Sanford and Steptoe and Son

It has been fifty years since Sanford and Son was first broadcast on TV. It ran for six seasons and 136 episodes. The very first episode aired on January 14, 1972. It's hard to believe that it has been five decades since that sitcom was first broadcast.

What certain people may not know is that Sanford and Son was based on a British sitcom called Steptoe and Son. Fred Sanford was based on Albert Steptoe and Lamont Sanford was based on Harold Steptoe. But Fred and Lamont Sanford were portrayed by black actors. Albert and Harold Steptoe were portrayed by white actors.

Some of the Sanford and Son episodes were based on Steptoe and Son episodes. One such Sanford and Son episode was "Here Comes The Bride, There Goes The Bride". On that episode, Lamont was dumped by his fiancee at the altar. That episode was based on the Steptoe and Son episode titled "And Afterwards At...".

Fred and Lamont Sanford were portrayed by Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson. Albert and Harold Steptoe were portrayed by Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett. Sadly, both Brambell and Corbett are now deceased. Brambell died in 1985 at the age of 72. Corbett died in 1982. He was only 57 when he died. Redd Foxx died in 1991 at the age of 68. Demond Wilson is still alive.

Steptoe and Son was created and written by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. Sadly, Galton and Simpson are also deceased. Galton died in 2018 at the age of 88. Simpson died one year earlier in 2017 at the age of 87. Steptoe and Son was broadcast by the BBC from 1962 to 1965, followed by a second run from 1970 to 1974. A total of 57 episodes were made. A movie titled "Steptoe and Son Ride Again" was also made in 1973.

Lamont Sanford complained about the broken down truck he had to drive, but he was better off than Harold Steptoe. Harold had to use a cart and horse for transportation. Fred and Lamont were called junk dealers. Albert and Harold were called rag-and-bone men.

Every Sanford and Son fan should be grateful to Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. If they hadn't created Steptoe and Son, Sanford and Son wouldn't exist. I've seen every Steptoe and Son episode and I firmly believe that it is every bit as good as Sanford and Son.