Honoring Norman Lear: Jimmy Kimmel emotionally paid tribute to the late producer Norman Lear on his ABC show, describing him as “one of the most important and impressive people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Kimmel, who collaborated with Lear on ABC specials, praised him as the genius behind iconic shows like “All in the Family” and “Maude,” stating, “He changed situation comedy in the best way possible.”
Acknowledging Lear’s significant impact on television, Kimmel expressed gratitude, saying, “Everyone who works in or even watches television owes him a great debt.” He shared an amusing thank-you card from Lear and concluded with Lear’s preferred phrase, “To be continued.”
Kimmel and Lear collaborated on “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” where classic sitcom episodes were performed live. Lear, at 98, became the oldest person ever nominated for an Emmy for producing the specials with Kimmel.
Tributes flooded in after Lear’s death, with networks featuring memorial cards in primetime lineups. Lear’s widow, Lyn Lear, encouraged celebrating his legacy and urged laughter. Lear, in a 2020 interview, emphasized addressing cultural issues in his shows, stating, “We were simply dealing with the problems that existed in our culture.”
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