Sanford and Son (Syndicated, TV Land)

common sense media says

70s classic offers laughs -- and stereotypes.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this classic '70s sitcom is based on the strong bond between an aging father and his adult son. While their relationship is a positive one, the son often finds himself taking on the parental role when things go wrong. Parents should also know that while the show's language and situations are mild when compared with today's sitcoms, Fred Sanford's consistent use of race-based insults and stereotypes make him a less-than-desirable role model -- and make the series better-suited for kids who can understand its original context.

Positive messages: Fred often resorts to insults and bigoted comments when talking to friends and family. The cast is diverse, but the show's working-class African-American characters exhibit characteristics of stereotypes typical to the time period. Fred and Lamont are close, but their relationship is marked by Fred's continual insults while Lamont takes care of him and the business.
Violence: Fred often threatens to hit people by giving them "five across the lip," but it's an empty promise.
Sex: Occasional references to white women being "sex maniacs."
Language: Fred often calls Lamont "dummy" and other silly-but-insulting names.
Consumerism: Occasional references to Coca-Cola and other products.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Occasional consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Hard liquor bottles visible throughout the Sanford home.

More on Sanford and Son

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how and why some comedies use racial stereotypes as a means of bringing attention to prejudice. Is it ever OK to do that? When does it cross the line? How have stereotypes (in the media and in society in general) changed since this show first aired? Families can also discuss the nature of relationships between parents and their grown-up kids. What responsibilities do adults have toward their parents when they get older? Why does Fred always insult and belittle Lamont? Is that ever an appropriate way to communicate with someone?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Classic 1970s sitcom SANFORD AND SON follows the exploits of a father-son team of junk dealers in L.A.'s working-class Watts neighborhood. Redd Foxx stars as cantankerous widower Fred Sanford; Demond Wilson plays Fred's thirtysomething son Lamont, who lives with his father. Their circle of friends and family includes Fred's nemesis, Aunt Esther (LaWanda Page); his best friends Grady Wilson (Whitman Mayo) and Bubba Bexley (Don Bexley); his sometimes-girlfriend Donna Harris (Lynn Hamilton); and Lamont's friends Rollo Larson (Nathaniel Taylor), Julio Fuentes (Gregory Sierra), and -- later in the series -- Ah Chew (Pat Morita). Fred and Lamont's relationship provides the show with many funny moments, but it also highlights some of the issues that present themselves when parents get older. Lamont is fully capable of living alone, but he stays with his father out of loyalty; as a result, he often ends up taking charge when Fred's half-baked schemes go wrong. And while Fred loves his son, he tends to show his "appreciation" via frequent insults, constant complaints, and faked heart attacks when things don't go his way.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Characteristically for its time, Sanford and Son consistently presents racial stereotypes as part of its comedy. Fred takes on Archie Bunker-like qualities when offering his bigoted ideas about the world around him. The show isn't a source of social commentary, per se, but it does serve as an indicator of how silly prejudice is. Kids who are too young to understand that concept may take away the wrong message; save this one for slightly older viewers.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Syndicated
Cast: Demond Wilson, LaWanda Page, Redd Foxx
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Syndicated

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Kassie243
kid, 12 years old
 
Great for everyone.
Best Show Ever! I,m hooked on it.

 
I think that there is not any good role models and some rude messages.

I hate CSM Bit--
kid, 12 years old
 
70s classic offers laughs -- and stereotypes.
Character istically for its time, Sanford and Son consistently presents racial stereotypes as part of its comedy. Fred takes on Archie Bunker-like qualities when offering his bigoted ideas about the world around him. The show isn't a source of social commentary, per se, but it does serve as an indicator of how silly prejudice is. Kids who are too young to understand that concept may take away the wrong message; save this one for slightly older viewers.

SanfordAndSon
kid, 13 years old
 
Sanford And Son is awesome!!
Where to begin..... Well for starters this is the awesome ist show ever! It is hilarious. Even though fred makes insults he never even follows through with them so its ok. Its really funny and shows the value of hardwork. BTW Lamont is my favorite :)!

xXxTayxXx
kid, 12 years old
 
Just A Few Cons.

EricCarrRulez
teen, 14 years old
 
Hysterical. "Thats S-a-n-f-o-r-d period" Fred Sanford

خر
kid, 1 year old
 
it's iffy and on for 5+, and see
I Watched it since 10, too, but Sorry Fans of Sanford and Son, These Preschoolers are banned. I think ants are going to ban Saford and Son from watching like (Ren & Stimpy, Pecola, Pucca, Hamtaro, Sitting Ducks, Peep, Pet Alien, Rocko's Modern Life, Angry Beavers, Cow & Chicken, Beavis & B***-Head, Atomic Betty (which those Cartoon Network idiots should never have dumped for that Ben 10 and Naruto garbage), Zixx (Cartoon Network only aired season one (not season two) of this), AAAHH! Real Monsters, etc.), I don't want Mr. Meaty to get cancelled quickly (along with Robotboy, Dragon Hunters, Monster Allergy, Zatch Bell, Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, SpongeBob (which I doubt will get cancelled quickly), Catscratch, Horseland, Zatch Bell!, (the ones not canceled yet) Robot Chicken, Dora the Explorer, Go! Diego! Go, AFV, 2 Stupid(won't show up and you can hide st*pid) Dogs, Shrek, Phienas and Ferb, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, iCarly, Beverly Hills, 90210/90210, 3's Company, Sesame Street, High School Musical, MythBusters, Cheers, Pinky Dinky Doo, Paid Programming, What I like about you, Roseanne, The Nanny, Adult Programming, Programming, The Good Night Show from The Sunny Side Up Show, Bratz, Jason Haddad in the Morning-at Night, Transformers, M*A*S*H, and 7th Heaven, [adult swim] fans, (going to sites like) Yahoo!, YouTube, Facebook, (movies like) Pirates of Carabian, (driving.riding) caravans, (watching) Sprout, and Barney and Friends, Friends, The A Team, H*ll's Kitchen, D*mn Yankees, Bad Girls Club, The Girls Next Door, The Boys Next Door,Give Me My F***ing Change, F*CK, Animators, Star Wars, 10 things i hate about you,Stickfingers, Johnny Test, CN shows, (songs like) The Best D** Thing (other TV shows like) Judge Judy, Bulls...!, Airplane!, COPS,DARE, Reno 911!, and Deal or No Deal and All of the above except for Sanford and Son like America's Next Top Model (until 14) (i don't like reno 911! until 13 or the movie when i'm 17) and the Like,The PussyCat Dolls too, etc.) it's the same thing as Sanford and Son, Sanford and Son ... Rocks! They don't have these anymore for young schooler grade (5 & under) audiences, The Judge says this show is OK for Elementary Schoolers and Older (5 & over), i think it's fine for mature kids.

Serinity ...
kid, 12 years old
 
nothing. nothing is bad but there somethings good.

9001
teen, 15 years old
 
Your child needs to be mature enough to watch this show without copying the bad behaviour.
The age-appropriateness of this show really depends on the age of your child. This show contains a really bad (but hilarious) roll model, and depending on your child, this show may be suitable for ages anywhere from 12-18+. I would say the minimum age you should be to watch this, in terms of content, should be 12+.

 
You are a dummy if you don't like this show :D
It truly is a must see 70's television show. I used to watch this show (plus Welcome Back Kotter, The Jeffersons, and All in the Famliy) when I was 10 with my mother. The prejudice exhibited by Fred I truly didn't understand at the time since I was 10. It wasn't until I was 15 and knew about race relations of the 70's that I finally understood a lot of the shows messages. This is a hilarious show, and I think only people over the age of 13 will truly benefit from watching this show. Overall, It's a classic sitcom, and is ALOT better than some of the awful cartoons and reality shows of today.

cooldude1234
teen, 14 years old
 
great show
Sanford and son is an exceptional show. It has very funny lines and the characters are hilarious. The show does have some bad message and some mild language. It also depicts fred as a hard drinker with no consequenes what so ever. So if you are over 8. This is a great pick.

yo77
teen, 17 years old
 
Watch it, Sucka
U may be the dullest, most humdrum person in the whole wide world. Watch this and even U will laugh. This is probably one of the most funny classic TV shows ever made. Theme- A father( Fred Sanford) and a son ( Lemont) still living with his father in his 30's own a junk yard. Mostly, the only innapropriate content is the insults that Fred gives. Other than that, "Get the h-ll outta here" is isolated; and some sexual innuendos such as "You never even touched my grapes" and "or we would have been more careful that night 35 years ago" are used. Overall, I say that Sanford and Son is appropriate for kids 10 and up. --------Watch it, Sucka- Esther--------

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age