ABC to Revive ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’ in a One Night Special

ABC’s late-night host Jimmy Kimmel will present a live, 90-minute prime-time event in tribute to classic Norman Lear sitcoms “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons.” Titled “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons,’ the special will recreate an original episode from each from the two comedies. “All in the Family” originally aired one CBS from 1971 to 1979 and spin-off “The Jeffersons” from 1975 to 1985. 

The special, airing live on Wednesday, May 22 (from 8-9:3a p.m. ET), will be hosted by Lear and Kimmel, and directed by 10-time Emmy winner James Burrows. Woody Harrelson will play the role of Archie Bunker, alongside Marisa Tomei as his “dingbat” wife Edith, with Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes playing George and Louise Jefferson. Ellie Kemper will play Gloria Stivic; Will Ferrell will appear as Tom Willis, and Justina Machado is set to play Florence Johnston. Additional casting will be announced at a later time.

“We are so honored to partner with our brilliant friend Jimmy Kimmel and trailblazer Norman Lear to bring some of the most iconic sitcoms ever made back to television,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “These revered shows are as culturally relevant today as they’ve ever been, and the talent they have gathered makes this the can’t-miss television event of the year … make that decade.”

As a suggestion, how about original “The Jeffersons” star Marla Gibbs now as Mother Jefferson?