When Gay Partners Became a Part of All in the Family

[@Lucailey]

"She didn't hurt you, so, why should you want to hurt her?" Wow, If we could apply this message to so many things even today....What a better world we would have!

[@lenaeospeixinhos]

It's the "giving someone more rights doesn't take yours away" that's so hard to drill into some people's heads... I don't get why either

[@BeeHatGuy]

@@lenaeospeixinhos people see it as destroying their way of life, which makes less and less sense the more you think about it

[@Scottsteaux63]

We really need to vote Blue this November; The Dumpster and his minions will be coming for us next.

[@brklynrox]

"He's God. You ain't." Gave me chills.

[@Bala_Niranna]

Brklyn Rox I clapped with the audience at that part

[@SunflowerSpotlight]

Me too. I’m religious and get into all kinds of fights with people over this. This is a great short and too the point point to make that they may possibly take to heart. “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Practicing what we preach would be a really amazing thing.

[@Log-On-Line]

thats how everyone should be so many religious people doing "gods" bidding if he is so powerful let him do it his self

[@BillyJohnson2006]

Being someone who is a gay Christian, it’s hard. But I know I have enough faith in knowing God knows my heart. Point blank. This was a good episode!

[@napdaw]

Makes me ball my eyes out everytime.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

That was the great thing about the character of Edith. She was often portrayed as being a bit naive and sometimes slow to catch on but she had a way to cut through the B.S. and get to the heart of whatever the issue was. She had a childlike wisdom that really made her such an amazing character. Also, as the video said, she didn't stand up to Archie often but she did it when it really mattered the most and was all the more powerful for that.

[@Scottsteaux63]

Edith was truly the heart of AITF; when she died the heart of the show stopped beating and it was never quite the same again.

[@DrCandyStriper]

She had such a kindness about her. Just someone you want to give a hug

And the most important thing about that is, Archie Bunker, a direct inspiration for _South Park_ 's Eric Cartman, who represents everything that social mores is hoping to leave behind, always ultimately showing respect for Edith, and even Gloria and (more begrudgingly) Michael, when they were right. That's what makes him a more powerful character than Cartman (which really betrays how young and naïve Parker and Stone were, when initially developing Cartman's character) because at the end of the episode, Archie usually came around. Cartman is little more than a caricature of what a young kid thinks Archie Bunker was all about, and over the last twenty years, has moved further away from that, into something far more sinister and surreal, albeit still a personification of the absolute worst aspects of American society.

[@stevepipenger4651]

Simply put, Edith loved people wherever they stood.

[@LibraGamesUnlimited]

That is the point of Cartman.

[@jjfoust]

"All in the Family" was videotaped in front of a live studio audience, so it is most probable that the audience reaction was genuine and not prompted.

[@julianregis8608]

Every single account about this show from producers, writers, actors, directors, and Norman himself suggests all reactions were real and not forced.

[@KillerBebe]

Julian Regis this is mostly true, but all the studios had applause signs that flashed to cue the audience.

[@stanbrown32]

They did perform the show twice--like a dress rehearsal and a final performance, and then edited the two tapes together, to get the best performances, but also best audience reactions.

[@tryingcake101]

Yes, there is a sign, but the genuine applause cannot be forced. There was no hesitation in the applause, as in reading a sign and responding.

[@karina-oh7826]

Ya think? 🤔 🙄

[@cavejourney]

I was 14 when I first saw that. I knew I was gay and I was very alone and very frightened. I remember crying when I saw it. I'm sort of misty right now.

[@SafetySpooon]

+cavejourney HUGS!! ALL the hugs! I'm so sorry you had to go through that! MORE HUGS!

[@778mbz]

+cavejourney I was the same age as you when I saw the episode. And the 70's was still a scary place for a gay teenager. I had started to watch this show, which I thought I could never relate to, but ended up to be one of the most impactful tv series ever for me. I have been married to my love for nearly 10 years here in Canada, and I know brave, intelligent and popular shows like All in the Family slowly educated people that eventually led to legalized same sex marriage.

[@SafetySpooon]

778mbz I am so sorry you had to leave this country to find happiness, but it is America's loss, not yours.

