One Day At A Time (1975-84)
When it comes to coming up with ideas for television shows, Norman Lear was a genius. One of these efforts was One Day at a Time. It centered on a divorced mother (Bonnie Franklin) with two young daughters. (Valerie Bertinelli, Mackenzie Phillips). The premise for this show was not typical of 1970s sitcoms. While the performance had its upbeat, poignant moments, it also tackled a lot of subjects with varying degrees of levity. The fact that Lear was forward-thinking enough to develop a program about a single mother demonstrates his insight as someone who understands what many families have dealt with and continue to deal with.
One Day At A Time (1975-84)
The White Shadow (1978-81)
This three-season sitcom, created by Bruce Paltrow (Gwyneth’s father), follows a former NBA player (Ken Reeves) who takes a position as a high school coach in a poor part of Los Angeles. Of course, the show had numerous racially charged themes, especially as a Caucasian head coach presided over a team dominated by African-American and Hispanic players. This was not a lighthearted show. It addressed subject that was somewhat contentious (whether it was about drug usage, neighborhood danger, or violence). Whether directly or indirectly, The White Shadow was a forerunner to many subsequent films (Boyz n the Hood, Juice) that shed focus on the struggles that many marginalized youths endure when confronted with a challenging surrounding environment.
The White Shadow (1978-81)