What is sanford and son?

Sanford and Son

Sanford and Son was a groundbreaking and hugely popular sitcom that aired on NBC from 1972 to 1977. It was adapted from the British sitcom Steptoe and Son.

• Premise: The show centered on the lives of Fred Sanford, a widowed junk dealer, and his son, Lamont Sanford, who live and work together at their junkyard home in Watts, Los Angeles. A central theme revolved around Fred's constant (and often fake) health scares, which he would use to manipulate Lamont or get his way, often clutching his chest and declaring "Elizabeth, I'm coming to join ya!" (referencing his deceased wife).

• Characters:

  • Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx): The cantankerous, scheming, and often hilarious patriarch. His get-rich-quick schemes and outrageous behavior were a major source of the show's comedy.
  • Lamont Sanford (Demond Wilson): Fred's long-suffering son, who dreamed of a better life outside the junkyard but felt obligated to care for his father.
  • Aunt Esther (LaWanda Page): Fred's religious and equally sharp-tongued sister-in-law, with whom he had a deeply adversarial relationship.
  • Other recurring characters included Bubba Bexley, Grady Wilson, and Rollo Lawson, who all added to the comedic mix.

• Humor: The show's humor was a blend of slapstick, one-liners, and witty banter. It often touched on topical social and political issues, although generally in a lighthearted way.

• Impact and Legacy: Sanford and Son was one of the first American sitcoms to feature a predominantly African American cast and to focus on the lives of working-class black characters. The show's success helped pave the way for other black-led sitcoms and contributed to a greater representation of African Americans in television. The series remains popular in syndication and is considered a classic of American television.