[@angell1432]

I just saw for the first time in this video, and I’m crying lol

[@VikramSinghVikroatwork]

me too

[@KnightsAndDarths]

I wish there was a collection available somewhere, of all the gay-interest episodes in these old shows that I never heard of. I feel like I missed out a lot, heaven knows I needed to see this stuff as a kid, everybody needed to see it.

[@wastelock]

+Knights&Darths Have you seen the late 70s/early 80s show Soap? It had a gay regular character (I'd say main character but it was really a big ensemble cast).

[@KnightsAndDarths]

Atalanta Pendragonne Nope. Looks like it did go on air at some point on Italian television, however.

[@wastelock]

It was released on DVD in the US, not sure about other regions, It's worth trying to get hold of, it's a clever show and Jodie Dallas was a groundbreaking character.

[@MattBaume]

+Atalanta Pendragonne I touched on Jodie briefly in my video about sitcoms: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqHYe5VvgtONeqc

[@bradleyscottburris9280]

+Knights&Darths "Out of the Celluloid Closet", 1995. Documentary.

[@tkusterb]

TV in the 70s was balls-out courageous at times. We need to remember how important moments like that were.

[@Taopuppy]

My favorite moment in this episode was the look on Archie's face when Edith said she could not believe he would be so mean. Say what you want about Archie, but he loved Edith and wanted her to always think well of him.

[@MattBaume]

Yes it really was a beautiful relationship that show depicted.

[@julianregis8608]

I love that moment, as well, because it reminds us of the humanity in Archie. He was simply an ignorant individual - he never sets out to maliciously degrade or hurt anyone. Being called “mean” by someone who loved him so much was a wake-up call; deep down, he truly intended to be a kind, decent human being.

[@goombapizza6335]

That's being a bit generous to Archie, given that his entire persona is that of a backward bigot, and also his favorite nickname for his own wife is "dingbat"... He's what I think of when I think of Republicans, lol. Yes he could be human from time to time but it didn't come easy to him.

[@allisoncarroll1284]

@@goombapizza6335 It's funny because Carroll O'Connor was very liberal. I was shocked to find that out because his portrayal of Archie seems so authentic. It's almost chilling how much he reminds me of people I know.

[@seandineen999]

He;s response, Why don 't youse all just stop that? Is funny and heartbreaking.

[@numbersandletters]

For me, this show will forever be revolutionary in the way they handled social commentary and balanced it with comedy. They didn't shy away from the tough topics and the payoff was so worth it.

[@mtesc6516]

Grew up with this show. Blessed to have shows like this on t.v back then.

[@torreyinwi]

What I wasn't expecting from what these clips and commentary was holding back tears. This moved me.

[@beejjjjjj1]

Same here! I came to the comments to see whether I was the only one. I've always loved this show. This particular episode won the Emmy award for writing that year. I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon once in the home of one of the writers, in the room where he kept bound copies of all his scripts, which included many great series he worked on: "All in the Family," "Maude," "I Love Lucy," "Flip Wilson," among many others.

[@WarRoom92]

All in the Family was revolutionary. The fifth episode of the entire series was "Judging Books By Covers" first airing in 1971 (!!!!) where Mike and Gloria's "sensitive and intellectual" friend comes for a visit. This leads Archie to immediately label him "Roger the Fairy" (even though he's straight). Archie escapes to Kelsey's Bar where he comes to find out that his former pro football player drinking buddy Steve is actually the gay one. To think that in 1971, an episode like that was produced is astounding. The Nixon tapes feature a whole conversation about this episode where the former President seems to feel very threatened by it. Matt-- I'd love to see your take on it! It was the first time a gay character was portrayed on television!

[@emilytrott]

Edith: "That big football player is a flower?"

[@MrDarrellmoo]

Matt please - pretty please - you have to do one on Edith's friend Beverly LaSalle played by the late Lori Shannon a gay drag queen. She appeared in three episodes. The last one she was tragically killed perhaps in a hate crime but it was never fully made clear. Beverly's death had a profound impact on Edith in which she questioned her faith in God and the cruelty of people against other people simply because they're different.

[@spb969]

I second that!

[@ElectrikArguement]

Yesss!!!!!

[@qwertyTRiG]

He's done that video since, I think.

[@rajkumar-je3xz]

being in love and cant talk about it me cryjng

[@detrickfagan3925]

Yeah, I had a flashback immediately to that line of the show. It really is hard to live and not express it, knowing others do not agree to your life and choices.

[@sparkers70]

This is something straight people should be told when they say, "Why can't gays just be happy with a civil partnership? Why do they have to call it marriage?" It's the only real way there can be true equality.

[@CowSaysMooMoo]

I'm for equality. Unfortunately, Straight marriage vs GAY marriage is the issue. What about Marriage vs NON-Marriage being an issue? I'm single. Why should some people I work with get more health benefits, tax benefits, and more because they have a piece of paper from the state saying ANOTHER person with a piece of paper from the state said some 'magic words' over them, awarding them HEALTH and TAX benefits in the process? My company gives away hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits to people who DON'T work for them. Some of that would be a nice raise for me. But I get NONE of it. Let's smarten up; either abolish ALL 'marital' benefits, (or even better, marriage itself; and i mean 'marriage in a LEGAL way, not in a religious way) or let EVERY employee award a second share of benefits to WHOMEVER they want!

[@SunflowerSpotlight]

That always struck me as really stupid. How would they feel if they couldn’t get married to the person they loved? Not great. So why is it different for gay people? I know that there was this stereotype that gays weren’t really into commuted relationships, or even incapable, but I guess I was born late enough that I never bought into that, so I thought the debate was stupid.

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

nhpja65 I too happen to believe that the government and the law has no business butting into what should just be part of peoples personal relationships. Much worse than just financially incentivizing a particular form of relationship laws built around marriage cause problems for people with less common relationships. Same sex relationships being the obvious one as well as say polyamory and polygamy for example. If you want to have sex with someone outside your marriage, even if your partner is aware and consenting, well, in some places, that's still adultery and divorce court will still take all of your possessions regardless. Also there are laws that make two people legally married with no input from them, if you decide to live with someone and do so for over a certain amount of time well congratulations you're married now.

[@SarahElisabethJoyal]

nhpja65 The health benefits discussion is less an issue of marriage than of the dismal state of medical coverage in the US.

[@orthohawk1026]

Exactly! Marriage should have no more legal ramifications than Baptism or Communion. the ONLY advantage to government recognized life partnership (be it between gays or straights) should be immigration issues.

[@davidgrech4574]

Thank you so very much for sharing your positive energy and your insights and hope you know how much I appreciate you. I had five gay friends in 1986 in San Francisco and I am the only one who is left. I was hit by a distracted driver and then I went into a coma for three weeks afterwards a few years ago and I’m just blessed to be alive and back in the gym. Thank you so very much for showing how far we have come.

[@jldthird]

The episode won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. The episode even has its own Wikipedia page. Nice post!

[@kimhenderson2037]

“She didn’t hurt you, why would you wanna hurt her?!” BITCH YES

[@MattBaume]

Edith is SO WISE

[@joachimschoder]

The audience applauding because a bigot is put into his place. I am really surprised this happened this early. And I loved every fraction of a second of it!

[@vanderhoof741]

People who watched All in the Family (and actually "got" it) were part of who allowed the gay rights movement to move forward. People then were starting to change their attitudes back then. Actually, if it weren't for the AIDS epidemic causing the world to back-slide (you can thank Ronald Regan for his shameful part in that), I'd argue that the movement would be 6-10 years further ahead than it is today.

[@genevievesweet7741]

that's a weird way to spell stupid, Lee

[@hyperslow3810]

Lee... No man who is totally sure of his straight man status has an issue with "gay crap" being on the TV. It has never once made me feel uncomfortable or upset. Maybe you have some self realization to attend to.

[@craigsmith157]

@@leejackson4724 Trump ISNT against gay marriage. What does being a Tump supporter got to do with it?

[@EebstertheGreat]

@@craigsmith157 Trump has said multiple times to the public that he "supports traditional marriage," which is to say the traditional definition that it is only between men and women. He has also moved to deny visas to same-sex couples. Now I don't know what he believes in his heart (and am not sure he even knows that), but what matters is the policies he promotes and the way he represents himself to the American people.

[@rtususian]

Whenever I watch that episode, when Edith tells Archie, "I can't believe you would be that mean", I always cry like a baby.

[@bradleyscottburris9280]

"Apple Annie" is a 1930's film that depicts Chicago gangsters accepting the idea of a gay man working with them to help transform a homeless lady into a High Society woman, at the order of the Mob boss. Impressive for that time.

[@incognitoatunknown2702]

1930 , the film Morocco. Marlene Dietrich performing in a night club dressed as a man kisses a woman during the performance. Scandalous!!! Lol

[@heinoustentacles5719]

@@incognitoatunknown2702 Oh shit! Is that Maggie?? Love and Rockets is awesome!! I wish more people knew about it.Also another good bit early representation of gay people, considering it started in 1980!

[@incognitoatunknown2702]

@@heinoustentacles5719 Ha! You just made my day. Nobody ever knows it's Maggie.

[@Trip_Fontaine]

The way the reactions of the studio audience change is a master class on how art has the power to change peoples' minds.

[@artofmusic303]

Yes, homosexuality and gay relationships have been in the American public eye for a very long time; this was 38 years ago! It was to the credit of Norman Lear and the cast that they couched the depiction of gay marriage - long before it even existed - in the context of love and family. Even before that, way back in 1972, a short film based on Alvin Toffler's book "Future Shock" at one point showed a wedding of two men. For some reason which I cannot fathom, that film was shown in my high school in an ultra-conservative small town in central Texas. Of course the students laughed at that part! But to think that was 42 years ago. And think of all the talk shows that have presented this topic since then: a gay Marine interviewed on Tom Snyder in the 70's, and then all the Donahue shows, through a long line right up through Oprah. How many opportunities have we had to see that orientation is not a choice? How many opportunities have we had to come to see gay people as fellow human beings and fellow citizens? And yet hate and misunderstanding are still perpetuated to this very day.

[@SunflowerSpotlight]

I know this comment is really old, but thanks for writing this. It was in my heart, and I was glad to see it.

[@GregtheDisneyfile]

I remember Prop 6, the Briggs Initiative. I was able to vote against it. I was living in Orange County where John Briggs was a State Representative. This was happening during the Anita Bryant anti-gay movement. We made great progress in the late 70s, then came AIDS.

[@strafrag1]

Excellent. Edith was no dingbat. ♥

[@chriscanale5780]

I came out at 18 years old in 1979 was hard no being accepted by family and friends💜🌈

[@Lucailey]

I just want to say Matt, that your "culture cruise" series has such a calming effect on me. All of the shows and topics you chose are very interesting. Your personality and voice are calming.

[@surrepeight]

Matt, I'm very grateful for your collection of videos and your commentary. This one is absolutely wonderful. I fell in love with my man the moment I saw him 47 years ago when he came into the gay community group meeting i was sitting in. I chased him for a year and a half before we had sex. I chased him for 10 years before he loved me as much as I loved him. The last 20 years were the very best of all. We knew we were each other's forever. Well, he really died last year, after 46 beautiful years together and I'm broken now. We hid to varying degrees all these years, from relatives and co-workers, never really feeling completely free, all the while loving and building together. We (gays) are as human and as complicated as anyone else! I'm grateful that more and more people are coming to understand that, but I wish we could completely get rid of the hatred of gays.

[@brentbraniff]

Sometimes when I think about the 70s Im kind of amazed by how things progressed back then. It was episodes like this on All In The Family and Mary Tyler Moore that brought things out a bit more. It seemed like talking about sexuality and acceptance went from zero to 60 in seconds. I may have still felt that in my small town of Devils Lake, North Dakota, I may be the only gay boy, but in the world I may not be so alone. It was shows like this, and glam rock (Bowie, TRex and Roxy Music) that helped me not only accept myself but realize that there were others like me. And now when I think of it, it didn't so much come from other gays...it came from straight people who embraced gay imagery and the increasingly more visible gay community. I mean, these TV shows never had a truly out regular character (except, maybe Soap or the short lived Love, Sidney but the gay characters in those shows either "turned straight" or never spoke of relationships with men). And as far as glam rock goes...Bowie is the only one of the three I mentioned that hinted at actually being bisexual. Marc Bolan of T Rex was straight (his wife, in an interview said he hated having sex with men...which means that he DID have sex with men?) and no one in Roxy Music was gay...although Brian Eno in drag was close enough, I suppose, even with is notorious encounters with women... Anyway, sorry this comment went on forever but your videos always make me think...and for that I'm always glad I stumbled on to and subscribed to your channel.

[@brentbraniff]

+Brent Braniff A quick correction....Love, Sidney with Tony Randall was actually in the early 80s...not the 70s.

[@neilroth6801]

Brent Braniff, as I've often said, we all stand upon the shoulders of those who have come before us. And we need to provide the shoulders upon which those who come after us can stand.

[@geraldcolsher4044]

Edith was a good person.

[@joshuaelliotc]

Writing this in 2019: We don't realize how much we owe All In The Family

[@bobdutton2755]

Matt, this is a superb history lesson about how America learned to embrace the LGBTQ cause via American television culture. Bravo to you! Your analysis is spot-on and truly important.

[@sophiecanadesheher1927]

I've teared-up watching this. I did not realize such a show had been aired so long ago.

[@2Brian]

Everything about this show was brilliantly done: writing, character development, acting, direction. It made so many relevant social comments through humor. This episode particularly!

[@authenticmind]

I always loved this episode, but I never looked at it in such an analytical way. The All In The Family series is pure genius and here is one more way to admire it. Thanks for the analysis and sharing it on KZbin!

[@SafetySpooon]

This is exactly how we teach children to be decent, normal human beings: we show them that EVERYONE ELSE is decent & normal (unless they are actively hurting someone, of course!),& children then do not question it. This show presented that same picture to the audience: the sympathetic character agrees, & therefore the audience accepts.

[@MissLadyG99]

But everyone else isn't always decent or normal...

[@joshhale9355]

Edith is such an underrated gay icon for being such a strong ally

[@MattBaume]

She really is a saint. Jean Stapleton (the actress) did a lot of work around gender equality so I have to think she was personally quite progressive.

[@AnxiousObserver]

I had no idea of this episode and how it was groundbreaking, thank you for making this and sharing.

[@patricemarie2960]

I VAGUELY REMEMBER IT! ...... HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED! HOW MANY "ARCHIES" WOULD BE MORE THAN CLOBBERED ... TODAY???

[@Shrimpo7]

That episode was special for me. Seeing the understanding and compassion from Edith towards Veronica. It felt like someone had thrown me a life line at a time when I was struggling with my own sexuality, in my early teens. It gave me hope.

[@CFilmer]

This gasp reminds me of the moment our teacher asked us what we would change in politics if we could. A lot of students said "death penalty for pedophiles" and stuff like that. No one even flinched. I said "gay marriage". Gasps and giggles.

[@jakespur6094]

thank you for posting this. This was also during the horrible time Anita Bryant was actively spreading hate about gay people while perpetrating myths about us.

[@bradleyscottburris9280]

For the record, Carol O'Connor was very liberal minded.

[@ntrnlgrv]

In real life he was the completely opposite of his character in All In the Family

[@jdkleinsorge]

Loved this video! I didn't remember this episode and I'm so appreciative that you reviewed it and brought it to our attention. It is a great example of what a large impact TV and the media in general can have on our opinions. The same goes for you, Matt...you're a treasure and the videos you make are more important than you know. You have my respect and admiration. Hugs to you!!!

[@markpettis2896]

this turned the tide of Anita Bryant movement , I did not realize that. I was 20 at the time and the Loss of the Briggs initiative was the beginning of the change of the victories the far-right. I did not realize that this great show which I did see on TV was part of this change but indeed a response of Norman Lear to the bigotry that was sweeping this country against gays. Norman Lear did so much for our country in improving us concerning prejudice. my hero Norman Lear and all in the family fan deep in the closet for religious household thank you for this

[@tman12563]

AAHHHH,....Remember when TV had scripts, and acting. Powerful scripts and actors that moved you. Thanks for sharing this. I'm about to marry my man in a couple days and this just popped up on my feed.

[@jamessears2219]

This teared me up. This show was one of the most progressive at the time. It helped shape the person I am today. If only there were more tv like this now.

[@LindsayCatherine]

I’ve never seen a whole episode of this show-but this brought me to tears. Thank you for the video.

[@MattBaume]

It's a really good show! A lot of TV today stems from what Norman Lear was doing back then.

[@josephstout1461]

I vaguely remember this episode. We watched this program religiously. I guess I would have been about 11 or 12 years old when it aired. Hell, I didn't even understand what or who I was yet or it might have stuck in my head more clearly. But now I have got to find the full show and watch it again with adult, out of the closet eyes. No surprise Edith was on the right side of history. Although it's a bit unexpected for Archie to relent. Always loved watching her stand up to that guy! Thanks for the reminder, Matt. And keep digging things like this up so lazy asses like me don't have to! :)

[@MattBaume]

+Joseph Stout I think Archie relented because this was Season 7. He'd changed quite a bit by that point.

[@pbohearn]

GREAT analysis of this groundbreaking and political episode- Norman Lear was an unapologetic, socially Liberal producer, and he infused his political beliefs into his shows, with characters so unlike him. AITF had a superlative cast, incredible writing and week in and week out, produced groundbreaking episodes with controversial social and political issues. It was probably one of the most influential series ever. In terms of affecting people’s willingness to look at attitudes they might hold and move them along a little bit. there was so much going on in this episode, and you nailed the conflicts and sentiments within and between the characters.

[@rskissack]

It was a wonderful episode...Thank you for posting this, very much...

[@allisonyoung4007]

I realize I'm way late to the game but I am in awe of Norman Lear's vision and Jean Stapleton's ability to sway popular opinion by her sheer talent. Thanks for this.

[@tjmichael8773]

Growing up in the 70s and 80s was very challenging being gay. We learned to lie to everyone and even ourselves at times. Now it is very difficult to unlearn all of that deception.

[@lcapone124]

This is why I love Edith, she was always so accepting of everyone. She was definitely the heart of the show, she was so loving to everyone, whether she truly understood them or not, she always accepted them with open arms regardless of if she really got it or not. I was wondering if you are going to do the episode where Edith's Transgender friend Beverly is killed ("Edith's Crisis of Faith", season 8, episodes 13 and 14). I would love to hear your analysis of that episode. You're channel is awesome, keep up the great work :)

[@lilcreep2004]

Lauren Capone I agree..

[@dancepiglover]

1:22 That sounded more like an "Oh" than a gasp to me. It sounded like the audience was figuring it out. Like "Oh, that's what's going on. THAT'S why she never got married."

[@teammmx]

Your commentary is just amazing. The scene starting @5:07 made me cry when the audience started applauding.

[@darincampbell467]

I remember this episode very well. As a black gay man, this episode made perfect sense to me. What is so funny is how people of the LGBTQ community have come a long way. Being gay is much more understood today than it was when this episode first aired. Gay people are in every aspect of life today. They are part of society and very well should be! Gay people today have the same rights as members of society, and they should. A good episode from a good show! Peace.

[@680rondizzle]

Wow i dont know why im crying to this.. and im openly gay

[@thedukeofweasels6870]

This actually makes another point for why gay marriage is so important. Instead of being "liked married" when the marriage is legally recognized it gives people rights when something happens like death. If it could have been a recognized marriage her wife could have been her next of kin automatically and nobody could have stopped her. This is so important because there's countless stories of people leaving unsupportive family and running into problems with that family still having control over their lives or even their deaths because their partners aren't legally recognized.

[@alicewilloughby4318]

"Archie and Veronica... Jughead is nowhere in the picture... " GRROOOOOAAAN!

[@samiam2088]

I saw this episode just a few years ago (I'm only in my 20's) and of course I knew this was made in the 70's. I gasped along with audience. This episode always makes me tear up. Whoever the writers were, they were spectacular and so were the actors who executed the lines. The writing is still effective today even though the world has made so much progress.

