the network should have let the show to have afinal show as groundbreaking as all in the family was it should have had an ending.ok bunkers place wasn't groundbreaking or a great show but it still rooted from a show that set the rules for situation comedies.

the network should have let the show to have afinal show as groundbreaking as all in the family was it should have had an ending.ok bunkers place wasn't groundbreaking or a great show but it still rooted from a show that set the rules for situation comedies.


Finale would have made more sense in 1979 rather than 1983

the network should have let the show to have afinal show as groundbreaking as all in the family was it should have had an ending.ok bunkers place wasn't groundbreaking or a great show but it still rooted from a show that set the rules for situation comedies.

I think the show should've ended in 1990, and that would've ran just as long as "Cheers" did.

I think the show should've ended in 1990, and that would've ran just as long as "Cheers" did.


1990??? That would have been 19 YEARS-lol

1971-1990

It should have ended in 1978, when it was still called All In The Family.

Once the Meathead left, so did the conflict. And Archie with no conflict...aint Archie.:(

It should have ended in 1978, when it was still called All In The Family.

Once the Meathead left, so did the conflict. And Archie with no conflict...aint Archie.:(

I agree with that 100%

I agree with that 100%

Archie Bunker's Place was a nice show. Just that...and nothing more.

I actually liked the 9th season of "All In The Family." There wasn's much conflict, but I loved how Archie was with Stephanie....."ABP", should have gotten a proper finale, after all Carrol o'connor did for CBS.

I actually liked the 9th season of "All In The Family." There wasn's much conflict, but I loved how Archie was with Stephanie....."ABP", should have gotten a proper finale, after all Carrol o'connor did for CBS.

I agree. Not allowing them to do a finale that ended the show properly showed a utter lack of respect for Carroll O' Connor, a man who made a lot of money for CBS over a 12-year span.

The abrupt cancellation was baffling, considering there were lower-rated shows that got renewed. But from what I've read, it had to do with network and studio politics.

I liked Murray and Gary on ABP.

ABP was a good show, not as great as AITF but still beats out anything on TV these days. I sure hope the rest of ABP & AITF can get out on DVD soon!!

I think it's the fact that Archie has no one to make fun of that makes ABP not fun to watch.

I think it's the fact that Archie has no one to make fun of that makes ABP not fun to watch.

That and that the fact that he wasn't the same Archie he was in 1971. I mean, he was Archie Bunker, but he'd mellowed considerably. Would Archie from the first season of AITF have hired a black maid???

That and that the fact that he wasn't the same Archie he was in 1971. I mean, he was Archie Bunker, but he'd mellowed considerably. Would Archie from the first season of AITF have hired a black maid???
A lot of people mellow as they get older.


ABP was a good show...not a great one but it deserved to have a finale. CBS did not treat Carroll O'Connor with the respect he deserved.

A lot of people mellow as they get older.


ABP was a good show...not a great one but it deserved to have a finale. CBS did not treat Carroll O'Connor with the respect he deserved.


The only reason I say a Finale wasn't necessary was because the Edith Character, Mike, and Gloria character were already written off so i just can't think of what they would have done for a finale. If CBS felt ABP was a separate show then they probably saw no point of a Finale since the show was only on from 79-83

The only reason I say a Finale wasn't necessary was because the Edith Character, Mike, and Gloria character were already written off so i just can't think of what they would have done for a finale. If CBS felt ABP was a separate show then they probably saw no point of a Finale since the show was only on from 79-83

I understand what you're saying, but they still should have done a finale. On Everybody Loves Raymond nothing changed at the end. It was the status quo, but the way it ended wasn't a finale, but yet it was. It basically said that things would go on as they'd always did. It was a tongue-in-cheek way of saying goodbye without saying goodbye.

Perhaps Archie could have remnisced about Edith, Mike & Gloria and then looked at Stephanie with a smile and been thankful that he had his bar and his life.

I remember many years ago, probably 10 years by now anyway, where the local newspaper ran an Associated Press story about Carroll O'Connor and All In The Family. I have it saved around here somewhere. Anyway, the article talked about the appeal the show still had after 20-25 years (at that time), the fact that styles changed and names changed, but many of the situations the characters faced were still relevant now. It said in the article how Carroll O'Connor wanted to bring the character of Archie Bunker back for a special or two, to allow the TV audiences to see what has happened to him since we last saw him. He said that he had a pretty good idea what he wanted to character to be doing (driving a cab I believe), have a steady girlfriend, and even get Mike and Gloria involved somehow. The network wanted it, O'Connor wanted it, the only thing standing in the way was Normal Lear. I guess Lear felt that they had done al they could with the character, and that it was best to just leave Archie Bunker where he was.

