I'm not going to discredit this guy's claims but Sitcoms being inspired by international shows and then localized with actors of different racial backgrounds isn't unheard of.

Sanford and Son was based on a British show called Steptoe and Son.
They even had an episode poking fun at this called "Steinberg and Son" where Fred was upset about a new TC show with a Jewish Cast that was very similar to him and Lamont's life