In a rare show of unity, all five broadcast networks will air a tribute to late TV writer/producer Norman Lear on Wednesday night.
“In recognition of Norman Lear’s vast accomplishments and influence across television, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX and The CW will simulcast an on-air in memoriam card tonight at 8:00 pm ET/PT honoring the late legendary TV writer and producer,” the networks announced in a joint statement.
In addition, Pluto TV will be running marathons of Lear’s most famous shows Wednesday at 7 pm ET: All in the Family on the Classic TV: Families channel, Maude on Classic TV Comedy and Sanford & Son and The Jeffersons on Black Classics.
Lear passed away Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 101. He won four Emmys for creating and producing the hit 1970s sitcom All in the Family and also produced spinoffs The Jeffersons and Maude along with One Day at a Time, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and the Maude offshoot Good Times. Lear continued working in recent years, serving as an executive producer on Netflix’s One Day at a Time reboot and ABC’s Live in Front of a Studio Audience franchise of sitcom episode reenactments, which recreated episodes of All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times and more.
“Norman lived a life in awe of the world around him,” his family said in a statement following his death. “He marveled at his cup of coffee every morning, the shape of the tree outside his window, and the sounds of beautiful music. But it was people — those he just met and those he knew for decades — who kept his mind and heart forever young. As we celebrate his legacy and reflect on the next chapter of life without him, we would like to thank everyone for all the love and support.”
