For five years, All in the Family, which aired on CBS from 1971-1983 (in its last four seasons under the title Archie Bunker's Place), was the top-rated show on American television, and the winner of four consecutive Emmy Awards as Outstanding Comedy Series. All in the Family was not only one of the most successful sitcoms in history, it was also one of the most important and influential series ever to air, for it ushered in a new era in American television characterized by programs that did not shy away from addressing controversial or socially relevant subject matters.

    All in the Family's storylines centered on the domestic concerns of the Bunker household in Queens, New York. Family patriarch and breadwinner Archie Bunker (Carroll O'Connor) was a bigoted loading dock worker disturbed by the changes occurring in the American society he once knew. To Archie, gains by the "Spades," "Spics," or "Hebes" of America (as he referred to Blacks, Hispanics, and Jews, respectively), came at his expense and that of other lower middle class whites. Countering Archie's harsh demeanor was his sweet but flighty "dingbat" wife, Edith. Played by Jean Stapleton, Edith usually endured Archie's tirades in a manner meant to avoid confrontation. But that was hardly the case with Archie's live-in son-in-law Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner), a liberal college student who was married to the Bunkers' daughter, Gloria (Sally Struthers). The confrontations between Archie and Mike ("Meathead") served as the basis for much of All in the Family's comedy. As surely as Archie could be counted upon to be politically conservative and socially misguided, Mike was equally liberal and sensitive to the concerns of minorities and the oppressed, and, because both characters were extremely vocal in their viewpoints, heated conflict between the two was assured.

    Producers Norman Lear and Alan (Bud) Yorkin brought All in the Family into being by obtaining the U.S. rights to the hit British comedy series, Till Death Us Do Part, which aired on the BBC in the mid-1960s and featured the character of bigoted dock worker Alf Garnett. Lear developed two pilots based on the concept for ABC, with O'Connor (Mickey Rooney had been Lear's first choice to play Archie) and Stapleton in the lead roles. But when ABC turned down the series, then known as Those Were the Days, it appeared that it would never get off the ground. Luckily for Lear and Yorkin, CBS President Robert D. Wood was in the market for new shows that would appeal to the more affluent, urban audience the network's entrenched lineup of top-rated but aging series failed to attract. As a result, CBS jettisoned highly rated programs like The Red Skelton Show and Green Acres in an effort to improve the demographic profile of its audiences, and All in the Family seemed a perfect, though risky, vehicle to put in their place. CBS therefore made a 13-episode commitment to air the series beginning in January 1971, as a midseason replacement.

    The network had good reason to be wary of reaction to its new show. All in the Family seemed to revel in breaking prime time's previously unbreakable taboos. Archie's frequent diatribes laced with degrading racial and ethnic epithets, Mike and Gloria's obviously active sex life, the sounds of Archie's belching and of flushing toilets--all broke with sitcom convention. They also and made people sit up and take notice of the new CBS series. In fact, its unconventionality caused All in the Family's pilot episode to consistently rate below average in research tests conducted by both ABC and CBS. Nevertheless, CBS went ahead and debuted the show on 12 January 1971, though with relatively little fanfare or network promotion.

    Viewer response to All in the Family was at first tepid. CBS's switchboards were prepared for an avalanche of calls in response to the show's initial airing, but this onslaught never materialized, in part because of the poor 15% audience share garnered by the first episode, which put it a distant third in its time period behind movies on NBC and ABC. But while the show continued to languish in the Nielsen ratings in its first few months, TV critics began to take notice. Despite the negative reviews of a small number of critics, such as Life's John Leonard ("a wretched program"), the critical response was generally positive. Combined with strong word-of-mouth among viewers these evaluations helped the show's audience to slowly grow. The May 1971, Emmy Awards helped to cap All in the Family's climb. The midseason replacement was featured in the opening skit of the Emmy telecast, and earned awards in three categories, including Outstanding Comedy Series. All in the Family shortly thereafter became the top-rated show in prime time, and held onto that position for each of the following five seasons.

    The program was able to keep an especially sharp edge over its first half dozen years thanks to the evolving character development of the series' primary cast members and the infusion of strong supporting characters. Both the Bunkers' African American next-door neighbors, the Jeffersons, and Edith's visiting cousin, Maude Findlay (played by Bea Arthur), eventually went on to star in successful spin-off series of their own. All in the Family also benefited from an occasional one-shot guest appearance, the most memorable of which featured entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr., written by comedian Bill Dana.

    All in the Family's impact went beyond the world of television. The show became the focus of a heated national debate on whether the use of comedy was an appropriate means by which to combat prejudice and social inequality. In addition, the character of Archie Bunker became nothing short of an American icon. While Till Death Us Do Part's Alf Garnett was generally unlikable, producer Lear chose to soften the character for American TV, patterning him in many ways after his own father. As a result, Carroll O'Connor's characterization of Archie contained notable sympathetic qualities, allowing many viewers to see Archie in a favorable light despite his obvious foibles.

    By the late 1970s, however, it was becoming clear that the show had lost much of its earlier spark. Major cast changes occurred in 1978, when Struthers and Reiner left the series, and again in 1980, when Stapleton departed. (The fact that this contractual arrangement was written into the show as Edith's death allowed Lear and company to show once again what had made this series truly memorable.) Archie quit his job in 1977 to buy and run a neighborhood tavern, and the series was retitled Archie Bunker's Place in 1979 to reflect the changed nature of the program. By that point, however, though still highly rated, the show no longer stood out as unique, and had become what seemed to many a rather conventional sitcom.

