First time reacting to Archie Bunker moments from 'All in the Family'

[@wanderlust62]

I am a black woman who grew up watching All in the Family and it was a given it was outrageous, laugh until you cry. As I grew older, I found it to be like Swift's literature, a hit on prejudice, saying out loud what so many whispered behind backs and closed doors. O'Connor was a civil rights marcher... amazing human being who went on to great TV series. The end of the series, after Edith passes, the episodes with the child they fostered and his gaining custody was beyond touching...

[@Mikey-Plays-Bass]

Came to the comments to make sure that the real genius of the show wasn't missed. Then I read your comment and at the end, my eye leaked. Nuance it seems, is a lost art. Every show that we had as children shaped us into thicker skinned, broad minded people that (in my opinion) relate more on a personal level than most other generations. (Completely off topic) Your handle just reminded me of this great woman that breezed through town a while back.

[@theresataylor9107]

Came to say almost the same thing. it was a show and caroll O'Conner said it best kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIS3daiMlL2Kpdk

[@daleplant5275]

I saw this show as a kid and found Archie to be a very complex and nuanced character. I realized his beliefs were based on how he was raised but when it came down to it he was a good guy. The episode where he was talking about the best worker on the docks and when he talked about the best soldier in his unit then said the only problem with them was they were black. I saw that he had these generalizations about people but it was different when he knew them personally. This show unfortunately would not be made today because there is no nuance anymore.

[@anncain2432]

All In The Family & The Jefferson's shed much needed light on the issues you just touched on brilliantly. I know our white family of 5 not only loved the shows but did talk a bit about on issues the writers you referenced. The shows were good for society as well as fabulous entertainment. Archie & Jefferson were always going at it and Meathead brought up social issues of the day.

[@anncain2432]

Truly great entertainment that brought diverse folks together!

[@mildredpierce4506]

I can tell you as a black person who grew up in the 70s, we loved all in the family.

[@les4767]

And I can tell you as a white person who grew up in the 70's, we loved Sanford and Son.

[@floorticket]

@@les4767 And as a white boy growing up in Oakland we too loved Sanford and Son, along with Room 222, Welcome Back Kotter, What's Happening, Jeffersons and Good Times.

[@phen277]

@@floorticket I never missed an episode of any of those, especially Good Times. That one resonated with me.

[@roevega9902]

1971..Sunday night tv

[@3DJapan]

​@@les4767Sanford and Son but even more so The Jeffersons. Which was a spin-off of this show.

[@vincentpruiett1592]

We, as a black family, loved and appreciated Archie Bunker. That character unapologetically spoke volumes about what was actually going on back then. Carroll O'Connor, the man, actually fought against this type of thinking in real life. He was awesome!

[@jamilasalaam]

Indeed we was a good man!!! This is such a classic for me, watched reruns as a little girl & now still watch with my pops !! We always laugh how a show like this wouldn’t fly today ! Shame

[@1400IntruderVS]

I believe the show was intended to help people find humor in how persons perceive eachother. It taught us to laugh at eachother and ourselves ,as well offered dipictions of how persons may be handicapped by their own ignorance but it does necessarily mean they are terrible persons.

[@Iva.the.Southern.Appalachian]

SO many people don't realize he portrayed that character the way the did to show people their ignorance on many topics. Thank you so much!!

[@ClassicTVcomedy]

As ignorant as Archie was once he got to know the person no matter the skin colour or religion or race he would help in his I can't stand it type of way. These types of shows are needed imo. The Neighborhood touches on it and it's great. I'm happy to hear your family enjoyed All in the Family. I don't know why we can't all get along! Have a good one! I'm off to put some Mayo on my sandwich and with an Irish background I'll probably have a drink! 😜

[@4242oscar]

The Show was going to be canceled until a famous actor stepped in and said the show was important to show bigotry and how we have to laugh at it. That actor was on the show for his support. He even kissed Archie Bunker. The great Sammy Davis Jr.!!

[@elizabethbigham6257]

All in the Family made a generation laugh at their prejudice and they were changed. This was a powerful show.

[@pheelphine]

And many shows spun off this... The Jeffersons, Maude, just to name a couple.

[@lebojay]

I don’t think so. Liberals watched the show, got the irony, and kept their beliefs. Bigots watched the show, didn’t get the irony, and kept their beliefs. There are STILL an astounding number of Americans who watch these clips and don’t get that Archie Bunker is a punchline and not a role model. “Make America Great Again” means return to a time when guys like Archie made all the rules.

[@frankm2022]

61 year old black woman here! I miss the days when everyone wasn't triggered by everything and we all laughed together. Pretty sure my family and I watched this show (every season) and The Jeffersons (spin-off) at least 2 times from 1st show to last! Jefferson was the black version of Bunker😂😊❤

[@luvsmusic124]

Amen!

[@mattsvids0120]

The sad thing is that I would say at least 95% of POCs who are offended are actually middle-aged white women named Karen who have nothing better to do than cause problems!

[@marcjolin8335]

Yes Archie was countered by George. It was real and hilarious (both shows) and sometimes offensive but it didn't cause riots in the streets because people had thicker skin back then; and if your were watching back then and still kicking today your not triggered as much because you know it means nothing.

[@naomidoner9803]

56 white woman here... I can play the theme song to all in the family on a piano 🎹 BUT well we're moving on up, to the east side 🎶🎵 To a Deluxe apartment in the Sky Moving on up to the east side, We finally got our piece of the pie ... is lyrics ingrained on my soul... lol my daddy looked like Mr Jefferson to me ... but white lol...

[@deniece0821]

I'm a kid raised on All in the Family and The Jeffersons. My dad and I met Sherman Hemsley back in 1985. My dad was doing a business seminar at a Radisson Hotel and took me with him since it was Summer. He came back from his meetings and we had lunch in the hotel's restaurant at about 2pm on a Wednesday. In other words, it was dead as hell. I spotted Mr. Hemsley and was star struck. My dad told me to leave him alone and let him enjoy his meal in peace. Well, it just so happened that Mr. Hemsley had just gotten there, too. He noticed me looking at him, smiled and said "Hello." My dad said I could ask him for an autograph since he basically initiated the conversation. It's a long story but he ended up having lunch with us and spent about 1.5 hours just talking with us. To this day he is THE nicest celeb I've ever met! He gave me advice on my career dreams, etc. We met Mr. Hemsley just as _The Jeffersons_ had been cancelled and he had just signed on to do the sitcom _Amen,_ which he was also brilliant in! It's so funny, Carroll O'Connor played racist and bigoted Archie. Sherman Hemsley played racist and prejudice against mixed couples George. Both men were gentlemen who were polar opposites of their characters. To me, that just goes to show what great actors they were.

[@Mrcool19771]

I grew up watching archie. I'm a 63 year old black man. We loved his show . Archie was never considered offensive. Because he didn't know any better . He actually had a good heart and in time he learned.

[@dmsampson]

Absolutely, I agree.

[@estellecourt9177]

Edith still guides me 45 years into marriage.

[@annemariemcnamara8756]

You are soo right he never was hateful, but what people now don’t get that Archie also grew up probably in the 20s an 30s where there was a mindset they didn’t know differently. Archie was himself an him saying what he did wasn’t intentionally offensive, he believed what he said an never apologized. This show was one of the best because people were uncensored unlike today where you get cancelled if you have your own opinion

[@chrisold97]

@@annemariemcnamara8756back then you could use “he didn’t know any better” as an excuse- but it’s been over 40 years now…

[@HR-zj3eo]

One of his best scenes, was when he stood up to the klan.

[@gralmar]

I'm Native American and grew up watching All In The Family. LOVED IT! "Meat-head" was played by ROB Reiner, not Carl. Carl was his dad. Carroll O'Connor, who played Archie Bunker once stated that the show didn't make fun of races. It made fun of RACISTS. He also walked off the set until the producers gave his costars a raise, more on par with his pay. The man was incredibly talented and good, and nothing like his TV character.

[@naomidoner9803]

Did you watch the Jeffersons too... GEORGE and AR chie are very much alike

[@karenalves8100]

All in the Family that our whole family watched. I'm a 70 year old Black American woman and this show SHOWCASED the Insidious, Deprecating, Racial Construct of the US during that time. Archie represented the White Anglo Saxon Racist who hated every culture that was Marginalized that were not like Him! Believe it or not, many 'so-called' WHITE people of TODAYS World, were NOT considered WHITE because of their SocioEconomic Status in this 'Land of the Free'! Greeks, Italians, Hispanics, Asians, Native/ Indigenous People, South Americans, Blacks (American born and those of Africa) and the LIST goes on and on. This changed as a function of including MORE people into the WHITE RACE as a Form of DOMINANCE! For Goodness Sake, read up on the TRUE/REAL US history and Wake Up and Smell the Coffee! Black Americans loved to watch this show because it Shone a Very Bright Light on the Systemic Racism INHERENT in this country for Hundreds of Years! Archie represented ALL OF THAT while being a STRONG Supporter of the US GOVERNMENT/POLICIES never realizing that Segregation was not just for the Disenfranchised and Marginal cultures when it came down to the RICH keeping the RICHES of this country with those powers that STILL rule OVER ALL OF US unless you are included in that Class of people who represent a mere 1 to 3 PERCENT of the Population. These are ongoing issues and if you choose NOT to Understand the Sins of the Past, you are Destined to see them REPEATED AGAIN AND AGAIN in the FUTURE. Come on Younger Generations! Start reading OUR history and Garner an UNDERSTANDING that is right in Front of Your Nose! The More Things CHANGE, the More they STAY THE SAME. Life didn't Begin 20, 30 or even 40 years ago that you consider to be 'Back in the OLD DAYS', as if we were all a Blithering mass of Ignorant People. We were a Very Enlightened Generation of US Citizens who saw through the SMOKE and MIRRORS of the Status Quo on ALL THINGS that kept ANY and EVERY marginalized and discriminated against groups of people, races and cultures BEHIND in EVERYTHING INTENTIONALLY! Educationally, Socio- Economically and Racially! I thought you all were WOKE! Doesn't read that way to me! RESEARCH & LEARN THE TRUTH! For REAL, For REAL!

[@Albertanator]

@@karenalves8100 Blah blah blah....

[@kaydoren688]

He also played the sheriff in the TV series the Heat of the Night. From the movie with Rid Steiger and Sidney Poitier you can't make good quality shows like that any more

[@karenalves8100]

@@Albertanator Back at You! Can't take the heat? Get out of the Kitchen! Your Day is Coming!

[@deborjhablackwell6162]

75 year old Black woman here. Watched every episode. It was seriously groundbreaking because it presented reality out loud. The laughter helped dull the rage. We had never ever heard these things spoken out loud. It came on during the evening, adult shows hours. There were a run of similar shows with controversial/uncomfortable dialogue. We all knew it was over the top.

[@chrisfaub4071]

its unfortunate that you saw controversy and uncomfortable content. to most of us it was comedy and we loved it and in no way was it over the top.

[@jimchabai3163]

@@chrisfaub4071 but it WAS uncomfortable and controversial when it came out. People went from Beverly Hillbilly's to this in a just a few years. People talked about it back then.

[@abdeton1899]

In real life Carrol was the exact opposite, even marched for civil rights! He was a great actor! This show actually helped race relations by illuminating the ignorance and fear to an absurd level. No one wanted to be like this, that I knew!

[@TwistedDoll09]

And the way he fought to change California laws against drug dealers after his son's death was extraordinarily admirable & brave!

[@garymonaghan7196]

I agree

[@joec6647]

bull MOST honkies are like this

[@carladavis1473]

I was thinking they should bring this show back. I think it would help race relations once again.

[@abdeton1899]

@@carladavis1473 It probably would in the long run, but everyone would be cancelled first lol!

[@annaswanson176]

George Jefferson made white jokes also. It was a great time when we all could laugh together and get along! I miss those days!

[@meggo329]

Yes true but it was also to point out that both sides have rascism.

[@dinahbrown902]

George was a black Archie. Hilarious

[@zarahwilson3717]

AMEN I just made this comment

[@hollyegee2199]

Agreed….no sense of humor these days. Just litigation.

[@angiemynia8004]

I miss how we laughed and loved!

[@donnyjanast7093]

We weren't stupid viewers. We were in on the joke. We all knew someone like Archie, but times were changing and shows like this helped start the conversation

[@RLucas3000]

We weren’t stupid BACK THEN. Now the MAGA crowd thinks of Archie as a hero.

[@mikereid4653]

​@@RLucas3000grow the hell up You're labeling a whole group of people and you don't even recognize that

[@Lollylobacres]

If only. I lived with Archie. When you are that close to someone like him, you are less than Edith. You just endure Archie and pray one day to be free of him.

[@mike02454]

@@RLucas3000 only if you watch the main stream media. Go out into the real world and you'll see differently. Your bigotry is as bad as Archie's... let's hope you can grow.

[@BarbButler]

Yes!!!!!!!!!

[@mikehill3804]

I’m 70 years old and this show came during a time when everything was changing in society and this was a show that showed how ignorant racism is and the bigotry it produces. We laughed and cried laughing because we all knew how guilty any of us could be of this sin during our lifetime. Archie was definitely an equal opportunity biggot who changed America and don’t forget guys to check out George Jefferson.

[@RowdyYates007YNWA]

As a 53 year old who’s parent watched this show, people didn’t take themselves seriously back in the day, we weren’t offended…we had a sense of humor and understood that this was humor…better times back then

[@GabriellaTifaine]

True political satire

[@barz2bricks1]

So well said

[@frodobaggins7252]

I'm 54 and know exactly what you mean. People are way too thin skinned these days and have lost their sense of humor.

[@maribelplaza1749]

I agree!

[@retromom5421]

I am still calling Rob Reiner "Meathead". He is still a pompous brat.

[@albertapeet]

This show was on the air when people had a sense of humour and were still able to laugh at themselves

[@charmcrackermusic4250]

Yep and the Jefferson came out of that and that’s good too

[@charmcrackermusic4250]

You guys have to remember this is a comedy show. We are much further from racism these days

[@charmcrackermusic4250]

You guys got all the funny one crushed my Grandma and Grampa watch this when I was a kid

[@charmcrackermusic4250]

The word Queer was back then

[@charmcrackermusic4250]

Bad

[@armentajewel4165]

GenX in the house! I was raised on this show. Did you know Archie and Edith's chairs are in the Smithsonian? This wasn't just a tv show. It was a cultural phenomenon. Archie was a WASP: White Anglo Saxon Protestant. Irish and Italians were Catholic. Definitely not considered the same ethnic groups. I loved when you noticed that he had a certain charm. He was so many of our fathers. We loved him, but hated his views. It was complex. Over time you see his views challenged and he slowly and ever so slightly changed. It was beautiful and hopeful. Legendary show ❤

[@stephendacey8761]

Yes, these two young men didn't know what race Archie was, and you are 100% right that he was a white Anglo Saxon Protestant. I think the Protestant part of him made him feel superior to white Catholics like Irene Lorenzo. He was brought up by a bigoted father who claimed to be a Protestant and Archie always felt that being Protestant was superior to all other people with different religions.

[@yvonnetruelove2270]

Archie Bunker and All in the Family single handedly made my grandfather realize he was a bigot. He became a completely different person and saw the world and the people in it in a new light due to this show. ❤🎉

[@ryanagee3038]

Same here I watched my grandpa snicker and then hang his head in shame... And then laugh again.

[@wewemcrhyne]

That is so extraordinary!!! It’s exactly the intent!

[@carolbabb7875]

It was the whole point of this show. Back then and earlier people wouldn't dare to speak of the issues brought up. To anyone. My father changed over time too. This show and a few others did a lot of good. All races couldn't wait for Sunday night.

[@ConnieDuval]

Wow I'm so happy to hear that it made a difference. I was shocked to learn that some people watched and agreed with Archie

[@aliseegenuine6414]

​@@ConnieDuvalPoor Connie, there were a lot who did! A lot more than a few! They weren't necessarily bad ppl, they projected living a different lifestyle & different cultures. Yet the cultures were a lot alike. That's what makes our USA great! The variety of ppl. What causes the problems, today, is ppl being so thin-skinned & "offended"! FREEDOM OF SPEECH APPLIES TO ALL, NOT JUST THE RICH & FAMOUS1 And Freedom of Speech should be recognized by all! Can't be some & none! Has to be all or none

[@jacquieflint6777]

I was in my 20s when this show aired. The entire point of the show was to highlight how ridiculous racism and prejudice are. Humor is a great tool for teaching serious issues.

[@carlaburks5855]

I am a 62 year old African American man. What made Archie so interesting is that he dared to say what people in the earlier decades dare not say in open and mixed company back in the day. Network television did not allow that type of character to be displayed in earlier shows such as Father Knows Best, The Donna Reed Show, Leave It to Beaver, and other such shows. I thought it was great to see All in the Family break the barriers and boldly speak that thought but never spoken. Very cutting edge. I loved it ...

[@mattsvids0120]

One thing that made Archie really really interesting was that the guy who played Archie (Carol O'Connor) was actually the complete opposite of Archie in real life.

[@Kcinstc]

Well said

[@vampyre4me]

Sometimes I think we were actually closer to achieving equality back in the 70's than we are today. Political correctness just took us back to "mum's the word", fake smiles and all the distrust between people. It's sad

[@mattsvids0120]

@@vampyre4me "political correctness" is used as a (dirty word) by those who don't believe that it is right for members of the LGBTQ+ community, drag queens, people of color or women should have equal rights to: straight Rich white Christian cis "men"!!!

[@rooty-kazootie]

It was ALL Norman Lear. The humor, irony & ridiculousness of racists back then (and right now too, if I think about it). O'Connor *was* the opposite of AB in real life, as Matt wrote. We never missed AITF on Sun. nights back then. The ratings were thru the roof! It was a groundbreaking show as Carla says. We could joke about race & it wasn't an off-limits or appropriating topic then. Lear was highlighting the ignorance & stupidity of racists in AB.

[@mikeholman8463]

Archie Bunker is one of the greatest if not THE greatest satirical character comedians of all time. Which in turn, and with a fantastic cast makes All in the family one of if not the greatest sitcom of all time to date. (But if you want to go by ratings then it's absolutely one of if not the greatest sitcom of all time. Keeping in mind the population from then until now).

[@evgenia1960]

They made fun of everybody in the 70’s. No one got offended. This show was the first to address these issues. They did it with humor and held up the mirror we could all look at ourselves in.

[@Robert08010]

You said a MOUTH FULL!!!

[@georgepirie2453]

I can't believe that these guys watched all of this and didn't understand that the show is purposely written to be ironic. That's why it's so funny. The character is an actor saying what the writers have written. He's not racist, the character is. That's the role. One of the best actors, and one of the best shows, ever.

[@jlfliberty]

Good point, today's younger as programmed to suppress speech and as a result think everything they see is real.

[@karencahill4798]

People were smarter back then.😂

[@darinsanchez4123]

Exactly! It was sarcasm to a certain extent, and a way to highlight issues.

[@laurachatfield4142]

Archie Bunker was a white protestant male, who thinks that because he was born in America, that automatically makes him a Christian but without any real conviction about his faith or relationship with God and Jesus. I always thought he was Irish.

[@pawsnclawsOG]

Yes, he went on to play in "The Heat of the Night" with a strong black cast. I guess he didn't want to be typecast as a racist. Can't blame him. Caroll O'Connor was an amazing actor.

[@LPike-kh4dt]

You guys are so young! You don’t get that this was a laugh at our own bigotries! Genius! Perfect timing in the 70’s

[@josepharsenault1083]

I’m 31, and grew up watching these shows as syndicated reruns on the retro channels. I always understood that it was all humour, but also understood that it was a product of its time. I still watch all kinds of programs from back then. Red Skelton, Johnny Carson, Quincy M.E., etc., Call me old fashioned, but aside from the occasional diamond in the rough, they just don’t make them like they used to. There are some of us out there that still get it, even if it was well after our time.

[@cuppacoffee75]

Sanford and Son n The Jefferson's were from the same producers I think. So they gave the point of views from every family. Good shows. In real life he wasn't like that but he did bring attention to the way ALOT of people thought at the time and the way he brought the Conner's and Jefferson families together at the end was great.

[@powelll]

When poor Europeans came through Ellis Island they weren't considered as white, initially. The whitening of America ?

[@travLee7]

Some laughed for different reasons. Some laughed at the bigotry, while others laughed with it.

[@RainyDayz1991]

The great thing is that The Jeffersons came from this show. George Jefferson was the same as Archie Bunker only black. And I loved them both!

[@richardhussey8388]

All in the family was the South Park of the 70’s. Probably the best sitcom ever produced.

[@corm1000]

It was along with taxi, and Sanford and son.

[@Holly-zp5fu]

You lads have not received much history. Don't schools teach history? I remember when Italians,, irish, Jewish people, only married their own. Protestants did not routinely Marry Catholics.

[@briancleveland6115]

​@@corm1000And it's Always sunny in Philadelphia

[@hillbillypunkgirl]

I read an interview with Trey Parker and Matt Stone where they directly credited All in the Family,that South Park grew out of a belief that Archie Bunker could never get away with saying the things he did today unless he was a 10 year old kid

[@Holly-zp5fu]

@@hillbillypunkgirl I That is very interesting information. It certainly seems true. Thank you, I love the intricacies of life. Everything old is New Again.

[@nicknickerson2124]

It was a good time to be alive as a kid. Bunker, Jefferson and the Sanfords!

[@jeffb5785]

Yes, The Jefferson's eventually became a hit show, and Sanford and Son was Red Fox who was like a Black Archie Bunker.

[@willjohnson8446]

… and Chico and the Man.

[@donnaarrington4631]

Omg!!! I miss this raw comedy,,, there were always good messages in the end,, what happened to us??

[@ChristyKyles-t2m]

I loved all those shows...👍

[@janicespencer6014]

Don't forget good times

[@angelatarantini9184]

You young men need to realize that in the 70's, we had our social issues while they were in their peak. We needed the different sitcoms we had so that we could laugh our way through it. This generation should try it.

[@marilynmay4095]

We were a hell of alot freer back thin,not so much now,you all have to watch The Jeffersons and Good Times.😂

[@bryanmace7812]

People today are too busy staring at their phones, if it's not TikTok or about something being given to them. Then it's not important.

[@rudylittlewolf]

Stealing this quote!!! Beautiful!

[@amysjusticeleague3011]

Yeah sometime wonder if these younger people could have ever made it in those times they're too thin skinned sorry but true

[@rudylittlewolf]

@@amysjusticeleague3011 Don't be sorry. You speak facts.

[@nickcarnevalino7462]

the magic of these shows is that they did it for a live audience - that's what it's so impactful.

[@nicknickerson2124]

The Jefferson’s and Sanford and son were just as hilarious. The 70’s and 80’s were a time to be alive. Nobody got so offended.

[@patb7843]

I also liked "Good Times".

[@sherryowens8251]

And the Jeffersons

[@lalau7761]

Exactly.

[@lilmama4426]

I LOVED all of them!🤩

[@shirleymcdonald7008]

"All in the Family" was making fun of ARCHIE BUNKER....it was showing how illiterate HE was, as he was trying to say negative things about others.

[@Tetdyeanya-ru5zk]

Oh how we laughed! We laughed when George Jefferson called us honkey too.

[@marthabishop1455]

Yes we did!!! Hilarious!

[@Darrends-qn4tp]

Don't forget whitey. Lol

[@chloesophia9445]

Wasn’t The Jefferson’s a spin off from All in the Family?

[@willjohnson8446]

The problem with these types of videos edited together is that they focus on the sensationalism of the show and don’t show how each episode was resolved. They were amazing and revolutionary. They deserve to be rewatched in whole.

[@patticrichton1135]

TRUE!!

[@kiranolan7104]

I don't know if there's a channel that does reactions to All in the Family. I doubt it, but there should be.

[@kyfarm]

@@kiranolan7104 I would rather just rewatch the show if it were on anywhere, without the reactions.

[@BlainsTube]

Very true. All In The Family was made up of far more than one liners. I remember some very poignant and enlightening episodes. My suggestion would be to watch full episodes, then comment.

[@jeremyfisher9102]

Exactly. The whole purpose of All In The Family was to laugh at the bigot Archie and use him as a backboard that Gloria and Mike bounced their liberal ideas off of. The purpose of the show was to make people think, and re-evaluate their point of view.

[@deekay2385]

I believe the word you are looking for is bigotry. It wasn't "racism" as we define the word today. It was total bigotry against anyone not him. He was Archie Bunker. People didn't dislike the show. It was MASSIVELY popular. It was beautifully written satire to ignite social awareness and bring about change, and as you watched, it was hilarious seeing him have to face truth and be put in his place repeatedly. It blazed the trail for sensitive issues to be acknowledged on public programming in the U.S. A lot of the comedy was openly "stark" out used what we would label "slurs" today - Richard Pryor, Don Rickles, etc. Incidentally, Carol O'Connor furthered this anti-prejudice views in his career in another long running show where he played a sheriff married to a black lawyer (Heat of the Night). Archie Bunker became a character you loved and loved to laugh at for his ignorance. He did grow internally as the show developed.......... very slowly lol. It became a "thing" to call our dad's Archies in the 70's/80's. It wasn't considered "racism" as we define the word today. It was narrow minded bigotry. Good lessons. Thanks for visiting that time and posting. Sanford and Son would be another good one - Fred Sanford was the black version of Archie Bunker. The Jeffersons (spinoff of All in the Family) was another. We watched them all, and it was great comedy and good life lessons on how not to be and why - ah, the good old days where TV shows were meaningful and people could laugh at and come to appreciate our differences and love each other in spite of them. Maybe your generation can help society through your channel in some of the same ways :) Thanks for sharing. Thumbs up and following.

[@jimmymapes3411]

This show actually changed society for the better. People saw the ridiculousness of Archie's prejudice. Over the years as the show wen on Archie evolved and people came to love him.

[@surfwriter8461]

I wasn't a regular viewer, considering the show a bit too repetitive and stagey. But I'd like to know how you think Archie "evolved". What specific changes occurred that I might have been unaware of?

[@Kelle0284]

@@surfwriter8461 I was a regular viewer. Sometimes I could barely wait until commercial breaks before I had to go running to the bathroom.

[@lital.5222]

That was the whole point it poked fun at his archaic attitude maybe people watching now don't see that

[@NickColameo]

It can't be overstated how groundbreaking this show was. Nobody had heard these subjects discussed openly before. Amazing mix of comedy and drama. Homosexuality, mixed marriages, racism, sexism, sex, abortion and miscarriage. Just a few of the topics covered in the shows 9 year run. The top show of the 70’s and one of the most important ever to air.

[@michellerichardson3366]

And assault. Remember the episode with the guy that broke in with Edith..

[@margaretkiser6305]

If you slap someone, it's assault. Edith was raped. It was near the end of my tweenaged time watching the show. I don't know if it was the end for all viewers or just my parents quitting our family's viewing of it.

[@michellerichardson3366]

@margaretkiser6305 .. She was not rapped. He was the rapist but she was able to keep it from happening. Doesn't make it any less traumatizing....Please look up the episode.

[@laurieanncox7844]

​@margaretkiser6305 she beat him off with a cake she was baking.

[@margaretkiser6305]

@@michellerichardson3366 thank you for clarifying. 😊

[@billrosmus6734]

If you don't get it, the character is making fun of people like him that really existed. The best way to call out that behaviour is to show how ridiculous they are. That show actually was the kind of thing that helped end discrimination by making it public. If you aren't allowed to say stuff, then no one can talk about it.

[@caretaker158]

No, that's not Carl Reiner... it's his son Rob. Rob was once married to Penny Marshall (Laverne & Shirley)... their daughter Tracey Reiner, played "Betty Spaghetti" in the movie "A League of Their Own" (she was the one with the baseball card)

[@alienprepper5918]

"How is he allowed to say this on tv?". We used to have freedom of speech kiddo.

[@billjordan8779]

You obviously don't understand the First Amendment. You should try reading it sometime. The show was pitched to ABC several times and was eventually turned down. CBS eventually picked it up. They first aired it in the worst time slot and started it with a warning suggesting that people shouldn't watch it.

[@conniefoxx9813]

Yes. We weren't living in the world of the 'offended' back then and could laugh at each other. George Jefferson was the black version of Archie Bunker.

[@alienprepper5918]

@@billjordan8779 you misunderstood my comment meathead 😆 🤣

[@westtxmom]

and everyone wasnt triggered by everything

[@westtxmom]

good times...

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

As you get to know Archie's character over time you come to discover that he is actually more kind and compassionate than what he outwardly displays most of the time.

[@kavinbell4621]

He was an actor just like all the other actors no different, whether they realize it or not they were a bigger part of a sceam to open up the American people to things that isn't normal in today's society and that's all I'll say about that.

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

@@kavinbell4621 ......Lol...... it's your opinion and nothing more.....

[@kavinbell4621]

@@aisaxonawiat6484 your right it is my opinion, but more than that I've been around for over 50 plus years I've seen how those actors have said and done things back when I was a kid that wouldn't have been accepted even though it was a comedy show, every thing hollyweird has done was for there own agenda and it isn't a good thing. None of those actors are good roll models for anyone heck most all of them couldn't even have a proper life much less interact with the public.

[@jdsimz8147]

My grandfather was the same way. Was tough and grizzled but then would give you the shirt off his back.

[@Vince-lq3ve]

@@kavinbell4621 I think you finished your previous comment with "and that's all I'll say about that." I was kinda hoping you meant that.

[@johnbarone8948]

I don't care who you are or what you are Archie in my opinion was the funniest TV character of all time. He picked on everybody, no exceptions.

[@t.s.9656]

He was funny, but I think Al Bundy and Fred Sanford edge him out.

[@johnbarone8948]

@@t.s.9656 no way

[@keith1r]

@@t.s.9656not Bundy

[@WendyStone-jy7er]

This was BEFORE everybody went "snowflake". Archie had a good heart, and if you watch, he learns and grows in his thinking, as the county was, at that time. You knew where he stood. I dig that! You don't have to agree or like it, but it's always good to know.

[@vickieswearingen2610]

I'm a 60 year old white lady! Back n the 70's, I watched All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Sanford and Son with my parents! Loved them all! These shows were all top hits! Carroll O'Connors famous chair sits n The Smithsonian! Pretty Cool?

[@jr9779]

I’m 55 and watched all those shows, too.

[@victoriadean4912]

I still love Sanford and Son!! I loved Good Times!!

[@eileentsiapanos5430]

Oui. Tres cool!

[@eileentsiapanos5430]

@@victoriadean4912Kid Dynomiiiite!

[@jr9779]

@@victoriadean4912 loved Good Times too

[@rondafulfer5]

The first time racism was called out on national TV. Groundbreaking.

[@richardbero790]

Norman Lear right?

[@carn41-rt2ji]

He was ground breaking. Commenter is right. This character couldn’t be further from the truth. He was the total opposite of a racist. To watch him now, it’s amazing what could be said on tv then.

[@carn41-rt2ji]

I know his character was just that. A character but it hurts my heart to hear his words.

[@carn41-rt2ji]

For the young people, Carroll O’Conner was in a tv show after All in the Family called In the Heat of the Night where he married a black woman. He brought conversation to all that wrong with this country.

[@carn41-rt2ji]

Yes. A blanket of racism is still racism

[@flu4pdmt]

You hit the nail on the head - his ignorance was the comedy! This show was watched by every ethnic group and it was extremely successful for it's time. The writing was stellar!!!

[@Robert08010]

Normal Lear.

[@kathymc234]

It was awesome. We always rolled laughing at Archie. We even called my uncle, Meathead.

[@dustysmoke4996]

What people have to understand, and i'm not sure if these two guys in the video quite caught on to it, was that the actor playing Archie Bunker didn't believe in any of the slurs, insults, bigotry and misogyny he spouted on the show. He was a very liberal and forward-thinking man who was totally against all that sh*t. He was just a really good actor who played the part of the ignorant cretin to a T, as the best way to point out just how stupid and ignorant those kind of people really are. All In The Family was to social issues back in the day, what M.A.S.H. was to the insanity of war. A glaring mirror of the absurdity.

[@rayfish007]

@@dustysmoke4996 exactly , this behavior was being made fun of and displaying how ignorant and comical it is to think that way.

[@Mrs.T.Rusch25]

That's because back then comedy wasn't afraid. Nothing was off the table and no one was spared. Blazing Saddles was the most popular movie back then. It was as racist as could be. What no one realizes is that the majority of the movie was written by Richard Pryor! Stereotypes were comedy gold and people appreciated it because we could all see, not only our neighbors in these jokes, but ourselves as well. We could laugh at ourselves because we weren't tender, little, bubble-wrapped doilies.

[@toddellzey4407]

Carrol Oconner was not a racist, he was playing a character as Archie. I think this show was genius in how they intentionally addresses racial biases and issues and illustrated the ignorance of many thru Archie Bunker's character. I think the show helped bring about social change in much of America.

[@michelleturner6865]

I miss being normal and being able to laugh or hear another point of view without being triggered. This show was hilarious and still is.

[@DavidSmith-bg3yy]

Agreed 100%. However, have you noticed that not a single reply to your comment is allowed?

[@pinkcashmere573]

Totally agreed. PC culture is oppressive. People can’t grow without open discussion and learning.

[@darrellusa8271]

Absolutely

[@Darkomn]

The point of Archie was to put on display how stupid and ignorant this behavior was. Clearly that missed you

[@CookieCaspari]

The guy with the hat looks troubled

[@michaelmartin1714]

Funny thing about the actor that played Archie Bunker. His next role he played a Southern cop who married a black woman in the show "Heat of the night."

[@patrickhorvath2684]

Great show ! I watch it on KZbin

[@MaryannMartin77]

And he played that brilliantly too. He was nothing like Archie in real life

[@reproverebukeexhortevangel2131]

He was an amazing actor. He wasn't actually prejudiced.

[@cincin9509]

Rob Reiner

[@alexismckenna1564]

Loved In the Heat of the Night. Sidney Poitier did a great job and it was terrible how just before making that show he was almost killed in the South by the Klu Klux Klan. That's why it was filmed in the North. Now I want to rewatch that whole series...

[@77Sean]

The fact that you were both so disappointed when the video just stopped and you wanted more, shows just how good this show is!! It was groundbreaking for the times and actually helped in evolving our country through comedy and truth. Truly a masterpiece.

[@leatharay3565]

It was comedy

[@doug3819]

Every person is trapped in their time period, I'm dying laughing and these guys are barely laughing. Though if I watch any comedy in the last 25 years I see nothing funny about it I shake my head thinking what is funny about it. I was born in the 1950s. I could live in the 70s and early 80s forever.

[@maryharlow420]

Yeah, we watched and we heard and more importantly, we laughed. Im a 66, and growing up, we had this look at life, that all of us could laugh together. And we did.

[@margospica6429]

He’s an actor… he was actually a very nice person… The whole point of the show was to break down the barriers of the time… And amazingly, they didn’t sugarcoat it…

[@mauger63]

And also, no one got all upset and crying about their feelings being hurt. Like they do nowadays so very sad. I’m afraid to even talk anymore because I don’t know if anything I’m gonna say it’s going to cause a problem

[@karenalves8100]

Yeah! Everyone is So Angry and Offended these days and MOST of them don't even Know or Understand How and Why that is! I feel sad for some of those young people these days. So Uniformed and So Ready to CANCEL everything without being able to Explain Why! Soooo SAD!

[@MM-xz5ig]

I absolutely love the fact that All In The Family can still inspire the same conversations and debates as it did back in the 70s. The show really is timeless. There won’t ever be another one like it.

[@BowieRulez]

Yeah, mostly because they’d be too afraid to make it now a days.

[@kellyhewittangleberger1557]

I think we need to put this back on tv.🤣🤣🤣🤣The funny thing is nothing was off limits. He went after everyone, and it was funny because it was so ridiculous.

[@davidrussell8795]

It OnLine !😊

[@michelleawe1899]

Omg if we did , I couldn't imagine 😳 the Karen's

[@kookiedakat]

It’s free on freevee app.

[@DMF_603]

Still so relevant 🙁

[@DMF_603]

Aldo, best to watch the complete episodes for better context

[@bonscotty67]

On his deathbed, Carroll O'Connor said, "With the people like Archie, that you'll run into throughout life, do not be afraid of him."

[@victoriah.2083]

When All in the Family came out it was quite shocking. It covered a lot of "taboo" subjects. And really used comedy to examine subjects that were bubbling to the surface from long hidden depths. Archie & Edith's chairs are in the Smithsonian btw. That's how groundbreaking the series was.

[@XBootlicker]

Was that days SOUTH PARK

[@victoriah.2083]

@@XBootlicker I consider SOUTHPARK (never cared for it personally) a little bit too crude and pedantic for comparison. I honestly detested the Archie Bunker character and only appreciated Lear's creation years later. I liked the series after Edith was killed off. But audiences didn't. She was truly Archie's better half. The spinoff, THE JEFFERSONS, was more my cuppa.

[@roger1296]

It’s learned behavior…Archie in the series, as years go by, he begins to learn and grow, and he becomes completely opposite of what he was when the series began. This series was GROUNDBREAKING.

[@cynthiatucker2147]

And Edith passed away you could see she meant more to Archie than he let on. I cried at that final episode. Edith was special.

[@automatedgeek]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHJZ3yKqM-mnc0

[@davido3403]

100%

[@cuppacoffee75]

She reminded me of my mom-mom a little bit❤

[@Naplesfrank154]

I don’t know how anybody could get offended by what was said on this show. I’m Italian and Polish and when I heard Archie talk about the “Daygo’s, wops or Polacks”, I used to laugh until I cried. Everybody knew it was just comedy. He wasn’t saying those words maliciously, what he said nobody would ever call somebody those words in public. Of course, when I was with my Italian friends, we called each other, Italian slurs, and with my Polish friends, we called each other, Polish slurs, but it was all fun. It’s a shame today that people are offended by the least little thing, real comedy is out the door. The days of great comedians, like Don Rickles, Flip Wilson, Redd Fox, Dave Chappel and Richard Pryor are long gone. It’s a real shame that everybody has to worry about hurting somebody’s feelings, I feel if you don’t like TV shows like that or comedians that talk like that don’t watch them, don’t ruin comedy for everybody else in the world.

[@suekelly6293]

Thank you. You said it so well. I used to do stand-up comedy. Now I do not have the desire to do it anymore because of the ridiculous political correctness.

[@Naplesfrank154]

@@suekelly6293 that’s too bad. This world is going through changes that aren’t so good. My brother Ted is a comedian based out of central NJ but we don’t talk anymore. Not sure if he is having problems with this woke world also.

[@letshaveacuppa_official]

Couldn’t agree more! I’m an American born girl with a very diverse multicultural background. I thought it was hysterically. We had a sense of Yuma back then. I have no idea what’s wrong with people nowadays

[@frankm1424]

You said it best Or as the Irish would say Young people today “Oh will you relax”

[@oliverduke1173]

Yep, but don't get ugly like Gottfried.

[@cinbad1534]

Sanford and Son, All in the family, Maude, Jefferson's and more old shows were so good watching as a kid. All great actors. ❤

[@CN-dl2cj]

I grew up watching All in the Family. It was a brilliant social and cultural commentary where Archie and his thinking was highlighted as morally wrong. He embodied everything unfair and wrong; racism, sexism, homophobia. Yet Archie still had a soft spot, and liked the people he got to know who were different from him. It’s important to know that the actor who played Archie, Carroll O’Connor, was the exact opposite of the character he played. There are great interviews of him on KZbin. The actress who played Edith, Jean Stapleton, was extremely smart. The writing and acting on this show was brilliant. It’s worth watching all the episodes. It was way ahead of its time, and it moved national conversations.

[@jjmummert]

This show broke barriers and woke people up to our issues.

[@kathleenhazy6126]

And they spoke about those issues through comedy, which is definitely lost on these two.

[@ginav8851]

100%.

[@briancleveland6115]

​@@kathleenhazy6126Exactly 💯 they are just virtue signaling.

[@USCTrojan2013]

The reason none of this is possible is NOT just due to “political correctness” but we have lost the ability to say, “let’s agree to disagree.” We also had racists Nixon & Reagan in the WH… it was a DIFFERENT time… open & out for all to see…

[@USCTrojan2013]

Interesting that he brought up the bigotry regarding Italians, Greeks & Polish citizens… so it’s like the Family Guy of the 70’s.. no demographic was safe then.. anymore than with Seth’s Family Guy.. everyone is fair game.

[@Tracy_R]

I Applauded you two for taking a look back. As a sixty-year-old woman growing up in the 70s, everyone watched "All in the family." We knew that it was Satire. It was groundbreaking at the time to shine light on ignorance & it did open up conversations. They used language the average person wouldn't use because we knew better.

[@BeYounique...Maryanne]

I'm 60 too. I was too young to really understand the show when it was on, but I really enjoy the reruns now. As a kid I liked watching because Mike & Gloria were the "cool older kids" I wanted to grow up and be like. :)

[@josephwehberg9437]

All in the Family was great! People understood it was satire. Archie was an over the top stereotype of a bigot. Stereotypes are just exaggerated reality. Today everyone is so easley offended. 70s everyone got along better because humor broke down racial barriers. Check out the Jeffersons, Chico and the Man, Sanford & Son and Good Times. All are politically incorrect today but they Were Funny!

[@GlassOnion602]

All In The Family was a real hoot! As a high-school student in the 70s, we all couldn't help ourselves laughing so much! The show was perfect timing for us teens since we could see our parents in the episodes and all the racial, women's lib, and other liberations coming to the front of everything.

[@carmenroche1631]

I love all of the people who grew up with the Bunkers and point out how we handled each episode.

[@vodkarage8227]

Archey, if I remember correctly, wasn't racist, he was ignorant, huge difference. As the show went on, he had a learning arc. If you notice, when he is talking about other races or cultures, it's always with fear of changing things, taking away jobs; basically, threatening his way of life. As he is introduced to people different from him, like the Jeffersons, he starts to change. To me, that was the lesson in the show. The more you learn about different peoples and cultures, the more you realize how alike we all are.

[@etrigan911]

Mister Jefferson showed him how much alike black and white people can be as they were both basically the same character

[@itoibo4208]

exactly. they were both racist jerks lol@@etrigan911

[@itoibo4208]

Archie was racist, but most racism comes from ignorance. This is hard to teach people today, who are too dumb to understand this. Racists are not evil. They are people who were taught bad lessons, and live amongst people who only focused on the worst of people who were not like themselves, while focusing on the best of people who are like themselves. I still see this in news comments. A story about black people fighting, or shooting each other, brings in all the racists, to talk about how bad black people are, and they seem to forget or not notice all of the other news stories about white people doing crimes and being violent, etc..

[@uofa82]

Ignorant in life and also in how to effectively communicate.

[@TDBear-bs6zl]

🙂 sunshine 🌞 miss you 😊

[@janna2245]

Archie wasn't a bad guy: He had a rotten childhood, and was raised in a way that made him think that his race was the only advantage that he had. He's underprivileged, low on the heap, and desperately in need of anything that gives him certainty and self esteem. In truth, he really loves his family, and learns a LOT as the series progresses. I watched this as a little, LITTLE kid, and it has informed my thinking my whole life. Even as a little kid, I felt sorry for Archie.

[@trocarcat]

the only problem with the show is that the less intelligent thought Archie had a valid perspective.. like MAGA today. cant fix stupid. they dont think they're as evil and unamerican as they are. they think trump is jesus and ethics are satanic...

