While 'All in the Family' made Norman Lear a Millionaire 10x's over, did the PURPOSE of the character actually turn on Lear? What I mean is, Archie was suppose to represent bigotry and stupidity in the 70's society, and while he did show those aspects, he at the same time became a beloved character and a marketing machine!

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While I think Lear intended for people to shun Archie's many of views, I don't think he ever intended for anyone to hate Archie. Archie is not written in a hateful way; he's a reflection of the time and situation he was born in, like all of us are.

I think it's a real credit to Lear as a writer that as an obvious liberal, he was still able to write a three dimensional character who was much more conservative and traditional than he was. It's obvious that for all of Lear's dislike of some of Archie's VIEWS, he liked Archie quite a bit as a person.

While I think Lear intended for people to shun Archie's many of views, I don't think he ever intended for anyone to hate Archie. Archie is not written in a hateful way; he's a reflection of the time and situation he was born in, like all of us are.

I think it's a real credit to Lear as a writer that as an obvious liberal, he was still able to write a three dimensional character who was much more conservative and traditional than he was. It's obvious that for all of Lear's dislike of some of Archie's VIEWS, he liked Archie quite a bit as a person.


Great post, so you think Norman Lear didn't mind the commercialization of 'All in the Family?'

Great post, so you think Norman Lear didn't mind the commercialization of 'All in the Family?'

Not sure on that one. I'd guess "no" he wasn't upset by it. Anytime a show gets popular there will inevitably be profiting from it. If it did bother him, he could have always donated his proceeds to liberal causes! :lol:

Btw, I still have the "Archie Bunker for President" mug we got my dad back in the early 70's!