    All in the Family's lasting impact on American television is difficult to overestimate. It helped to usher in a new generation of comedic programs that abandoned the light domestic plotlines of television's early years in favor of topical themes with important social significance. In this sense, its influence on prime time programming continues to be felt decades later.

    -David Gunzerath

    CAST

    Archie Bunker...................................Carroll O'Connor

    Edith Bunker (1971-80)......................... Jean Stapleton

    Gloria Bunker Stivic (1971-78)................ Sally Struthers

    Mike Stivic (Meathead) (1971-78).................Rob Reiner

    Lionel Jefferson (1971-75)...........................Mike Evans

    Louise Jefferson (1971-75)......................Isabel Sanford

    Henry Jefferson (1971-73)..........................Mel Stewart

    George Jefferson (1973-75)................Sherman Hemsley

    Irene Lorenzo (1973-75)............................Betty Garrett

    Frank Lorenzo (1973-74)...................Vincent Gardenia

    Bert Munson (1972-77)................................Billy Halop

    Tommy Kelsey (1972-73).......................Brendon Dillon

    Tommy Kelsey (1973-77).........................Bob Hastings

    Justin Quigley (1973-76)............................Burt Mustin

    Barney Hefner (1973-83)............................Allan Melvin

    Jo Nelson (1973-75)...............................Ruth McDevitt

    Stretch Cunningham (1974).................James Cromwell

    Teresa Betancourt (1976-77).........................Liz Torres

    Stephanie Mills (1978-83)..................Danielle Brisebois

    Harry Snowden (1977-83).................... Jason Wingreen

    Hank Pivnik (1977-81)...........................Danny Dayton

    Murray Klein (1979-81)...........................Martin Balsam

    Mr. Van Ranseleer (1978-83).........................Bill Quinn

    Veronica Rooney (1979-82)........................Anne Meara

    Jose (1979-83)..................................Abraham Alvarez

    Linda (1980-81)......................................Heidi Hagman

    Raoul (1980-83)........................................Joe Rosario

    Ellen Canby (1980-82)............................Barbara Meek

    Polly Swanson (1980-81)..................Janet MacLachlan

    Ed Swanson (1980-81)................................Mel Bryant

    Billie Bunker (1981-83).............................Denise Miller

    Gary Rabinowitz (1981-83).......................Barry Gordon

    Bruce (198Z-83)......................................Bob Okazaki

    Marsha (1982-83).................................Jessica Nelson

    PRODUCERS

    Norman Lear, Woody Kling, Hal Kanter, Mort Lachman, Don Nicholl, Lou Derman, Brigit Jensen Drake, John Rich, Milt Josefberg, Michael Ross, Bernie West, Bill Danoff

    PROGRAMMING HISTORY

    204 Episodes

    CBS

    January 1971-July 1971  Tuesday 9:30-10:00

    September 1971-September 1975   Saturday 8:00-8:30

    September 1975-September 1976   Monday 9:00-9:30

    September 1976-0ctober 1976   Wednesday 9:00-9:30

    November 1976-September 1977   Saturday 9:00-9:30

    October 1977-October 1978   Sunday 9:00-9:30

    October 1978-March 1983   Sunday 8:00-8:30

    Mar 1983-May 1983   Monday 8:00-8:30

    FURTHER READING

    Arlen, Michael. The View from Highway 1. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1976.

    Barnouw, Erik. Tube of Plenty: The Evolution of American Television. New York: Oxford University Press, 1990.

    Bedell, Sally. Up the Tube: Prime-Time TV and the Silverman Years. New York: Viking, 1981.

    Brooks, Tim, and Earle Marsh. The Complete Directory To Prime Time Network TV Shows, 1946-Present. 4th ed. New York: Ballantine, 1988.

    "CBS Sked Shake; Shift All in Family to Lead Sat." Variety (Los Angeles), 18 August 1971.

    "CBS-TV's Bigot that BBC Begat Figures to Salt Up Second Season." Variety (Los Angeles), 22 July 1970.

    "Family Fun." Newsweek (New York), 15 March 1971.

    Ferretti, Fred. "Are Racism and Bigotry Funny?" New York Times, 12 January 1971.

    Gent, George. "All In The Family Takes First Place in Nielsen Ratings." New York Times, 25 May 1971.

    Gitlin, Todd. Inside Prime Time. New York: Pantheon, 1985.

    Hano, Arnold. "Can Archie Bunker Give Bigotry A Bad Name?" New York Times Magazine, 12 March 1972.

    Kasindorf, Martin. "Archie and Maude and Fred and Norman and Alan." New York Times Magazine, 24 June 1973.

    Leonard, John. "Bigotry as a Dirty Joke." Life (New York), 19 March 1971.

    Metz, Robert. CBS: Reflections In A Bloodshot Eye. Chicago: Playboy, 1975.

    O'Neil, Thomas. The Emmys. New York: Penguin, 1992.

    Shayon, Robert Lewis. "Love That Hate." Saturday Review (New York), 27 March 1971.

    _______________. "Archie's Other Side." Saturday Review (New York), 8 January 1972.

    Waldron, Vince. Classic Sitcoms. New York: Macmillan, 1987.

    Wander, Philip. "Counters In The Social Drama: Some Notes On All In The Family." In, Newcomb, Horace, editor. Television: The Critical View, 1st Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 1976.

