Eric Monte vs. Norman Lear | The Breakdown with Dara Starr Tucker

I had heard murmurings of this story for years, so I decided to investigate. Norman Lear is said to have cheated Eric Monte out of proper credit and millions of dollars in royalties for the work he did to create several black characters and shows Norman is attributed with creating. We'll discuss this further on the "I'm All Over the Place" podcast - Watch it here: • IAOTP Episode 5 | Eri...
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[@DaraStarrTucker]

There is a fundraiser for Mr. Monte at the link in my Instagram bio. “DaratuckerB” or go to Go Fund Me and search “Blessings for Eric Monte.” He is in dire need at this time. I am in touch with him, and he will receive 100% of what is raised.

[@Attmay]

He, Emmanuel Lewis, and the estates of Gary Coleman, Nell Carter, Franklyn Seales and Fred “Rerun“ Berry, should get every dime from every sitcom with so much as a single solitary black actor on it for the past 50 years.

[@Ll5374]

That was a very beautiful story, Dara starr tucker about Eric Monte and Norman Lear story, Now you do make a good Navigator pronouncing...

[@geraldstephens6612]

There are stories about how Redd Foxx & Esther Rolle had to fight with both the producers & networks to show black families & neighborhoods more honestly.

[@mrshabazz2649]

Bless you sister

[@michaelguerrieri3486]

Sorry I dont have the money for eric monte. i accidentally pressed the thank post by mistake. Sorry 😢

[@phoenixrising_1973]

His story NEVER changed after all these years! That's another way you KNOW Mr. Monte is telling the truth!!

[@Attmay]

Norman Lear doesn’t tell stories, he pushes a narrative.

[@gaffle-411]

Hats off to Monte for some of the best shows ever presented on television. 👏

[@billionaire33]

I believe every word. Even as a child, I wondered how a white Jewish man knew these stories. Now I know how. Smh. This man needs to be celebrated by our people. Period! We need our own Oscars, television awards.....movie theaters. We don't need them.

[@erbyfatal4919]

We do it's called NAACP image award and bet awards.

[@Attmay]

Norman Lear couldn’t create shit. He built his entire TV production company around two remakes of British shows, one of which had a Gay man in the lead making the American version of form of straightwashing. Except for one thing: Jews are not “white.“ If we are so white, then why did Hitler try to kill us all?

[@djkaosthemixmasta]

@@erbyfatal4919 funded and created by the same ppl who stole from Eric Monte smh

[@lisapalmeno4488]

I support that theory. I loved Good Times and Sanford and Son. James Evans was to me a perfect dad type. I put him up on a pedestal with John Walton on the Waltons and Michael Landon's character on Little House on the Prairie for being a strong father figure and great husband.

[@jayo552]

@@erbyfatal4919 NAACP WAS STARTED BY YPEOPLE & BET IS OWNED BY GERMANS, THATS NO REPRESENTATION EITHER

[@ashleyhw4388]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. This story needs to be amplified. I want Monte to get his flowers while we still have the chance.

[@DaraStarrTucker]

We started a fundraiser. On my Instagram. Daratuckerb

[@joedoe6251]

Yes this situation should be definitely amplified!! One of these black networks should give him some props!! And set up a show celebrating this writer who created these smash hits sitcoms that everybody kept thinking Norman Lear created it!! When that was a cold fraud!! And they still doing it this very day!! Those filthy rich streamers!! Cheating black R&B singers & young rappers.....🤔🔥

[@lornawilson4331]

So sad but I believe everything that has been said!! Norman Lear is dirty and he is a crook but I hate that Eric Monte had to suffer as well as other writers and actors!! I pray that Mr. Monte get a blessing real soon since he is such a talented man.

[@thundercron77]

Came hear after Norman Lear died. Monte's story is one current day Hollywood could tell, either a feature film or limited streaming show.

[@magnusrexus]

Tyler Perry needs to hire this man

[@williamdavis8855]

Tyler is too busy visiting Norman Lear at his home and telling him how much he was an inspiration to Perry's ideas

[@leemontgomery7914]

🙏🏿👏🏿👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@UMIupliftingMotivatingInspirin]

Never share entire concepts with other Creatives. Creatives not only use other Creatives concepts but sometimes steal another's work --its been done with other famous people. That's why I don't like so called "call for scripts" and "writer contest" because a Creativesm's ideas can be stolen and used.

