Fred G. Sanford was a junk man, and Redd Foxx was the master of trash talk. Sanford and Son turns 50.
Sanford and Son, the first mainstream, primetime sitcom in television history with an almost-all Black cast, debuted on NBC on Jan. 14, 1972. Created by Norman Lear, and starring legendary “blue” comedian Redd Foxx as an African American bigot, it was seen as a direct answer to CBS’ All in the Family. But the Bunker family series was a social satire which took its laughs seriously. The Sanfords presented pure comedy, any lessons it taught were intentionally coincidental. The most controversial part of the show, when it first aired, was its lead actor.
Foxx was already an underground comedy legend when Cleavon Little, best known for his role as Sheriff Bart in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, suggested him for the lead in the mid-season replacement. Little wasn’t available, but worked with Foxx on Ossie Davis’s 1970 neo-noir film Cotton Comes to Harlem. Before Foxx played the junk dealer stuck with the bale of genuine Mississippi cotton, he was known as the “King of the Party Records.”
In a time of repressed standup, Foxx worked notoriously “blue.” He agreed to clean up his act for television, but consistently fought to keep Sanford and Son authentically funny. Born John Elroy Sanford, raised on Chicago’s South Side, and relocated to Harlem, he was known for keeping it real. In The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965), Malcolm X called “’Chicago Red,’ the funniest dishwasher on this earth.” Foxx started out as a singer, and ate half a bar of soap to get out of the draft during World War II. He got heart palpitations during the physical. But not “the big one, Elizabeth,” it was only a warm-up to one of the show’s running gags, which Foxx stole from his own mother.
“I’m 65. People say I look 55. I feel 45. I’d settle for 35 and you make me feel 25.”
Sanford and Son, an American television sitcom that aired from 1972 to 1977, has become an indispensable part of American television history. The film revolves around Fred Sanford, a grumpy widower, and his son Lamont, who runs a secondhand business with him.
Redd Foxx, the actor who played Fred Sanford, was initially known for his bold and sometimes controversial style of humor. However, to suit a broader television audience, Sanford and Son “cleaned up” Foxx’s comedic style, making him one of the most beloved television icons of all time.
Here are some key factors contributing to Sanford and Son’s success:
1. Sharp writing:
Sanford and Son was written by a group of talented writers, including Norman Lear, Bud Austin, and Ron Wilbur. The show’s script is often humorous, witty and full of surprises.
2. Touching about the father-son relationship:
The relationship between Fred and Lamont is the heart of Sanford and Son. Although they often quarrel and disagree, father and son truly love and care for each other.
3. Excellent acting:
Redd Foxx gives a memorable performance as Fred Sanford. He portrays the character in a humorous, adorable and emotional way. Demond Wilson also gives an excellent performance as Lamont, creating the perfect balance for Foxx.
4. Relationship with the audience:
Sanford and Son has attracted a large television audience thanks to its authenticity and intimacy. The show addressed many important social issues such as racism, generational differences, and poverty.
5. “Cleaning up” Redd Foxx’s comedy style:
Initially, Redd Foxx was known for his bold and sometimes controversial style of humor. However, to suit a broader television audience, Sanford and Son “cleaned up” Foxx’s comedic style.
Impact of Sanford and Son:
Sanford and Son has become one of the most successful sitcoms of all time. The show has been nominated for many awards, including five Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
Sanford and Son also had a huge influence on popular culture. The show has been referenced in many other films and television shows, and many of its lines have become memes on social media.
Conclude:
Sanford and Son was a groundbreaking television show that helped shape the history of American television. The film succeeds thanks to its sharp writing, touching father-son relationship, excellent acting, connection with the audience and the “cleaning up” of Redd Foxx’s comedy style.
