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Rosie Scenario's avatar

I (and we as a family) watched All in the Family sitting around the TV as one did in the olden days when you at to tune in at the appointed time. From my vantage point as a Liberal kid growing up in the Bronx with a Conservative father (socially and politically) there were many parallels. But the writing, acting, and likely the Zeitgeist, were such that we all laughed together! We saw Archie's flaws, but also that he loved his family (and they him) and that he was redeemable. Yes he was "prejudiced" the softer word we used to describe "racist" behavior, but by the end of the show there was some movement forward. Those were the days!

Filipa's avatar

If I remember correctly, wasn't Gloria supporting Meathead, and yet he kept whining? Archie himself becomes more Liberal as the series progresses. It was a great, intelligent series. And for those screaming about nepo babies, we'll, yeah.

Mariana Trench's avatar

I think all the characters were satirized on that show. Reiner played Meathead in a very loud, heavy-handed way, in order to set up the conflict between him and Archie. Edith was deeply smart but superficially idiotic, also to set up the comedy. If there was a moral heart to the show, it was Edith. And Gloria, who knows, I don't know what stereotype she was supposed to represent. The one episode with Gloria that stands out in my memory is when she buys a curly black wig and Michael is hot for her in the wig and she accuses him of wanting to sleep with other women, which, duh, most men have fantasies. Even at 14 or 15 I thought Gloria was being an idiot.

I love This Is Spinal Tap, and this whole family tragedy is awful.

Leigh Stein's avatar

I didn’t know you were moving! Didn’t you find perfect kitchen tiles??

Phoebe Maltz Bovy's avatar

Very nearly didn’t move for that reason. But it was a renovate or move situation and move (locally, nothing that exciting) made more sense. (So I am telling myself!)

Leigh Stein's avatar

moving is absolute hell and I’m sending you strength

Susan D's avatar

Jean Stapleton, but both were excellent actors.

Great piece. Good luck with the move!

Phoebe Maltz Bovy's avatar

Thank you. And I cannot emphasize enough the extent to which I knew this fact! Both were great. I got mixed up when looking at Jean’s Wikipedia to verify her politics.