Too bad, just one special "catch-up" show would have been nice. These characters are just that, fictional characters, but when you grow up watched them on TV they become a part of you in some odd way. It's always nice to see what old friends are up to lately!

I asked Carroll (in 2001) if he was interested in playing Archie Bunker again.
Carroll said Norman Lear owns the rights to the Archie Bunker charachter & he did not like Norman Lear & would therefore probably turn it down.
Carroll used to have a website forum on line at Carrolloconner.net.
That was the response he emailed to me.

funnier yet move in with mike (since they had split up)but they should have done a final show.

funnier yet move in with mike (since they had split up)but they should have done a final show.

Believe it or not, having Mike appear in some episodes was an idea that Norman Lear had when it looked as though Archie was in danger of being cancelled. They were desperately trying to come up with a new angle for Archie right before CBS lowered the boom.

It would have been funny. Archie furious at Mike for leaving Gloria and Mike coming up with some wishy-washy excuse for what he did.

a little late carroll o'conners long gone they had many years they could have righted the wrongs of the whole series just abruptly ending.

1990??? That would have been 19 YEARS-lol

1971-1990


I am inclined to agree with this comment here. I know it is known as a spinoff, but at the same time, it is a continuation. I think that it did beat Cheers if both series' eps are combined.

I am inclined to agree with this comment here. I know it is known as a spinoff, but at the same time, it is a continuation. I think that it did beat Cheers if both series' eps are combined.


Yup, defintely a continutaion since Carroll O' Connor was still on the show

Exactly. My Complete Directory to Primetime and Cable TV Shows refers to ABP as season 10 "where there were major cast changes." I can see it being packaged as another show because it was in a way. I think of it as evolving and changing.

Exactly. My Complete Directory to Primetime and Cable TV Shows refers to ABP as season 10 "where there were major cast changes." I can see it being packaged as another show because it was in a way. I think of it as evolving and changing.
Yea but it also refers to the Lucy Show and Here's Lucy as the same show too even though they were seperate characters.

Finale would have made more sense in 1979 rather than 1983

Yes, Carroll O'Connor really ran Archie Bunker into the ground. He should have ended it gracefully with the demise of "AITF." Jean Stapleton was smart to depart the series.

it should have ended alot sooner the stories were weak and stale

I also think that Archie Bunkers Place should have did a Finale

how about have Archie and the kids pack up and move to Where George wheezie live as their new next door Neighbors lol sure that be funny or move to La be near Mike and Gloria n Joey

I also think that Archie Bunkers Place should have did a Finale

Unfortunately, they didn't have a say in the matter. Keep in mind that CBS is the network that in the early '70s cancelled top-rated shows like Mayberry RFD and The Beverly Hillbillies because they didn't want to be thought of as a hillbilly network. They wanted a more sophisticated audience, even at the cost of cutting off shows that were delivering ratings and revenues.

This of course, paved the way for such shows as...All In The Family.

It seems that CBS didn't have a lot of loyalty to actors and producers who provided them with hit shows.

That Right in The 70's CBS Cancelled evverything With a Tree in The Show that is what I heard

Archie Bunker's Place should have had a real series finale when it was cancelled in 1983. Why did CBS cancel Archie Bunker's Place, anyway?

Also, I don't even know why they let Gloria end its run at the same time.

Final episodes to end the story were very uncommon back then. Lots of series were thought to come back before cancellation.

Classic shows like I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver ect, didn't have final episodes.

I remember the Odd Couple had one but I believe they knew it was the last year.

And MASH broke the ground for final episodes. And that was the same year ABP went off the air.

There was no guidlines of the "final episode" and no cry for them either.

When MASH did it then there was some copycatting...And think of how many lame finale's there have been.

To me the story ended right there. What could they write for a final episode anyway? Edith was dead. The Stivics were divorced..

That was the end right there. Archie running his bar. GOOD NIGHT IRENE!!

Final episodes to end the story were very uncommon back then. Lots of series were thought to come back before cancellation.

Classic shows like I Love Lucy, Leave it to Beaver ect, didn't have final episodes.

I remember the Odd Couple had one but I believe they knew it was the last year.

And MASH broke the ground for final episodes. And that was the same year ABP went off the air.

There was no guidlines of the "final episode" and no cry for them either.

When MASH did it then there was some copycatting...And think of how many lame finale's there have been.

To me the story ended right there. What could they write for a final episode anyway? Edith was dead. The Stivics were divorced..

That was the end right there. Archie running his bar. GOOD NIGHT IRENE!!

They could have done a final episode that while not changing anything, could have subtly said goodbye to the audience.

True, the "series finale" thing is played up. You'd think some sitcoms were soap operas. Without a final episode, in your mind, you assume that the fictional lives went on but weren't filmed.

