Yo! All in the Family Lionel and Archie FUNNY | Reaction

[@LFRFAMILY]

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[@peterbooth793]

Archie and Lionel could have had their own spinoff from this. I love the way Lionel deals with Archie.

[@johnbarone8948]

Lionel and Archie were really hilarious when each other's company. They worked so well together, from a comical standpoint.

[@erickingsbury7193]

Lionel's sarcasm with Archie is brilliant.......

[@devonstokes7150]

The actor who played Lionel, Mike Evans was a co-creator and writer for the show Good Times. He left the Jeffersons after the 1st season to concentrate on that. During that time another actor, Damon Evans took over the role of Lionel. Mike Evans eventually returned and played Lionel for the last 3 seasons of The Jeffersons' run on CBS.

[@justtracy8070]

Always loved the way Lionel teased Archie

[@victorevanssr.5034]

Absolutely it was genius

[@mgordon1100]

There wasn't hate with each other. Lionel realized that Archie was just ignorant and a bit stupid. Archie said a lot of ignorant things, but it didn't come from a place of hate. He actually believed what he was saying. That's why Lionel played with him like you see in these clips. He just got a kick out of playing with Archie's head because he couldn't hate on him. Just like the rest of us that loved the show.

[@raulcastro3277]

You sir hit the nail right on the head. I didn't even try and explain to a younger person I used to know, about how great that show was, she thought Archie was just a racist man and how could I say it was a great show? Her mind is like so many others these days. Comedy is how we bridge the divide. People need to stop taking every single issue in life as if they will die when they don't.

[@wargumbyx]

ignorant yes but not stupid, he doesnt so much lack brain power but he grew up in an era where a lot of people in lower incomes had to drop out of school to work to support the family, and even in his old age hes working 2 jobs to help put his worthless daughter and her husband through school despite their uncontrollable hatred of people like him, who may not have been the most "moral" in todays hard left indoctrinated standards but they built a country of such luxury that people could throw their lives away and still expect to eat every day.

[@dunbarf2413]

@@wargumbyx " his worthless daughter and her husband through school despite their uncontrollable hatred of people like him" thats a decidedly very one sided argument you're making. you come across as having a more " uncontrollable hatred" of people like "his worthless daughter and her husband" then they do of people like Archie. Not even trying to understand where they're coming from just whining about the left and incorrectly calling everything indoctrination. As well those people like Archie were NOT the only ones who as you put it "built a country of such luxury " far more than them sacrificed worked harder and faced stiffer opposition to again "built a country of such luxury ".

[@wargumbyx]

@@dunbarf2413 you gotta learn to read kiddo, till you do try not commenting on things you clearly dont understand

[@dunbarf2413]

@@wargumbyx you gotta learn to comprehend what you read shortie. till you do commenting like you think you understand makes you come across like a complete idiot.

[@drdreddmanofmystery9482]

I watched this when I was a kid, and you could tell that despite all the stupid things Archie said, he had an affection for Lionel and thought he was a good, hard-working kid. He definitely liked him more than his own son-in-law. LOL

[@debbiechang5781]

Love these old clips. It was so edgy but Norman Lear was a genius with the way he approached the issues of Archie’s ignorance, Edith’s innocence, and Mike and Gloria’s liberal views. When the Jefferson family was added to the script it was pure gold. 🌺✌️

[@jstewart3517]

These were actors who had excellent writers,

[@Darrends-qn4tp]

I think Lionel had a much bigger role in All in the Family than in the Jeffersons. He was usually just passing through, say a couple words and leave. Nothing like the conversations he had with Archie.

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

Lionel is my favorite. Missed him when he and the other Jeffersons left. I loved how he always got one over on Archie, but didn't let Archie get to him like Mike does. He doesn't take Archie seriously. You really should watch the show in full.

[@victoriasamuels1095]

This is the only show my whole family watched together. Watching and laughing with you feels like home. Thank you❤

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

I love this! Norman Lear was an absolute genius. I know I explained it before, but man this is so important for all of us to see these types of relationships. They’re real life, even today. There doesn’t have to be such heavy animosity, there can be understanding, not excuses, but an understanding, which allows us all to coexist. Lionels ability to poke fun in a way that most jokes flew over Archies head, or Archie was slow to catch on, all in order to highlight the absurdity of Archies ignorance and fear that was the driving force of his racism, and most all other people’s too, still today. Mike Evans delivered that performance superbly, I don’t think he gets enough credit when people talk about All In The Family and the important characters and their relationships that truly made this show. Also Lionel definitely got more air time in All in the Family than The Jefferson’s, that’s the damn truth.

[@eddygage5806]

Lionel always messes with Archie lol

[@mickid3705]

I loved this show. Archie was a good guy under all that ignorance. The Jeffersons definitely brought a lot to the show.

[@ninaharper6282]

I LOVED Lionel! He was so funny😂

[@Shannon0813]

Handsome young man Mike Evans. Pure intelligence. RIP. ❤️

[@JohnMayfield-NS]

What you say around 8 mins is really the key to all of it. All In The Family/Archie Bunker shone a light on something and someone every knows - ignorance. The show did so many good things like dispelling the "fear" of black people at the time, and making Archie the butt of almost all the jokes to really illustrate how outdated his thinking and ignorance was. At the same time they made Archie incredibly relatable because we all knew (and probably still know) people like that, so you didn't want to hate him, you rooted for him to change and understand. They also had it where, when Archi got to know someone, his banter came more from a place of love than ignorance - he couldn't or wouldn't change who he was, maybe for appearance reasons, but he accepted people. A show like that couldn't be made today because there'd be so much backlash over a "racist being the focus of a TV show!!" but that wasn't the focus at all, it was showing how absurd that thinking (racism, the ignorance of) was. Carroll O'Connor was brilliant in that role, all the actors and writers were. Same with The Jeffersons. Two shows that really had an impact on people.

[@joeytosi]

Mike Evans, who played Lionel, helped Norman Lear create Good Times.

[@thewiseoldherper7047]

What was great about ‘All In the Family’ was it showed what most bigotry is really like. It’s ignorance. Not hatred. We all have misconceptions about “others” who look or act different, but when we are in a personal conversation with one of “them”, whomever that may be, You usually realize those differences are only on the surface and that everybody is a human being. That was the greatness of this show as you got to see these interactions. Even though Archie was racist towards the group he was still respectful towards individuals at the same time. By not allowing this kind of interaction to be shown anymore people are missing that subtlety.

[@suebeawho6537]

Beautifully stated👍

[@jlh4jc]

I think in some ways Lionel was like a son to Archie.

[@shawnboyce1663]

Mike Evans wasn't in the Jeffersons much because he was busy creating good times. Lionel and Archie were one of the funniest combos on the show.

[@tpryce6243]

Lionel and Archie had great chemistry. The episode “Lionel the live-in” has a great dialogue between them.

[@Frank-kj6fs]

Mike Evans is Awesome in All in the Family. Him and Henry Jefferson were the icing on the cake in my opinion.. A great show! Thanks to All that cast.

[@scottmessenger8639]

I think you are right about Lionel having a bigger role in All in the Family than he did in the Jefferson's own show! This was always one of my favorite shows! Thanks for the reaction!

[@chipdamutt108]

I absolutely loved Mike Evans as Lionel. He was one of the creators of Good Times.

[@RockinMamaT]

I love the beginning with Kawai Leonard's laugh😂We will always have a special place in our hearts here in Canada especially here in Toronto ❤

[@eddiep52065]

I've gotten so much enjoyment out of watching you review these clips that I had to go back and start watching the series again. I watched as kid, now I get to watch as an adult. Thanks Van.

