Sanford and Son

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Sanford and Son ranks 319 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 366 users who count themselves as Sanford and Son fans have written a total of 21 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Ended

Genre

Theme

Related Shows

• Steptoe and Son
• Sanford
• The Sanford Arms
• Grady

Sanford and Son first aired in January of 1972 on NBC as a mid-season replacement. The series was the second series created by the All in the Family creator, Norman Lear and it was based on the British sitcom, Steptoe and Son. Sanford and Son was the first sitcom that Lear... more »

Sanford and Son first aired in January of 1972 on NBC as a mid-season replacement. The series was the second series created by the All in the Family creator, Norman Lear and it was based on the British sitcom, Steptoe and Son. Sanford and Son was the first sitcom that Lear created that had a cast composed mostly of African Americans. Lear would follow it up in 1974 with Good Times and The Jeffersons in 1975. Sanford and Son was also the only Lear sitcom that didn't air on CBS.

Sanford and Son starred stand-up comedian, Redd Foxx as 65-year old junk collector, Fred Sanford. Fred ran his junk collection business from his home located in Los Angeles. His home was run-down but it was comfortable enough for him and his son, Lamont, with whom he lived with and who was a partner in the business. Lamont was dissatisfied with the business and would threaten to leave but Fred would fake a heart attack and yell "I'm coming, Elizabeth." Elizabeth had been Fred's wife who had preceded him in death.

Other members of the cast and recurring characters included, Aunt Esther Anderson, Elizabeth's "ugly" Bible-toting sister who was married to wino Woody Anderson. Donna Harris, was Fred's steady girlfriend who worked as a nurse. Grady Wilson, Melvin and Bubba Bexley were good friends of Fred's while Rollo Lawson, Ah Chew and Julio Fuentes were friends of Lamont's. Officer Smith "Smitty", Officer Hopkins "Hoppy" and Officer Swanhauser "Swanny" were police officers who were seen occasionally.

At the end of the 3rd season and the beginning of the 4th season, nine episodes (production numbers 0320-0325 and 0401-0403) were filmed without Redd Foxx who underwent contract negotiations that led to a hiatus. It was explained that Fred was in St. Louis visiting family and Grady Wilson moved in temporarily to watch over Lamont.

During the first couple of seasons of Sanford and Son, episodes of Steptoe and Son were re-done and are marked with a note in the episode guide.

Spin-offs: Grady, The Sanford Arms and Sanford

NBC Broadcast History

January 1972-April 1976----Fridays----8:00 p.m.
April-August 1976----Wednesdays----9:00 p.m.
September 1976-September 1977----Fridays----8:00 p.m.


Nielsen Ratings:
(Top 30 or Better)

#6 in the 1971-1972 Season
#2 in the 1972-1973 Season
#3 in the 1973-1974 Season
#2 in the 1974-1975 Season
#7 in the 1975-1976 Season
#27 in the 1976-1977 Season

First Telecast: January 14, 1972
Last Telecast: September 2, 1977

Episodes: 136 Color Episodes


Theme Song:

"The Streetbeater"

Written by: Quincy Jones

Performed by: Quincy Jones
(Instrumental)
less «

• This show is great

  This show was made way before I was born, but I still like it very much. It's a shame these forums aren't active though. I guess older people liked this show, my dad and grandfather liked it.

  This show was made way before I was born, but I still like it very much. It's a shame these forums aren't active though. I guess older people liked this show, my dad and grandfather liked it.less «

  nabbig2 Last online Aug 11, 2008
  5 comments, last one 14 hrs, 24 mins ago + Add Comment

• Fred or Grady?

  As you might know, mid-way through the third season, Redd Foxx lefted the series, and they focused on Grady. So comes this question, which one is better running the junkyard/show; Fred/Redd Foxx, or Grady/Whitman Mayo? Fred was better.

  As you might know, mid-way through the third season, Redd Foxx lefted the series, and they focused on Grady. So comes this question, which one is better running the junkyard/show; Fred/Redd Foxx, or Grady/Whitman Mayo? Fred was better. less «

  DMoore159 Last online 15 hrs, 45 mins ago
  13 comments, last one 14 hrs, 24 mins ago + Add Comment

• Fred G. Sanford's favorite burger

  Even casual viewers of Sanford & Son know that the Sanford "empire" what he called his junkyard, is located in South ...more »