I always thought that if The Odd Couple had somehow been renewed for a sixth season, Felix would be thrown out by Gloria again and it would be business as usual for the two mismatched roommates.

They could have done a final episode that while not changing anything, could have subtly said goodbye to the audience.

True, the "series finale" thing is played up. You'd think some sitcoms were soap operas. Without a final episode, in your mind, you assume that the fictional lives went on but weren't filmed.

I always thought that if The Odd Couple had somehow been renewed for a sixth season, Felix would be thrown out by Gloria again and it would be business as usual for the two mismatched roommates.

If I remember correctly the writers didn't think it was the last season so why do a final episode? I know it sucks and all. But they say their thank yous and the like at award shows or on talk shows.

You make a good point though.

In regards to the Odd Couple it was a true final episode because they knew they were not coming back. Jack Klugman was all set to start QUINCY and was excited to get started on it.

If I remember correctly the writers didn't think it was the last season so why do a final episode? I know it sucks and all. But they say their thank yous and the like at award shows or on talk shows.

You make a good point though.

Thanks. What I meant was that if they had been allowed to come back or had known in advance, they could have done something like that.

In the last episode of Cheers, Sam runs off with Diane to get married, but realizes it's wrong. He returns to the bar, where after the regulars leave, he closes up for the night. As he's adjusting things around the bar, someone shows up outside. Sam tells them the bar's closed.

Cheers is still in business, just closing for the night.

^ That was a perfect finale for Cheers. Life goes on. The audience just isn't there for it.

As for Archie Bunker's Place, I would have loved a finale, perhaps with Archie and Stephanie reminiscing about past times.

I read somewhere once that Carroll O Conner said that he would have been satisfied with AITF ending after the 8th season. If that happened, then the episode where Mike and Gloria moved to California would have been a perfect finale. Once Mike goes, there goes the conflict, but it was not to be and we see Stephanie in season 9.

^ That was a perfect finale for Cheers. Life goes on. The audience just isn't there for it.

As for Archie Bunker's Place, I would have loved a finale, perhaps with Archie and Stephanie reminiscing about past times.

I read somewhere once that Carroll O Conner said that he would have been satisfied with AITF ending after the 8th season. If that happened, then the episode where Mike and Gloria moved to California would have been a perfect finale. Once Mike goes, there goes the conflict, but it was not to be and we see Stephanie in season 9.

When All In The Family was in it's ninth and final season, there was speculation that the final episode would have Archie selling the bar and that he and Edith would move out to California to be closer to Mike, Gloria and Joey.

But CBS was anxious to keep Archie Bunker in prime time, so the show was retitled and a new phase began for Carroll O' Connor in the fall of 1979.

CBS needed to do a finale for a few shows - "Archie Bunker's Place" (or "All In The Family"), "The Jeffersons", and "Rhoda". I'm not sure "Good Times" or "Maude" had a proper send-off, either.

I couldn't believe that CBS canceled ARB or Gloria. They were both in the top 25. I remember reading the news in the newspaper and just being shocked. That was a great way to thank Carroll O'Connor for all his years to their network. O'Connor vowed never to work for CBS again but he later changed his mind when ITHOTN moved over there.

CBS needed to do a finale for a few shows - "Archie Bunker's Place" (or "All In The Family"), "The Jeffersons", and "Rhoda". I'm not sure "Good Times" or "Maude" had a proper send-off, either.

Good Times had a final episode. The Evans family finally got out of the projects.

Shows had finales to end the stories. But they didn't really get press that I can recall. I was very young in the 70s. But I do remember a fuss made about the final MTM.

We watched it as a family..I was around eight years old and I remember my mother crying. So I guess that was the first hyped one.

Then MASH blew it all out of the water and set the standard where all hits should have finales'

I felt really screwed by FOX when Married with Children didn't get a proper send off. and they insulted our intelligence by dressing up an episode finale as a final episode.

Yes a finale would have been nice. Loved Archie and his relationships with Billie and Stephanie as well the rest of the gang at the bar.

The finale could have centered around a mysterious new partner for Archie at the bar. And in the final frame, in walks the new partner...THE MEATHEAD!!

Freeze on Archie, shocked.

THE END.

CBS screwed both All in the Family and the Jeffersons when it came to close out episodes and both were shows that made the netwirk a lot of money

I don't even remember a show called Gloria. Did Sally Struthers get her own show?

I don't even remember a show called Gloria. Did Sally Struthers get her own show?


Yes CBS decided top spin the Gloria character off during thr 1982-83 season and even though the show finished #19 after it's first season, it was still cancelled by CBS

I don't even remember a show called Gloria. Did Sally Struthers get her own show?

Yup. It premiered in the fall of 1982 and was cancelled in 1983 along with ABP. Sally made a guest appearance on ABP to set up the spinoff.