    Thumbnail of Bill Dana

    Bill Dana on how he came to write the classic All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit," and how he and producer Norman Lear invented the show's premise

    02:32
    Thumbnail of Norman Lear

    Norman Lear on his parents being similar to "Archie" and "Edith" on All in the Family

    00:50
    Thumbnail of Carroll O

    Carroll O'Connor on his character, "Archie Bunker," on All in the Family

    02:53
    Thumbnail of Beatrice Arthur

    Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit", leading to the spinoff, Maude

    03:35
    Thumbnail of Sherman Hemsley

    Sherman Hemsley on direction he was given for the "George Jefferson" character, and his first entrance on All in the Family

    02:08
    Thumbnail of Bud Yorkin

    Bud Yorkin on watching Till Death Us Do Part (upon which All in the Family was based) while living in London, and introducing it to Norman Lear who suggested they try to make their own pilot based on the show

    02:51

    Lee Adams

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on writing the theme to All in the Family

    03:14

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on their idea for "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:46

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on writing the lyrics to "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:57

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on Jean Stapleton and Carroll O'Connor performing "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    02:27

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the publishing rights to "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:56

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on Jean Stapleton and Carroll O'Connor performing "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    01:13

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the success of All in the Family

    00:35

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on their process for creating "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:44

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the sheet music for "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:47

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on what their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - meant to 1970's audiences

    02:15

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on how their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - softened "Archie Bunker"

    00:57

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on presenting their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - to Norman Lear

    01:08

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on audience response to the theme song to All in the Family

    03:07

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the legacy of theme song to All in the Family and of the series itself

    02:13

    Beatrice Arthur

    Beatrice Arthur on guesting on All in the Family in "Cousin Maude's Visit", leading to the spinoff, Maude

    03:35

    Beatrice Arthur with Emerson College

    Beatrice Arthur on Norman Lear creating a part for her --"Maude" on All in the Family -- and getting a spin-off, Maude

    01:41

    Paul Bogart

    Paul Bogart on why he took on the job of directing All in the Family even though he despised the repetitive nature of the work

    03:39

    Paul Bogart on directing the All in the Family episode "Edith's 50th Birthday" (airdate: October 16, 1977), where Edith is almost raped by an intruder

    03:24

    Director Paul Bogart on some of the behind-the-scenes difficulties on the set of All in the Family

    07:31

    Director Paul Bogart on some of the writers on All in the Family and working in front of a live audience

    04:34

    Paul Bogart on directing the All in the Family episode "The Draft Dodger" (airdate: December 25, 1976)

    02:39

    Paul Bogart on specific episodes of All in the Family and the show's legacy

    06:06

    James L. Brooks

    James L. Brooks on his Mary Tyler Moore Show being in the Saturday night CBS lineup with All in the Family; on comparisons between the two shows

    04:44

    Charles Cappleman

    Charles Cappleman on All in the Family produced by Norman Lear

    02:50

    Charles Cappleman on All in the Family director Paul Bogart

    01:52

    Charles Cappleman on the cast of All in the Family, including Jean Stapleton, Carroll O'Connor, and Rob Reiner

    03:27

    Philip Carey

    Phil Carey on guest starring on the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" -- where he plays a homosexual character

    02:27

    Bob Claver

    Bob Claver on directing Gloria

    03:15

    Hal Cooper

    Hal Cooper on directing two episodes of All in the Family;  on differing with director/producer John Rich

    02:12

    Billy Crystal

    Billy Crystal on being hired for a guest spot on All in the Family, where he met Rob Reiner

    03:37

    Bill Dana

    Bill Dana on how he came to write the classic All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit," and how he and producer Norman Lear invented the show's premise

    02:32

    Bill Dana on how, due to a mistake, he was not put up for an Emmy Award for the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"

    00:29

    Bill Dana on John Rich not acknowledging his writing of the "Sammy's Visit," episode of All in the Family when Rich won the Emmy Award for Best Directing in Comedy in 1972

    01:36

    Bill Dana on John Rich not acknowledging his writing of the "Sammy's Visit," episode of All in the Family when Rich won the Emmy Award for Best Directing in Comedy in 1972

    00:31

    Bill Dana on Carroll O'Connor's "compliment" of Dana's writing on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"

    00:40

    Bill Dana with Emerson College

    Bill Dana on working with Norman Lear on writing the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit," featuring Sammy Davis, Jr.

    09:18

    Bill Dana on writing the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit" for producer Norman Lear

    07:43

    Elias Davis

    Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for All in the Family

    04:35

    Hector Elizondo

    Hector Elizondo on appearing on All in the Family

    05:13

    Jamie Farr

    Jamie Farr on the best night of television ever - Saturday night with All in the Family, M*A*S*H, The Bob Newhart Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Carol Burnett Show

    01:05

    Michael J. Fox

    Michael J. Fox on how impressed he was to meet Norman Lear; admired Lear's show All in the Family

    02:13

    Ron Friedman

    Ron Friedman on writing for All in the Family and working with Norman Lear

    00:55

    Betty Garrett

    Betty Garrett on being cast by Norman Lear as "Irene Lorenzo" on All in the Family

    02:59

    Betty Garrett on her All in the Family character "Irene Lorenzo"

    04:58

    Betty Garrett on the All in the Family episode "Edith's Christmas Story," and on working with Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker"

