shakspryn Review of All in the Family

All in the Family (1971–1979)

Being so different worked well--for a while, in early years

[5/10 · 15 February 2021]

This series began just as an earlier era of beautiful genies and witches was ending; Bewitched was in its last or next to last season when AITF began. What a contrast! Personally, I much prefer the Bewitched type of show. Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton were very talented actors. Clearly they were the foundation of the show. As for the then-topical political jibes that Archie and Meathead would hurl back and forth, that sort of thing does not age well. While a very good actor, O'Connor in my opinion was not a naturally comic actor, such as Jackie Gleason, Dick Van Dyke or Bob Newhart. They could elicit laughs from the audience with ease. O'Connor, as with most actors in sitcoms, had to rely on good writing. Stapleton was much more of a naturally comic performer. She got the most comic punch from her line delivery. The show made a big impact when it first came on, because it was so different. The central couple were not svelte of figure and well-coiffed and dressed. The setting of the Bunker house, to me, made them look like they were barely getting by financially. Drabness was the big keynote. And, of course, every week would see some "hot button" social or political controversy batted around. That sort of thing is such a big bore to me, I'm now surprised that I saw so many of the episodes. Perhaps I watched from inertia. I often watched the show when it first aired, so long ago now! I haven't watched it since. In retrospect, I find it an off-putting show, due to: the heavy-handed and condescending moralizing tone; the dingy, depressing interior of the Bunker residence--an instance of more condescension, in my view; and the grating nature of the weekly shout-fests. For entertainment, I'll choose Samantha (witch) or Jeannie (genie) any time.