
Sitcoms come and go. And then there's "Maude," the groundbreaking Norman Lear comedy. The show revolves around Maude Findlay, a very outspoken middle-class woman who wears her liberal politics on her sleeve and shares her home in suburban Tuckahoe, N.Y., with fourth husband Walter; her divorced daughter, Carol; and Carol's adolescent son, Phillip. Walter and Maude's best friends are next-door neighbors Dr. Arthur and Vivian Harmon. Among the domestic help that Maude helps "liberate" during the run of the show are Florida Evans and Mrs. Nell Naugatuck.

Maude discovers that her nephew's "free and easy" lifestyle is just a cover-up for his lack of responsibility.

Maude feels rejected when a noted literary authority chooses to lunch with Vivian.

Maude enlists Florida's aid when she gives a fund-raising party for a black militant.

Maude insists on a full court trial when she is given a speeding ticket by an eager young traffic cop.