'All in the Family' Was Too Topical For Young Viewers to "Get It"

[Brian Damage]

Was most of the topical issues that the Bunkers and Stivics dealt with dated? Would Younger viewers "Get" this sitcom? Or do you need to get older to appreciate this type of comedy?

[HelloLarry]

I think television has become so watered down that new viewers reared on todays television would be just as shocked at this show as they were back in 1971. While some references are dated, the topics are still being discussed in the world today, only the players have changed. I think the show is still relevant because of the depth of the characters. You still know people like this as they are still around. They just look a little different.

[Retro4Life]

Let's look at the state of the world back in 1971. Race relations were a major issue, there was much concern about fuel costs and shortages, tensions between Israel and the Arab world were high, our economy was in crisis with inflation and high unemployment, the middle class was getting the shaft, gay rights advocates were demanding equal treatment for gays, etc. Sound familiar? ;)

In many ways, the world is much worse off as well. The family unit has more or less disintegrated from what it was back then, technology, despite having promised to make our lives easier, has served in many ways to isolate us from each other and make us all think that people are going to be as easy to manipulate as the keys on a cell phone or keyboard.

But overall, I think the messages and issues of AITF as still very much with us today.

[Yooch]

Most young people I think would get it on their level, meaning the surface comedy level (as I would have) when their age. Archie's antics, for example, facial expressions and so forth, are funny no matter how you look at them. As viewers get older, I think they still like the comedic aspect, but understand the context and delve into the characters' personalities more; they understand where they're 'coming from' so to speak. It's like in M*A*S*H too. We all laugh when Hawkeye and BJ pull a practical joke, but understanding their backgrounds and personal issues lends a whole new level of perception.

[OH Nuts!]

Many of the issues the show dealt with are not "dated", as they dealt with the human condition and human emotions such as: how families react to tragedies like miscarriages, cancer scares, wanton violence, gay/transgender bashing (e.g. Beverly) of a close friend etc., dealing with joblessness/tight finances.

IMO, the show would not have the same impact today as it did in the 70s because many of the "taboo" or "hot" issues of that time are no longer so. The show was magnificent in that it courageously (and intelligently) filled a void - I mean - before AITF - who ever mentioned the word toilet on the air, let alone hearing one flush, or dealing with stereotypes regarding women, gay people, religion etc. The show filled a void and did it in mind-blowing, compassionate and EXTREMELY CLEVER ways.

So, I do think some of today's youth would "get it" but not quite in the same way as youth of the 70s did (I will never forget the first time I saw the show when I was 14 - my jaw dropped).

AITF: a true TV classic if ever there was one! Classics like AITF never lose their relevance - current viewings still reveal a vitality - many decades after its debut.

[Stuck In The '70's]

Many of the issues the show dealt with are not "dated", as they dealt with the human condition and human emotions such as: how families react to tragedies like miscarriages, cancer scares, wanton violence, gay/transgender bashing (e.g. Beverly) of a close friend etc., dealing with joblessness/tight finances.

IMO, the show would not have the same impact today as it did in the 70s because many of the "taboo" or "hot" issues of that time are no longer so. The show was magnificent in that it courageously (and intelligently) filled a void - I mean - before AITF - who ever mentioned the word toilet on the air, let alone hearing one flush, or dealing with stereotypes regarding women, gay people, religion etc. The show filled a void and did it in mind-blowing, compassionate and EXTREMELY CLEVER ways.

So, I do think some of today's youth would "get it" but not quite in the same way as youth of the 70s did (I will never forget the first time I saw the show when I was 14 - my jaw dropped).

AITF: a true TV classic if ever there was one! Classics like AITF never lose their relevance - current viewings still reveal a vitality - many decades after its debut.
It's funny Rich...I watched AITF right from the beginning. I was only 5 when it came on. My Parents never prevented me from watching it. As a matter of fact, we watched the show as a family for years. It sure was a different kind of show and I think it was probably the greatest show that ever aired.

[Hughsgirl]

I think they would "get it", but the kids or younger crowd certainly wouldn't respect it because yet again of the "politically correct" world we now live in. They would never be able to appreciate how life was back then because its so easy for them now with everything handed to them so for example they would have no relation in regards of what Archie went through just to keep food on the table. Yes, times are in a sense worse finacially, but still people are getting things handed to them without having to work for it. For example the "welfare rats" who don't have a pot to piss in but still find a way to mooch off the system to get themselves a top of the line cell phone or blackberry (something that we used to eat for pete sake!) I didn't mean for this to become a gripe session, but that is my honest answer.

[big bertha]

I watched this show when it first came on, i think I was about 7 years old. I got the jokes for the most part. I also watched MASH, Maude and the Bob Newhart Show. My parents always watched tv with me. I think sometimes it just depends on the emotional maturity of the kid. And if the parents watch with them. I don't think the kids today would understand or get past the political incorrectness of the show. But I think sometimes we need to be shocked out of our comfort zone. And behind all of Archie's blustering he always did the right thing by his family-even the Meathead. These type of sitcoms were a refreshing change from the 60s type of Fantasy shows-Bewitched, the Munsters, etc. Nowdays All in the Family would not even get on the air. I love the fact that Tvland is still airing it. It must still be striking a nerve somewhere.