In addition, protests against the war were readily televised at that time and protesters became more aware of the benefits of televised protest.[footnoteRef:4] the efforts of black anti-segregationists also benefits from televised coverage and became more conversant with valuable uses of the medium.[footnoteRef:5] in addition, popular culture became more open to black citizens: a "black sitcom" called "The Jeffersons" debuted in 1975 and revolved around the lives of a prosperous, cantankerous wealthy black man, his family and an interracial couple.[footnoteRef:6] in addition, in 1977, the 7-part mini-series "Roots" -- a story of numerous generations in of a black family stretching from capture/slavery to freedom in America -- aired with approximately 130 million Americans -- more than half the U.S. population...
com/topic/population-essays'>population of that time, watching at least part of the series and approximately 100 million viewers watching the final episode.[footnoteRef:7] There was also increased "agitation" for women's rights, which was aided by televised shows such as "Maude," a spinoff of "All in the Family," which had an assertive woman as its star and dealt with such subjects as women's rights, women's
sexuality and
abortion.[footnoteRef:8] Gay rights were also at least tentatively addressed in such
television shows as "Soap," which featured a gay son among its main characters.[footnoteRef:9] Film also made a comeback in the 1970's due to developments such as Dolby Sound[footnoteRef:10] and Panavision.[footnoteRef:11] Film of the 1970's explored the same topics as television and famously celebrated such antiheros as "The Godfather" and "Billy Jack," [footnoteRef:12] and such flawed, unlikely everyman heroes as "Rocky."[footnoteRef:13] These and other blockbuster films of the 1970s were directed by men under the age of 35 who were newly