[@briankelly9347]

Not really

[@FrankSerio]

I forgot all about this episode, but it meant the world to me the night it came on for the first time.

[@Aemirys]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this delightful channel.

[@michaelrosanova7621]

Matt, congratulations. This was brilliant. Wonderful, cogent exposition. You should be in the college teaching business!

[@truerthanyouknow9456]

Well that was beautifully and respectfully presented. Thanks, Matt Baume.

[@MiserysFence]

One of the best TV shows ever.

[@montywolfe8900]

That's just great writing... they led that audience to and understanding like a horse to water. Just beautiful.

[@johnifly]

Thanks for posting this Matt! I don't recall seeing this episode but it enjoyed your take on it and how you explained it. The seeds of gay marriage and acceptance were subtly sown and it's amazing when people find out what being gay REALLY is, their attitudes change for the better!

[@MattBaume]

I wonder how many conversations were sparked by that episode.

[@Mabeylater293]

I loved this: to the point, informative, no time wasted with tangents, historical - all presented in a matter of fact format. MORE MORE!!!!!!

[@justinjoseph6966]

All in the Family is an amazing show that is still just as socially relevant now as it was in the 70’s. I was raised on it and still watch it to this day. In my book, the greatest American sitcom of all time.

[@ThirdOfJune4444]

Thank you for exploring this episode in depth. I just saw it a couple of nights ago. The part where Archie says "Stop that!" is priceless.

[@MrAudienceMember2662015]

Great video about a ground-breaking episode. Thanks for uploading!

[@jimmichaud8487]

Thanks for posting this commentary on this truly groundbreaking episode of All In the Family. A series that had loads of such episodes. I proudly own the complete DVD set.

[@michikomanalang6733]

“Edith’s not sure what gay people are, but she knows what family is.” I come back to this video to cry

[@WilsonHardcastle]

Thanks so much for this! Even as a film/tv historian guy, I have done very little in the way of LGBT TV history research. This is a WONDERFUL analysis.

[@belizeguy]

Heck, I never missed all in the family, but I do not remember seeing this one at all. Fascinating! Perhaps you could curate a list or set of DVD's of all these Queer Positive shows for us to enjoy, or for many,, enjoy again! Thanks Matt!

[@michellewindhausen3510]

Thank you, Matt for this insightful review of a show I must have seen, but didn't remember!

[@JBabyLeather]

Yay for tv episode reviews! I heard there is an episode of Wings where a character has a gay son (never watched it myself) i love seeing these old episodes and finding how early things like this really paved the way.

[@MattBaume]

+Justin Tomlinson Yes it's pretty remarkable! That one's on my list as well.

[@davidjooste8465]

Looking at live for gays in general today one often forget the struggles our generation and the one before us had to get where we are today. Thanks for the trip down memory lane

[@mygoodfriendcosmo]

"he's god, you ain't" jesus christ FINALLY someone gets it

[@stephenarias7695]

I remember seeing that episode as a boy and realizing that I was not alone, eventually I grew up and have been with my partner for over 20 years

[@iruparatso]

I'd have liked to know more about how this episode changed the course of an election. You briefly mention Briggs Initiatives toward the end but don't go into a lot of detail about what they are or how they changed after 1979. Could you touch on that a little bit please? Thanks again, Matt. I used to enjoy your updates from AFER, and I always look forward to your breakdowns on the TV Land shows I always find myself watching.

[@MattBaume]

+iruparatso If Briggs had passed, it would have required that CA fire gay teachers -- and possibly teachers suspected of being gay. It was incredibly regressive.

[@gloriaswanson8024]

If you want to know more about the Briggs Initiative and the campaign against it, watch the brilliant documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk". It was one of the first instances of proudly gay people standing up for themselves and their rights in US politics, and a hugely important moment in gay history here.