[@sethmarie]

Always heard about Eric Monte.The creator of Good Times, The Jefferson's and What's Happening. He even created the Cosby Show that was created later. But never heard in dept interviews from him. It's a shame. Monte, should have been paid ten of millions if not hundred of millions for his writing work of these groundbreaking shows. Hope he still get his just do and more compensation.

[@DaraStarrTucker]

We have a fundraiser going for him. Link is in my bio on Instagram. DaratuckerB

[@Elwrt455]

The Cosby Show too!? Wow!!

[@lisapalmeno4488]

Oh yeah, What's hap-pen-ing, man! Loved it.

[@dannyadams4603]

DARA, I BELIEVE EVERY WORD OF WHAT YOU UPLOADED IN THIS CONTENT! MY GOD I CAN REMEMBER AS A YOUNG BLACK MAN SAYING TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY "AIN'T NO WAY A WHITE MAN WROTE THESE BLACK ENCOUNTERS THIS WELL!!" HERE I'M 60 YEARS OLD WITH 5 GRANDCHILDREN, TODAY IS FATHER'S DAY, MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN'S WILL ALL BE HERE AT MY HOUSE AND DARA GUESS WHAT WE WILL BE WATCHING AFTER HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DINNER? YOU GUESS IT THIS UPLOAD AND ALL YOUR CONTENT! THIS IS AMAZING! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY! I PRAY FOR YOU AND GREG CONSTANTLY! DAUGHTER KEEP LOOKING AND MOVING FORWARD! I KNOW YOUR DAD WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU BECAUSE I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR PUTTING OUT CONTENT LIKE THIS AND I KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR HATERS! I AM PRAYING GOD'S BLESSINGS ON YOU AND GREG! BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT, HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND, STAND THEREFORE!!! PEACE DAUGHTER! 💪🏾✊🏾👊🏿✌🏾🙏🏾💜

[@DaraStarrTucker]

Thank you so much Danny. Happy Father’s Day to you!

[@gigigiseleworld]

You are so right. I will address this later..

[@Kishamblack]

He owe the blk community he def a part of the programming

[@cpman1987]

First of all, whose idea was it to interview Demond Wilson about Norman Lear?! Demond Wilson was bitter about how he was also cheated out of money during his heyday as Redd Foxx's sidekick on the hit TV show "Sanford &Son" and syndication royalties! In actuality, Demond only had a stereotypical one-time role as a burglar on "All in the Family." And why in the Hell did that stupid guy interviewing Demond Wilson, continue to ask him about his professional relationship with Norman Lear, when Demond Wilson barely knew Norman Lear at all?! And let's talk about this corny interviewer who continued to praise Norman Lear-like he was Malcolm X or Martin Luther King Jr.?! He kept trying to make Demond Wilson worship Norman Lear's old crooked ass like he was the "Masiah?!" Norman Lear got very wealthy off of monetizing African-American people living in poverty and in a way made a joke out of Sherman Helmsley acting like a minstrel show caricature living in a penthouse! Don't get me wrong, I grew up watching "Good Times" and "The Jeffersons" back in the 1970s!! But I was like 10 years old and wasn't aware of racism or black people being portrayed as criminals, buffoons, or inferior to white people back then, all I knew was it made me laugh. Norman Lear "robbed" Eric Monte's brilliant ideas and Norman Lear used his extensive wealth to blacklist Eric Monte in Hollywood!! bare in mind, that Eric Monte came from abject poverty in Chicago's notorious housing project "Cabrini Green!" Eric Monte became homeless and was unable to obtain or afford food, water, or shelter easily after Norman Lear "froze" him out of ever securing Another writing job in Hollywood! Norman Lear cheated Eric Monte out of potential tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars in syndication profits from Eric Monte's ideal that later became "Good Times", "The Jefferson's" and later "What Happening!" TV shows!! Something else I noticed that wasn't quite right, why did that idiot interviewing Demond Wilson tell him Muhuumad Ali and Norman Lear were his 2 heroes growing up?!?! Did that man ever see 1 episode of "Sandford &Son?!" And if Norman Lear had almost nothing to do with a show that was never created by Norman Lear or his late partner Bud Yorkin, but a show that was copied from another TV show from the United Kingdom called "Steptoe & Son!" Norman Lear was a brilliant, prolific TV show producer/writer. But also cheated a struggling writer (Eric Monte) out of his share of the lucrative profits of "Good Times" and "The Jeffersons" TV shows!!! So I don't blame Demond Wilson for his "brutal" honesty!! This was the best authentic interview I've ever seen!!