    03:27

    Betty Garrett on working with Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family

    01:49

    Betty Garrett on working with Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family

    01:44

    Betty Garrett on working with Rob Reiner as "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family

    01:31

    Betty Garrett on working with Vincent Gardenia as "Frank Lorenzo" on All in the Family, and on his unhappiness with the show

    02:29

    Betty Garrett on favorite All in the Family episodes, how viewers reacted to her on the show, and why she left

    02:26

    Anthony Geary

    Anthony Geary on his guest role in the All in the Family episode "Judging Books by Covers" (airdate: January 12, 1971)

    02:17

    Leonard H. Goldenson

    Leonard H. Goldenson on asking Norman Lear to adapt the British show 'Til Death Do Us Part, in what became All in the Family, and passing it up

    00:43

    Robert Guillaume

    Robert Guillaume on appearing on All in the Family in the episode "Chain Letter" (airdate: October 20, 1975)

    02:37

    Sherman Hemsley

    Sherman Hemsley on his impressions of All in the Family as a viewer

    00:34

    Sherman Hemsley on direction he was given for the "George Jefferson" character, and his first entrance on All in the Family

    02:51

    Sherman Hemsley on the relationship between "George Jefferson" and "Archie Bunker"

    00:53

    James Hong

    James Hong (briefly) on his guest appearance on All in the Family

    00:43

    Irma Kalish

    Rocky and Irma Kalish on writing the All in the Family episode where Edith gets cancer

    04:00

    Irma and Rocky Kalish on an All in the Family episode they wrote when Gloria is molested

    02:08

    Rocky Kalish

    Rocky and Irma Kalish on writing the All in the Family episode where Edith gets cancer

    04:00

    Irma and Rocky Kalish on an All in the Family episode they wrote when Gloria is molested

    02:08

    Rocky Kalish with Emerson College

    Rocky and Irma Kalish on writing for Good Times and the All in the Family episode "Edith's Christmas Story"

    04:16

    Hal Kanter

    Hal Kanter on being executive producer during All in the Family's 1975-1976 season; on his difficulties working with Norman Lear

    07:10

    H. Wesley Kenney

    H. Wesley Kenney on directing All in the Family and working with the cast

    10:26

    H. Wesley Kenney on directing All in the Family and a typical work week with Norman Lear

    02:24

    H. Wesley Kenney on directing Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family

    01:18

    H. Wesley Kenney on leaving All in the Family and the legacy of the show

    02:28

    H. Wesley Kenney on editing various shows he produced and the differences between them

    03:48

    Marty Krofft

    Sid and Marty Krofft on creating Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and some characters being partly based on the British (original) version of All in the Family, ('Til Death Do Us Part)

    01:39

    Sid Krofft

    Sid and Marty Krofft on creating Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and some characters being partly based on the British (original) version of All in the Family, ('Til Death Do Us Part)

    01:39

    Mort Lachman

    Mort Lachman on writing the pilot for One Day at a Time, and on moving over to All in the Family

    06:08

    Mort Lachman on how the writers worked on All in the Family

    01:10

    Mort Lachman on Norman Lear's relationship with the writing staff of All in the Family

    03:07

    Mort Lachman on Carrol O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family and on O'Connor's relationship with Norman Lear

    03:12

    Mort Lachman on the process of shooting an episode of All in the Family

    03:01

    Mort Lachman on classic episodes of All in the Family

    01:35

    Mort Lachman on working with the cast and crew of All in the Family, and on losing the characters of "Mike" and "Gloria"

    02:53

    Mort Lachman on the legacy of All in the Family

    01:28

    Perry Lafferty

    Perry Lafferty on programming All in the Family on CBS

    01:59

    Norman Lear

    Norman Lear on his parents being similar to "Archie" and "Edith" on All in the Family

    00:50

    Norman Lear on the British TV sitcom Till Death Us Do Part being the inspiration for All in the Family, and on making and selling the various pilots

    04:21

    Norman Lear on casting the various All in the Family pilots (Jean Stapleton, and eventually Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers), and on the show being rejected by ABC and picked up by CBS

    06:50

    Norman Lear on casting being critical to a show's success, and on the "magical" casting of Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, and Sally Struthers on All in the Family

    01:40

    Norman Lear on casting Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family, and on Mickey Rooney being considered for the role

    03:01

    Norman Lear on the first script of All in the Family being meant to show "360 degrees of Archie Bunker"

    01:47

    Norman Lear on the initial reaction to All in the Family and on what helped its later success

    02:34

    Norman Lear on writers Bernie West and Mickey Ross on All in the Family

    01:31

    Norman Lear on introducing Beatrice Arthur as "Maude" on All in the Family, and similarities between her character and his then-wife, Frances Lear

    03:54

    Norman Lear on All in the Family winning Emmy Awards

    02:48

    Norman Lear on the business aspects of All in the Family and Tandem Productions

    01:44

    Norman Lear on syndicating All in the Family, and his other shows

    03:27

    Norman Lear on how creative differences with Carroll O'Connor were worth it for his masterful portrayal of "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family

    06:53

    Norman Lear on his favorite episodes of All in the Family

    05:00

    Norman Lear on the issues tackled by All in the Family and other of his shows

    04:08

    Norman Lear on the importance of the live studio audience on All in the Family and where it was taped

    00:41

    Norman Lear on All in the Family winning multiple Emmys during its run

    01:11

    Norman Lear on ending All in the Family and starting his advocacy group People For the American Way

