In the area we're discussing, leadership begins on Madison Avenue, on the desks and in the offices of people who spend hundreds of millions of dollars buying what will get them ratings.

Quote by Norman Lear

Topics: Norman Lear Quotes

But you know, my dad called me the laziest white kid he ever met. When...

But you know, my dad called me the laziest white kid he ever met. When...

The American people may not be the best-educated, but they're very wise at heart.

The American people may not be the best-educated, but they're very wise at heart.

I stop and look at traffic accidents. I won't hang around, but when I hear...

I stop and look at traffic accidents. I won't hang around, but when I hear...

I wanted to just do a one-act play for 26 minutes, with commercials at the...

I wanted to just do a one-act play for 26 minutes, with commercials at the...

I think the greater responsibility, in terms of morality, is where leadership begins.

I think the greater responsibility, in terms of morality, is where leadership begins.

In this nation, leadership is dollars.

In this nation, leadership is dollars.

Originally, with all the shows, we went looking for belly laughs.

Originally, with all the shows, we went looking for belly laughs.

Nobody doubts my partisanship, but a lot of the activity is nonpartisan.

Nobody doubts my partisanship, but a lot of the activity is nonpartisan.

That's the heart of it: My shows were not that controversial with the American people....

That's the heart of it: My shows were not that controversial with the American people....

We got ratings. It isn't that they won't quarrel with you, or say you're always...

We got ratings. It isn't that they won't quarrel with you, or say you're always...

We did an episode on Good Times which came out of a newspaper article about...

We did an episode on Good Times which came out of a newspaper article about...

Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes....

Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes....

So we gravitated to shows and issues and causes that made people care.

So we gravitated to shows and issues and causes that made people care.

Granted, the writers, directors, producers, and that community make a great deal of money. But...

Granted, the writers, directors, producers, and that community make a great deal of money. But...

I guess because the shows were activist in their own way - the marriage of...

I guess because the shows were activist in their own way - the marriage of...

Life is about having a good time, and it was a good time. We did...

Life is about having a good time, and it was a good time. We did...

But it also became the experience, or was the experience, of the writers who were...

But it also became the experience, or was the experience, of the writers who were...

The Good Humor man can only be pushed so far.

The Good Humor man can only be pushed so far.

All I try to do is as earnestly and as acutely as I can, conceive...

All I try to do is as earnestly and as acutely as I can, conceive...

Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding.

Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding.