As a fellow fan of classic television, I‘m excited to provide you with this comprehensive guide on where to stream the beloved 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son. Tracking down episodes of our favorite old shows can be a challenge in the age of streaming – hopefully the options I‘ve laid out below will help you reconnect with the hilarious antics of Fred, Lamont, and Aunt Esther in no time!
A Quick Refresher on This Iconic Sitcom
For those who need a quick reminder, Sanford and Son starred legendary comedian Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford, a widowed junk dealer in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Demond Wilson played his son Lamont, who reluctantly works in the family junk business while putting up with Fred‘s cantankerous scheming and fake heart attacks.
The NBC show was a ratings smash during its six season run from 1972-1977, praised for its groundbreaking portrayal of African-American experiences on mainstream television. Fred and Lamont‘s complicated but loving father-son dynamic struck a chord with audiences, blending sidesplitting humor with poignant social commentary.
Some quick facts on what made Sanford and Son so special:
- Adapted from the British sitcom Steptoe and Son
- First major hit sitcom with predominantly black cast
- Won a Golden Globe Award for Best TV Comedy
- Ranked #19 on TV Guide‘s Greatest TV Shows list
- Hugely influential on later shows like The Cosby Show and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Decades later, Sanford and Son remains beloved for its universal family themes and Foxx‘s legendary comedic skills. Time to dive into the streaming options, from free episodes to box set purchases!
Streaming Sanford and Son – Subscription Options
The good news is that Sanford and Son‘s continued popularity makes it widely available on most major streaming platforms. With a subscription, you can watch episodes on demand and relive all your favorite Fred Sanford schemes:
Amazon Prime Video – Every season and episode available, over 100 in total! Watch in HD with Prime.
YouTube – The Official NBC Sanford and Son Channel posts select full episodes and clips.
Hulu – Offers about 75 episodes, along with the British original Steptoe and Son.
Peacock Premium – Stream every episode online or in the mobile app. Some episodes free with ads.
PlutoTV – Channel 285 plays Sanford and Son episodes continuously. Totally free!
AT&T TV – Stream through their service or mobile app if you have a subscription.
So with just one streaming subscription, you can have the entire series available instantly. Pretty cool compared to hoping for reruns on cable!
Alternative Streaming Options for Sanford and Son
Don‘t want to commit to a full streaming subscription? Here are some ways to watch Sanford and Son online for free or cheap:
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Tubi – Totally free service has about 30 episodes. Watch with ads.
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Crackle – Sony‘s free streaming platform also has a selection of episodes.
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Vudu – Purchase single episodes to stream for just $1.99 each.
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Redbox – Rent episodes for only $2.99 each, or buy for $7.99. Stream instantly.
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IMDbTV – Amazon‘s free streaming channel offers select episodes.
So with a little searching, you can find plenty of Sanford and Son to stream instantly without a regular subscription. Just connect your device to wi-fi and enjoy!
Purchasing Digital or Physical Copies of Sanford and Son
Want to own your favorites to watch anytime? Here are some options to buy digital or physical copies of Sanford and Son:
Digital Purchase Platforms
- iTunes – Episodes $1.99, full seasons $9.99 to $14.99
- Amazon Video – Seasons $9.99 to $14.99, episodes $1.99
- Google Play – Seasons $14.99, episodes $1.99
- Vudu – Episodes $1.99, seasons starting at $9.99
DVD/Blu-Ray
- Full Series DVD Box Set – $29.99 on Amazon
- Season DVDs – $9.99 each on Amazon
- Walmart, Best Buy, Target also carry DVDs
Owning your own digital or physical copy means access to your favorite episodes anytime without an internet connection. Perfect for nostalgic binge sessions!
Finding Reruns of Sanford and Son on Cable
Many cable channels recognize the enduring popularity of Sanford and Son and air reruns. Here‘s where to spot episodes in TV listings:
- TV Land – Late nights and overnight, check listings
- BET – Reruns and marathons advertised on schedule
- Comedy Central – Occasional blocks of back-to-back episodes
- Antenna TV – Weekday mornings and late nights
- Logo – Late nights most days of the week
So it pays off to keep an eye on cable channels‘ schedules. With its continued fame, Sanford and Son tends to pop up frequently even today. Set your DVR to catch any reruns that air!
