Sanford

Sanford (1980) was an attempt to relive the glory of Sanford and Son. Three years after the first show went off the air, Redd Foxx was back as Fred G. Sanford, proprietor of the Sanford "Empire" (the Sanford Arms and the Junk Store). Lamont wasn't in the series (he was written out of the storyline). Cal, a former colleague of Lamont moves in with Fred and becomes part owner of the business.

Sadly the show was buried by N.B.C. and it never had a chance to find an audience. Several characters from the old series found their way back (Aunt Esther, Grady and Rollo). Redd even found a new love interest, Eve a rich widow. The show lasted for two seasons before it faded into obscurity.

Recommended.

This was actually a very funny show and the back and forth between Redd and Cal was hilarious. Typical establishment though - anything that is different, people are opposed to accepting. I would have liked to have seen Redd's son in some episodes to complete the transition to just the "Sanford." show. With all the nonsense poor quality shows before, at the time. and since, this show should have lasted much longer and gotten much more credit than it received. I was sorry to see the actor who played Cal passed away. He too had great talent and never went as far as he should have in the business.

Why is this series so hard to come by? These further adventures of Fred Sanford was just as good as the original series, I thought the show would pick up with the return of Aunt Esther & Grady but the 26 episodes of this series was actually very entertaining especially with Cal replacing Lamont!

Sanford was a welcomed spin off to fans of the original show,however,with Lamont gone and replaced with a 300 lb Dennis Burkley (Cal Petty)the show became one fat joke after another.Not that it wasnt always dull,once when Cal stepped on the scales the sounds of springs popping and twanging could be heard (the audience laughed it up,if it was a real live audience),however to those who were/are obese the show could be considered very cruel.I for one thought the first "season" was very entertaining,jokes loaded everywhere...never a dull moment,but season two (after a brief hiatus)was terrible.The jokes were lame and the "audience" wasnt laughing.Something major was wrong...a comedy show without comedy????? It was sad to see "Sanford" disappear,but it was bound to happen with writing like that,even Foxx didnt seem to put his all into it.A bad way to go out....

I grew up seeing this first so maybe nostalgia clouds me here but I liked this show a lot. I really though the episodes (at least the ones where the Cal character was featured) were really funny. I liked the banter between Cal and Fred and remember Cal reading "the little engine That Could" quite humorously.OK it isn't as funny as the original and yes the guest stars seem unrealistic, but for folks who have seen the original 100 times and never caught this version its really worth seeing. One thing I never understood though is why the Norman Lear shows watered down the characters as they ages. I like the original Archie, George, and Fred. Sure they weren't nice but that was the point. OK Lear didn't have anything to do with this spin off but it seems that all of the daring he puts into his lead roles loose their fizz. Still worth catching Dennis in my favorite role of his.