Remember when Archie Bunker types were the object of scorn and laughter?

[tomhagen]

[Ohiogal]

1. My father

loved Archie Bunker because he was the first character on TV who uttered the same words and thoughts that he (my dad) did. And I think a lot of the popularity of the show was because of that, even though it was meant to make FUN of bigots.

[mr_lebowski]

3. You are sadly right ... though it was also popular in part because of O'Connor's acting

He was phenomenal in that show. The writing was also very thought-provoking, it was a perfect show for its time, reflecting societal tumult quite adeptly.

There was definitely a decent-sized contingent that tuned in because they thought Archie was the 'hero' of the show, NOT the object of ridicule. And the show played it straight enough that this can actually BE reasonably argued.

I always really wish Gloria hadn't been played by Sally Struthers, she's just, sadly ... kinda annoying.

[unblock]

5. She was supposed to be like that. Perfect casting/acting.

[mr_lebowski]

6. Maybe so, but her vocal inflections and overacting grate on my nerves ...

Last edited Wed Apr 17, 2019, 11:22 AM - Edit history (1)

I guess I don't really care that much for how the character was written ... she's pretty much an annoying caricature.

I may just be thinking of a small handful of episodes where I noticed it and it stuck in my mind.

JMHO.

[Merlot]

19. I was just noticing in that clip that Gloria has the same vocal

habits and inflections as Archie, just in a higher pitch. That was part of the genius of the show, that Gloria and Archie were the same type of person, but with different viewpoints.

[unblock]

4. Great show but people saw in it what they wanted

Normal people saw Archie as a bigoted fool to be laughed at.

But right-wingers saw michael being called names like meathead and pollack and being ridiculed for doing weird things like putting on sock shoe sock shoe instead of sock sock shoe shoe.

So right wingers were able to see Archie as the hero and the rest of the family as weirdos who just don't get it.

[ArizonaLib]

17. Exactly - just like all other sitcoms, all of the characters are exaggerated

Otherwise, why would anyone watch it?

[murielm99]

7. God protects children and dingbats.

[Locrian]

8. was a great show, has anyone also noticed

that the shows in the 70s used to have more shows about the underdog and lower middle class?

Yeah, there was "Dallas" etc but there were more shows where the characters were poor? Or rather more the "common-person"?

Good Times
Sanford and Son
All in the Family
Jeffersons
MASH
Rockford Files
Taxi
Odd Couple
Waltons
WKRP
Welcome Back Kotter

Even the Cop shows they were the underdogs etc
Starsky & Hutch
Barretta
etc

Then in the 80-90s it really changed. And now contrast that to now where every family is a multimillionaire (or lives like one with no visible means of support). And also not more "fantasy" type shows?

[Ohiogal]

9. I can remember when

all the critics praised "Roseanne" as showing a more realistic portrayal of an American family than say, the Huxtables or the Keatons.

[sandensea]

10. Awchie would be considered a bonafide RINO by most of today's radicalized Republican voters

And Edith, an outright Commie.

[Lucky Luciano]

11. Oh I occasionally watch AITF on YouTube thinking the same thing...

There nice was a time when the bunkers of the world were strictly to be ridiculed and not given prominent positions in government.

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Quick, without looking it up: What was his son-in-law's name?

[3Hotdogs]

13. Mike Spivik?

I didn't look

[llmart]

14. Stivic

[3Hotdogs]

15. Damn. It was close.

[FiveGoodMen]

20. Thanks to both of you. Most people say "Meathead"

Which was purely Archie's insult and not any kind of nick name.

That often makes it look like they were seeing the show through Archie's eyes even back then.

[bernie59]

16. A show like that couldn't air today.

I guess we have come a long way

[residentcynic]

18. I remember those times well

and while we think of Archie being a bad joke, a bunch of Archies elected Nixon - twice.