Lou Grant (Television series)
"Lou Grant" is a critically acclaimed television series that aired from 1977 to 1982, featuring the character Lou Grant, portrayed by Edward Asner, a newspaper editor navigating personal and professional challenges. The show is noted for its realistic portrayal of social and political issues, which resonated with audiences and earned it numerous accolades, including a Peabody Award and thirteen Emmy Awards, highlighting its significance in television history. However, as the political landscape shifted towards conservatism following Ronald Reagan's election, the show's liberal perspective began to face backlash. In 1982, Asner's involvement in political activism related to Central America fueled controversy and led to a decline in viewership, ultimately resulting in the show's cancellation by CBS. The decision ignited debates over censorship and the influence of celebrity political views on their careers. Despite the series ending due to these pressures, "Lou Grant" remains remembered for its impactful storytelling and the challenges faced by its cast and creators.
Subject Terms
Lou Grant (Television series)
Type of work: Television series
Broadcast: September 20, 1977, to September 13, 1982
Creators: James L. Brooks, Allan Burns, and Gene Reynolds
Subject matter: The staff of a metropolitan daily newspaper work under the direction of editor Lou Grant
Significance: This award-winning series was canceled during a national debate over the politics of its star, Edward Asner, and pressure against its sponsors and network
The winner of a Peabody Award and thirteen Emmy Awards, including outstanding drama of 1978 and 1979, Lou Grant was one of the most acclaimed television series of its era. Its realistic and thoughtful treatment of important issues set it apart from other programs; however, its liberal tone eventually fell out of step with the conservative national swing begun by the election of President Ronald Reagan in 1980.
In February, 1982, actor and liberal activist Edward Asner appeared in Washington, D.C., as part of a group raising funds for medical aid for El Salvador. Contending that people in rural areas of the Central American nation were suffering from its civil war, the group donated twenty-five-thousand dollars for relief efforts by antigovernment rebels. Right-wing critics and pressure groups charged Asner with supporting procommunist forces opposing U.S. policies and called for boycotts against the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) and the sponsors of his show, Lou Grant. Several advertisers dropped their sponsorship. Whether the political beliefs of a celebrity should have an impact on his or her craft and livelihood was debated for months. That spring Lou Grant began a steep slide in viewership. When CBS canceled the series in May, 1982, it cited poor ratings rather than the political controversy. Critics of the cancellation, however, contended that pressure on CBS and its sponsors had effectively censored Asner and could have a chilling effect on actors who might publicly support unpopular causes. Asner, a television star for twelve years and a seven-time Emmy winner, did not work in series television for the next three years. He blamed industry blacklisting.