[@battlegirldeb]

When it comes to Lionel he was an original cast member of All in the Family from episode one in the late 60's from the pliots of with there three of them before they got the right cast. When it came to The Jeffersons the first actor to play Lionel ( Mike Evans) was developing his own idea for a TV show for Noman Lear ( Good Times) of which one of the main cast was named after him. So the got another actor to play Lionel on The Jefferson (Damon Evans) not related to Mike. In the 80's Mike would comeback to play Lionel, but he only did it on and off til the show ended in the mid 80's.

[@patrickmurchison9145]

Laurence Fishburne filled the role of Michael Evans during initial rehearsals for Good Times while Ralph Carter's contract was being negotiated. That's according to an interview with Jimmy Walker.

[@michaelwhite6740]

I think the first episode was 1972

[@BlackieNuff]

AITF did not debut its pilot episode until 1971.

[@patrickmurchison9145]

In the MUST SEE episode entitled, "Lionel Steps Out" there's a CLASSIC argument between Archie and Lionel when Archie was very upset about Lionel taking Archie's niece out to parties and showing her an innocent good time: Archie: "This is very serious. You know what I'm saying to you. I'm saying, that youse guys ought to stick with yourselves." Lionel Jefferson: You mean guys ought to stay with guys? [Audience laughter] Archie Bunker: "You know what I'm talking about Lionel. I'm saying that whites ought to stay with whites aaand, coloreds ought to stay with coloreds." Lionel Jefferson: "Look Mr. Bunker. Its been a year and a half now since we moved into this neighborhood. I was just 19 then and I got a big kick out of you and me for a long time. But I'm pushing 21 now and I'm not getting that big a kick out of it anymore. " Archie Bunker: "Alright Lionel, put lid on all of that." Lionel Jefferson: No, no, wait, I'm not finished. Now, we've been friends and we can go on being friends. But when it comes to black and white and all the other wonderful thoughts you have in between... put a LID on that Archie!!!

[@TGF25]

I remember that scene! You can really see in that scene that Lionel was FED UP with Archie's ignorance!

[@howdyault7710]

Lionel (Mike Evans) created GOODTIMES! So during Jeffersons he was very busy working on Good Times

[@mokumboi19]

Even as a kid growing up in the 70's, I knew this show was both hilarious and important. And it was arguably in the greatest single night block of shows in TV history (All In The Family, the Jeffersons, MASH, Carol Burnett Show, Mary Tyler Moore Show).

[@heatherfadden7278]

I have to say I love love that your viewing these and telling the younger kids that they need to do some research into the times this show was written! People back then even my black sisters and brothers didn’t get offended by Archie , because they knew , we all knew he wad basically ignorant but he did have a heart. Which showed itself in many episodes. Ty so much !

[@AnnieAnnieBuckwheatCakes]

Thanks for showing these clips. My family used to watch this every week. There was great TV back then.

[@nonyabizniz7204]

Don't know the actor's name but love Lionel's delivery every time. He's timely, and I can feel it. Great actor.

[@jbjacobs9514]

I loved both actors that played Lionel but Lionel Evans was a treasure!

[@ShamrockParticle]

Mike Evans made Lionel iconic. He co-created "Good Times". Wish he did more in "The Jeffersons" as well.

[@amykell5687]

Archie Bunker and The Jefferson's were 2 of my favorite show from my childhood, along with Sanford and Son.

[@marticiawall1569]

I agree with you about the Lionel character. It takes a good actor but also good directing, script and casting. Lionel was my favorite character in this show.

[@Braedensground]

I just checked IMDB for Mike Evans that played Lionel Jefferson. It says he was in 36 episodes of The Jeffersons and 33 episodes of All In The Family. So very close. And RIP to actor Mike Evans who passed away in 2006 at age 57. Great Reactions, Van! Thanks.

[@rshelley7496]

These were hilarious the way Lionel would screw with Archie without him even realizing it😂😂😂😂

[@charlesgarrett2717]

Grewup watching both shows. Comedy with a message. Laugh with each other or destroy each other.

[@Rogertrudell]

Archie and Lionel friends forever

[@ninaharper6282]

You gotta see the episode with Sammy Davis Jr.! It is so good👍

[@gregrambo606]

Mike Evans (Lionel) co-created Good Times also.

[@maureenwagg5305]

Lionel plays up to Archie's preconceived stereotypes for shits and giggles. It's funny to watch Archie totally fall for it.

[@BlackieNuff]

Mike Evans (Lionel Jefferson) episode appearances : ALL IN THE FAMILY (1971-1975) : 33 episodes THE JEFFERSONS (1975-1985) : 34 episodes It was a close one, but AITF had a shorter duration (4 years) as opposed to The Jeffersons' 10-year run with the original Lionel, which may make it appear like Lionel was in "fewer" episodes.

[@jodiplock4784]

I loved All in the Family! it was funny but eye opening.

[@FourFish47]

You're right - Lionel was on All In The Family more. I was hoping this clip ended with the episode where Lionel admits to Archie that he's *been having fun with him, but it isn't funny any more*. I wish I could remember what Lionel was defending, but I can't. The episode with Archie and Meathead locked into the basement was really telling of Archie growing up. Meathead saw the raw inside of Archie and felt sorry for him instead of arguing with him. Some of these episodes are incredibly touching like Gloria losing her baby and swastikas showing up in the neighborhood and Archie really not having a clue what that meant. The writing on this show was absolutely phenomenal considering the subjects addressed while also making people laugh. Thanks for the memories.

[@ConstantGardener-q9q]

Love Lionel! ❤❤

[@royveteto4134]

i believe that lionel respected archie. lionel seemed to humor archie's ignorance

[@giovanniboianelli1260]

If I’m not mistaken Mike Evans portrayed Lionel in about the same number of episodes of the Jefferson’s as he did in All In The Family. Lionel was recast when Mike Evans went work on Good Times as a writer or a producer, . I can’t remember which. Then he played Lionel again in later seasons of the Jefferson’s. I was a kid at the time so I may be wrong about the details.

[@darrenshoults4620]

You're right, Lionel mostly was just walking through or saying hi pops and go to another room. He got a lot more lines in All in the Family.

[@Boatzilla2]

I agree with you on Lionel and the Jeffersons. This kind of show should be on today, but folks would probably freak out about it and misunderstand the satire.

[@dalenikolitch8338]

Iam a middle aged woman that watched All In The Family✌🥰 Had a major crush on Lionel❤😜😁

[@bmw128racer]

There was a really good episode where Lionel got into an argument with his dad and Lionel moved out and stayed with the Bunkers for a few days. 👍

[@jeanroy3749]

On the show Archie really liked Lionel. Lionel knew Archie was ignorant and predudice but the two had a friendship. I remember an episode Meathead showed a predudice side and Lionel told him it's different with Archie because Archie was ignorant but didn't know better but was honest. He called Mike a phony because Mike said one thing but thought another. It was a great show. I love all the characters.

[@larrywakeman4371]

FAB REVIEW!!!!!! SUPER!!!!

[@playform]

Archie liked Lionel... just wouldn't tell him that he did :)

[@paulamoya7956]

Lionel was grown up and married and moved out on his own during the Jefferson’s . This show was prime time and always in the top ratings . I’m so glad u gave Archie a chance to redeem himself . He could be an Ass but he’s had a big heart. Many lessons were taught and learned for millions with this show He taught everyone how NOT to be just by being himself.. I saw every show the night it aired as a kid . I grew up without a prejudice bone in my body . One LOVE ❤️.

