1972 - 1977 TV-PG 30m 7.9

The misadventures of a cantankerous junk dealer and his frustrated son.

One of television's all-time classic sitcoms, the Norman Lear-produced "Sanford and Son" debuted just three days after the one-year anniversary of Lear's fabulously successful, "All in the Family." Fred Sanford is a cantankerous 65-year-old, black, widowed junk dealer living in Los Angeles' Watts neighborhood. Helping him is his restless son, 34-year-old Lamont; Fred's beloved wife and Lamont's mother, Elizabeth, had died more than 20 years earlier. Fred's schemes and bigotry especially toward Julio, a Puerto Rican who was Lamont's friend, whites and other minorities often frustrated Lamont. Fred also showed overt disdain for his sister-in-law, Aunt Esther (the feeling was mutual). Many times, Lamont threatened to leave for meaningful work, but Fred faked a heart attack each time ("Oh, this time its real, I'm a-comin' 'Lizabeth!") as a sympathy ploy to get his son to stay. By 1977, Fred and Lamont had sold their business (stars Foxx and Wilson wanted to leave the series); it became the Sanford Arms, a rooming house. The show continued as the short-lived "Sanford Arms" (without Foxx or Wilson); it was revived in 1980 on CBS as "Sanford" (starring Foxx and without Wilson).

Sanford and Son background

Episodes:

Episode 1 Crossed Swords

1. Crossed Swords

Aired: Jan 14, 1972

Lamont buys a porcelain figure for $15 from a silent movie star. After having...

Episode 2 Happy Birthday, Pop

2. Happy Birthday, Pop

Aired: Jan 21, 1972

During his birthday celebration, Fred is overwhelmed by a visit to a fancy ba...

Episode 4 The Copper Caper

4. The Copper Caper

Aired: Feb 4, 1972

Fred and Lamont buy a load of copper from a man who has been stealing it from...

Episode 6 We Were Robbed

6. We Were Robbed

Aired: Feb 18, 1972

O, what a tangled web Fred weaves when he fakes a robbery to cover-up his car...

Episode 7 A Pad for Lamont

7. A Pad for Lamont

Aired: Feb 25, 1972

Fed up with his father frustrating his love life, Lamont strikes out on his o...

Episode 9 Coffins for Sale

9. Coffins for Sale

Aired: Mar 10, 1972

Lamont's keeping a pair of coffins in the living room spooks superstitious Fred.

Episode 10 The Barracuda

10. The Barracuda

Aired: Mar 17, 1972

Fred's in love and engaged to be married, but not if Lamont can help it.

Episode 11 TV or Not TV

11. TV or Not TV

Aired: Mar 24, 1972

In need of a new color television, Fred is upset when Lamont decides to spend...

Episode 12 The Suitcase Case

12. The Suitcase Case

Aired: Mar 31, 1972

Lamont's daily haul of junk includes a tattered briefcase stuffed with stolen...

Episode 14 The Piano Movers

14. The Piano Movers

Aired: Apr 14, 1972

It's putting the match to the powder keg when rough and tumble Fred and Lamon...

Where to Watch Sanford and Son

Change Country:

United States flag


Main Cast

Info about Sanford and Son

Current Status: Ended

Network: NBC

Genres: Comedy