I Love Liberty

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I Love Liberty was an American television special broadcast on ABC on March 21, 1982, as a patriotic variety show. The event was filmed in the Los Angeles Sports Arena on February 22, 1982, and was promoted as being a part of the commemoration of first U.S. President George Washington's 250th birthday. [1] Created by Norman Lear and his organization People for the American Way, [2] [3] [4] it was billed as a "salute to freedom".

Former U.S. Lady Lady Bird Johnson and former U.S. President Gerald Ford served as the event's co-chairs. [5] Celebrity guests included Dionne Warwick, Helen Reddy, Desi Arnaz Jr., Kristy McNichol, Patty Duke, Jane Fonda, Burt Lancaster, Walter Matthau, and Mary Tyler Moore. [6] Segments included The Muppets offering a comic reenactment of the Second Continental Congress [7] and Barbra Streisand performing "America the Beautiful" with the U.S. Air Force Band; [8] [4] however, this was taped separately in England. [4] Another notable moment from the special was a monologue Robin Williams delivered where he impersonated the U.S. flag. [4] [9] Washington Post television critic Tom Shales described I Love Liberty as "America's first left-wing patriotic rally". [4] However, influential conservative Republican Barry Goldwater was also among the guests at event, having the role of introducing a production number which was performed by 1,600 people, including baton twirlers, unicyclists and five marching bands. [4]

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References

  1. ↑ Winship, Frederick M. (January 31, 1982). "Nation remembers Washington's 250th birthday;NEWLN:Stamp, coin, exhibits". UPI. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Norman Lear's 'I Love Liberty': patriotism and family fun; Also, British invade US sitcoms with the sometimes-witty, early 1900s adventure series 'Q.E.D.'". Christian Science Monitor . March 19, 1982.
  3. ↑ "TV Weekend: Lear's 'I Love Liberty' Leads Specials" . New York Times . March 19, 1982.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Shales, Tom (March 20, 1982). "Miss Liberty's Left Hand". Washington Post . Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  5. ↑ Norman Lear — Part II In the Moment Ability Magazine, February 2016 issue
  6. ↑ "I Love Liberty (1982)". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2022-12-16.
  7. ↑ The Muppets Reenact the Continental Congress on YouTube
  8. ↑ Barbra Streisand "America the Beautiful" on YouTube
  9. ↑ Robin Williams as the American Flag on YouTube


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