[@tiptoe38]

😂😂😂

[@alpo4291]

Yes I am from backi in that time . And it was even shocking back then but that was the point. There were people like Archie Bunker back then and even now. But I believe that the Creator was trying to hold a mirror up to America.

[@CindyPraktish]

That is great insight!

[@shariwasson6514]

Remember guys, he's an actor. They were trying to educate people. The character Archie Bunker was played by the great Carrol OConner. This man brought all the Archie's in America to our living rooms once a week. Everyone knew their own personal Archie. Whether it was a coworker, neighbor or relative. Mikes character was there to call him out on all his bigotry. I'm so glad u guys are watching this! It's a delight to listen to your opinions, surprise and reactions to good ole Archie. You really need to watch the episode with Sammy Davis Jr😂

[@pennyfraney8863]

Yes….the Sammy Davis Jr episode was classic!!

[@911believer6]

Legendary, I saw it when it first came on , I remember my mom was like good for you, Sammy. lol, she also loved the rat pack

[@reginafallangie2867]

There’s an old historic town a little north from where I live that has antique signs on display that read “Help wanted. Irish need not apply”

[@handmaidmd]

Watching Archie and George Jefferson go at each other was always funny. This show just hit all the stereotypes of everyone. I don’t think they left anyone out. Also, The Jeffersons received their spin off from the show.

[@sportsman4545]

Yes and the Jeffersons dad was putting down white people the same way.

[@bradentripp8141]

There were seven spin offs...Archie bunkers place..Maude..Gloria the Jeffersons. Good times. Checking in. Houser.

[@BushaBandulu]

Archie B and G Jefferson were mirror image of each other.😂😂

[@PetraVon]

He is acting. He never felt that way. He believed in women's rights and stood for the black people. I grew up watching these, everyday.

[@chrissorrels7093]

The acting and writing were so good that these guys reacted to the show as if Archie Bunker was a real person. The beauty of that show was that the audience could explore topics through comedy. The language was real, but at the same time so funny that topics could be laid out in the open rather than hidden behind political correctness.

[@ChocolateDrop1960]

As a black woman, born in the 60's, I remember my Dad watching All In The Family and The Jeffersons. Dad would just laugh and laugh so hard he would fall off the couch. These kinds of conversations have been going on forever! Which tells me, we haven't really made much progress (it's just "different" progress. Blessings!!!!

[@arnoldarnoldr5114]

You're beautiful

[@prudencepatnoad3165]

Thanks. I think it was about laughing about another perspective and not shock value

[@RealityDisabled3979]

And continues....in 2023

[@pennynuttall2150]

We have made progress. Just too slow

[@bobbiebaswell5039]

Laughter is medicine..

[@sandyjones45]

Watching that brings back memories! It seems like it was just yesterday; it's hard to believe that it was 50 YEARS AGO!!! 😮😮😮

[@kielia727]

I am 65. During the time this show came out there were more people then that believed as Archie does in the show. This show allowed us to have more conversations, especially since it was presented in comedy form. We also got to watch Archie learn and grow over time as he was exposed to his black neighbors, had conversations with his son in law, wife, daughter and others. This show was a good influence on our society as a whole and many people learned to grow , change, and see each other as human beings instead of as others to be afraid of. We also had two shows about black people, Moving on up and the Jeffersons that were in the same vein but from black peoples perspective. They were also presented in a comedy format. These shows changed a lot of hearts and minds . We need shows comparable to those now that tackle the issues of our times today.

[@graftme3168]

We had a few. They've been cancelled.

[@sinneadfert]

Fully agree. I was raised in this type of culture. And learned and grew, as most of us did.

[@doncarlson8965]

Good times Jefferson’s and Sanford and son

[@kielia727]

@@doncarlson8965 yeah, your right it was called Good Times. I keep hearing in my head " Moving on up to the east side ". Lol!! I loved Sanford and Sons but I didn't find that it had as great of a societal impact as the other 3. Loved Red Foxx. I got to see him in a play in Vegas called Norman is that you. He was playing a character with an Archie Bunkerish type attitude that just found out his son was gay. Again, putting real life , challenging issues forward and teaching through comedy.

[@automatedgeek]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHJZ3yKqM-mnc0

[@laurawendt8471]

You’re only seeing the worst bits of his speeches, but in a whole episode he was often shown the error of his ways or was made the butt of the joke. Episodes always had learning moments for the audience as well as Archie. Carrol made sure to give him real emotions behind the bluster so you could see him changing for the better slowly

[@kirbzmom]

Very well said!

[@don-o-seven1437]

#facts some of the greatest writing ever. So much deeper than the censorship and narrow views allowed to be broadcast today. Pushing the issues of the day and making conversations possible.

[@OnceUponaTimeline]

Yep, he'd start out all prejudiced and then be forced to see he was wrong. Perhaps the point was that even some jerk like him could learn if given enough opportunity and exposure. I don't think that's always going to be the case but I do think it often can be. Another important point is recognize stupid ignorant people but don't take their opinions personally, don't give them that power.

[@Robert08010]

And consider the way Edith evolved as a character over the series.

[@ginabeavers2625]

All in the Family was so fun! This kind of humor mocking ignorance and at the same time making Archie sympathetic was genius

[@SharonEllis-ze6hs]

During the great immigration from Ireland to America, in New York, signs in windows of businesses and housing said " no Irish need apply". This was called the Nina law. The Irish werd depicted as trash, gorillas, circus monkeys, etc. in newspapers. Oh, and to everyone who promote native Americans as more noble than Europeans in the past, look at the beliefs of different native nations toward each other. Racism isn't a black white issue, it is humankind issue. It's called 😂being "afraid of the "different". I speak as someone of different cultures. We are all children struggling to become "adults" in the hard "history" of the world.

[@caladonn2659]

I'm a 62 Year Old White Male, and I grew up watching both All In The Family and The Jeffersons. These shows are a Deliberate Observation of how Ridiculous Racism in all it's Forms and Actions Really Are! The 70's were a MUCH more Tolerant Time that what We Have Become!, The Fact that the Reactor actually stated "They could say that on TV?" Just goes to show how Narrow Minded and Intolerant we as a Society have Become. Without the Tolerant Mindset of the 70's that were Fostered by the 60's Struggles of Both the White and Black Communities, the Equalities we enjoyed up until the late 2000's would never have happened. Unfortunately The Pendulum Appears to be swinging Back to Intolerance and Racism, and We seem to have forgotten the Main Message of Shows Like These "ALL LIVES MATTER!!!!!!!"

[@deborahrandolph3212]

There weren't snowflakes & NOBODY got offended. We all just laughed! Comedy was alive & well & we could take a joke!

[@KristenAnnDickinson]

Yes!

[@DetroitRockCityMusic]

They don't know the word bigot

[@kyfarm]

These kids should do a show on The Jeffersons. Look at things from the opposite point of view.

[@dragonvoiceinterview6038]

There weren't any charcoals and nobody got offended

[@mightymarsha]

Exactly Black people were strong in their identity… they weren’t made to believe they’re victims in every thing in life… they were strong - smart and worked together… (many still are and do) now you have whole bloodlines dying because they’re shooting each other on the streets… so many live and potential gone

[@normagrimstad8869]

All In the Family is one the greatest shows on television. The acting was superb, and yes, the issues were raw, but the issues were covered with humor and poignancy. You really need to watch the shows in the entirety.

[@jaimemcdanieltravels]

This show had some of the most creative and best writing of any show ever. What's funny is George Jefferson is just like Archie. They are almost the same character but one white and one black. But they were good friends. Lionel's character always new how to handle Archie. It was a historic show that couldn't be done today because people are too fragile and politically correct and could not get the message that this show was putting forth. Carrol O'Conner did a great acting job as he was nothing like Archie.

[@Jewelsquiss]

Exactly❣️ Lionel knows how to handle Archie, partly because he knows how to handle his own father and partly because he knows how to navigate the world he lives in. I Love Lionel. Archie and George are equally prejudice, but for different reasons. Archie is a product of his upbringing. George is a product of the way the world treated him with prejudice his whole life, so he set out to become better than the people who tried to hold his race down. He succeeded. George also believes all races should stick with their own kind, same as Archie believes. I love both shows! Both men say exactly what they think! Which is freedom of speech. 😊❣️

[@VisualAssault2011]

Nailed it! What the sensitive types today don't understand is that comedy can really open people's eyes... The biggest "racists" on tv back when: Archie Bunker, George Jefferson, Fred Sanford, Ed Brown,... yet despite the words that came from their mouths, they all promoted "achievement"...

[@VisualAssault2011]

@@Jewelsquiss Archie is the way he is because he was forced to drop out of school to support his family, and to a degree regards anyone not willing to do the same, or being subjected to the same, as weaker... there is actually a lot of his character revealed through the series... he is not perfect, but he is certainly honorable...

