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 show was missing Lamont for one very simple reason. Note that even on this site, there is no reference to the "made for TV" show this actor did, in which he plays a gay man. The movie sucked to be honest, but it was an attempt, way ahead of it's time, to show that there are more gay people among us than, at the time, we wanted to believe. It was effective, but the show just sucked. But, at a young age I learned 1 out of3 men has had an "alternative experience". So while the rest of the world might want to forget it, I never did. I always look at that 3rd person with suspicion now! LOL, that's a joke, calm down! Anyway, after doing this made for TV movie, the attempt to make a comeback of the Sanford and Son show with Lamont was not possible. He was now a labeled man. It was NOT OK for a man in Hollywood to play a gay guy yet. So His career died on the vine and the attempt at a comeback for the show did too, because Lamont, as bland as the character may have seemed, was the perfect straight man to Redd Foxx.

I actually saw this show before I ever saw an episode of "Sanford and Son". After watching them both, I honestly thought that "Sanford" was much funnier. Redd Foxx, in his older age, seems to have a sharper, more spiteful humor. He certainly carries the show, but the supporting characters make great targets for "Fred's" off-color remarks. If your already familiar with "Sanford and Son", then you may not like "Sanford" simply due to the fact that major staples in the show are missing. However, if you haven't grown accustomed to Lamont, and other familiar characters that don't appear in "Sanford", then you will probably agree that it is much more enjoyable over all. Give it a fair chance without expecting it to be just another spin off.

Redd Foxx was the star of Sanford and Son. Here he reprises his role as Fred Sanford without his son, Lamont. He has a new partner played by Dennis Burkley. His character is white, overweight sidekick but he's quite funny at times. The other characters include a wealthy widow, Evelyn Lewis, played by Marguerite Ray who does a great job. Lawanda Page comes back to torment her brother-in-law as Aunt Esther. The show was your typical sitcom from the early 1980s. Sadly, sitcoms are no longer in abundance nor are they packaged to be funny anymore. Redd Foxx was enormously funny and outrageous at times without being offensive to the audience regardless of your skin color. I was pleasantly surprised to see this show which must have been under my radar back when it first aired on television. BET has brought it back to new audiences who will rediscover Redd Foxx's wit and comedic genius.

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....