The movies had a slogan at the time, to distinguish themselves from TV, that said 'movies are better than ever.'

That's the heart of it: My shows were not that controversial with the American people. They were controversial with the people who think for the American people.

There was no real controversy with All In The Family. That came from the people on the business end.

I was the laziest white kid my dad ever met.

You know, you throw rocks in the lake and scientists will tell you you're raising the level of the lake, but all you get to see is the ripple.

It crossed our minds early on that the more an audience cared - we were working before, on average, 240, live people. If you could get them caring - the more they cared, the harder they laughed.

I looked at enough of American Idol in the first weeks, and they're all about humiliation. I listen to Rush Limbaugh because I find it so repulsive. There are people with a little less sophistication who watch a lot of it, because we allow things to appeal to our baser instincts. But at the same moment, give me a little choice, and I'll make a better decision, because I have that ability too. And so does everybody else.