Discover the top 5 works the timeless creations of Norman Lear and where to stream them now. Explore these must-watch classics by the legend.

Norman Lear’s Top 5 Masterpieces: Must-Watch Classics and Where to Stream Them

Norman Lear, a trailblazer in the world of television, might not ring a bell for
those born post-2000, but his impact on ’70s TV comedy is an unsung saga. While
modern shows like The Office and Game of Thrones reign supreme, Lear’s legacy,
as labeled by TV producer Phil Rosenthal, carved a new era in television
history. Additionally, dividing it into “BN and AN, Before Norman and After
Norman.”

Sadly, on December 6, 2023, at the age of 101, Lear bid farewell, leaving an
immense void in the industry. Many celebrities came out paying their heartfelt
tribute. Yet here, we commemorate his incredible contributions by shedding light
on his seminal works, guiding on where to catch them, each a slice of history.


ALL IN THE FAMILY

The iconic sitcom All in the Family kicked off its trailblazing journey in 1971,
turning heads by tackling some thorny societal issues. The show took the
audacious step of intertwining comedy with weighty matters such as race and
politics, forging a new path for television.



Over its nine seasons, the series bagged an impressive 22 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Ranked as the fourth best series ever made, this gem can be streamed for free on
Amazon Freevee or Pluto TV, reliving its timeless and impactful narrative.

ALSO READ: Jennifer Aniston’s Heartwarming Thread of Tribute to TV Legend Norman
Lear, the Architect Of Her Childhood
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-jennifer-aniston-heartwarming-thread-of-tribute-to-tv-legend-norman-lear-the-architect-of-her-childhood/]


MAUDE

Maude, a spinoff stemming from the acclaimed All in the Family, centered on the
character of Edith Bunker’s cousin, Maude Findlay. It depicted a bold and
independent woman, unafraid to confront societal taboos. Just like its
predecessor, the show ventured into challenging topics such as abortion and
drugs, never shying away from controversy.



For those intrigued by the daring themes, the series is available for free
streaming on Pluto TV in the US or can be rented through digital on-demand
platforms.


THE JEFFERSONS

A spinoff stemming from the Jefferson family featured in All in the Family, took
flight as a more favored show compared to its predecessor, Good Times. Centered
on the Jeffersons’ relocation to an upscale apartment, the series delved into
social issues while navigating the intricacies of forging new relationships with
their posh neighbors.



The Jeffersons is accessible for free streaming on Tubi in the US and on Prime
Video. Meanwhile, UK audiences can access it via digital on-demand platforms.

ALSO READ: Ryan Reynolds Pays Tribute to the Figure Who Brought About a
Revolution in American Comedy
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-ryan-reynolds-pays-tribute-to-the-figure-who-brought-about-a-revolution-in-american-comedy-norman-lear/]


ONE DAY AT A TIME

Lear had his hand in two versions of One Day at a Time. The first, crafted by
Lear in 1975, revolved around a single mother navigating life while raising her
two daughters, aiming to give them the freedom she missed out on. The more
recent adaptation was helmed by Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce, with
Lear onboard as a producer.



For those interested, the 1975 edition is available for free streaming on Pluto
TV and Tubi TV. Meanwhile, the 2017 rendition can be found on Netflix for
viewers to enjoy.


AMERICA DIVIDED

In the documentary series America Divided, Norman Lear took on the role of
executive producer. Moreover, he even made appearances in a couple of episodes.
The show, which aired before and after the 2016 election, featured a
star-studded cast including America Ferrera whose Ugly Betty is also available
on Netflix. 
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-following-barbies-mad-success-america-ferrera-starrer-series-set-to-return-to-netflix-this-august/]



America Divided is available for streaming on Prime Video, allowing viewers to
delve into the insightful discussions and stories presented by the documentary.

ALSO READ: All Sitcom Aliases Michael Fassbender Used in David Fincher’s ‘The
Killer’
[https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-all-sitcom-aliases-michael-fassbender-used-in-david-finchers-the-killer/]

Which one of the works of Norman Lear are your top picks? Let us know in the
comments below.

Riva Khan

Comment

Norman Lear’s Top 5 Masterpieces: Must-Watch Classics and Where to Stream Them - Netflix Junkie

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Riva Khan is an entertainment reporter at NetflixJunkie. Given her love for the language and writing, she has honed her narrative skills from a young age. She loves her latest tea in Hollywood and keeps an eye on the news. This is what drives her as a writer. Having written numerous articles for publications like Times of India and Indian Express, her expertise is in reporting news with objectivity and a bit of fun. In her spare time, you will find her with a few paintbrushes and a canvas, attempting to pour her emotions and thoughts into the strokes of paint. When not painting, she will likely be revisiting some of her favorites like Stranger Things, Money Heist, and Squid Game in series or re-reading Khaled Hosseni's A Thousand Splendid Suns or Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.

