On "Good Times", why were there so many producers? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Rezny@gmail.com · 05-23-2010, 11:49 PM

Why did "Good Times"have 4 executive producers(Norman Lear,the late Alan Manings,Austin and Irma Kalish ,and Norman Paul,),and 6 producers(the late Alan Manings,Jack Elinson and Norman Paul,Gordon Mitchell and Lloyd Turner,and Sid Dorfman)?

Dr. Thong · 07-11-2010, 04:13 PM

I don't know why Good Times had four executive producers, but having four executive producers is nothing compared to today's shows. It seems like sitcoms today have eight to ten "executive producers" and several other "producers" and "co-producers."

And I believe there are "co-executive producers" as well.

Funny how some of the early shows had maybe one or two "producers" and that was it.

catlover79 · 07-11-2010, 09:11 PM

An interesting bit of trivia is that Austin and Irma Kalish are the parents-in-law of Leah Ayres (The Edge of Night; "Fake" Marcia on The Bradys). Leah is married to their son Bruce, who is a television writer himself.

05-23-2010, 11:49 PM	#1
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	On "Good Times", why were there so many producers? Why did "Good Times"have 4 executive producers(Norman Lear,the late Alan Manings,Austin and Irma Kalish ,and Norman Paul,),and 6 producers(the late Alan Manings,Jack Elinson and Norman Paul,Gordon Mitchell and Lloyd Turner,and Sid Dorfman)?

07-11-2010, 04:13 PM	#2
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I don't know why Good Times had four executive producers, but having four executive producers is nothing compared to today's shows. It seems like sitcoms today have eight to ten "executive producers" and several other "producers" and "co-producers." And I believe there are "co-executive producers" as well. Funny how some of the early shows had maybe one or two "producers" and that was it.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

07-11-2010, 09:11 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	An interesting bit of trivia is that Austin and Irma Kalish are the parents-in-law of Leah Ayres (The Edge of Night; "Fake" Marcia on The Bradys). Leah is married to their son Bruce, who is a television writer himself.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013