    04:48

    Norman Lear with Emerson College

    Norman Lear on Bill Dana writing the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family -- and the script not being submitted for an Emmy award for Bill Dana

    03:46

    Norman Lear on choosing his battles with Standards & Practices and sponsors on All in the Family

    01:20

    Norman Lear on crafting who the characters were in All in the Family

    01:01

    Norman Lear on comparisons between a controversial kiss on The Martha Raye Show and the "Sammy's Visit" episode of All in the Family

    00:32

    Norman Lear on educational tools learned when exploring the storyline of Edith Bunker's almost-rape on All in the Family

    00:30

    Penny Marshall

    Penny Marshall on being considered to play "Gloria Bunker" on All in the Family

    01:01

    Rue McClanahan

    Rue McClanahan on guest-starring, along with Vincent Gardenia, on the All in the Family episode "The Bunkers and the Swingers"

    05:22

    Donald A. Morgan

    Donald A. Morgan on lighting All in the Family and The Jeffersons

    00:28

    Horace Newcomb

    Horace Newcomb on writing about television for the "Baltimore Sun," and on the coming of age of television in the 1970s with shows like All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    07:46

    Carroll O'Connor

    Carroll O'Connor on learning how to play comedy from Micheál MacLiammóir, at the Gate Theatre, which he later used in his characterization of Archie Bunker

    02:29

    Carroll O'Connor on his collaboration with Norman Lear on the characterization of "Archie Bunker" and the pilot script

    01:30

    Carroll O'Connor on his rewrite of the pilot script of All in the Family and developer/executive producer Norman Lear telling the story on The Mike Douglas Show

    01:52

    Carroll O'Connor on his weekly contribution to the writing of All in the Family, despite not being credited by Norman Lear

    00:27

    Carroll O'Connor on his contentious working relationship with Norman Lear and how he resented Lear's not offering him an interest in the All in the Family spin-offs  

    01:21

    Carroll O'Connor on his character, "Archie Bunker," on All in the Family

    02:53

    Carroll O'Connor on his contribution to the All in the Family episode "Two's a Crowd," and the ad-libbing by he and co-star Rob Reiner

    02:43

    Carroll O'Connor on working with All in the Family co-star Jean Stapleton, and how "Edith" represented the perfect moral counter to "Archie"

    01:25

    Carroll O'Connor on the long gestation period between the All in the Family pilots and a series pick-up

    02:26

    Carroll O'Connor on the perception of "Archie Bunker" by the viewing public.

    02:16

    Carroll O'Connor on All in the Family co-stars Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers

    01:12

    Carroll O'Connor on the source of "Archie Bunker's" malaprops and on series developer/executive producer Norman Lear's contribution to the nicknames "Archie" used

    01:36

    Carroll O'Connor on why he'd rewrite the material written for "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family

    02:02

    Carroll O'Connor on regular Vincent Gardenia's dissatisfaction with his role as neighbor "Frank Lorenzo" on All in the Family

    01:06

    Carroll O'Connor about "Archie Bunker" appearing in blackface in the All in the Family episode "Birth of the Baby, Part One"

    01:20

    Carroll O'Connor on suggesting director Paul Bogart for All in the Family

    01:17

    Carroll O'Connor on working with All in the Family director John Rich

    00:49

    Carroll O'Connor on walking off All in the Family during its run

    01:05

    Carroll O'Connor on the introduction of child actress Danielle Brisebois as "Stephanie Mills" on All in the Family

    01:12

    Carroll O'Connor on All in the Family episodes: "Edith's Problem" ("Edith" enters menopause), "Gloria Has a Belly Full" ("Gloria" has a miscarriage), "Edith's Crisis of Faith" ("Edith" shuns her faith when friend "Beverly LaSalle" is killed), "Sammy's Visit" (Sammy Davis, Jr. appears as himself), and "Archie's Brief Encounter" ("Archie" has an affair)

    03:33

    Carroll O'Connor on the donation of "Archie" and "Edith's" chairs from the set of All in the Family to the Smithsonian Institution

    00:29

    Carroll O'Connor on the creation of the All in the Family spin-off Archie Bunker's Place and deciding on the death of "Edith" (in season two)

    05:39

    Carroll O'Connor on Archie Bunkers in all walks of life

    00:58

    Carroll O'Connor on how All in the Family didn't change television, as its breakthroughs remained one-of-a-kind

    00:41

    Carroll O'Connor on his theory as to why CBS Chairman William S. Paley never socialized with him

    03:01

    Carroll O'Connor on the All in the Family writers

    02:20

    Janis Paige with Emerson College

    Janis Paige on guest-starring as "Denise" on All in the Family

    03:00

    Estelle Parsons

    Estelle Parsons on appearing on All in the Family

    01:17

    Pam Polifroni

    Pam Polifroni on casting the third pilot for All in the Family, and on working with Norman Lear

    10:51

    David Pollock

    Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for All in the Family

    04:35

    Charlotte Rae

    Charlotte Rae on guest-starring on All in the Family, and on working with Jean Stapleton on the show

    02:44

    Hector Ramirez

    Hector Ramirez on working as a camera operator for All in the Family

    17:07

    Hector Ramirez on working as a camera operator for Maude and how it differed from All in the Family

    00:54

    Hector Ramirez on how sitcoms in the '80s and '90s differed from those in the '70s

