1971-79
"All in the Family"

Before Norman Lear, television would occasionally touch upon hot-button topics such as racism, women's rights, abortion and homosexuality. Yet Lear's "All in the Family" examined these issues on a weekly basis, using humor instead of sloganeering to look at the seismic changes rocking American society. When the show began in 1971, CBS included a disclaimer, warning audiences of its frank approach. A year later, "All in the Family" hit No. 1 in the ratings, launching Lear's empire that included topical spinoffs "Maude" and "The Jeffersons." After Archie Bunker, nothing was off limits.

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http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118042646?refcatid=14

Absolutely for the better. Lear proved you could be topical and still funny, that you could have a blue collar show that didn't talk down to the characters or the audience, that everything on TV doesn't have to be sanitized in order to be popular, and that you could mix laughter and tears and thoughtful scripts.

No question at all.

Absolutely for the better. Lear proved you could be topical and still funny, that you could have a blue collar show that didn't talk down to the characters or the audience, that everything on TV doesn't have to be sanitized in order to be popular, and that you could mix laughter and tears and thoughtful scripts.

No question at all.

Amen! You've said it beautifully. One of the best, if not the best, show ever.

for the better