[@anthonybarcellos2206]

The Briggs Initiative was part of a scheme by state Sen. John Briggs to make himself governor of California. He sponsored the anti-gay Proposition 6 and a measure to restore the death penalty, convinced that voters would turn out in the primary to secure him the Republican nomination and in the general election to put him over the top. Briggs failed to win the nomination, but Proposition 6 was still on the November ballot and he campaigned all over the state to encourage its passage. San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk persuaded Briggs to do a debate tour with him, which Briggs was happy to do, thinking Milk would be a useful foil in delivering his anti-gay talking points, but Milk turned out not to be a pushover. In addition, Proposition 6 was so extreme that it instructed school boards of public schools that they could fire gay teachers *and* straight teachers who dared support gay rights. The "No on 6" forces grew till major politicians like President Carter and ex-Governor Reagan spoke out against the measure. It was defeated 58% to 42%, a surprisingly wide margin.

[@forestkaatprescott8429]

Thanks for posting this - Even though I grew up with AITF, I didn't remember this episode.

[@InfernoMutant]

This is my favorite of your videos. Truly insightful and empowering.

[@MichaelHildebrand_MJH]

Great video. I've never seen this episode and now much go out into the work in search of watching all it. Thanks for posting this.

[@hadawson72268]

I am all teary watching this - that line ‘I can’t believe you’d do something so mean ‘ I think people are ‘so mean’ these days - they can’t see the humanity in folks that aren’t exactly like them. I wish people had Edith’s open heart these days - and I wish it wasn’t so easy for a portion of the population to de humanize folks enough to not recognize we are all entitled to love.

[@brucereid942]

Great job, Matt. I love your analysis and comments. Thank you!

[@legolaz77]

I was born 1969, and when I was kid, this All in the Family was propably the most popular saturday TV entertainment in Finland. I surely liked it. There was even a look-a-like competition of characters in finnish magazine. Little did I know about this tremendeous episode. I would like to see my grandma´s reactions! Btw the finnish name is interpreted: "Family is worst". I guess it is a phrase used already before this show begun to be broadcasted.

[@TheBee87bee]

Thank you for this episode,All in the Family was a learning experience for the clueless😊❤

[@surelock22]

I think it's wonderful how much of a reality snapshot the live audience's reactions are. Norman Lear is a masterful writer and producer.

[@johnbeers5527]

Excellent, as always, Matt! Do you have plans to feature the transgender episode of The Jeffersons? I seem to remember it being handled quite well.

[@jako3214]

+John Beers Yep, I also remember that one! Between that episode and of course Beverly LaSalle who did TWO episodes of AITF! We're talking 1975 ish here. lol Lear really had mega b*lls! lol

[@stevendegliangeli7640]

Matt, you did a FENONOMINAL job with the "All in the family" episode.

[@BryanPike]

I love your series so much. Just happened upon it tonight. As a child in the 70s it is great to have all this tapestry of popular culture stitched together.

[@MattBaume]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying it! Let me know if there are topics you want to see me cover!

[@Lorenzo1366]

Well done. Thank you for sharing and making this video! Peace~

[@frankthecoach]

Thanks for sharing this Matt. I never saw this episode. Very moving and nostalgic for me. Hey maybe you are the Vito Russo of TV...that's a huge complement because I knew Vito.

[@tonyphillips1112]

Thoroughly enjoy the insights of this episode. As a child of the 70s and a member of the LGBTQ community, I grew up watching these shows (especially SOAP). Well Done.

[@KevinRTengesdal1966]

I still yet cry each time I re-watch this poignant episode. I do wish I could remember watching it as a pre-teen in North Dakota. Thank you for your analysis!

[@unsimplifier5159]

Every single one of your videos brings me to tears. Thanks for documenting the history of gay media so diligently

[@collegeman1988]

I always thought the character of Edith Bunker was such a nice person, and she saw and accepted the underlying truth about things that others didn’t see.

[@beatrixthegreat1138]

this episode touches me every time

[@yates817]

wow ! do i remember this episode. one of the greatest shows

[@TheDuglas63]

Mathew, you got me, I have seen that episode in re-runs but with your commentary I actually found tears running down my face at the God remark, Thank you for a re-visit and wake up to how far we have come. Douglas, Portland, Oregon

[@cathryndemartino8555]

And here I am at 7am, I a woman, my wife asleep next to me, sobbing at that applause.... I mean the whole thing was just... Wow .... But when they applauded that line. Gave their backing to that line.... Right in the feels.