Norman Lear Sitcoms are some of the most iconic television shows of all time. One of the most popular is Maude, which ran from 1972 to 1978 and starred Bea Arthur as the titular character. Maude was a spin-off of All in the Family, another classic sitcom created by Norman Lear. Maude was a groundbreaking show that tackled controversial topics such as abortion, racism, and women's rights. It was praised for its progressive themes and earned numerous awards during its run.