LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) Jimmy Kimmel has announced he will present a live, 90-minute re-creation of two of Norman Lear’s classic television shows, “All In The Family” and “The Jeffersons,” with an all-star cast, to air on ABC May 22.
“Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: Norman Lear’s ‘All In The Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons'” will be directed by Jimmy Burrows and is expected to star Woody Harrelson in the role of Archie Bunker, Marisa Tomei as his wife, Edith, Jamie Foxx as George Jefferson and Wanda Sykes as Louise Jefferson, according to Deadline Hollywood.
Ellie Kemper will play Archie’s daughter, Gloria Stivic, and the iconic role of her husband / Archie’s rival son-in-law “Meathead,” aka Michael Stivic originally played by Rob Reiner, appears to be unfilled.
The role of the Jeffersons’ upstage neighbor, Tom Willis, will be portrayed by Will Ferrell.
“The fact that a group of Oscar winners eagerly agreed to play these iconic characters is a testament to the greatness of these shows and their creator, Norman Lear. To be a part of this is a dream come true for me and for everyone involved,” Kimmel said.
Added Lear: “They have said over and over again that these two shows were meant for the ’70s and would not work today. We disagree with them and are here to prove, with two great casts depicting All in the Family and The Jeffersons, the timelessness of human nature. I cannot wait to see what these glorious performers make in our time of these indelible characters, and I couldn’t be more grateful for Jimmy Kimmel, Sony and ABC for their collective willingness to conceive and pursue this never-been-done-before event.”
The live production was years in the making, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Ferrell, Lear and Kimmel are among the executive producers. Lear recently turned 96.
“We are honored and elated to be involved in retelling these groundbreaking stories, which are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago when they first aired. And to be working with such brilliant icons as Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel, as well as this dream cast, in this exciting new format, is nothing short of amazing!” Sony Pictures Television Studios president Jeff Frost and co-presidents Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter said in a statement.
