The 2023 Emmys, which finally aired Monday night after delays due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, featured a heartfelt tribute to Norman Lear, the legendary television producer behind the groundbreaking series All in the Family. The tribute was led by cast members Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers, who played married couple Michael and Gloria Stivic on the iconic show.
A Touching Tribute on a Familiar Set
Reiner and Struthers appeared on a set meticulously designed to resemble the Bunker family home, bringing a wave of nostalgia to the audience. Reiner began the tribute, reflecting on their time with Lear: “Sally and I were part of a unique television family: not just the Bunkers, but Norman Lear’s extended family. Over the decades, Norman brought us together and he created groundbreaking television shows that depicted real people who made us laugh, made us think, made us feel.”
Celebrating Lear’s Genius
Reiner continued, sharing a special Yiddish word that encapsulated Lear’s brilliance: “There’s a Yiddish word that describes Norman’s genius: it’s kochleffel. For all you non-Jews out there, kochleffel is a ladle, a ladle that stirs the pot. And when Norman the kochleffel stirred that pot, he wound up changing American culture.”
Struthers added her sentiments, paying homage to the legends of the television industry who passed away in the past year: “Tonight, as we remember the legends of our industry we lost this past year, we celebrate their lives and legacy and the joy they brought to us. So to all of the members of all of our television families who have passed on…” She concluded poignantly with Reiner, “Those were the days.”
A Show That Pushed Boundaries
All in the Family, based on the British sitcom Till Death Do Us Part, centered around the Bunker family and the generational clashes between bigoted patriarch Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) and his liberal son-in-law, Michael. The series was renowned for tackling taboo topics such as abortion, the Vietnam War, birth control, homosexuality, religion, menopause, and racial and ethnic stereotypes. Its pioneering approach helped shape the landscape of 1970s television.
A Legacy That Lives On
Widely regarded as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, All in the Family aired for nine seasons, won three Emmys for Best Comedy Series, and inspired several successful spinoffs, including Maude, Archie Bunker’s Place, and The Jeffersons.
Norman Lear, who passed away on December 5 at the age of 101, left an indelible mark on television. In a statement on his website, Lear’s family expressed their gratitude for his life: “’Am I not the luckiest dude?’ he often said. He was grateful for everything that brought him to the moment he was in. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he was unwaveringly devoted. He was always transparent and vocal about his love and admiration for each of us. We were adored by him, and we adored him right back. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts.”
Celebrating Excellence at the Emmys
The 2023 Emmys aired live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, celebrating the best in television. For a full list of winners and more exclusive interviews, analysis, and highlights from this year’s top films, TV shows, and music, check out EW’s The Awardist.
