AMBER STEVENS WEST, ANTHONY ANDERSON, IKE BARINHOLTZ, JACKÉE

HARRY, JOVAN ADEPO, SEAN HAYES AND STEPHEN TOBOLOWSKY JOIN ABC’S

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED LIVE SITCOM EVENT

‘LIVE IN FRONT OF A STUDIO AUDIENCE:

NORMAN LEAR’S ‘ALL IN THE FAMILY’ AND ‘THE JEFFERSONS,’’

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

May 10, 2019 — “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’” adds even more star power to the highly anticipated live sitcom special coming from late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and television icon Norman Lear. In this one-night-only event, Ike Barinholtz will recreate the role of Meathead; Sean Hayes will play Mr. Lorenzo; Amber Stevens West is set to play Jenny Willis Jefferson; Jovan Adepo will reenact the role of Lionel Jefferson; Anthony Anderson joins the cast as Uncle Henry; Stephen Tobolowsky is set to play Mr. Bentley; and Jackée Harry will play Diane Stockwell. The special, airing live WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 (8:00-9:31 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, will take viewers down memory lane, recreating an original episode from each of the Emmy^® Award-winning series “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” This legendary night of television will be hosted by Lear and Kimmel, directed by 10-time Emmy winner James Burrows and produced by Sony Pictures Television.

Previously announced stars include Woody Harrelson (Archie Bunker), Marisa Tomei (Edith Bunker), Jamie Foxx (George Jefferson), Wanda Sykes (Louise Jefferson), Ellie Kemper (Gloria Stivic), Will Ferrell (Tom Willis) and Justina Machado (Florence Johnston).

From 1971 through 1979, “All in the Family” was in the homes of millions of Americans, tackling controversial subjects for the first time such as women’s rights, racism and homosexuality. The series followed Archie Bunker as the highly opinionated, working-class family man who viewed the world on his terms. When not arguing with his liberal son-in-law, Archie took refuge in his wife, Edith, who tried to understand Archie’s conservative ways and outdated beliefs. The award-winning series shaped ongoing political and social conversations among American families in the post-civil rights era.

The success of “All in the Family” launched “The Jeffersons,” running from 1975 to 1985. It was the first television series to feature an interracial couple, and it would go on to be one of the longest-running African-American shows on TV. The series followed George and Louise Jefferson moving on up to the east side and showcasing what it was like to be successful in a predominantly white world. The series changed the landscape and helped shift conversations about race and class, paving the way for other African-American actors and TV shows.

“Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’” will be produced by Smoking Baby Productions, ACT III Productions, Gary Sanchez Productions and Sony Pictures Television. Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Justin Theroux will executive produce; and the live special will be directed by James Burrows.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Content Source: ©2019 ABC Television. All Rights Reserved.