[@helengorton894]

Dara, how terrible and unaceptable behaviour towards Mr. Monte. So glad you have reported this. I had no idea! Thank you! God bless you and Mr. Monte.

[@harryjohnson8605]

It never fails. Our people shortchanged. Eric deserves to be paid for his efforts.

[@waynedurning8717]

Lots of people get shortchanged in this world. You just like to think it’s all racism because it explains away all the personal responsibility. It lets you be a victim.

[@MrAschiff]

It happens to everyone. My friend Mitchell Levine, who is Jewish (like I am), wrote the award-winning script for The Usual Suspect, and Brian Singer took it and ripped it off.

[@IrnBruNYC]

Dara, this is important work. I’m really looking forward to hearing your podcast.

[@DaraStarrTucker]

Thank you. There’s a fundraiser for him on my Instagram page. DaratuckerB

[@iluminati]

I'm glad you finally got a hold of the man. I'd seen the rumors for years, but now we get the confirmation from the horse's mouth. Thanks for your efforts ma'am.

[@hermanmunster714]

Why did Oprah interview the royals but never Eric Monte? Be bold Oprah and bank roll the movie! Thank you Mr. MONTE for your hard work!

[@Ariespath9]

He is constantly reminded of the betrayal of his life.... It's always on TV

[@DT-we2ye]

Excellent video. I actually wrote my college thesis on everything you said here, back in the 90s. You are 100% accurate. The only unfortunate part to this story is that no black talent really comes to Eric's defense, to this day. I understand Eric was blacklisted and folks didn't want to risk losing their careers, but I have no record of any cast member (living or dead) of Jeffersons, Good Times, What's Happening, vouching for Eric Monte in this whole drama. That includes Bernadette, Ralph, John Amos, Marla Gibbs, Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Janet DuBois, Jimmy Walker. To the contrary, I have only seen these actors praise Norman Lear, to this day. Even after their TV careers are long over. I find that problematic. What did they all have to lose after their acting careers were over, say after 2000? They are ones best equipped to open the door to Eric Monte truly getting his flowers.

[@DaraStarrTucker]

I find that strange too. I can only guess Eric burned a lot of personal bridges, but I’m sure no one wanted to risk any future opportunities to work in the business by crossing Lear & his compadres. Very cool that you did a thesis on this. 👍🏽

[@DT-we2ye]

@@DaraStarrTucker I think that's true. But all their careers in Hollywood are over. No one is calling them for work, including Norman Lear. To me, the best chance of them all getting money IS by telling us what really happened with Lear and Monte. That's really their last and only way to monetize at this point. If I'm playing devil's advocate, the other side to the story is that Eric Monte had great ideas, but he was an awful pen to paper writer. He never really wrote an actual script able to be used. He only gave ideas and offered characters. And he was a good consultant to keep his characters from becoming caricatures. But he wasn't really a TV writer. The white producers claim his scripts were illegible, incomplete and lacked flow for TV. One writer said that for every one script Eric Monte turned into Norman Lear, it took 3 members of the writing staff to clean it up, revise it, rewrite it, and make it make sense for TV. Monte's scripts essentially had to be rewritten according to the (white) writers on the show. (I take that sort of with a grain of salt). Monte's scripts had to basically be gutted and rewritten. That being said, the general plot or idea behind an episode came from him and his life experiences. Remember he actually didn't graduate even high school and that will definitely translate to what he can and cannot actually write on paper. To me, after thinking about this long and hard for decades, I think Eric was owed a huge founder's fee. As in millions. And maybe 5% ownership of Good Times. And then he should have been given a modest salary as a script consultant. That would have been fair. But I do acknowledge that the Norman Lear machine is what allowed these basic ideas and plot lines from Eric Montes to become actual episodic TV.

[@mcarlkv53]

because they can be killed if they expose the truth about what "race" runs the history

[@motophone8794]

​@@DT-we2yehe didn't graduate from high school?? He must have gotten his GED then to have enrolled in city college. He was taking college level poetry and writing courses. He produced his own play which gained him notoriety... And you think he didn't know how to write? Really? The fact that the networks kept him on payroll is evidence of his value in their eyes. But they just didn't want to pay what he's worth. They were thieves. Nothing new for them. If you pay attention, they all share something in common.

[@scott8xxx532]

@@DT-we2ye This is a very interesting and thoughtful analysis, based on your own extensive research. It seems balanced and completely plausible. It rounds out the story far beyond Jewish Man Bad that the overwhelming majority of the comments here have eagerly latched onto. Funny how nobody else raises the question of why so many stars did not step up for him. Should they all be excused for willfully protecting their own future opportunities, even so many years later, rather than doing the right thing? Or.....is there more to it? As you wrote, it seems Montes absolutely should have been treated better, given a much larger cut of the profits and royalties, etc., but when it came down to it, the full story was that he seemingly contributed concepts and character outlines that regularly needed to be fleshed out by actual writers or nothing would have made it to air. But again it is much easier to summarize that Jews are evil, Lear stole everything 100% and every white person who wrote for these shows and helped bring these shows into our homes may as well have been in the KKK. It's a shame that relatively few people here are going to stumble across your intelligent comment that paints a fuller picture of the (likely) reality of the situation. Which includes the brilliant suggestion that Montes did deserve "huge founder's fees" and larger ownership and residuals %s. Yet also acknowledges Lear's role in that, without him, these would not have become actual episodic TV shows. My last comment: whatever Lear did that may have wronged Montes, he did as a man, not as a Jew. Bringing his religion into this is just an excuse for many here to reveal their own hateful prejudice. It's fucking disgusting. Especially considering how many Jews have marched for civil rights, and fought for the Black community, and will continue doing so. In return, has anyone ever heard much about Black people lifting a finger against antisemitism?

[@la-monicacarter6867]

No doubt in my mind, this kind of thing still happens. Then Lear died today. I corrected a friend of mine who said Lear created all these shows. I said no, he didn't.. I sent him this video and educated him

[@WillmobilePlus]

You sent him a video of a guy telling a story....with utterly no evidence.....but because the dude telling it was black, you just blindly believe him because it is confirmation bias of your own?

[@wandaboynton2021]

​@@WillmobilePlusHe is telling the truth,you folks been stealing and taking credit for others ideas.

[@AfriasporaFilms]

@@WillmobilePlusYou’re obviously not in the industry or know no one who is. Knowledge of Norman Lear’s thievery is legendary to those who know as is knowledge of the veracity of Eric’s story. Eric’s every word can be corroborated in the public record of court proceedings, as well as by those still alive who were there. Whether you believe it or not really doesn’t matter.

[@duvell1]

May he be LIFT HIS EYES IN HELL !

[@amatrex]

@@AfriasporaFilms If everything Mr. Monte stated was true and there's evidence to back up his story, then his case should've been a slam dunk for any lawyer to take on, right? I'm all for Mr. Monte getting the credit and recognition he deserves but one has to wonder why no lawyer would take his case being that everything he said can be corroborated. Lawyers love to get paid too but they passed on the opportunity to represent Mr. Monte. There's likely more to this story that hasn't been told.

[@deangeloproductions8876]

Thank you so much for this! 🙌🏽 I just listened to an interview with Oprah and Norman Lear and was so inspired. I feel guilty that I TOTALLY forgot about Eric Montes story. 🤦🏽‍♂️ We have to continue sharing these stories/FACTS so our own people won’t continue to be uncredited and forgotten. Awesome work 💪🏽 You just gained a new follower 😉 🙏🏽

[@zoprice4096]

I’m from Chicago, and I spoke to him years ago in 2017 I still got a messenger message and I spoke to him on the phone when he gave me his number. This man is telling the truth about everything and he’s not lying. He’s just a black man and they took advantage of they made the money during them out. I never lived in a Projects, but we used to go visit my grandmother’s best friend who did. And I remember passing by the housing that they show as a beginning clip for good times to ghetto. It breaks my heart to see how they just left him like this and especially at an elderly age where is family?

[@greenmile668]

I need his phone number

[@Elwrt455]

Everyone a big round of applause for DARA STARR TUCKER's hard work in keeping Screenwriter Eric Monte's legacy alive!! Janet DuBois "Willona" on "Good Times" sang the theme song "Movin' On Up" for "The Jeffersons" TV pilot theme song. Eric Monte "the Father of Black TV"

[@PS-xi2yc]

I wrote a biography of Eric Monte several years ago on IMDB under the pseudonym Peter Sean. I'd encourage people to check it out.

[@MM-dv9hp]

Please add the link.

[@PS-xi2yc]

@@MM-dv9hp links dont work in comments section. Google Eric Monte IMDB.

[@neferkwi7920]

Thank you so much for sharing this valuable piece 🙏🖤🔥✊

[@deacondavis5098]

That’s the entertainment industry. Like the old saying a leopard never changes its spot’s.

[@valpomary9066]

What a terrible thing to happen to him, although most of the key players are old or dead, I wish something could have been done☹️

[@gigigiseleworld]

#normanlear is still alive... (😉) ...

[@CK-ky6ky]

@@gigigiseleworld right

[@sheree1994sa]

​@gigigiseleworld exactly, another lawsuit should have been file. Norman died a rich man eating and living well

[@ginaalexander2417]

Norman Lear died still being ornery, racist and evil. He lived a long life rich and fulfilling while Eric Monte suffered. But Lear’s eternal life could be something totally different! Tyler Perry just opened his studio and named studios after different actresses and actors, but never mentioned Eric Monte. But just recently stated Norman Lear was one of his hero’s…How…Come again Sir😮🙃☹️ It’s a terrible tragedy! Hollywood is Mask on/Mask off🎭

[@fireinthesky_71]

I'm a City College Student. We have to bring Eric Monte home.

[@skysurfer6870]

❤❤❤ His story made me shed tears today. I grew up in a time where I can chose my role models, black white asian any nationality but back in those days where the racial segregation , stigmatization of African Americans was was so prevalent in the USA this guy could have made a difference in many people’s lives. He could have kept kids at home off the streets. Generally speaking in many U.S. Tv shows the bad guy is always a minority still in 2022 is like a subliminally message.

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

That's a straight up lie, usually The villain is a purposely made a white guy so No.

[@davidgoodall7]

I must say that this was a very well presented showing. Wow! ... I never knew ANY of this! Damn shame how Holly-weird has done black talent. I recall back in the 80s how I absolutely detested Holly-weird for not advocating on behalf of black talent when we all knew there was indeed black talent to behold. They pushed the careers of Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Robert de Niro, and others, but seemingly could not come up with or refused to tap into the bevy of black actors and actresses. I found this to be very problematic, and so understood the meaning behind & supported Public Enemy's late 80s iconoclastic, anti-establishmentarian anthem "Burn, Hollywood, Burn!"

[@maryburrell3948]

This is so horrible to learn that Norman Lear did this.

[@maureenc1284]

Of course it was stolen. It's sick that Lear takes all the credit. I say that because I don't hear him speaking of Monte and his contributions. Those shows are iconic and we all watched as a family every week.

[@mariastewart8810]

Of course he's not going to mention his contributions, now he has taken all the credit to the grave with him!😮

[@elongatedmanforever1252]

How do we know it was stolen?? also many people steal other Peoples ideas, it happens a Lot.

[@addisonjai3598]

Makes COMPLETE sense!! Get Norman Lear while he is ALIVE and well before he finds a way to speed up death!!

[@DankwaBrooks]

Where is the podcast where you deep dive into this. I’m interested in listening.

[@DaraStarrTucker]

Goes up on Tuesday.

[@Buildsolarhomes]

Bottom line is that Eric Monte should have and STILL SHOULD start his own production company.

[@kikio-rq9kx]

Period!

[@DankwaBrooks]

I’ve seen some of these ERIC MONTE clips before and I’m glad in your summation that you stated that there may be “exaggerations and misrepresentations in his story”. I must also add that having studied representation in the industry since I was in Film School👨🏽‍🎓, reading books like the excellent ‘Toms, coons, mulattoes, mammies, and bucks’ by DONALD BOGLE and now being a filmmaker and Media Professor👨🏽‍🏫 (Morgan State🧡💙🐻) I also agree 1000% that “it’s not hard to imagine this story playing out exactly how he says it did and what can’t be questioned is the indelible legacy Eric Monte has left on the culture with the characters and the stories that he brought us.”

[@DaraStarrTucker]

Thank you for appreciating the nuance here. You’re probably the first person that has commented positively on that. Thank you.

[@joedoe6251]

Eric Monte isn't his name...his real name is Kenneth Williams. EM is some kind of fictional name the white producers trumped up for everybody to think that that's a white man....look at that last name.

[@princellasmith7562]

Wow. I'd NEVER EVEN HEARD of this. This is nuts. Usually when stuff like this happens, you hear some rumblings of it, but I had seriously never ever even heard of this. Someone needs to do a full-out documentary about this. This is crazy. Sadly, I am inclined to believe this man given that so many black creators have been stolen from for decades whether musicians, writers, actors, you name it.