[@V.P._Chlamydia_Hairass]

​@@Jewelsquiss*prejudiced A person who has a prejudice is prejudiced.

[@chutch651]

I grew up watching All in the family and we understood that this shows taught us about real life in America and how different people thought. It was not a racist show. It was a tension relief from the differences we had. He taught us all races have these feelings to other races other than their own.

[@PatriotMommy]

You should see Archie and Mr Jefferson's chemistry together. They were hysterical together. They went head to head with one another and made a great team.

[@jimdevlin4949]

They were the same person just different shades!

[@chop3625]

Episode with Sammy Davis Jr. was epically classic.

[@brianschmidt9919]

That's because Jefferson was the black Archie Bunker

[@brianschmidt9919]

On The Jeffersons at the beginning of the series run it was a little more provocative and George and Weezy would be standing by while Tom and Helen from upstairs the white and black couple would start arguing and George would look over at wheezy and say under his breath, guess what he's going to call her n*gger and the audience will go crazy because in the real world that happens and that's what makes people love a program is that it speaks to something in their life that they can identify with and recognize

[@brianschmidt9919]

And I hate to have to be compelled to come back in put an addendum on what I said but it happens in all directions black to white like to black Asian did you Judah Puerto Rican everybody's got a slander against someone else and a prejudice against someone else it's not unique to white people there's my copy good Lord but a country we live in America that I just said

[@wetspotswimwear1199]

You see, back then, and into the '80's, we made fun of each other and we ALL laughed with each other

[@kbel210]

Exactly!!

[@loggie3429]

And laughed AT the ignorant Archie.

[@bindywuertenberg6644]

Back then people had thicker skins, and understood there were people like this in the world. It was considered freedom of speech, and this show basically was about showing a Family man who was strongly prejudiced, but unapologetic and unfazed by what others thoughts. Even when it horrified his family and friends. It was the realization that everyone has a right to their opinion, whether it was considered right or wrong. And therefore you either dealt with it, or you didn’t. No one went around crying and saying I take offense to whatever unless they had a personal issue with something said. Period. In which case, the person with the issue took it up with the offender. Today, they’ve taken away freedom of speech because it makes people uncomfortable. Rather than people learning to have a thicker skin, and learning to work it out. Archie definitely was ridiculous in many ways, which made him hilarious. And back then, almost everyone knew this and shrugged his coarseness off. But today, you have too many whiners who don’t get the point…, there is always going to be somebody like Archie Bunker…., YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO IGNORE, shrug off, and grow a thicker skin, because YOU CANNOT CHANGE A PERSON LIKE ARCHIE.

[@marywoodard4241]

Yup, best statement on here.👍

[@kellycarlson9303]

We were not " woke" enough to be offended at everything !

[@MrsDauphinee]

This program was like a spoof show. It showed how wrong Archie was and done in a comedy format. He was always told how wrong he was. He was a true believer in equality in real life. No other show was like this, it was a pearl .

[@tootstoyou1]

These guys really don’t get it.

[@kimejones8551]

The Jefferson's were a spin off. George Jefferson was just as bad.

[@allabouttheU1662]

Archie was a staunch liberal in real life. Look it up

[@LuvTadnDixie]

"All In the Family" is probably one of the funniest, well-written, and well-acted sitcoms of all time. It was groundbreaking. When this show premiered back in the early 70s, they had a disclaimer which read "Warning -- the program you are about to see is All in the Family. It seeks to throw a humorous spotlight on our frailties, prejudices and concerns. By making them a source of laughter we hope to show - in a mature fashion - just how absurd they are." Yeah, the network was afraid of how people might react to the show, and a few did, but most people "got it" and understood what the show was saying. I highly recommend the show to anyone. It was the best.

[@oldascii]

Archie was an over the top bigot to show the absurdity and circular logic of it all. Mix marriage back then was an Italian marrying an Irish, it just shouldn't and wouldn't happen. As time went on you can see the cracks form in Archie and changes started to come. Archie's ignorance was all part of his absurd character. He was so sure in his stupidity. The show was made to break down barriers because it was everyone against the old white bigot (the majority).

[@rhwinner]

I remember that a popular topic of conversation was whether the show promoted racism.

[@treetopjones737]

The theme song for the show "Mr. we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again" was a tip-off that you were about to watch satire.

[@getacare2735]

Growing up watching all them shows I watch Archie Bunker it reminds me of my old man even looked like. He wasn't a racist but it was American loving Patriot that wouldn't buy anything unless it was made in the USA old school good values good man loved and missed.

[@vickishockey2474]

All in the Family was created by Norman Lear. He created a number of extremely entertaining, thought and conversation provoking shows. The Jeffersons (a spin-off of All in the Family , about an upper middle class black family), Good Times, Maude…all worth checking out, excellent reflections of American culture.

[@scottcummins1560]

I was a teenager when this was popular and it was popular with everyone. It was a reflection on the WWII generation and their sacrifice and how they viewed the country changing and how afraid they were t was all or nothing, if you were fortunate enough to have relatives that served in WWII, you could see it in them. You could buy books in stores of Italian Jokes, Polish Jokes, Black Jokes. The thing was, people were more authentic and they did not have anterior motives for their activism or their very harsh views. When they Added George Jefferson it really went of the charts. He was the perfect spoil for Archie Bunker. It was just a good ole fashioned show that showed honesty and no one was offended

[@mamakat114]

This show was so educational to people my age (57). It made us aware of bigotry, war and protests, misogyny all wrapped up in humor. So we learned what we did and formed opinions on things at an early age. What we would tolerate and what we wouldn't.

[@tommarks3726]

5 months after All in the Family premiered it became the number 1 show for 5 years straight. I was a kid in the 70's and we never missed it. RIP Norman Lear. The audience was live and all that laughter was genuine.

[@aberamagold7509]

Oh yeah, I forgot the show was "filmed in front of a live studio audience."

[@SirManfly]

@@aberamagold7509it was brilliant as it took on taboo subjects in the 70’s like mixed marriages, homosexuality, desegregation, and trans issues.

[@mamasoffhermedpeople6602]

The best way to expose prejudice and ignorance is to put it out in the light. This was a phenomenal show that actually made these issues glaringly obvious. I grew up watching the show and laughed my ass off. But it always made people think.

[@melvinyoung3474]

This was 1964 and a brand new Mustang cost $1,499.99. Most people only earned $3.50 per hour.

[@TourPace]

I grew up with this show (GenX) and not only did Carroll O'Connor expose what so many people were afraid to openly discuss, but his character managed to learn and grow which in turn helped so many of his viewers. These short clips don't show the latter but it was there. One of my favorite episodes was when Mike's friend, a draft dodger, came over. Archie's friend who was also visiting had lost his son in Vietnam and Archie, understandably, was upset by Mike's friend. It was a very powerful moment for the audience and Archie alike.

[@itoibo4208]

that is one of the wildest thing about wokes. These leftist people literally dogged Trump for avoiding Vietnam just out of pure spite and stupidity, and made McCain a hero for being in Vietnam. The world is upside down.

[@krisstiebee9688]

The chair and table that Archie used is in The Smithsonian, that is how much this show made an inpact.

[@TDBear-bs6zl]

You people spend wayyy too much time and effort naming generations. 😉 I guess it's part of the governments identity politics and the effects are becoming increasingly apparent all over the internet.

[@toshiojohnston3732]

Yes because even Archie knew it was a dirty rotten lousy stinking war and he didn't want to hear about it.

[@debleary3241]

Oh, that was an amazing episode 👏 😍

[@mocheeks4788]

Im a 48 latina. I got into the show when i was mid teens and staying up late on summer breaks and there was nothing else in the tv. We only had 13 channels. I was never offended by this show. I laughed at the jokes, even when he was spittin on the puerto ricans. I loved it. A different time back then. He broke barriers with this show. Still love it.

[@nadinewheeler6972]

yes!

[@deborahsevi5729]

Same here. Natives found it funny too. The Jefferson show was no different except George Jefferson was black and Archie Bunker was white. We grew up thick skinned. There was no political correctness it was open season on everyone.

[@patrickhorvath2684]

We all laughed at each other and no one was butthurt.

[@deborahsevi5729]

@@patrickhorvath2684 Exactly!! Growing up 60s 70s and 80s( the hair groups). Guys grew their hair long and shit was always somewhere someone was calling them girls and other words we can no longer say but we didn't give a fuck and we still don't. 😁🖕🤘🏼

[@1fuglyNDN]

See Everybody, Even the Wet Backish Ppl, That Stole You TV, Watch & Love Archie! NDN luv 🦬

[@robobunch4212]

Oh man. Archie and George Jefferson together. Pure gold.

[@gesundheit602]

@typadudes That’s not Carl Reiner, that is his son Rob Reiner. 🙂

[@msnostil]

You need to realize, he cuts down everyone, every culture. It allowed us to laugh at ourselves and others. Thats the point😂

[@terryomalley1974]

I was a kid back in the 70's, but I still remember the show really well. It was groundbreaking at the time, because it brought debates that people were having privately out into the open. In fact, there was a healthy exchange of views in the 70's that puts today's woke cancel culture to shame.

