Sanford and Son (DVD) Review

Nominated for six Golden Globes and seven Emmys, including Outstanding Series - Comedy, Sanford And Son became one of the first shows in television history to be almost entirely centered around African-American characters. Modeled after the British TV show Steptoe And Son, the series showcased the underappreciated talents of comic genius Redd Foxx (whose skin color and bad language prevented him from becoming a superstar decades earlier). 

The brainchild of All In The Family creator Norman Lear, Sanford And Son signaled the beginning of a decade of sitcom classics for the prolific 1970's TV writer - Maude (1972), Good Times (1974), and The Jeffersons (1975) being the others. Wrought with memorable one-liners and well-timed humor, Sanford And Son was a Top 10 Nielsen rated show every year in which it aired except for its final season (ranking a respectable #27)…

Sanford And Son, set in the Watts district of Los Angeles, follows the life of Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx), a 65-year-old African-American junk dealer who shares his business with his 34-year-old son Lamont (Demond Wilson). 

With Fred's wife Elizabeth having passed away twenty years earlier, he often evokes Lamont's sympathy by clutching his heart and proclaiming, "Oh, I'm coming to join you Elizabeth!" But Fred always survives those near fatal heart attacks, continuing to disperse sarcastic putdowns (often directed at his sister-in-law Esther) and racist stereotypical remarks aimed against whites and Hispanics (especially Lamont's friend Julio). 

Using guilt to manipulate his ambitious son into staying and helping run the salvage shop instead of pursuing other endeavors, Fred Sanford spends most of his days lounging around the house (his junk store and home are one and the same) and hanging out with his friends - Grady, Melvin, and Bubba… Well-written and hilarious, Sanford & Son is comedian Redd Foxx at his absolute best…

The Sanford And Son DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the series premiere "Crossed Swords" in which Lamont purchases a collectible porcelain figure from a silent movie star for $15. When he and Fred get the statuette appraised, they determine that they can fetch a bundle for it if they put it up for auction, but while at the auction, the two decide to pose as buyers to bid up the price, a decision that ends up costing them… 

Other notable episodes from Season 1 include "The Copper Caper" in which Fred and Lamont purchase their own copper from a man who's been stealing the metal all across town, and "A Pad for Lamont" in which Lamont decides to move into his own apartment for privacy reasons. At first, Fred is upset - until he learns he enjoys having some time to himself…

Below is a list of episodes included on the Sanford And Son (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (Crossed Swords) Air Date: 01-14-1972
Episode 2 (Happy Birthday, Pop) Air Date: 01-21-1972
Episode 3 (Here Comes the Bride, There Goes the Bride) Air Date: 01-28-1972
Episode 4 (The Copper Caper) Air Date: 02-04-1972
Episode 5 (A Matter of Life and Breath) Air Date: 02-11-1972
Episode 6 (We Were Robbed) Air Date: 02-18-1972
Episode 7 (A Pad for Lamont) Air Date: 02-25-1972
Episode 8 (The Great Sanford Siege) Air Date: 03-03-1972
Episode 9 (Coffins for Sale) Air Date: 03-10-1972
Episode 10 (The Barracuda) Air Date: 03-17-1972
Episode 11 (TV or not TV) Air Date: 03-24-1972
Episode 12 (The Suitcase Case) Air Date: 03-31-1972
Episode 13 (The Return of the Barracuda) Air Date: 04-07-1972
Episode 14 (The Piano Movers) Air Date: 04-14-1972

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