[@buicklincoln]

Monte's experience is not uncommon. You work in many places they'll have you sign a creativity agreement where anything that you create while working there it's assumed that you used the company's technology to develop it. Monte probably agreed to just his salary, then dreams up all these characters or give recommendations on who should play the part, then doesn't get compensated because all Lear was obligated to pay was Monte's salary.

[@jayo552]

HE DIDNT WORK 4 ANYBODY HE HAD MIKE PRESENT THE SCRIPTS N THEY WERE STOLEN, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS APPLY

[@Joe-jn5li]

Sounds like a bad system to me. Time to flay the rich and leave the bones

[@crystalbush5273]

Was Lear "obligated" to railroad Eric's legal case against him... Norman Lear was a f*cking devil

[@ptballers4life]

All that brilliance, and they still found a way to son him!

[@chanelcaldwell6844]

The death of Norman Lear bought me here. Wow I didn't know this story, so sad.

[@anthonybanks4958]

Me & a friend was just talking about Mike Evans & Eric Monte and my friend went and found your video, "thank you" for this update & informative details on Mr. Monte, plus I love your voice, gurrrrrl, you can voice work for radio, TV, stage, hosting & everything, continued success & Blessings!!!

[@mimiandy1683]

I believe Mr. Monte's account.

[@AfterwardDeified]

I'll never look at Lear the same way again! I'm a writer myself, and the idea of someone stealing my intellectual property is horrific. Damn, what is it with all these "heroes" turning out to be frauds?? Depressing...

[@gerryaime9472]

Great content as usual!

[@welldweller22]

Eric Monte opened a lot of doors for writers and took our entertainment shows to the next level. He paved the way for the Cosby Show, A Different World, Family Matters and Martin. I’m sure there is a lot more to these stories here. But it was wrong for Hollywood to try and blackball him. He stood up against negative stereotypes. So many people enjoyed and still love Sanford and Son, Good Times, and the Jeffersons. A lot of the messages in those vintage show are still relevant and dealt with transcendental issues. Something that is missing in today’s culture.

[@t.kuykendall517]

I BELIEVE HIM! I saw that documentary on KZbin years ago. And none of those cast members ever denied it! If you look at the credits for a lot of the hit shows of the 60's, 70's and 80's, you see a repeat of a lot of the same names. Especially producers and executive producers. Based on their history, this is not hard to believe.

[@BlackCinemaClub]

Fantastic insight Dara. Thank you for putting this together

[@roachesratsrepellentpack.9304]

It was a black man's brilliance behind all of these groundbreaking hit shows!! B1

[@thatgaldallas8459]

Thank you for this interview

[@thescribe3184]

I pretty sure his lawyers took 60% of that settlement.

[@mariastewart8810]

Exactly which explains Eric falling on hard times again after the what left was finished 😮

[@jonathanmitchell9886]

I'm with Eric Monte. Norman Lear's style of humor is much more evident in "All in the Family" and especially "Maude": self-consciously Jewish, self-consciously political, and obviously the product of someone who lived entirely within the privileged class bubble of show business. A lot of that stuff was frankly not relatable to anyone--white, black or otherwise--who lived outside that bubble. It sounded like well-off showbiz people writing for themselves and each other because that's what it was. But "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times" were different, and very relatable to a mass audience. That's why I believe that Mr. Monte is telling the truth. It just didn't feel like Norman Lear was the creative consciousness behind those shows.

[@kevinlawrence1212]

the problem was is that Mr. Monte knew nothing about copywright law.

[@timothylawson3262]

This is so important, this story, thank you brother.

[@amclubradio8439]

I definitely donated and anyone who grew up watching his sitcoms should show respect for all the good memories he blessed us with we need to get him back where he belongs not now but right now !!!!!

[@meshondadonaldson9365]

Such a sad story. Thanks for covering it. How is Mr. Monte now?

[@theresawebb1968]

Monte was incredible writer but he didnt know how Hollywood worked it is ashame he was robbed.

[@adulttalks3348]

Seen this on ig. Had to come and follow. Great post

[@darendee5682]

This is absolutely true. But not surprising. It happens in film and in music.

[@dalededen]

I wish he had gone to the writers Guild right from the beginning. Demond Wilson recently did an interview after Lear’s passing, his perspective is pretty illuminating, regarding Lear😊s involvement, or level of involvement in the shows.

