories! Thanks for all the work you do.
Thank you Mr. Lear, for your service to this country.
I knew the world is a better place because of Norman Lear. I've admired his shows for decades, though I'm too young to have watched them on their original run. I had no clue just how much he has done to further this country.
Norman Lear raised me too! Thanks for this deep dive. I learned a lot.