TCA: Modern Sitcom Pioneer Norman Lear Takes Life “One Day at a Time”

At 95 the indefatigable Norman Lear -- legendary creator, writer and producer of such television classics as All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman and countless others -- has injected new life into one his many past hits, One Day at a Time.  (Season one is currently streaming on Netflix.)  In a twist to the original, this modern day reboot centers on a multi-generational Cuban-American family -- mom Penelope (Justina Machado), a newly single Army veteran raising her two teenage children; recently out daughter Elena (Isabella Gomez); son Alex (Marcel Ruiz), and abuelita Lydia (Rita Moreno).  As in the original, building manager Schneider (Todd Grinnell) is also on hand helping the family navigate topical social issues in the way the Romano/Cooper family took on the challenges of the 1970s.  “Its great fun,” beamed Lear when quizzed about working on the update.  “I can't find the words to express how much I get from working with these glorious people, and I love this show.  They were all with me for my 95th birthday, my family, six kids, grown kids, some of them with their kids, and they all adore this show.  It's a great kick.”