All in the Family - The Complete First Season | Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton

All in the Family - The Complete First Season | Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton | History was made...

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All in the Family ...

	All in the Family - The Complete First Season Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton Sony Pictures, 2002 average customer review:based on 85 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

From one of television's pioneering creators, Norman Lear comes one of the most beloved families in television history, the Bunkers, starring Carroll O'Connor as Archie, Jean Stapleton as Edith, Rob Reiner as Mike "Meathead" Stivic and Sally Struthers as Gloria. Television was changed forever the night of January 12, 1971, when the premiere episode of "All in the Family" debuted. This three disc set contains the first complete season. The show's central character, Archie Bunker, is a working-class family man who holds bigoted, conservative views of the world. His viewpoints clash with nearly everyone he comes into contact with, especially his liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic (or, as Archie delights in calling him, "Meathead"). The two disagree about nearly everything: politics, minorities, sex, religion, economics, war, gun control, crime, free speech, women's rights, morality, philosophy and (so it seems) life in general. Archie's daughter, Gloria, often (but not always) sides with Mike, while his saintly wife, Edith, is the rock that holds the family together. Edith is as friendly, reserved, considerate and open-minded as Archie is bigoted, loud, rude and closed-minded; however, the love and faithfulness between them is undeniable. During the course of its remarkable eight-year run, All in the Family was nominated for an amazing 48 Emmy Awards, taking home 20 trophies with multiple wins for all of the lead characters as well as three wins for Outstanding Comedy Series. Numerous spin-off series resulted from All in the Family including the very successful "Maude" and "The Jeffersons."

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Bring this show back

All in the family is a great show - a show like this could never be made today and that is beyond sad. "Political Correctness" has killed comedy. But it doesn't stop there; the writing is great and shows, comedy shows, are not written like this anymore.

The writing is far above the level for shows like "Friends" and "Yes Dear". If you've not seen the show, you've missed out. Although it was on in the 1970s, you will see that the storyline is still relevant today - recession, gas prices, racism - heck even Ralph Nader is a topic of conversation.

Find the time and watch it

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History was made...

I was just nine years old when I first watched this witty and ground breaking series that still provides honest laughter and wit not seen since the 1970s. Short on episodes, the first season easily presents this groungbreaking slice of American Television history. It was the crowning jewel of the CBS Sunday line-up for years, and set the tone for the 1970 socio-political atmosphere.

This is what "sit-com" meant to me when I was young. As the networks fade into oblivion, this is a fertile reminder of what was. Watching these episodes un-edited is a joy, reminding me of how much has been lost. TVLand seems to censor my favorites. There are a few episodes that I have not seen since the original air dates. Controversial and funny. Lessons to be remembered for a lifetime.

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The Key To The Door

All In The Family's first, highly groundbreaking season (eat dust, Green Acres!), premiered to an extremely shaky CBS and around 10 million people on January 12, 1971. The hilarious, thought-provoking comedy unlocked taboo issues and threw them onto your television screen like you had never seen before.

Here's my episode-by-episode thoughts (Note - episodes are in airdate order):

1. Meet The Bunkers (12/1/71): Title explains it all, introduces us to the zany world of bigot Archie Bunker (the late, great Carroll O'Connor, RIP), slow-witted wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), their daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers), and her liberal, anti-Archie husband Mike Stivic (Rob Reiner). Also introduced in this episode is Lionel Jefferson (Mike Evans, RIP). Gloria and Mike serve Archie and Edith an anniversary brunch, only for a big argument to break out between Archie and Mike. Sets the tone for the series. 7.5/10

2. Writing The President (19/1/71): Mike writes a letter to Richard Nixon about what's wrong in the US, Archie responds by writing a letter to Nixon about what's right. 8/10

3. Oh, My Aching Back (26/1/71): Archie has a minor fender-bender with a Jewish woman, and doesn't care until Lionel tells him about his parents getting money from a lawsuit. 8/10

4. Archie Gives Blood (2/2/71): Mike goes down to the blood bank to donate blood and asks Archie if he'd like to do the same, though Archie doesn't want his blood in the body of a person of a different race. 8/10

5. Judging Books By Covers (9/2/71): Roger, a friend of Mike and Gloria's stops by for a visit. When Archie looks at him, he immediately writes him off as gay. 7/10

6. Gloria's Pregnancy (16/2/71): Gloria comes home from the doctor's and tells everyone she's pregnant. An argument between Archie and Mike follows and Mike quits school, gets a job in Detroit and plans to move there, only halted when Gloria suffers a miscarriage. 6.5/10

7. Mike's Hippie Friends Come To Visit (23/2/71): Some of Mike's hippie friends need somewhere to stay before flying to Europe, and of course, Archie disapproves of an unmarried couple under his roof 8/10

8. Lionel Moves Into The Neighbourhood (2/3/71): Archie's old neighbour sells his house, which puts him into a fear of a Jewish family moving into the neighbourhood, but they happen to be a black family, namely the Jeffersons - Lionel, his mother Louise (Isabel Sanford, RIP), father George (Sherman Hemsley, not seen until Season 4) and uncle Henry (Mel Stewart, first seen in finale of this season). 8/10

9. Edith Has Jury Duty (9/3/71): Edith is chosen for jury duty, which naturally excites her as she never gets out of the house (courtesy of Archie, who wants her to stay and cook and clean for him). Archie must fend for himself in the prolonged trial period. 8.5/10

10. Archie Is Worried About His Job (16/3/71): Archie stays up all night, worried he might lose his job as the company is in the midst of cuts. Edith, Gloria and Mike can't sleep either and an array of people come to the front door. 9/10

11. Gloria Discover's Women's Lib (23/3/71): Gloria discover's women's lib and tries to get Edith involved in it. When Mike doesn't approve of Gloria's ways, she gets angry and storms off. 8.5/10

12. Success Story (30/3/71): One day in the Bunker household, a delivery man brings two gifts, both for Archie (fancy cigars and assorted alcohol), from his friend Eddie Frazier (William Windom), who's made it big in the used car business, though Mike thinks Eddie isn't as successful as he's made out to be. 7.5/10

13. The First And Last Supper (6/4/71): Archie's all ready for the Mets game, but Edith's already agreed to go to dinner with the Jeffersons. Archie makes up an excuse, as does George, who sends his brother Henry over to the Bunker house instead. 8/10

Whilst the first season isn't as good as later seasons (I'm watching Season 4 at the moment), it's definitely worth picking up if you love comedies and/or you're sick of modern television and want some stuff from the good ol' days.

LONG LIVE THE BUNKERS!

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A Christmas gift for my father

I remember watching "All in the Family" back in the 1970's when I was just a youngster (grammar school age). My dad would laugh hysterically, which would then make me laugh. I am glad they had laugh tracks back then, because at 7 years old I didn't "get it" but still knew when I SHOULD laugh.

I wasn't sure what to get my dad this year for Christmas and then I saw this DVD. It was such a huge hit (the gift) that my dad and my mom have watched it at least three times already and it's only January.

I would recommend it to anyone who loved the show back in the day. You can count on me buying the following seasons for my dad in the future. (Oh, I hope he doesn't read this review or it will ruin the surprise)

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Classic comedy

Purchased this DVD as a gift. Recipient really appreciated the gift and later told us he laughed for hours.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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