<P> After the show's premiere in 1972, newspaper ads touted Foxx as NBC's answer to Archie Bunker, the bigoted white protagonist of All in the Family . Both shows were adapted by Norman Lear from BBC programs . Sanford and Son was adapted from Steptoe and Son and All in the Family from Till Death Us Do Part . </P> <P> Redd Foxx played Fred G. Sanford (named after Redd Foxx's (real name: John Elroy Sanford) brother Fred), portraying him as a sarcastic, streetwise, irascible schemer whose frequent get - rich - quick ideas routinely backfired . His son Lamont longs for independence, but loves his father too much to move out and leave the trouble - prone Fred unsupervised . Though each owns an equal share in the business (technically Fred is the boss), Lamont often finds himself doing all the work and demanding his father complete tasks and duties, which he almost never does . Fred often insults his son, usually calling him "dummy ." Lamont returns the favor, referring to Fred as an "old fool ." Despite their disagreements, the two share a close bond and regularly come to each other's aid . An episode in the second season featured a plot in which Fred and Lamont had a heated argument over the business; Lamont quit and went to work for one of his father's business competitors . Meanwhile, Fred filled Lamont's position with a slacker who squandered Fred's money on a worthless item . When Lamont quits his new job and Fred fires the slacker, the two decide to reform their partnership, though each is too proud to admit they could not make it without the other . </P> <P> According to Fred, his wife Elizabeth died around 1947 . In a running gag in the series, during times of distress, Fred looks up (as to heaven) with his hand across his chest, faking a heart attack and saying, "This is the big one, Elizabeth! I'm coming to join ya honey ." No one, however, falls for this transparent ruse . Fred raised Lamont alone and missed Elizabeth deeply . According to Fred, his son was named for Lamont Lomax, a pitcher from the Homestead Grays . In one episode, Lamont asks why he did not have a middle name; Fred tells him that Lamont is his middle name: he and Elizabeth never came up with a first name . However, it was revealed in the third episode of the first season that Lamont was named "Lamont Grady Sanford ." </P> <P> Initially, Fred's main antagonist on the show was his sister - in - law and Lamont's aunt Ethel (Beah Richards). Ethel's involvement in the Sanford family squabbles lasted until midway through the second season, where she was replaced in the cast with her more tart - tongued sister Esther (LaWanda Page). Fred and Esther's relationship as in - laws became a major part of the plot . The two frequently trade insults, usually instigated by Fred, who contorts his face upon Esther's entrance and describes her with disparaging and colorful metaphors (such as comparing her to King Kong). The deeply religious, no - nonsense Esther typically responds to Fred's insults by scowling, saying "watch it, sucka!", referring to him as "you old heathen" or "old fish - eyed fool", or even attacking Fred with her purse when he continues his remarks . Esther's disdain for Fred goes back to when he and Elizabeth were dating; she disapproved of Fred's marrying her sister . </P>

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