'Glee' producer Ryan Murphy to honor Norman Lear

NEW YORK (AP) — “Glee” co-creator Ryan Murphy didn’t hesitate when given a chance to pay tribute to his American idol, legendary TV producer Norman Lear, at the 40th International Emmy Awards.

Lear’s sitcom “All In the Family” — and its spinoffs “Maude” and “The Jeffersons” — mixed humor with an honest examination of the key social issues of the day — racism, sexism, even abortion, rape and homosexuality. Decades later, Murphy is following the path blazed by Lear with his shows, “Glee” and “The New Normal.”