‘American Masters’ celebrates Norman Lear
“American Masters” (9 p.m., PBS, TV-14) profiles and celebrates television producer Norman Lear. As someone who writes about television, and sits on the receiving end of its publicity machinery, I am a firm believer that most things written about “legends” tend to be more hype than truth.
But nobody can overstate the importance of Lear’s sitcom masterpiece “All In the Family.” The history of the situation comedy, and arguably television itself, can be divided into before and after Archie Bunker.
And while much has been made about the innovation and topicality of that comedy, as well as its spin-off hits “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” and “Maude,” those shows rank among very rare commodities in entertainment history. They were challenging, thought-provoking, ground-breaking and controversial. But they were also popular, dominating the ratings in their time. “Family” was the No. 1 show in America from 1971 to 1976.
This “Masters” presentation, “Just Another Version of You,” includes clips from many of Lear’s series, beginning with his work on Tennessee Ernie Ford’s variety show in the 1950s.
It dispenses with a third-person narration to allow Lear to discuss his private and professional lives, including his very difficult relationship with his traveling salesman father, a man he would see carted off to jail.
The showbiz-salute aspect of “Another Version of You” features a child actor as a young Lear, a touch that adds little to the proceedings. Colleagues on hand include George Clooney, Jon Stewart, Amy Poehler, Mel Brooks, Lena Dunham, Carl and Rob Reiner and Russell Simmons.
Clooney briefly touches on an interesting point. As revolutionary as “All in the Family” seemed at the time, it arrived in 1971, years after the music business, Broadway and Hollywood had fitfully come to grips with the social tumult of the 1960s and the changing mores of an emerging generation. A conservative, advertising-driven business, TV was very late to the party.
So it’s perhaps natural that once television caught up to the times, the change in comedy from distractions like “The Mothers-in-Law” and “The Flying Nun” to more topical satirical fare would arrive, not in a trickle, but as a tidal wave. And Norman Lear was smart, visionary and lucky enough to ride that wave.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
“Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” (10 p.m., HBO) profiles Bikram Choudhury, a world-renowned yoga guru accused of overseeing an abusive cult; a look back at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and a Maine town where refugee students have transformed the soccer team.
The knockout rounds continue on “The Voice” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
“The Contenders: 16 for 16” (1 a.m., PBS, TV-PG) recalls the vice presidential campaigns of Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin.
“Bull” (9 p.m., CBS, TV-14) has already been renewed for a second season.
Squabbling about family on “This Is Us” (9 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
An invitation to a Juneteenth party arrives with mixed messages on “Atlanta” (10 p.m., FX, TV-MA).
Another petty officer down on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS, TV-PG).
Halloween and the hypothetical divorce on “The Middle” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
Mirror Master forms a new team on “The Flash” (8 p.m., CW, TV-PG).
Civic engagement on “American Housewife” (8:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
Tricks or Taiwanese treats on “Fresh Off the Boat” (9 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).
If it’s Tuesday, it must be contrived on “No Tomorrow” (9 p.m., CW, TV-14).
Kenny celebrates a special holiday on “The Real O’Neals” (9:30 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
A plane crashes in the bayou on “NCIS: New Orleans” (10 p.m., CBS, TV-14).
Casey needs help with a personal matter on “Chicago Fire” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-14).
Ghost Rider shows no mercy on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-PG).