It was developed by Gloria Calderon Kellett andMike Roycewho served as showrunners and executive produced it with Lear.
But the opportunity also carried a lot of weight.
Who wanted to be the writers that ruined Norman Lears legacy?
(L-R) Norman Lear, Gloria Calderón Kellett, Mike RoyceGloNation
Our working relationship had been mostly fantastic up until this point.
And at the very start, Norman took us aside and insisted This is your show.
Im just here to help.
One Day At a Time, (L-R) Justina Machado and Marcel Ruiz (Season 1, ep. 4, “A Snowman’s Tale”)Netflix
Not to mention that we were in our 40s and 50s mere children.
Which brings us to this particular run-thru day.
We were in production on our fourth episode and the whole thing was giving him fits.
Entitled A Snowmans Tale, it told the story of our lead character Penelopes first date since her separation.
In terms of structure, it was a little moreHow I Met Your MotherthanAll in the Family.
Norman wasnt having it.
After the table read, he straight up told us I dont think this one works.
What can you say to these words coming out of the mouth of the guy who invented comedy?
Uh, I think we know what were doing.
And he doesnt??
Then came our first run-thru.
But thank goodness, it all went quite well.
At least it seemed that way to us.
I want to talk to you two.
he said, leading us away from the crew to speak in private.
We looked at each other like, is this it?
Are we about to be fired?
What is happening??
Once out of earshot, Norman turned to us, frowning.
You know, from the beginning, I said this show wasnt going to work.
Then he broke into a gigantic smile, But you live and you learn.
That turned out to be a turning point for all of us.
From then on, Norman seemed truly comfortable entrusting the show to us.
And if a phrase was a person, you live and you learn would be Norman Lear.
He had a lifelong commitment to learning.
Norman was pushing societal boundaries and carving out space to humanize and build bridges until the very end.
So he never stopped learning, and for a time it also seemed like he would never stop living.
But all good things must come to an end.
Were just lucky that Norman shared his long life with us.
How lucky we all were to get to experience Norman.
We are all the better for it.