  Even casual viewers of Sanford & Son know that the Sanford "empire" what he called his junkyard, is located in South Central Los Angeles, a few miles south of Downtown the traditional pre-intergation "Black" neighborhood that was the home to many great jazz & blues clubs going back to pre and post WW2. Anyhow, Fred G, the g standing for a variety of names depending on his mood made numerous references to Fatburgers, a real life hamburger stand of South Central that has since gome national through franchises sold by corporate owners, Magic Johnson, Dana Owens(Queen Latifah) and others. Anyhow the current Fatburgers is a shadow of the authentic Fatburgers, in fact it is Fatburgers in name only. My father was a part time jazz musician along Central Avenue in the 'hood, LA's 52nd Street, when Fatburgers opened in the early 50s at its original location 23rd and Western it immediately became the spot to go after midnight as they were open 24-7. Many Black celebs, musicians, atheletes, resident and visitors would go to Fatburgers late at night. They lived up to their name as the patties were upon ordering, the cooks would grab some ground beef out of a white bucket, pound out a patty and slap it on the forever hot grill, fatburger, double fat, or single and double kings, choose you toppings, hmmmm hmmmm good soulfood style chili, fried eggs, bacon, onions, tomatoes, relish, lettuce or cheese in any combination. Huge burgers that were a meal and one could barely wrap your hands around it. they also served grilled hot dogs and hot links. Tremendous side dishes like steak fries, individual sweet tater pies or choice of chips. My pops took me for my first Fatburger when I was about 8 or 9 years old in the late 50s and I was a frequent visitor there since 1966 when I got my driver's license untill the early 80s when the founders retired and their children too it over and ran it into the ground before selling it out expanding and eventually selling all interest of it to a corporation. In the early 1970s while still run by its founders, the family opened a second location in West L A just south of Hollywood on La Cienega and San Vicente Blvd which immediately began a hang out for all sorts of celebs late at night. When they went to a second location the City of L A's health department made them stop making patties by hand by reaching getting ground beef out of the bucket, they began using pre-formed fresh patties althpough they were prepared by Fatburgers personnel and not bought from a supplier. After Mom and Pop Fatburger retired in the early 80s it was never the same but for those of like Fred G, the gee is for great Sanford who knew the real deal Fatburgers, it was a legendary placed that will never be equaled in taste or ambience. Redd Foxx was a frequent visitor to Fatburgers for many years before he ever became a TV junk dealer, he like many of his veteran chitlin' circuit friends he got roles for were Fatburgers client. Pre-1980 Black Los Angeles, rich and poor, celeb or just common folk would sooner or later be seen at Fatburgers, a take out or eat on picnic tables in the parking lot establishment. Over the years I saw Bill Cosby, Sidney Pottier, Sly Stone, Elgin Baylor, Maury Wills, Moms Mabley, Dolemite-Rudy Ray Moore who even made a 1970s movie and included a Fatburger scene and many others Now you can understand why like Ripple, Fred G. g is for greasy Sanford always mentioned Fatburgers. less «

  JonJax Last online 5 hrs, 22 mins ago
  1 comments, last one 4 days ago + Add Comment

•  

  10 Perfect

  Great... hide « show »

  Sanford and Son first aired in January of 1972 on NBC as a mid-season replacement. The series was the second series created by the All in the Family creator, Norman Lear and it was based on the British sitcom, Steptoe and Son. Sanford and Son was the first sitcom that Lear created that had a cast composed mostly of African Americans. Lear would follow it up in 1974 with Good Times and The Jeffersons in 1975. Sanford and Son was also the only Lear sitcom that didn't air on CBS.
  
  Overall, 10/10 Great show
  Thats all for this review. . .

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  spongebobs1fan Added May 28, 2009 All my reviews
•  

  9.7 Superb

  A grumpy old African American widower and his son run a junkyard in a Los Angeles suburb. hide « show »

  One of the greatest and most influential TV shows in history. Fred Sanford is a fine speciman of a man; lying, cheating, drinking, and being annoying and abusive to everyone he comes into contact with, but still deep down a loving and passionate. Lamont, his long-suffering son, also has some rough edges, which really brings to light the fact that nobody is perfect, and sometimes you turn out being just like the company you keep. Really a great show, almost reminding me of an African American All in the Family. i highly recommend it for some great, and occasionaly incorrect humor.

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  Woolsey Added Aug 21, 2008 All my reviews
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  9 Superb

  This tv show was about junk. Well not exactly. Sanford and Son was a cool show for the working men and women out there trying to make ends meet. Father and son in the world of junk. Nothing but a good time. And lots of laughs if you grew up around there. hide « show »

  Id like to start off and say ive seen most of these episodes from this great masterpiece that hollywood brought to me. Ive been a fan for along time. I have most of the seasons on dvd. This tv show spun off afew tv shows after it was off the air. This by far is a special one to me. I have many memories from this great show. Lots of laughs and goodtimes about Fred G Sanford and his son Lamont. I also had the pleasure of being friends to a guy named Chester Harvin who is similar to Redd Fox. It was sad when I heard about Redds passing. When Chester
  passed away last year. I thought of this show and many goodtimes with him. I know lifes not fair but this tv show will live on through me and friends and family. In my own words a great cast and influential show for the 1970s.

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  kingtazzy Added Jul 5, 2008 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  Sanford and Son is absultely the best hide « show »

  Sanford and Son is the funnest show back in its time and still is to day. There has been nothing like it sence.Sanford and son is the perfect show for the whole family can watch.Its clean and absoultely funny.When the producers casted Redd Foxx to play the part of fred they couldnt of picked a better actor to do so.As they did for Demond Wilson who played Lamont. All the actors were great.But you really have to love Aunt Ester LaWanda Page Who played fred sister in law.Even though they hated each other they both did some pretty good things foe one and other from time to time

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  grumpyolddude42 Added Jan 28, 2008 All my reviews
•  

  9.2 Superb

  A true American Classic hide « show »

  Next to Three's Company I think Sanford and Son was pretty decent. Sure allot of people today are going to score it low because its an old show. But the thing that makes it so great is the realistic humor! Red Foxx is a class act, almost everything this guy says is a riot! I'm only 21 years old and I know what your thinking "this show is for old people". Not really, see if you enjoy good humor? This show is for anyone! My favorite episode was Card sharps, Party Crasher, and I forget several others. Still I think this is the best Black American sit com there is. However there is some racial humor thrown in there every now and then. Fred seems to make jokes about Hispanics, Whites, And sometimes Asians. Still its not there to hurt peoples feelings since most of the audience is White.
  
  They don't make shows like this anymore but if your looking for something that'll make you laugh. I highly reccomend seeing this. There are at least 6 or 7 seasons in all.

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  Cyberdene Added Oct 28, 2007 All my reviews