You're in the business - when you're a writer, producer, director - to get ratings.

Quote by Norman Lear

Topics: Norman Lear Quotes

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.

When we went on the air, I didn't want to be interrupted for an act-one...

When we went on the air, I didn't want to be interrupted for an act-one...

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.

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...

TV that people will never see, that giant international corporations will never touch, will never...

TV that people will never see, that giant international corporations will never touch, will never...

At great, great remove sit the head of General Electric, the head of News Corp,...

At great, great remove sit the head of General Electric, the head of News Corp,...

Life goes on pretty much the same way. I've been working on a couple of...

Life goes on pretty much the same way. I've been working on a couple of...

Even when they don't know who Nixon was, these shows will continue to play.

Even when they don't know who Nixon was, these shows will continue to play.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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

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

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 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...

Maybe they continued to agree with Archie Bunker - as I said earlier, you can't...

Maybe they continued to agree with Archie Bunker - as I said earlier, you can't...

We are a country of excess. So it's not the violence, per se, but the...

We are a country of excess. So it's not the violence, per se, but the...

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

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