Parents' Guide to

Sanford and Son

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

70s classic offers laughs -- and stereotypes.

TV Syndicated , TV Land Comedy 1972
Sanford and Son Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Sanford and Son TV: Scene 1
  • Sanford and Son TV: Scene 2
  • Sanford and Son TV: Scene 3

Community Reviews

See all
age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

skandera
skandera Adult
October 28, 2015
age 9+

family friendly

There is some very mild language every once in a while and there are some stereotypical jokes but kids that shouldn't hear them wouldn't understand them. Fred sometimes says he's gonna give somebody "one cross the lips".
Rockybalboa211
Rockybalboa211 Adult
June 29, 2011
age 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.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (8 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate