You big dummy!
Sanford and Son was the greatest television show ever.For those of you who just came to Earth from Pluto, this was a show about a black junk/antique dealer played by Redd Foxx and his son Lamont played by Demond Wilson.The show was centered around the father, Fred G.Sanford and his schemes and plots to get rich or enhance his junk "empire".
What made the show so great that it showed the comedic side of black people without having their eyes bulging or lips thickened.Sanford quick wit,hair brain schemes and supporting cast was something to look forward to weekly.Unlike today's shows which are just conversations taped for small screen.
Sanford was able to say a lot of things we wanted to say and every black family has someone like Sanford.A relative who always has a get rich quick plan and/or a saucy tongue.Redd Foxx's timing was impeccable and if one looked closely one could almost see the improvisations ,almost.
Demond Wilson character, Lamont was the perfect complement.Level headed compared to his father's stubbornness.The fact that he cared about his father who had raised him by himself after his mother died ,added a level of reality that some could relate to.Every other cast member added another level to the show that caused the show to be one of ,if not the greatest show ever aired.For five of the six years it aired (1971-1977) ,it ranked in the top ten.
What made it so special for me is that it was one of the shows I watched with my paternal Grandparents.Growing up I spent a great amount of time by my Grandparents and the local tv station had pick up its syndication.Like the original show it was aired on Friday nights at 8pm.I can fondly remember the Friday nights my Grandparents and I would be in their bedroom huddled around the black and white RCA and laughing our heads off.The hard coarse laughter of my Grandfather made me even laugh harder.Good Times.
Like Redd Foxx my Grandfather has passed on now.I know they are both looking down at me.I am pouring out a drink for them both ,some Ripple with a splash of Cola I call it a Cripple.Only true Sanfordnites would get that one.You big dummy!
What made the show so great that it showed the comedic side of black people without having their eyes bulging or lips thickened.Sanford quick wit,hair brain schemes and supporting cast was something to look forward to weekly.Unlike today's shows which are just conversations taped for small screen.
Sanford was able to say a lot of things we wanted to say and every black family has someone like Sanford.A relative who always has a get rich quick plan and/or a saucy tongue.Redd Foxx's timing was impeccable and if one looked closely one could almost see the improvisations ,almost.
Demond Wilson character, Lamont was the perfect complement.Level headed compared to his father's stubbornness.The fact that he cared about his father who had raised him by himself after his mother died ,added a level of reality that some could relate to.Every other cast member added another level to the show that caused the show to be one of ,if not the greatest show ever aired.For five of the six years it aired (1971-1977) ,it ranked in the top ten.
What made it so special for me is that it was one of the shows I watched with my paternal Grandparents.Growing up I spent a great amount of time by my Grandparents and the local tv station had pick up its syndication.Like the original show it was aired on Friday nights at 8pm.I can fondly remember the Friday nights my Grandparents and I would be in their bedroom huddled around the black and white RCA and laughing our heads off.The hard coarse laughter of my Grandfather made me even laugh harder.Good Times.
Like Redd Foxx my Grandfather has passed on now.I know they are both looking down at me.I am pouring out a drink for them both ,some Ripple with a splash of Cola I call it a Cripple.Only true Sanfordnites would get that one.You big dummy!
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