In-Depth Background on This Groundbreaking Series
Part of appreciating Sanford and Son is understanding just how groundbreaking it was in the 1970s sitcom landscape. Here‘s some fascinating history:
- Based on the popular British series Steptoe and Son
- Redd Foxx, already famous for comedy albums, handpicked by producer Norman Lear
- Demond Wilson was one of few black sitcom actors to portray a Vietnam veteran
- One of the highest rated NBC shows during its run
-Beat out The Waltons as 1976‘s #2 show with a 33.2 rating - Ranked in Nielsen‘s Top 10 for five consecutive seasons
- One of the first shows with a predominantly black cast on mainstream television
- Tackled racism, addiction, poverty, crime; praised for nuance
- Won Golden Globe for Best Television Comedy or Musical
- Spawned national catchphrases like "You big dummy!"
- Fred and Lamont‘s relationship cited as inspiration for later shows like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Sanford and Son broke barriers in the portrayals of African-Americans on television, paving the wave for greater representation in the decades after its premiere.
Why Sanford and Son Remains Relevant Today
What makes Sanford and Son truly timeless? Here are some of the reasons this sitcom continues finding new audiences today:
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Universal family themes – The joys and headaches of father-son relationships remain relatable across generations. Fred and Lamont‘s bond transcends culture.
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Social commentary – Racism, poverty, addiction, crime…these issues sadly haven‘t gone away. Sanford and Son made audiences laugh while giving nuanced perspectives on complex problems.
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Comfort viewing – There‘s something warm and familiar about returning to favorite old shows. Sanford and Son provides an escape back to the 1970s.
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Cultural milestone – As a TV trailblazer for African-American experiences, Sanford and Son retains historical significance even today.
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Foxx‘s genius – Redd Foxx‘s cantankerous-but-lovable Fred Sanford is widely considered one of the greatest sitcom characters/performances ever.
If you‘ve never seen it, Sanford and Son remains fresh, insightful, and hilarious decades later. It paved the way for greater representation on television, while providing comfort through endearing characters and universal family bonds.
Related Media and Spin-Offs
The Sanford and Son franchise lives on through various spin-off shows, stage versions, and more for devoted fans:
Shows
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The Sanford Arms – 1977 NBC spin-off starring Redd Foxx. Lasted a few months.
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Sanford – 1980 NBC series with Redd Foxx; ran for two seasons.
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Sanford and Son: The Animated Series – Never produced, but pilot out there!
Other
- Sanford and Son Stage Play – Revival with John Amos and Dorian Harewood
- Steptoe and Son – The original UK version that inspired the show
- Sanford Me – A 2021 documentary about the show‘s history and legacy
While not as iconic as the original, these spin-offs provide more chances to enjoy the Sanford and Son universe. Track them down for more laughs after binging the classic series.
Profiles of Stars Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson
Of course, Sanford and Son would be nothing without its legendary leading men:
Redd Foxx (Fred G. Sanford)
- Born John Elroy Sanford, he became "Redd Foxx" early in his stand-up comedy career
- Known for raunchy "party records" before being cast as Fred
- Became TV icon for role, earning a Golden Globe nomination
- Suffered heart attack on set in 1977 – written into final episode storyline
- Continued successful comedy and acting career through the 1980s
- Died in 1991 at age 68; remembered as a trailblazing comedy pioneer
Demond Wilson (Lamont Sanford)
- Army veteran who began acting after serving
- One of few black sitcom actors at time to portray a Vietnam vet
- Had initial reservations about show, but chemistry with Foxx won him over
- Directed several episodes of Sanford and Son later in run
- Appeared in numerous shows and films after show ended
- Active today in public speaking and charity work for veterans
Redd and Demond‘s yin-yang chemistry and talent is what made the show such a hit. They brought Fred and Lamont to life in a way no other actors could.
Keep the Sanford and Son Laughs Going
Hopefully this guide gives you plenty of options to relive (or discover for the first time) this hilarious classic sitcom. With its iconic characters, social commentary, and cultural legacy, Sanford and Son broke barriers in its day – and still holds up wonderfully thanks to universal family bonds and Redd Foxx‘s legend.
Streaming makes the show easy to find again, whether you want to subscribe, buy episodes, or watch for free. And cable reruns keep Sanford and Son alive on late night lineups. So roll a junk truck up to the curb, and enjoy this monumental American sitcom however you can! Don‘t be a dummy – tune in and laugh along with Fred and Lamont once more.
