Were these shows produced by Norman Lear, or someone else?

He defined sitcoms for a generation — how well do you know your TV history?

Whether or not you recognize his name, you have absolutely effected by Norman Lear's work. Anybody with two eyeballs, a heart, and a television set owes him a debt of gratitude. Even if you haven't seen his shows, you've absolutely watched something that was influenced by his outsized reach.

Lear paved the way for contemporary producers like Chuck Lorre and Shonda Rhimes by building a television empire, sometimes running multiple shows at the same time. There have since been plenty of TV showrunners whose names have entered the public conscious, but Norman Lear was one of the first, and it was due to the quality of his programming.

So how well do you know the legendary creator/writer/producer? Can you tell which shows are his, and which aren't?

Watch All in the Family on MeTV!

Two full hours!

Sundays at 8 PM

*available in most MeTV markets
  1. We'll start off with an easy one: "All in the Family"
  2. Movin' on up to question #2: Who developed "The Jeffersons?"
  3. You're growin' now!: What about "The Facts of Life?"
  4. "Taxi": Who was responsible for Latka et. al?
  5. Elizabeth! Do you know who developed "Sanford and Son?"
  6. Come and knock on our door: Who produced "Three's Company?"
  7. God'll get you for this one, Walter: Who made "Maude?"
  8. Dyn-o-mite! "Good Times," Norman Lear, or not?
  9. If you like reruns of Rerun, you'll surely know who created "What's Happening"
  10. Valerie Bertinelli got her start on "One Day at a Time," but who produced the show?
  11. "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," who produced it?
  12. Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis? Do you know who created "Diff'rent Strokes?"
  13. "Fernwood 2 Night!" Who brought the show 2 air?
  14. Oooh oooh! Who created "Welcome Back, Kotter?"
  15. "The Baxters" was the first interactive sitcom. Who developed it?

Were these shows produced by Norman Lear, or someone else?

Your Result...

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Pellentesque nec ante ipsum. Mauris viverra, urna et porta sagittis, lorem diam dapibus diam, et lacinia libero quam id risus.
Take another quiz: Name that Christmas villain!
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
Close

121 Comments

geatornez82 3 months ago
12/15. Not bad, considering I'm not a fan of Norman Lear's shows.
Stoney 3 months ago
14 for 15. For some reason, I always miss the last one...
mwehren 3 months ago
15 of 15, But guessed on last one. It seemed like they wouldn't have that one unless he did it.
Adamtwelvia mwehren 3 months ago
I never even heard of it.
Wendy57 3 months ago
11/15
Norman Lear = A Tremendous Talent
Matsui 3 months ago
You got 13 out of 15.
Great job! You really know all about the good ol' days!
AllisonWunderland 3 months ago
12/15…I had no idea on 13 and 15, guessed on The Sweathogs 😉🤣
Snickers 3 months ago
Not bad 11/15 R.I.P Mr. Lear.
daDoctah 3 months ago
I wondered if they were going to get around to "Welcome Back, Kotter" as one of the "some other guy" shows, since it's the closest I can think of to Lear's style without actually coming from him. (The actual producer was James Komack, who was a regular on-screen in his earlier series "The Courtship of Eddie's Father".)
MikefromJersey 3 months ago
"You got 14 out of 15. Great job! You really know all about the good ol' days!"

#15 - Who the heck are The Baxters? Lear made this? When? If it ran a year
I am pretty sure I would have at least heard of it.
I never heard of it either.
LabLove 3 months ago
12 including several guesses
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?