Norman Lear TV Treasures Coming To DVD

Television legend Norman Lear, 87, created the iconic characters people around the world enjoy -- from Maude to George Jefferson.

His work spanned television's golden era, pushing boundaries that probably wouldn't make it on cable today.

But as CBS News contributor Emma Buckley reported on The Early Show Monday, you can own Lear's envelope-pushing work on Tuesday as Sony releases "The Norman Lear TV Collection," a 19-disc set that will include the first seasons of the shows that Lear made popular over the years, including "All in the Family," "Sanford and Son," "The Jeffersons," "Maude," "One Day At A Time," "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," and "Good Times."

Buckley interviewed Lear in Los Angeles about his long career in television, starting with "All in the Family."

"The goal was always to entertain," Lear told Buckley. "...If you can get an audience to care, and then laugh, the more they cared, the greater the laughter."

"All in the Family," known for its bigoted character, Archie Bunker (played by Carroll O'Connor) was an overnight sensation, Buckley reported. But, it took four years for Lear to convince CBS executives to air the show.

Rob Reiner, who played Meathead in the show said, "I thought, like we all did, it's maybe too hip for the room."

But Lear said he didn't think they were doing anything that bold.

"(We were) just reflecting who we were," he said.

Though the shows were known for their comedy, the sitcoms also tackled serious subjects, such as unplanned pregnancy, abortion, racism, and dating after divorce.

Bonnie Franklin who starred in "One Day at a Time" said, "Norman always said, 'We're not preaching, we're doing a comedy show.' And so we were able to do that without hitting the audience over the head."

Lear told Buckley he has enjoyed his time in television.

He said, "Nobody has had a better time doing anything than I have had in this great business."

Reiner said, "He's 87 now, but if he could do a pratfall without breaking bones, he would do it tonight."

The collection will also feature two pilots of "All in the Family," filmed before Reiner and Sally Struthers were cast.