I didn't appreciate "Sanford and Son" as much when I was a kid as I do now. Damn, is it funny. If Wikipedia can be trusted, it's got a fascinating history, too.
Did you know that Redd Foxx's real name was John Sanford, and his character was named for his late brother, Fred Sanford?
That the actor who played Lamont, Demond Wilson, was a Vietnam vet?
That Foxx was only in his 40s and 50s when he played the supposedly 65-year-old Fred?
That it pretty much drove the final straw into the coffin of "The Brady Bunch" by cutting into its ratings?
That Quincy Jones did the theme song, called "The Streetbeater"?
That Fred actually used the N-word in numerous episodes, and while TV Land cut it out for syndication, it's restored on the DVDs?
That Foxx himself paid royalties to use The Ink Spots' "If I Didn't Care" on the show because the network said it was too expensive?
That the truck in the opening credits was a 1951 Ford, and as of 2006 it was still being used by its owner, an actual junk dealer?
That when Foxx died, of a heart attack while filming "The Royal Family," his co-stars thought he was just doing his old "Lizabeth, I'm coming!" routine from "Sanford"?
Did you know that Redd Foxx's real name was John Sanford, and his character was named for his late brother, Fred Sanford?
That the actor who played Lamont, Demond Wilson, was a Vietnam vet?
That Foxx was only in his 40s and 50s when he played the supposedly 65-year-old Fred?
That it pretty much drove the final straw into the coffin of "The Brady Bunch" by cutting into its ratings?
That Quincy Jones did the theme song, called "The Streetbeater"?
That Fred actually used the N-word in numerous episodes, and while TV Land cut it out for syndication, it's restored on the DVDs?
That Foxx himself paid royalties to use The Ink Spots' "If I Didn't Care" on the show because the network said it was too expensive?
That the truck in the opening credits was a 1951 Ford, and as of 2006 it was still being used by its owner, an actual junk dealer?
That when Foxx died, of a heart attack while filming "The Royal Family," his co-stars thought he was just doing his old "Lizabeth, I'm coming!" routine from "Sanford"?
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