[@Nuerth]

Lionel was on "All in the Family" long before there was "The Jefferson's" & long before they had his family moved in next door to the Bunkers ~ the premise was Lionel worked for his Fathers Cleaners & would deliver laundry to the Bunkers~ he was friends with Mike & Gloria he always showed up at just the right time when Archie was giving his off the wall opinion about something

[@Meeshrick]

Carroll O'Connor who played Archie was such a great actor. If you saw him in other roles or on the tonight show doing an interview you wouldn't even recognize him same with Jean Stapleton who played Edith, the voices, their accents, we're all part of the act they were both extremely intelligent professional trained stage actors. Mike Evans (Lionel) wasn't even an actor prior to All in the family and he later stated that it was O'Connor (Archie) who trained him how to act.. It was such a groundbreaking amazing show. Creator Norman Lear stated he wanted to make a show that show the issues of the time with a comedy spin. Lear also said Archie was based off one of his uncles who wasn't really a racist he was just ignorant and simple minded but did have a good heart.

[@JohnMayfield-NS]

I'll also add that Jean Stapleton who sings the opening song is actually a really, really great singer.

[@tbarnes5937]

The way I seen Lionel growing up watching this show, he represented a successful entrepreneur. Not doing odd jobs, if I remember he had several businesses like George Just played Archie.

[@stevedotwood]

And so was (edith) Jean Stapleton by the way. She was as nice as the person she portrayed, but she was an activist in real life. Love Lionel's (Mike Evans RIP) sarcastic humor.

[@JamesLachowsky]

And Jean Stapleton spoke in a voice about a full octave lower than Edith.

[@TracyfromNC]

Lionels Engagement party!!!!

[@DeniseThomson-d1p]

Bet they all had a ball doing this show 😂

[@Cindrbell]

U're so right. Lionel made more of an appearance on All in the Family than The Jeffersons. More impactful. Rightfully so!!!!!

[@cliftonfriese18]

Gotta watch the last episode. Archie opens up about being a kid and how he was raised.

[@jonlate4581]

You're absolutely correct about Mike Evans, the actor who played Lionel. He appeared in 33 episodes of All In The Family and 34 episodes of The Jeffersons. He was used so little on The Jeffersons that he asked to be released from his contract and left after the first season (he eventually would come back) and was replaced. There were 2 Lionel Jeffersons.

[@frankmccollum1443]

Yes, it was a great show! Mike Evans who played Lionel on All in the Family, is #1 this guy is the coolest..!

[@MichaelOBrien71]

Archie had more respect for Lionel than The Meat Head 🤣🤣

[@borstfamily9702]

You are right about the character Lionel.

[@curtisthomas3598]

The Jeffersons show was introduced on All in the Family through Lionel who was friends with Meathead. The interaction with Archie was while visiting Meathead.

[@mamakat114]

Lionel was the perfect personality to take on Archie

[@lindaanderson659]

Carroll O'Connor (Archie) also played a cop in a series in the deep south (Selma)......also a controversial but teaching show called "In the Heat of the Night".

[@ninja7763]

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[@luckyguy197474]

Lionel was also a writer and creator he created good times, and the lil brother was named Michael evens, named after Lionels real name

[@kadrae5277]

The original Lionel Jefferson from ALL IN THE FAMILY and THE JEFFERSONS was portrayed by Mike Evans (who go on to produce and create the show GOOD TIMES). Yes! The character Michael Evans (portrayed by Ralph Carter) is loosely based on real life actor Mike Evans.

[@donaldwright8567]

Funniest thing is, I think that Archie ultimately had a healthier relationship with Lionel than he did his own son-in-law.

[@sharr-riflawless4984]

On The Jeffersons they changed Lionel 3 times,also Lionel did start and had more roles in All In The Family which was the original Lionel.They changed Lionel 2 more times on The Jeffersons.

[@phlgriffin]

I'm 70 now, but in the late 90's and early 2000's I worked for a small pool company building pools. The boss was a friend of mine and I did alot of other stuff on my own. There was a black guy working with us and he and I pretty much ran the construction part with other help. We would be digging down in the hole with a backhoe digging above us and the boss would start getting excited and pointing to this or that, and I would shoot back with "yesem bossman we be doing it" and it let him know we had it handled. He would just shake his head and know it was time to walk away.