    01:42

    Joyce Randolph

    Joyce Randolph on how The Honeymooners impacted television

    01:21

    Marian Rees

    Marian Rees on Norman Lear adapting Till Death Us Do Part  into All in the Family

    06:10

    Marian Rees on her role in the development of All in the Family and casting Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker"

    02:43

    Marian Rees on casting Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family  and the rest of the cast

    05:50

    Marian Rees on network response to All in the Family

    02:07

    Marian Rees on the cast of All in the Family

    04:54

    Rob Reiner

    Rob Reiner on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family

    02:20

    Rob Reiner on auditioning with wife Penny Marshall for All in the Family, and on Sally Struthers being cast as "Gloria Stivic"

    01:22

    Rob Reiner on working with show creator Norman Lear on All in the Family

    03:40

    Rob Reiner on working with Bud Yorkin on All in the Family, and on writing episodes of the series

    05:48

    Rob Reiner on how he felt All in the Family would be received by the public

    01:25

    Rob Reiner on his All in the Family character "Mike 'Meathead' Stivic" and on being directed by John Rich

    04:24

    Rob Reiner on "Mike's" nickname "Meathead" on All in the Family, which came from what Norman Lear's father used to call him

    00:47

    Rob Reiner on "Mike Stivic's" relationship with "Gloria Stivic" played by Sally Struthers on All in the Family

    01:47

    Rob Reiner on working with Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family

    03:21

    Rob Reiner on Carroll O'Connor and Norman Lear's relationship on All in the Family

    02:23

    Rob Reiner on making "Archie Bunker" more acceptable to audiences, and on his relationship with "Mike Stivic"

    04:36

    Rob Reiner on working with Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family

    02:10

    Rob Reiner on working with Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family

    01:59

    Rob Reiner on the birth of "Mike" and "Gloria's" son "Joey Stivic" on All in the Family

    00:47

    Rob Reiner on issues some of the cast had with their contracts on All in the Family

    01:35

    Rob Reiner on working with Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family and Isabel Sanford as "Louise Jefferson"

    01:32

    Rob Reiner on various guest stars on All in the Family including Beatrice Arthur, Vincent Gardenia, and Betty Garrett

    03:59

    Rob Reiner on a typical work week on All in the Family

    03:38

    Rob Reiner on the set and cameras of All in the Family and

    03:39

    Rob Reiner on the biggest laughs from the studio audience on All in the Family and on censorship issues with the show

    02:52

    Rob Reiner on the writing process of All in the Family

    03:45

    Rob Reiner on the writing process of All in the Family

    06:04

    Rob Reiner on winning Emmy Awards for All in the Family

    01:08

    Rob Reiner on writing various episodes of All in the Family

    05:36

    Rob Reiner on his final All in the Family episode "The Stivics Go West"

    03:25

    Rob Reiner on the legacy of All in the Family

    01:40

    Larry Rhine

    Larry Rhine on how he came to write for All in the Family

    02:18

    Larry Rhine on writing for All in the Family, and on writing with Mel Tolkin

    05:25

    Larry Rhine on a typical week writing for All in the Family

    02:19

    Larry Rhine on Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family, and on the episode "Two's a Crowd"

    04:57

    Larry Rhine on Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family, and on the creation of "Archie Bunker's" bar on the show

    03:59

    Larry Rhine on the All in the Family actors input into their characters, and on "Archie Bunker's" bigotry

    07:53

    Larry Rhine on balancing the comedy and drama on All in the Family

    01:55

    Larry Rhine on the character of "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family, played by Carroll O'Connor

    02:35

    Larry Rhine on Rob Reiner as "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family, and on various storylines of the show

    07:04

    Larry Rhine on Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family

    03:34

    Larry Rhine on the All in the Family episode "Joey's Baptism"

    01:34

    Larry Rhine on the All in the Family episodes "Joey's Baptism" and "Archie Finds a Friend", and on his relationship with Carroll O'Connor

    04:35

    Larry Rhine on the relationship between Norman Lear and Carroll O'Connor while working on All in the Family

    01:26

    Larry Rhine on the All in the Family episode "Edith's Crisis of Faith"

    02:27

    Larry Rhine on the All in the Family episode "The Brother"

    02:16

    Larry Rhine on Danielle Brisebois as "Stephanie Mills" on All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place

    02:13

    Larry Rhine on stories he wrote for All in the Family that weren't used, and on the longevity and continued popularity of the show

    06:18

    John Rich

    John Rich on the development and casting of the third (and final) pilot and early seasons of All in the Family

    15:33

    John Rich on how Sherman Hemsley was cast as George Jefferson on All in the Family, and later, The Jeffersons (spin-off)

    03:35

    John Rich on leaving All in the Family

    01:20

    John Rich on shooting rehearsals of All in the Family

    12:40

    John Rich on Sammy Davis Jr.'s suggestion, as a guest on The Tonight Show, that he would make a funny guest star on All in the Family (leading to his appearance on the classic episode "Sammy's Visit")

    01:04

    John Rich on informing guest star Sammy Davis, Jr. on the way All in the Family was rehearsed

    01:07

    John Rich on the invention of the "kiss" for the third act in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"

    01:03

    Director John Rich on the audience's reaction to the kiss in the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"

    00:42

    Director John Rich on insisting that guest star Sammy Davis Jr. not use cue cards on the episode "Sammy's Visit"

