Word: lear
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Such television plugs began running in 14 cities last week. They are the latest venture of Producer Norman Lear, creator of such series as Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and All in the Family. Lear's obvious targets are fellow TV personalities: Jerry Falwell and other right-wing preachers who are taking part in the presidential campaign. Lear became so exercised about religious politicians that he raised $300,000 to buy air time for his spots and gave his time, talent and name to People for the American Way. Beyond the new TV spots, PAW is working on educational programs...
Since Ronald Reagan is the favorite of Falwell and Co., this looks like an election-eve attempt to stir a religious backlash against Reagan. But Lear, a contributor to John Anderson's campaign, denies partisan intent. PAW involves a wide assortment of public figures both secular and spiritual (among them: Editor Norman Cousins, former FCC chairman Newton Minow, Notre Dame President Theodore Hesburgh, Ecumenical Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum, President M. William Howard of the National Council of Churches). PAW, moreover, is only one of several groups. Similar alarms have been sounded in recent weeks by the bishops of the Episcopal...
Jerry Falwell, who professes to be committed to U.S. pluralism, thinks the PAW crusade is mere partisanship. "Norman Lear sees a future threat to what he is doing, to the pornographic television he produces like Mary Hartman and Maude. He used Archie Bunker and Edith for years to demean women, got rich doing it, then gave a big donation to the women's movement. He's just playing games again, and using some liberal theologians for his own devices...
Unfortunately, this game, which held such importance to both teams, took place during a tempest that would have brought a smile to King Lear. And frowns to the Crimson booters...
...jokes are originals, he admitted. "I don't create. I gather. I have writers." Joke collecting occupies a great portion of his time. He has estimated that he has spent more than $250,000 on his four-hour repertoire. (His writers have included Morey Amsterdam, Norman Lear and many others.) He knows more than 1500 jokes, but the jokes themselves aren't what makes him successful, he said...