The passing of actor Carroll O'Connor yesterday, and the ensuing stories in the press, have, of course, stimulated much reflection on "All in the Family" and his greatest creation, Archie Bunker. Love him or hate him, and he was always controversial, Archie Bunker has become one of the most indelible and enduring characters in American culture. And, whether you liked the character or not, you'd have to agree it was a great, landmark TV show!...the writing, direction, acting, all superb!...and it was funny! So I thought it might be interesting to hear folks' reflections on O'Connor, Archie, "All in the Family," or even "In the Heat of the Night." -- including all the controversy, and the imprint he made on the American cultural scene. I loved "All in the Family," and viewed Archie as a sort of pathetic, lovable, idiot whose vituperations, though humor, helped launch topics into public discussion that might otherwise have been left in the closet of our denial. And "All in the Family" really raised the standards for the quality of production on TV programming, especially sitcoms...a level that few have attained since.

"Till Death Do Us Part" I also thought it might be interesting to hear from our friends across the pond about this BBC sitcom that was the model for "All in the Family"...comparisons; was it as huge a sensation in Britain as "All in the Family" was here; etc.??

I thought about this myself when I heard that O'Connor was dead. AITF was certainly a masterpiece and Jean Stapleton was a necessary foil for O'Connor. What mastery of comedy the two of them displayed! It was like Jack Benny paired with Gracie Allen, especially in view of their mastery of timing. How often did we see Archie glaring at Meathead for just the right interval until he erupted, then Edith would come in bleating in her inimitable style. Makes me laugh just thinking about it. As the newswriters are saying, we shall not see their like again. Something as good, just possible; something better, barely conceivably; but the same? No, never.

And I am still baffled that many people failed to understand that Archie Bunker's character was a satire on bigotry, not just a portrayal of it.

a satire on bigotry, not just a portrayal of it.

Funny you should mention it, Dr. Bill. I never really thought about it being anything other than satire until someone today on the radio mentioned that he thought at least 50% of viewers loved Archie Bunker precisely because they agreed with him - he spoke for them.

In any case, it was certainly one of the inspired pairings of character with actor.

Archie's mangling of English was in part due to O'Connor's mastery of English ... I believe he had a degree in English!
I remember the show with a cameo appearance by Sammy DAvis Jr and the kiss on the cheek he gave Archie as a picture was snapped on Sam's departure. Topped when the photo came back to Archie signed by Davis with the inscription "To the whitest guy I know..."
And Archie's reaction to Edith's "change of life." Something along the line of " "Can't you just change and get it over with?" Hilarious.
Meathead and Gloria were wonderful characters for O'Connor to play off. Their liberalism was the perfect foil for Archie's eruptions.
And what would the show have been like without Edith ! Remember the episode where she foiled the rapist? And the times she stood up to Archie? And how he folded?
And that episode when Edith died in her sleep of a massive stroke and Archie sat on their bed an cried "Why did you leave me like that. I didn't get to tell you I love you one more time."
And I admired O'Connor's insistance, re In The Heat Of The Night, that the Chief's love interest be a woman his own age ! O'Connor also insisted on the character's being a black woman. A tough decision in those days for a show set in the Deep South. It broke open a lot of discussion both North and South.
I was a fan of O'Connor's from his movie days. He was a fine actor. On his personal side, O'Connor's son Hugh (who played a cop in ITHOTN) died as the result of drug use O'Connor made TV spots urging parents to "Get between your children and drugs however you can." A man of courage and commitment.

<<..until someone today on the radio mentioned that he thought at least 50% of viewers loved Archie Bunker precisely because they agreed with him - he spoke for them.>>

Fooled 'em! Got 'em to watch and spoofed 'em right under their noses! The trick isn't getting the guy who agrees to listen, but the guy who doesn't.

The trick isn't getting the guy who agrees to listen, but the guy who doesn't.

Sooooo, who are we talking about here? The guys who agreed with Archie's expressed views, or the guys who agreed with the satire? Looks as if nobody doesn't agree .

<<Looks as if nobody doesn't agree>>

Hadn't thought of that. Makes for a tight title, then, doesn't it: "All in the Family"?

...the quality of production on TV programming...

=

...launch topics into public discussion that might otherwise have been left in the closet of our denial...

Well said!