    00:49

    Rita Riggs

    Rita Riggs on how she came to do costumes for Norman Lear's All in the Family

    06:04

    Rita Riggs on finding clothes for All in the Family

    01:01

    Rita Riggs on costuming "Archie Bunker," played by Carroll O'Connor on All in the Family

    07:08

    Rita Riggs on costuming "Edith Bunker," played by Jean Stapleton on All in the Family

    02:53

    Rita Riggs on costuming "Gloria Stivic," played by Sally Struthers on All in the Family

    02:42

    Rita Riggs on costuming "Irene Lorenzo," played by Betty Garrett and Vincent Gardenia as "Frank Lorenzo" on All in the Family

    01:52

    Rita Riggs on costuming Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford as "George and Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family and The Jeffersons

    01:39

    Rita Riggs on working on costuming with the creative team of All in the Family, and the freedom she enjoyed working under Norman Lear

    04:34

    Rita Riggs on the importance and legacy of All in the Family

    00:56

    Doris Roberts

    Doris Roberts on appearing on All in the Family

    00:53

    Phil Rosenthal

    Phil Rosenthal on loving All in the Family

    01:19

    Stanley Ralph Ross

    Stanley Ralph Ross on writing an episode of All in the Family for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award, and on working with Norman Lear

    05:55

    Isabel Sanford

    Isabel Sanford on being called in to play "Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family by director John Rich

    03:29

    Isabel Sanford on watching All in the Family before she was cast as "Louise Jefferson", and on auditioning for Norman Lear

    04:26

    Isabel Sanford on her reluctance to leave All in the Family, to do the spin-off The Jeffersons

    02:07

    Isabel Sanford on working the producers, and with the cast of All in the Family, and on Carroll O'Connor's absences from the show

    03:38

    Isabel Sanford on Sherman Hemsley being cast as "George Jefferson" on All in the Family

    04:53

    Isabel Sanford on the storylines of "George and Louise Jefferson" on All in the Family, and the public's response to "Louise Jefferson"

    04:16

    Isabel Sanford on "Louise Jefferson's" goodbye scene with Jean Stapleton as Edith Bunker on All in the Family

    01:11

    Isabel Sanford on Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family

    02:10

    Bob Schiller

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on writing for All in the Family

    03:21

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on specific episodes they wrote for All in the Family: "Cousin Liz", and "Edith's 50th Birthday" (in which there's an attempted rape on "Edith")

    02:39

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the "Edith's Crisis of Faith", and "The Stivics Go West" episodes of All in the Family

    01:48

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on how All in the Family holds up over the years

    00:37

    Alfred Schneider

    Alfred Schneider on why ABC passed on All in the Family

    02:44

    Nina Shaw

    Nina Shaw on Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin creating the idea of spin-off shows and on navigating the corresponding new legal territory

    02:07

    Jack Shea

    Jack Shea on "George and Louise Jefferson" on The Jeffersons and their origin on All in the Family

    00:47

    Fred Silverman

    Fred Silverman on his role in the development of All In the Family at CBS (which began life at ABC), his recognition of its quality, and determining where to place it in the schedule so it found its audience

    06:30

    Fred Silverman on getting All In The Family and Mary Tyler Moore in the coveted Saturday night time slot, and on the subsequent ratings boost

    01:40

    Fred Silverman on the autonomy given to Norman Lear to create All In The Family

    02:10

    Doris Singleton

    Doris Singleton on working on All in the Family

    01:54

    Jean Stapleton

    Jean Stapleton on refusing to reprise "Edith Bunker" or a likeness of her in television commercials

    00:37

    Jean Stapleton on appearing on The Defenders with future All in the Family co-star Carroll O'Connor

    00:54

    Jean Stapleton on reading for All in the Family and her impressions of the pilot script

    01:48

    Jean Stapleton on her initial characterization of "Edith Bunker," and seeing a single episode of the British show on which All in the Family was based, Till Death Do Us Part

    01:41

    Jean Stapleton on creating "Edith Bunker's" characterization, including her constant hurrying and nasal voice

    00:54

    Jean Stapleton on her description of All in the Family's "Edith Bunker"

    00:58

    Jean Stapleton on All in the Family co-star Carroll O'Connor

    00:54

    Jean Stapleton on the long gestation period between the All in the Family pilots and a series pick-up

    01:12

    Jean Stapleton on why ABC passed on All in the Family

    00:40

    Jean Stapleton on her opinion of the frank nature of All in the Family

    00:52

    Jean Stapleton on the casting of Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers as "Mike" and "Gloria" on All in the Family, following recasts from the pilots

    01:14

    Jean Stapleton on performing "Those Were the Days," the theme song from All in the Family, and a lyric that proved problematic

    00:32

    Jean Stapleton on filming All in the Family in front of a live audience

    00:28

    Jean Stapleton on the collaborative nature of the All in the Family set

    00:51

    Jean Stapleton on All in the Family executive producer/series developer Norman Lear

    00:57

    Jean Stapleton on All in the Family director John Rich

    01:53

    Jean Stapleton on All in the Family director Paul Bogart

    01:00

    Jean Stapleton on favorite All in the Family episodes

    01:08

    Jean Stapleton on how All in the Family used comedy to expose social issues, including bigotry

    00:37

    Jean Stapleton on consciously trying to avoid being typecast by "Edith Bunker"

    01:32

    Jean Stapleton on dealing with fame

    01:22

    Jean Stapleton on the pilot of The Jeffersons, aired as the All in the Family episode "The Jeffersons Move Up"