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Norman Lear’s Top 5 Masterpieces: Must-Watch Classics and Where to Stream Them - netflix-junkie

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<p>Norman Lear, a trailblazer in the world of television, might not ring a bell for those born post-2000, but his impact on &#8217;70s TV comedy is an unsung saga. While modern shows like <em>The Office</em> and <em>Game of Thrones</em> reign supreme, Lear&#8217;s legacy, as labeled by TV producer Phil Rosenthal, carved a new era in television history. Additionally, dividing it into<em><strong> &#8220;BN and AN, Before Norman and After Norman.</strong></em>&#8221;</p>
<p>Sadly, on December 6, 2023, <strong>at the age of 101, Lear bid farewell</strong>, leaving an immense void in the industry. Many celebrities came out paying their heartfelt tribute. Yet here, we commemorate his incredible contributions by shedding light on his seminal works, guiding on where to catch them, each a slice of history.</p>
<h3 id="1-all-in-the-family-2"><strong>All in the Family</strong></h3>
<p>The iconic sitcom <em>All in the Family</em> kicked off its<strong> trailblazing journey in 1971</strong>, turning heads by tackling some<strong> thorny societal issues.</strong> The show took the audacious step of intertwining comedy with weighty matters such as race and politics, forging a new path for television.</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="All In The Family &amp; Archie Bunker&#039;s Place | Archie Being Nice To Mike | The Norman Lear Effect" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d69iljwwVC8?list=PL74EQrPmRiFjeampES4KIjnxZNvnVSMs2" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>Over its nine seasons, the series bagged an impressive<strong> 22 Primetime Emmy Awards.</strong> Ranked as the <strong>fourth best series ever made</strong>, this gem can be streamed for free on <strong>Amazon Freevee or Pluto TV,</strong> reliving its timeless and impactful narrative.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-jennifer-aniston-heartwarming-thread-of-tribute-to-tv-legend-norman-lear-the-architect-of-her-childhood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jennifer Aniston’s Heartwarming Thread of Tribute to TV Legend Norman Lear, the Architect Of Her Childhood</a></p>
<h3>Maude</h3>
<p><em>Maude,</em> a spinoff stemming from the acclaimed<em> All in the Family,</em> centered on the character of Edith Bunker&#8217;s cousin, Maude Findlay. It depicted a bold and independent woman, unafraid to confront societal taboos. Just like its predecessor, the show ventured into <strong>challenging topics such as abortion and drugs,</strong> never shying away from controversy.</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Norman Lear&#039;s &quot;Maude&quot; on Tough Issues" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hX4_I0RjgXo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>For those intrigued by the daring themes, the series is available for<strong> free streaming on Pluto TV in the US or can be rented through digital on-demand platforms.</strong></p>
<h3 id="4-the-jeffersons-2"><strong>The Jeffersons</strong></h3>
<p>A spinoff stemming from the Jefferson family featured in <em>All in the Family</em>, took flight as a more favored show compared to its predecessor, <em>Good Times.</em> Centered on the Jeffersons&#8217; relocation to an upscale apartment, the series delved into<strong> social issues while navigating the intricacies of forging new relationships</strong> with their posh neighbors.</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="The Jeffersons season 1 episode 1 trailer" width="1170" height="878" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5DfmvJ6bDAM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p><em>The Jeffersons</em> is accessible for <strong>free streaming on Tubi in the US and on Prime Video. </strong>Meanwhile, UK audiences can access it via digital on-demand platforms.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-ryan-reynolds-pays-tribute-to-the-figure-who-brought-about-a-revolution-in-american-comedy-norman-lear/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ryan Reynolds Pays Tribute to the Figure Who Brought About a Revolution in American Comedy</a></p>
<h3 id="8-one-day-at-a-time-2"><strong>One Day at a Time</strong></h3>
<p>Lear had his hand in two versions of <em>One Day at a Time</em>. The first, <strong>crafted by Lear in 1975</strong>, revolved around a single mother navigating life while raising her two daughters, aiming to give them the freedom she missed out on. The more recent adaptation was helmed by Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce, with Lear onboard as a producer.</p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="One Day at a Time | Norman Lear Discusses Reimagining One Day at a Time | Netflix" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VRP80i17xHo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>For those interested, the <strong>1975 edition is available for free streaming on Pluto TV and Tubi TV.</strong> Meanwhile, the <strong>2017 rendition can be found on Netflix</strong> for viewers to enjoy.</p>
<h3><strong>America Divided</strong></h3>
<p>In the documentary series<em> America Divided</em>, Norman Lear took on the role of executive producer. Moreover, he even made appearances in a couple of episodes. The show, which <strong>aired before and after the 2016 election,</strong> featured a star-studded cast including <a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-following-barbies-mad-success-america-ferrera-starrer-series-set-to-return-to-netflix-this-august/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">America Ferrera whose <em>Ugly Betty</em> is also available on Netflix. </a></p>
<div class="flex-video widescreen youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="America Divided Trailer" width="1170" height="658" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v5qUbMRMbfQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p><em>America Divided</em> is available for <strong>streaming on Prime Video,</strong> allowing viewers to delve into the insightful discussions and stories presented by the documentary.</p>
<p><strong>ALSO READ: </strong><a href="https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-all-sitcom-aliases-michael-fassbender-used-in-david-finchers-the-killer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">All Sitcom Aliases Michael Fassbender Used in David Fincher&#8217;s &#8216;The Killer&#8217;</a></p>
<p>Which one of the works of Norman Lear are your top picks? Let us know in the comments below.</p>


Jennifer Aniston’s Heartwarming Thread of Tribute to TV Legend Norman Lear, the
Architect Of Her Childhood

Ryan Reynolds Pays Tribute to the Figure Who Brought About a Revolution in
American Comedy

All Sitcom Aliases Michael Fassbender Used in David Fincher’s ‘The Killer’

Norman Lear

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Riva Khan is a Hollywood News writer at Netflix Junkie with 500+ articles under her belt. She is an in-house Sydney Sweeney expert, with her coverage largely consisting of the actress’s Madame Web and Anyone But You updates or her private life. Having written numerous articles for premier news publications, her expertise is in reporting news with objectivity and a bit of fun. In her spare time, you will find her with a few paintbrushes and a canvas, attempting to pour her emotions and thoughts into the strokes of paint.

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Norman Lear’s Top 5 Masterpieces: Must-Watch Classics and Where to Stream Them

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