In the mid-1970s, Norman Lear was the king of television. He had created All in the Family and Maude, among other shows. Good Times was a spin-off from Maude and at this point, 1977, was starring Ja’Net DuBois. Lear was looking for a young girl to play Ja’Net’s foster child, Penny. According to the script, the child had endured physical abuse at the hands of her biological mother. I knew none of this when Mother and I arrived at the production office. I didn’t know who Lear was, and I didn’t understand how significant it was that he himself was conducting the audition. Lear began by chatting amiably with me. I sensed that he was a nice man. Then he asked me a question that threw me. “Janet,” he said, “are you able to cry?” I thought that was a strange question. “Everyone can cry, Mr. Lear,” I said. “But can you cry on cue, Janet? Can you cry when I ask you to?” “I’m not sure,” I answered honestly. “Let me give you an example,” he said. “Let’s say you bought me a gift, a beautiful blue tie, that you think is perfect for me.