    00:50

    Jean Stapleton on the decision to have the character of "Edith Bunker" die, in the Archie Bunker's Place episode "Archie Alone"

    03:27

    Jean Stapleton on the All in the Family episode "Edith's Christmas Story," which dealt with breast cancer

    01:01

    Jean Stapleton on the growth of "Edith Bunker" over the course of All in the Family, as seen in such episodes as "Edith's Night Out"

    02:06

    Jean Stapleton on learning to be open for all projects, as a result of her work on All in the Family

    00:21

    Jean Stapleton on taking a buyout from residuals on All in the Family

    01:23

    Jean Stapleton on the donation of "Archie" and "Edith's" chairs from the set of All in the Family to the Smithsonian Institution

    01:03

    Ben Starr

    Ben Starr on writing for All in the Family

    04:29

    Ben Starr on writing the All in the Family episode in which "Gloria " has a baby

    01:38

    Ben Starr on writing the All in the Family episode in which "Gloria " has a baby

    01:38

    Ben Starr on writing for All in the Family and the impact of the program

    00:00

    Howard Storm

    Howard Storm on writing for All in the Family with his partner Paul Lichtman

    04:52

    Howard Storm on the challenge of writing in "Archie Bunker's" voice on All in the Family

    04:01

    Charles Strouse

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on writing the theme to All in the Family

    03:14

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on their idea for "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:46

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on writing the lyrics to "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:57

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on Jean Stapleton and Carroll O'Connor performing "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    02:27

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the publishing rights to "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:56

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on Jean Stapleton and Carroll O'Connor performing "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    01:13

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the success of All in the Family

    00:35

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on their process for creating "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:44

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the sheet music for "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family

    00:47

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on what their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - meant to 1970's audiences

    02:15

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on how their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - softened "Archie Bunker"

    00:57

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on presenting their song "Those Were The Days" - the title song to All in the Family - to Norman Lear

    01:08

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on audience response to the theme song to All in the Family

    03:07

    Lee Adams and Charles Strouse on the legacy of theme song to All in the Family and of the series itself

    02:13

    George Sunga

    George Sunga on becoming a Producer on All in the Family and The Jeffersons

    05:23

    George Sunga on working with Norman Lear on All in the Family and The Jeffersons

    01:34

    George Sunga on working with Carroll O'Connor on All in the Family

    01:39

    George Sunga on his role as a Producer on All in the Family

    05:12

    George Sunga on making the transition from producing All in the Family to producing The Jeffersons

    02:15

    George Sunga on working with the other Producers and Directors on All in the Family

    04:54

    George Sunga on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"

    01:16

    George Sunga on All in the Family and The Jeffersons moving from Television City to Metro Media

    04:01

    William Tankersley

    William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' workings with Norman Lear on All In The Family

    01:15

    William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on All In The Family, (contd.)

    05:04

    William Tankersley on CBS Standards & Practices' work with Norman Lear on specific topics on All In The Family, (contd.)

    01:09

    Mel Tolkin

    Mel Tolkin on writing for All in the Family with writing partner Larry Rhine, and on working with Norman Lear

    04:02

    Mel Tolkin on the challenges of writing for the "Archie Bunker" character on All in the Family, and on story ideas he had for the show

    02:56

    Mel Tolkin on Norman Lear's day-to-day involvement with All in the Family, and on the shooting schedule of the show

    01:56

    Mel Tolkin on writing the controversial All in the Family episode "Edith's 50th Birthday"

    02:32

    Mel Tolkin on how All in the Family changed over the years, and on dealing with cast members leaving

    02:27

    Matthew Weiner

    Matthew Weiner on watching All in the Family as a child but not understanding the levels of humor at the time

    00:37

    Bob Weiskopf

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on writing for All in the Family

    03:21

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on specific episodes they wrote for All in the Family: "Cousin Liz", and "Edith's 50th Birthday" (in which there's an attempted rape on "Edith")

    02:39

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on the "Edith's Crisis of Faith", and "The Stivics Go West" episodes of All in the Family

    01:48

    Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf on how All in the Family holds up over the years

    00:37

    Tucker Wiard

    Tucker Wiard on working on Good Times, All in the Family, Maude and One day at a Time

    02:35

    Ethel Winant

    Ethel Winant on helping to cast for All in the Family and other shows for CBS

    02:46

    Ben Wolf

    Ben Wolf on shooting All in the Family

    10:40

    Ben Wolf on shooting All in the Family

    02:20

    Bud Yorkin

    Bud Yorkin on watching Till Death Us Do Part (upon which All in the Family was based) while living in London, and introducing it to Norman Lear who suggested they try to make their own pilot based on the show

    02:51

    Bud Yorkin on casting All in the Family and making the pilot; on the importance of casting for any show

    04:44

    Bud Yorkin on selling All in the Family to CBS

    03:18

    Bud Yorkin on ABC passing on All in the Family and CBS picking it up

    03:32

    Bud Yorkin on initial critical and public reaction to All in the Family

    06:10

    Bud Yorkin on the All in the Family episode "Sammy's Visit"

    01:15

    Bud Yorkin on Maude spinning off of All in the Family

    01:28

    Bud Yorkin on leaving All in the Family, producing Diff'rent Strokes, and leaving Tandem Productions

    02:16

    Bud Yorkin on the syndication of All in the Family

    01:13

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