[@dabb5946]

Great job telling the truth and vindicating this highly intelligent brother. The truth always prevail. Thank you.

[@karlenedennis]

Wow!!!!!!! This sh!## has been going on for a bloody loooooooong time, WICKEDNESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! Mr. Monte thanks for making all of this make sense you've answered s lot of unasked questions🤔🙄

[@egeehaque9016]

Why Norman Lear?? My heart! What a talented writer Eric Monte, I'm so sorry this happened to you.

[@mh2584]

I'm sure Eric Monty is somewhere celebrating today

[@bryantanthonyjr94]

Yeezy needs to see this !!!

[@njtomboy]

Thank you. #EricMonte Dara, I am sharing this all over. Now, THIS is #ForTheCulture Oh yeah, and #FuckNormanLear

[@chrisjarvis4449]

Lear was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of Jeanette and Herman Lear, who worked in sales. He grew up in a Jewish home and had a Bar Mitzvah. Lear went to high school in Hartford, Connecticut and subsequently attended Emerson College in Boston . so what would one expect form a money jew

[@llr4229]

You are awesome Dara!

[@Andyhoffman98]

My writing teacher told me about this. So messed up.

[@CK-ky6ky]

"Pick yourself up by your bootstraps" "Look at all the successful people who made it during the same time period" "it's not that bad " it could be worst" "everyone had it hard not just y'all " smh shhit people will say out of context without considering the maliciousness that parallels this timeline. Like flint " 'other' people have/had dirty water" Did those other people have lynchings and systematic deterrence while having said 'dirty clean' drinking water. When the smoke clears you still have burnt possessions.

[@tjtrucking1467]

I was so glad to see Eric Monte name in the credits on one of the Wayans brothers shows. I remember watching a documentary on Eric Monte years ago...😢

[@aaronettewilson5926]

Always thought the shows had black writers...It was a surprise to find out years later that was not the case...Both Montae and Evans where very Talented Writers. Very creative...They where hired because Producers saw the raw creative potential both had in the first place...both where good.and they where good together ...They may have not protected the great ideas they came up with ...They believed that they would get the credit due...because they were working with good people they thought they could trust....In pitching TV/Film projects it is essential that writers/creative concept developers....Those who work in Program development.... All those who work in creative careers..Songwriters...Poets..graphic design Artists..Photographers...Sculptures..Painters..Book writers..Etc.. legally take heed to protect their own work...If you created it...Make sure your name is legally listed in the credits...Do this BEFORE submitting your great ideas to anyone....trust no one...Your work can generate Millions of Dollars..at the present time or at some time in the future...It should be you and your descendants getting paid....get agreements in writing...Get agreement letters signed.. dated and notarized..Copyright and trademark your stuff... if it's needed to protect your work.... (A TV series/film/Radio Program/Podcast/ Blog) is like a small business..LLC/Incorporate it like you would any other business you would own..If you have a legal claim of ownership to it... you and your descendants... can work on it Profit for years... decades to come...Stay away from Addictive Substances and lifestyles.... they make for bad business decisions..Opportunists. enablers and predators see it as their time to take advantage..

[@gsportsgaming9387]

Culture vultures exactly what Dame was talking bout

[@AtunHotepRe]

FACTS FACTS FACTS & MORE FACTS! 💯

[@carlospuentes66]

That MFer killed off James to put JJ in a chicken hat!

[@delilablack5921]

Thank you for posting this story.

[@ov9879]

Eric Monte is a genius!

[@JustL00kn]

There's a CLEAR common denominator with ALL the last names of the ppl taking shit

[@tenacious1]

I believe Mr. Monte. No one should be surprised. They've taken everything from our identity to our ideas.

[@leeblessed7498]

This has been going on forever. I always questioned, how all those white writers were so knowledgeable about the Black culture. I figured, the writers were conversing with someone in our community. The LORD will still reward him, for all he has done. GOD BLESS.🙏🏽

[@marezedotes]

Such a heartbreaking story. 😢

[@thewkovacs316]

what went on the set and behind the scenes of good times is well documented

[@PeGaSus230]

Wow…AMAZING! I never knew this. What a complete shame that people are blatantly allowed to use their collective power, and surrounded by likeminded friends and thieves, openly rob another person with no real consequences. As most people believe: there are really good Jews…and then there are some really bad Jews who sully the likeness and reputation of their affinity group…especially with their greed. I always admired Norman Lear…but know have a conflicted view based on this new knowledge. He’s not the worst, but his image is definitely damaged…and I suspect that reputation will take a bigger hit in the future as others do more digging of this part. Very sad!