[@DQ_Mine]

And who are you canceling? See, it is still happening, just in other ways. You won't get it.

[@treetopjones737]

The show was MADE BY THOSE WOKE PEOPLE YOU HATE.

[@styleisaweapon]

@@DQ_Minethe 70s didnt cancel anybody and thats what gives the 2020s crowd shame

[@RlsIII-uz1kl]

​@@DQ_Minewe're just setting back and watching cancel culture and those who support it eventually cancel themselves which is the beautiful thing about cancel culture. It only effects those who are in support of it and will only end once they've been cancelled.

[@dunringill1747]

@@DQ_Mine There is a huge difference between healthy honest criticism (what @terryomalley1974 did) and actual cancel culture. Cancel culture stems from malicious hatred. Cancel culture is not a sincere criticism with intent to precipitate a healthy dialog exchange. Cancel culture is when lies, deceit, and slurs are used to publicly disgrace and bully someone into losing their jobs, their livelihood, their friends, & their support group. Cancel culture is used in attempts to drum someone out of society and drive them under a rock. Cancel culture is used to bully people to censor themselves and fall in line with the groupthink - or else. To pretend otherwise is disingenuous.

[@rickr442]

I met Carroll O’Connor in California twenty-plus years ago after his HEAT OF THE NIGHT series ended and after the death by suicide of his son. He was a quiet, gentile, incredibly dignified gentleman and an incredibly transparent actor, totally crushed by his sons death.

[@rosietheriveter1919]

I talked to Norman Lear once (He was an acquaintance of my Great Aunt Elinor) Never met him but he would call Elinor Otto on her Birthday her last few years & one time I got to speak to him. It was only for a few minutes but a forever memory. I LOVED All In The Family & grew up watching programs Mr Lear was involved in. I took the opportunity to tell him how much I enjoyed his work. We talked for a few minutes & I told him my son preferred Married With Children, which I enjoyed too but felt like it couldn't beat All In The Family. Mr. Lear told me to tell my son... .He, (Mr. Lear), preferred MARRIED WITH CHILDREN TOO!!! That was a couple years ago & I don't think my son will ever let me forget Mr. Lear agreed with him! Mr. Lear passed the day before my Great Aunt's Service last year, 5 Dec 2023. Elinor Otto, born 28 Oct 1919. Passed on 12 Nov 2023 & her Service was 6 Dec 2023. I'm so grateful for the contacts I developed while with Elinor during her last 5 years. She passed at 104 years & 2 weeks & was the Longest Serving Rosie the Riveter building Airplanes until age 95 💪 It was only once & brief but I have a lifelong memory speaking with Mr Lear. Thank you! I will share this memory with my son now, thanks to Elinor & Mr. Lear. May they both RIP & thanks for blessing our lives. ✈️ 💜💪🌹🤟🐾💌

[@belindagriffin5868]

We didn't have a cancel culture attitude we had a lets talk and let you expose your own bigotry we never believed in shutting people up, we used their own ignorance to show everyone else how backward it was, Archie bunker was at a time when our country was going thru big changes and this show helped to do it.

[@sallyperrie3007]

Well said

[@jill7759]

Archie dragged all those old, silly stereotypes out into the light where he made everybody laugh at them …. And Archie was an equal opportunity bigot, he had something to say about Jews, and women, and Eye-Talians, Poles and on and on. He never failed to sound totally ridiculous while he was making you laugh, which, I guess was the point. This show, and one or two others were definitely part of America’s coming of age.

[@denapratt4609]

You have to understand that the show was not pro bigotry, racism, or any of that. It was designed to show the 2 generations clashing and raising awareness of how things were changing. As crass as he was, he was real. It was a snapshot of the climate at the time. Viewers that agreed with Archie laughed, viewers that agreed with the younger generation STILL WATCHED to see Archie get put in his place. It showed two sides of every story. It was contemporary and it was needed. We need a show like this again. Without the sensitivity training

[@automatedgeek]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHJZ3yKqM-mnc0

[@msdarby515]

The Sammy Davis Jr. Kiss was one of the longest laughs in television sitcom. That episode is also a great example how Archie was often the butt of the joke.

[@mabelregimal5407]

Exactly what I said.

[@marymiss7827]

how about when Archie got a blood transfusion from his black doctor...or kissed Berverly Lasalle, the drag queen. so many great episodes

[@colleenbird8816]

I loved the Sammy Davis, Jr. elisode It was hysterical.

[@colleenbird8816]

Norman Lear's shows were great. At one time he had six of the top ten shows on TV.. He changed TV forever.

[@k9element]

All in the Family opened doors for a lot of smart, challenging comedies like The Jeffersons, Maude, Archie Bunkers Place, Gloria, Good Times. They all helped to continue to challenge how we talked with each other.

[@Ray1969.]

That’s actually Carl Reiner’s son Rob Reiner. Rob became a famous director. He directed films like “When Harry Met Sally”, “Stand By Me”, “The Princess Bride”, “A Few Good Men”, “Misery” and “Ghosts of Mississippi.” He truly is one of our greatest directors. This show was back before we got infected with over the top political correctness. People knew it was just comedy and we laughed

[@scottangle574]

you forgot This is Spinal Tap.

[@Ray1969.]

@@scottangle574 didn’t forget, could name only so many. I guess that was a bad one to leave out!!

[@GMA68]

Everyone watched this. Everyone learned something in each episode. No one I knew thought of saying the words he used should’ve been silenced. Silencing adds power to the word. For nearly a decade we watched Archie learn and grow. We learned and grew with him. And no blood was shed. Great legacy. America watched learned and the world was better for it.

[@divekatdreaming]

Maybe this needs to be put back on primetime. It seems some have forgotten the lessons.

[@eileencastillo6323]

What did you learn? If you approve of the people who embody Archie Bunker's character, openly insulting other people who are not like them, then what did exactly did you learn? If the people that the Archie Bunkers of today openly insult should just shut up and take it, then to be likewise openly insulted should be accepted by those Archie Bunker types as well. Right? Since ALL are American citizens endowed with the same inalienable right to Life and Liberty. Right?

[@GMA68]

@@eileencastillo6323 It held a mirror up to the bigotry and exposed it for what it was. I was raised in the south in the Jim Crow era so I may know more about the stupidity of the kind of bigotry Archie showed. The power of the show was I think exposure of this. I was raised by a mother who when I asked her why there were bathrooms for white men, white women and a separate one that said colored she replied because people are stupid. This to was a decade before the show. We were partially raised by a black woman who I could talk with about racial issues from her perspective. The show showed me at least that both these exceptional women were correct in their thinking. I also learned that words have power from banning not from sunlight. I’m not eloquent but I hope I’ve answered your questions. If not I hope it will at some time. Take care.

[@GMA68]

@@eileencastillo6323 sorry. I think you may have misunderstood what I was trying in my simple way to express. I’m not sure how you understood I approved of Archie’s positions on anything. Or how you thought I was approving of it. At no time did I say or imply any such thing. Hope you have a great day.

[@GMA68]

@@divekatdreaming do I wish! In the current climate though I am afraid it would not do well. The culture of set ideas and intolerance of any differing opinions is so extreme there is little room for debate. Frankly I am so tired of pearl clutching and the culture of I’m a victim. I am old now and am sad to see some of the changes. Intolerance of differing opinions is no different than intolerance of race. Bigotry is bigotry. Hope you have a great weekend

[@jaimejaime4575]

We loved all of the family. It’s when you could joke around and tease people in a joking manner and nobody got offended. Those were great times.

[@chestnut1279]

no, it's when racism and sexism were not considered to be truely offensive, which they are

[@750count]

So, what was the derogatory stereotype name that you didn't mind being called?

[@Joey-ni9ce]

A little bit of unknown knowledge, In real life, Archie was a very heart field. Man just playing a role, his wife was more of the Sirius type.

[@bradentripp8141]

​@chestnut1279 except achie wasn't the hero..he was the buffoon. The entire point was to show how ridiculous he was in his outdated beliefs and views. Then they added in George Jefferson..who was the exact same person from a different perspective. Their rivalry was one of the greatest ever.

[@grandpascottshodgepodge9318]

It was shows like this that held a mirror up to society and showed us that racism and homophobia are based on ignorance and that we SHOULD be offended by them.

[@gobi3751]

Archy was uneducated didn't graduate high school. Was raised with racist beliefs, but was not a dangerous man, in the show he never did anything or espoused full on hatred or physical harm to any one of color. At times he would show compassion to Lionel. It was a simpler time, and we may have all had someone that we knew like Archy and just thought them simple minded but harmless. Today, it has gotten dangerous they seem to want to do physical harm it's not just words it gone beyond freedom of speech.