Archie Bunker

Norman Lear, who recently died, created such an amazing caricature of a typical American bigot in Archie Bunker. He boiled down bigotry to a combination of fear and ignorance. Fear of being irrelevant or being replaced by people who are other than white men. His ignorance was present through the whole series.

Archie is still relevant to this day. For example, some of the stuff he said (which was a joke on the show) was said by our last President in earnest. Archie had proposed curbing skyjacking by arming all of the passengers. Our last President suggested arming all teachers.

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softspokenman · M

In a rare show of unity, all 5 broadcast networks will air a simulcast tribute to Norman Lear Wednesday, tonight, 8PM ET/PT.
ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and The CW

Aol. TVline

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JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

The amazing thing is that the conservatives of the time liked Archie Bunker as well as the Liberals.

JonLosAngeles66 · M

@JimboSaturn that was the genius. He wasn't a bad person. He was just wrong

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@JonLosAngeles66 I miss the days we can use humour to tackle problems about race and politics.

spjennifer · 56-60, T

I remember watching All in the Family as a kid and even then to my relatively inexperienced mind it was often beyond the pale. Many of the themes explored then are still very relevant today as many of tRump's base would give ole Archie a run for his money on the bigotry. Serious props due to Carroll O'Connor for portraying someone who was the complete opposite of him in reality and to Norman Lear for having the courage to put it all out there on TV for all to see and hear.

BohemianBoo · M

It's amazing how so many of the issues on that show are still issues we fight over today. The opening theme is almost too perfect, that a lot of fans didn't realize it was satire.

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JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@JonLosAngeles66 Just having the liberals and conservatives watch the same show is huge difference than today. I think the show was effective in getting the two together.

BohemianBoo · M

@JimboSaturn Yeah, the actor who played Archie actually had to explain that he's not actually a bigot irl. That's how stupid the Right is.

soar2newhighs

@JimboSaturn Saw a great image on FB of Carroll O’ Connor and Red Foxx together.
They made TV worth watching.

JSul3 · 70-79

Actor Carrol O'Connor, known for his role as bigot Archie Bunker, was a liberal.

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swirlie · 31-35, F

@JSul3
Lear was also the brainchild of numerous comedy shows, so I take his worldly observations with a grain of salt!

JonLosAngeles66 · M

@swirlie I thought it was a pretty empathetic way to show a bigot. He wasn't a bad person. How would you describe bigotry? Fear and ignorance is being kind I think.

swirlie · 31-35, F

@JonLosAngeles66
Oh, I agree with you 100%!

Making a TV show based on bigotry is the greatest way to show viewers who they too might be! But it all comes down to fear and the greatest part of most cultures is based on fear. From fear is born bigotry and ignorance. So our cultural upbringing does it to ourselves.

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

I watched that show - Archie was actually outnumbered by Gloria, the Meathead and Irene. It was also apparent that Edith had been "stifled".

Penny · 46-50, F

That show was terrible

Penny · 46-50, F

@Penny eta most tv shows are terrible and reflect the prejudices of the day. Even some modern ones. Thats why tv sucks and id say most of it would be mindless drivel except it often perpetuates negativity which is worse than mindless. Not that some cant be mildly entertaining at the same time but overall...

swirlie · 31-35, F

Wouldn't it make more sense to arm all the students instead?

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