[@BobbyCYeah]

interesting fact: The Jeffersons was a successful spin-off from this show... and the actor who plays Lionel is Michael (Mike) Evans. Michael Evans left from "The Jeffersons" cast after just one year, because he wrote and created a new show called "Good Times". He was replaced by Damon Evans. In the show "Good Times" J.J. and Thelma have a little brother named Michael Evans... named after the actor because "Good Times" has a few auto-biography elements in its story-line. After Good Times went off the air, Michael Evans re-claimed the role of Lionel until The Jeffersons ended.

[@debbiebruhn7753]

You're absolutely right! He did have more speaking parts on AINF than on The Jeffersons.

[@krawithan]

Lionel always made me laugh in these

[@ablesandoval4904]

That Lionel guy was so Cool. R.I.P. gone to soon.

[@ValerieMurphy-yv8qt]

This kind of comedy like this and the Jeffersons and Sanford and suns were made to make us all talk

[@cessnaace]

Funny thing, Archie did wind up with "black blood" in him, when he had an operation. The thing about Archie is he said things out of ignorance, not hate. Lionel knew that so felt he could play with his head, so to speak. Archie actually liked Lionel.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

In the arc of that show, you knew that Archie liked Lionel as a person.

[@TracyfromNC]

Lol, I sweeps up

[@JUSTMAR1E]

Man you’re right. Lionel did have more roles in all in the family. You’re not wrong there.

[@robertfuryracer4089]

Carrol o Conner had alot of influence on how he wanted the show to go... carrol o Conner was a champion for human rights... that's part of the reason he took the role.. he wanted to make a difference... and he did!!!! I grew up on all in the family among other ground breaking shows that took on the human rights movement... all in the family was one of the 1sts to take it on...

[@rhsc38]

Lionel and Archie were perfect together. You always had the sense that either would have taken a bullet for the other no matter the differences. Best episodes were the ones with the Jeffersons. They really put the crap out on the table to be discussed.

[@mrcurtis73]

You should react to Sanford & Son. That was one of my favorites growing up.

[@stevedegraaf7897]

You have to react to the scenes where Archie fakes killing himself.

[@kimquinten5298]

Everybody has a little Archie Bunker in them that's why you can relate to him like it or not!

[@atuuschaaw]

More a comical mirror of society at the time, there was a lot of changing going on 1965-1975. "Soap" was another sitcom of the time, though it was much more exaggerated and absurd, it still shared our common social taboos in an open comedic way. ☺♥

[@Cindrbell]

I was too young... But I was made aware by my brother. Soap is da shit along w AITF. Ground breaking material. Billy Crystal still rocks to this day.

[@danaberman6929]

Love this type of comedy... The Jefferson's was great too. The News Media is what has tried to put a wedge between races over the last 10-20 years.

[@kimking6036]

They do see each other as friends. Archie even let's Lionel stay with him at one time. Which really ticked George off

[@garyinspringhill8175]

I went to school in LA and I found an apt. to share in west LA and was playing pool in the rec room. This Lionel walked in and wasn't very talkative but me being a friendly Canadian I asked him to play a game. WE were joking and talking over the game till his roller encrusted women, what a witch!! I bid farewell and went back to my apt where I was very thankful for my martial status :)

[@imocchidoro]

So happy I was brought up before the days of PC. We didn't live everyday being offended by everything, and didn't suffer from being on some spectrum, or racked with anxiety.

[@michelmurphy7152]

Growing up back then, I enjoyed seeing Lionel - so cute 🥰 Mike Evans died fairly young 😞

[@glord1200]

Best Actor.😅...

[@curtisthomas3598]

Lionel was the vessel that led to the Jeffersons. Which is why he had more air time.

[@lancevaughn432]

Your right Lionel was in more episodes of all in the family than he was in the Jeffersons.

[@Holly_Fae]

The funny thing is that Archie actually really likes Lionel. LOL