Norman Lear, Activist and TV Sitcom Pioneer, Dies at 101

Norman Lear, the writer, director and producer who revolutionized prime time television with “All in the Family,” “The Jeffersons” and “Maude,” propelling political and social turmoil into the once-insulated world of TV sitcoms, has died. He was 101. Lear died Tuesday night in his sleep, surrounded by family at his home in Los Angeles, said Lara Bergthold, a spokesperson for his family. A liberal activist, Lear fashioned bold and controversial comedies that were embraced by viewers who had to watch the evening news to find out what was going on in the world. His shows helped define prime time comedy in the 1970s, launched the careers of Rob Reiner and Valerie Bertinelli and made middle-aged superstars of Carroll O’Connor, Bea Arthur and Redd Foxx. Joining us to discuss is Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University.

With files from the Associated Press.

Showrunning 101: Everything You Need To Know About Hollywood’s Most Demanding Job

What does it mean to be a showrunner? Are you the final say on creative decision-making? Responsible for budgeting? Do you supervise every phase of production? The answer is, somehow, all of the above. It seems from the outside like an impossible job–how does one person wear so many hats? Enter Emmy-award winner Jeff Melvoin, longtime writer, producer, and showrunner. His book, Running the Show: Television from the Inside provides aspiring television writers a 360 degree look at the nitty gritty of showrunning, from pitching a series to hiring and firing personnel to how to deal with executives. Today on AirTalk, Larry talks to Melvoin, a veteran of shows like Designated Survivor and Killing Eve, about what it takes to become a showrunner and how to keep the job.

Newly Appointed LA County Board Of Supervisors Chair On Homelessness, Sea Level Rise And More

Newly appointed Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Lindsey Horvath, whose district stretches from the Ventura County line to West Hollywood and into parts of the San Fernando Valley, joins AirTalk to talk about some of the county's most pressing challenges. Those include homelessness, sea level rise and more.

Actor Patrick Stewart On His New Memoir, ‘Making It So’

Patrick Stewart didn’t always sound like Patrick Stewart. Born in Yorkshire to a soldier and mill worker, he was told he had to change the way he talked in order to make it as an actor. That voice has served him well over a decades-long career that has spanned theater, film, and television. Perhaps best known for his roles as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor X in the X-men movies, Stewart is also renowned for his stage work, including many roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Today on AirTalk, Larry speaks with Stewart about his life and career, as detailed in his new memoir, “Making It So.”