How a ‘Sanford and Son’ Reboot Pitch to Norman Lear Led to George Wallace and Laverne Cox’s ‘Clean Slate’

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Approximately seven years ago, during Hollywood’s period of heavily reviving television shows, comedian George Wallace proposed an additional retro-inspired series: a modern take on the popular sitcom, “Sanford and Son“.

Wallace shares with The Hollywood Reporter that “Sanford and Son” always puts everyone in a great mood. Just hearing the theme tune, he explains, instantly brings a smile to your face. So, he decided to approach Norman Lear, someone he had known for 30 years, about reviving the show. However, Norman responded by saying, “You can’t do that show. Come up with a twist and then we can talk.

Wallace wasn’t instantly sure about the specific direction for his modern adaptation of the ’70s Redd Foxx sitcom, produced by Lear and Bud Yorkin, but he vividly remembered an actress whose name kept popping up in his mind.

In those days, ‘Orange is the New Black’ was highly acclaimed. Although I didn’t watch the series, there was this name, Laverne Cox, that constantly came up in conversations. I found myself questioning, ‘Who on earth is Laverne Cox?’ Now, imagine a scenario where my son, whom I hadn’t seen for 23 years, suddenly announced his return home tomorrow. That’s the kind of surprise I can’t help but ponder about.

“And that child says,” Cox interjects, “‘I was never your son, I was always your daughter.’”

At the heart of the series “Clean Slate,” which is co-created, co-produced, and stars Wallace and Cox as father and daughter Harry and Desiree Slate on Prime Video, lies an unexpected twist. This was one of Lear’s last projects (who passed away on Dec. 5, 2023, at the age of 101). The comedy starts with Desiree introducing herself to her father in Mobile, Alabama, as a proud trans woman. Despite his immediate acceptance, Harry needs assistance in adjusting to aspects of fathering a daughter, such as using correct pronouns and other related matters.

“That’s what’s good about Clean Slate,” says Wallace. “You get to learn as you go along.”

Although it’s not entirely based on his personal life story, the show incorporates elements from Cox’s upbringing in Mobile and his childhood within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In the series, Harry attends this church, while Louis (D.K. Uzoukwu), who is Desiree’s closest friend but secretive, serves as the choir director.

According to Cox, it’s distinct yet remarkably alike to the Bethel AME Church I was raised in. He finds the unique aspect of being an actor lies in our reactions to outside influences. At times, these responses might stem from actions by an actor, while other times they originate from places. Here, the place had a significant impact.

Cox remarked, “The church resonated deeply when I entered.” He went on to say, “That’s a blessing, but it can also be overwhelming, and it’s both challenging and beautiful. Everything about the church that we experienced, I cherish. As soon as we got the go-ahead to create the show, I knew the church had to play a significant role in it. The church is not only ripe for comedy but also teeming with drama.

Desiree’s conflicts stem from church attendees, even the pastor, who aren’t comfortable with her attendance in the congregation. However, Ella (Telma Hopkins) and a small group of elderly women are supportive, often going out of their way to make Desiree feel at ease within the church.

According to Cox, there are numerous Black Christian women similar to her spread throughout the Southern region. Interestingly, there’s an organization of Christian mothers who have children identifying as LGBTQ+, and they formed this group primarily to offer comfort and acceptance. Here’s an important point: There are countless Christians who demonstrate love. I was raised with Bible teachings, regularly summarizing the Sunday school lesson each week, and the Bible contains a wealth of stories. However, in the New Testament, God is portrayed as love, Jesus embodies love, He forgives, and He sacrificed Himself for our mistakes. It’s God who judges, while our role is to show love.

Cox, who refers to the show as a comforting embrace, intends for viewers to carry with them the sensation of love, considering that the present government only recognizes gender as male and female, and bars trans individuals from military service, as well as denying access to gender-affirming treatment during incarceration or for those under 19.

In this interview, as previously published in THR, Cox declared, “No action by the government can hinder our pursuit of gender-affirming care.” This statement holds true, then and now. We, as a community, have always been resilient and resourceful, and that will never change.

In “Clean Slate,” Desiree finds Resistance less daunting, as she grapples with not just church prejudice, but also the challenge of embracing love when it unexpectedly arrives in the form of Mack (Jay Wilkison), who is a single father to Opal (Norah Murphy) and Harry’s right-hand man at his car wash business. The relationship between Desiree and Mack develops gradually, keeping viewers on tenterhooks all the way up to the final episode, leaving us eagerly anticipating potential future seasons.

Wallace expresses his affection for a particular scene from the eighth episode of season one titled “Born Again…Again,” without revealing any spoilers. He admits he’d gladly reenact that scene if given the chance, emphasizing his fondness by saying, “I truly enjoy that scene.

It’s yet uncertain if Wallace and Cox will return for another round of their show. However, the series concludes with an intriguing dangling plot point that surely leaves viewers eagerly waiting for resolution.

According to Cox, it’s uncertain whether there will be a second season, but we are prepared and have already planned out the storyline.

All episodes of Clean Slate are currently streaming on Prime Video.

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2025-02-06 23:25