Groundbreaking Producer

Producer Norman Lear has passed at 101. This all time giant of extremely popular TV shows particularly comedies in the 1970s not only constantly broke the top 20 ratings but garnered countless Emmy Awards and critical acclaim for his challenging themes and subject matter that often embraced the social discourse of the day. Think of these shows, All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son, Good Times, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, and One Day at a Time among so many titles.
He was unafraid of dealing with topics such as feminism, racism, politics, and sexuality at a time when TV shows stayed safe as sitcoms. He recently did updated one offs of his greatest show episodes with A list guest stars to Emmy winning success.
He worked in the Golden Age of television, and was also a major writer (Oscar nominated for screenplay  Divorce American Style) and executive producer of films such as The Princess Bride, Stand by Me, and Fried Green Tomatoes. He won every major artistic award including Peabodys and Kennedy Center Honors. And how many producers can boast having 5 shows in the top ten at the same time?! (He did in 1974-1975.)