[@iluvmyboba]

It's absolutely sickening that Eric Monte was robbed and cheated for his ideas. But, one thing I know is that he is a very resilient man. I'm very grateful to GOD for allowing him an opportunity/platform to tell his story. And it's not too late for him to be rightfully compensated. It's interesting how in this world a lot things have a deadline and certain things don't. As a poet and a writer myself, you look at whatever The LORD has blessed you to create as your baby. To me, Mr. Monte has had to deal with several "child abductions". And those icharges , if the abductor is caught 50 years later, still hold strong. Saying it that way paints a tormented and horrific picture. Who's to say what mental anguish this Brother has been through because of repeated thievery.

[@theheartsleeves]

Thank you for this excellent video giving credit to the genius of Eric Monte!!

[@zeidenmedia]

Reading Jimmie Walker's autobiography some of the stories for Good Times were gotten from the the writers talking to Jimmie about growing up in the projects in New York. Monte did great work. Cooley High is a fantastic movie, very underrated!

[@walterricks9965]

I believe Mr Monte is telling the truth...always have!

[@misss6596]

Thank you for sharing this!!!

[@Buckshotshorty1221]

You know those devils robbed that brother.

[@blacknerdtalks7921]

Damn, so sad, I wish my mom were alive to show her this. Her and my dad loved those series, nevertheless thank you for your research and efforts in exposing the truth on Eric Monte's struggle with Hollywood.

[@PhilMoskowitz]

Suggesting a show starring Redd Foxx does not make you a creator of said show. Taking an idea and making it a reality makes you a creator of the show. Monte when on to become a creator of a TV Show with "Good Times" and "What's Happening". That's what making good suggestions do for you. They create opportunities.

[@yolo25000]

Doesn't surprise me that you would try to minimize and downplay the REAL creator's ideas. Having the preferred complexion and the right money backing him is the ONLY thing Lear had. Ideas? Leave that to the REAL geniuses.

[@scott8xxx532]

@@yolo25000 It was a remake of an existing British show. The REAL creator was the person who came up with the idea for the original show. Or maybe you feel the REAL creator is the person who recommended to the person who came up with the idea for the original show, who to cast as the lead of the original show. Because everyone knows the important part is not coming up with an original idea for a show, it is recommending a person for a role in that show............

[@yolo25000]

@@scott8xxx532 We know that story, that's just Sanford and Son. There are many more examples of his thievery. Even the adaptation to a Black family to Sanford and Son took a writing sensibility that he did not possess. The show's Black writers created the show we see today.

[@susiepace2125]

I do have a question. Who served as his attorneys in the lawsuit?

[@lishajohnson1958]

Jews protect the jews...smh

[@kenspiresrealventures760]

Oh wow thanks for giving his credits‼️This makes sense

[@dealowmorgan885]

powerful thanks for sharing this info.

[@tmorgan4133]

Seems like this happens alot, in the past and right now with large groups taking from other large groups 😢

[@rbellot11]

Excellent! Excellent! Sister you should get ALL the black folks in Hollywood (including Ohprah, Tyler Perry, etc…) to acknowledge this story

[@flowerreyez6998]

100% he stole those ideas

[@graemespringer4643]

Who cares? At least Norman Lear was progressive and smart enough to do it. We have our favourite shows because Norman took a gamble on something that should have happened long before. Update * Jeez man. Thank you Eric Monte for your incredible contributions to American television.

[@Frederick-t8t]

WHY DIDN'T THIS COME OUT 100 YEARS AGO? 😮

[@nicolebailey4426]

Played at the right time. I loved the shows but give the man his dues. John Amos was right, and so was Esther Rolle. Nobody can tell your story but you.

[@miami8089]

I remember reading about this in the late 90s. Ever since then, I always felt bad for him and hated Norman Lear with a passion

[@MrAschiff]

This happens a lot in Hollywood. A lot of people get their ideas ripped off by powerful people.

[@RayPointerChannel]

This confirms my original impression about Norman Lear. There was an aura about him the sent a message within me that indicated something inauthentic. There was something a bit "pandering" about what he was doing, and something too good to be true. This confirms it.