Steptoe and Son

[W.J. Griffin]

Has anyone out there actually seen the original UK sitcom that inspired "Sanford and Son", namely "Steptoe and Son"? I've never seen it, but I did read a few of the series' synopsis online, and, apparently all Norman Lear took from that show was the concept...anybody looking for Grady, Bubba, or Aunt Esther is going to be very disappointed.

But I'm curious. If you have seen "Steptoe and Son", please let me know.

Thanks.

[thescotsman]

Originally Posted by W.J. Griffin

Has anyone out there actually seen the original UK sitcom that inspired "Sanford and Son", namely "Steptoe and Son"? I've never seen it, but I did read a few of the series' synopsis online, and, apparently all Norman Lear took from that show was the concept...anybody looking for Grady, Bubba, or Aunt Esther is going to be very disappointed.

But I'm curious. If you have seen "Steptoe and Son", please let me know.

Thanks.

The original is a classic, one of the greatest British sitcoms and programmes ever.

[Road Dog]

Originally Posted by W.J. Griffin

Has anyone out there actually seen the original UK sitcom that inspired "Sanford and Son", namely "Steptoe and Son"? I've never seen it, but I did read a few of the series' synopsis online, and, apparently all Norman Lear took from that show was the concept...anybody looking for Grady, Bubba, or Aunt Esther is going to be very disappointed.

But I'm curious. If you have seen "Steptoe and Son", please let me know.

Thanks.

I love Steptoe & Son. It's one of the greatest sitcoms ever. You have to have a keen "Brit-Wit" to appreciate the dark humor in this. There is also a fair amount of drama and sadness mixed it as the son (Harold) is always trying to better himself but is always intentionally or unintentionally sabotaged by his father.

There was a counterpart to Esther and her sisters, but they did not appear too often on the show.

The father Albert Steptoe (counterpart to Fred) was married to Emily (the counterpart to Elizabeth) and the father of Harold Steptoe (counterpart to Lamont). Like Elizabeth, Emily had several sisters and all of them were bad tempered. Aunt Freda is the sister most like Aunt Esther. But Aunt Freda only appeared in a few episodes.

Albert Steptoe had several siblings. His brother Nobby is similar to Uncle Woody as he is a known alcoholic even though he says he never touches the stuff. And the local minister, Rev. Cakebread, is similar to Rev. Trimble as he is always dumbfounded by the strange things going on every time he visits the Steptoe house.

Many of the 1st season episodes of Sanford & Son are based on episodes of Steptoe & Son. Even some of the dialogue is the same.