What are your thoughts? In my opinion, I think many 70's sitcoms, especially the Norman Lear ones were dramedies, not comedies.

Those shows certainly redefined or at least made people question the concept of "comedies".

I can see your point. I guess in the end I thought the show was a comedy with very serious overtones as opposed to a drama with comedic overtones. But most episodes did deal with subjects that were serious; there really weren't many full on 'caper' or 'misunderstanding' type episodes like you see with Three's Company or more traditional sitcoms.

What are your thoughts? In my opinion, I think many 70's sitcoms, especially the Norman Lear ones were dramedies, not comedies.

I agree. Although they could be funny, All In The Family did tackle serious issues (attempted rape, racism, cancer) and were one of the first to do so. Maude did the same thing with the abortion and Walter's alcoholism and nervous breakdown.

It was a hybrid to be sure. What was unique about it was that some shows were pure comedy, others pure drama, and some a combination, like 80-20 either way - so at the end of the day I'd have to say it was a dramedy. Actually the more I think about it there's no way in my mind AITG could ever be classified as a pure comedy - at it core the show often professed to impart a serious message or REALLY touch on a serious topic. (:heart: what a magnificient show)

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The Norman Lear comedies were just that - comedies. They just changed what comedies could have in them. They now how to be edgier than say, "McHale's Navy" or "The Munsters." But they were still comedies at the core.

I'd say AITF was a dramedy. They tackled issues like Gloria's miscarriage, Edith's near-rape, and the Jewish Paul, played by Gregory Sierra (:eyes:) meeting a tragic end at the hands of the neo-Nazis. There were light-hearted episodes to be sure, but I think most Norman Lear shows would be called dramadies today. Probably the only one that wasn't was Sanford & Son - that was just sheer comedy!!

When I think "dramedy" I think "The Wonder Years," "Doogie Howser, M.D.", "M*A*S*H" (in it's later seasons) even to some extent "Family Affair." "All in the Family" was a comedy that tackled serious issues, but tackling them in a funny way.

I guess we could call every 80s sitcom a dramedy because they all had more than one "very special episode." They all balanced comedy and drama together. But you have to think of what it was more. They were comedies. They were there to make you laugh, with an occassional tear or moment to make you think.

Like I was watching an episode of "Gimme a Break!" on DVD. From the first season, where the Chief shot someone, and they died. Chief felt so bad through out the whole episode. What's funny about that? You're supposed to tune into these shows for comedy. But the writers of the 80s seemed to feel like straight comedy was wrong or something.

Okay, now I'm getting off course, lol. But I still say they're all comedies.

There were serious issues on the show, but overall its a sitcom. How could anyone take both Archie and Meathead seriously?

It was a comedy. I always laughed at every episode. Sure there were certain episodes that got away from that for a few minutes (Edith's rape episode for one) but overall it was a funny show. Compare it to a lot of the dramedy's of today where I chuckle only once in awhile.

The Norman Lear comedies were just that - comedies. They just changed what comedies could have in them. They now how to be edgier than say, "McHale's Navy" or "The Munsters." But they were still comedies at the core.
Good point, I agree with you.

There were serious issues on the show, but overall its a sitcom. How could anyone take both Archie and Meathead seriously?
Why exactly did Archie call Mike "Meathead"? I never could figure out the origin of that nickname.

Why exactly did Archie call Mike "Meathead"? I never could figure out the origin of that nickname.



Hmmm dont know either. Good question Anyone???

Hmmm dont know either. Good question Anyone???


I think it was revealed that Archie was called "Meathead" by his own father, which always was kind of an ironic twist I thought. (Was Archie saying he looked at Mike as a son, in a sense?). This was in the later episode where Archie and Mike got locked in the freezer at the bar.

I think the first time he called Mike that was right after they met, and they were arguing politics. Things got heated and Archie called him "Meathead" and Mike said "what did you call me?" and Archie said, "Meathead, as in dead from the neck up...!". :lol:

OK, thanks!! :cool: