Watch Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons'

In 2019, a unique and exciting event occurred on television. Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons' brought together some of the biggest names in entertainment to reenact classic episodes from two iconic sitcoms. The star-studded cast included Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, and Ike Barinholtz, among others, and was directed by the talented James Burrows.

The show was a live, one-night-only event that aired on ABC. It was produced by Jimmy Kimmel and Norman Lear, who is the creator of both shows. The audience was treated to an experience that was both nostalgic and current, as the cast members put their own spin on the classic episodes.

The first half of the show featured an episode of 'All in the Family', which originally aired in 1973. Woody Harrelson played the role of Archie Bunker, the cantankerous patriarch of the Bunker family. Marisa Tomei played his long-suffering wife, Edith, while Ellie Kemper and Ike Barinholtz played their daughter, Gloria, and her husband, Mike. The episode dealt with issues of race and prejudice, and the cast handled the material with ease and humor.

The standout performance of the night was Marisa Tomei, who brought a new depth and complexity to Edith Bunker. She perfectly captured the character's sweetness and vulnerability, showing how Edith could both defer to her husband and stand up to him when necessary.

The second half of the show featured an episode of 'The Jeffersons', which originally aired in 1975. Jamie Foxx played George Jefferson, a successful businessman who moves his family to a luxury apartment in Manhattan. Wanda Sykes played his wife, Louise, and Will Ferrell made a surprise appearance as Tom Willis, George's white neighbor.

The episode dealt with issues of class and race, and the cast handled the material with the same ease and humor as the first half of the show. Jamie Foxx was excellent as George Jefferson, capturing the character's bluster and swagger. Wanda Sykes was equally fantastic as Louise, bringing both humor and heart to the role.

One of the most impressive aspects of the show was the attention to detail in the set and costume design. The stage was set up to look like a classic sitcom set, complete with audience seating and vintage cameras. The costumes were also perfectly recreated, down to Archie Bunker's plaid pants and Louise Jefferson's flowing caftan.

Overall, Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons' was an entertaining and nostalgic event that brought two classic sitcoms to a new generation. The cast was excellent, and the live nature of the show added an extra thrill for the audience. It was a fitting tribute to the groundbreaking work of Norman Lear, and a reminder of why these shows continue to be beloved by fans decades after their original runs.