A couple years ago, when I found the first six seasons for next to nothing on an auction site, I started my marathon of "All In The Family." Tonight, I watched the final episode of "Archie Bunker's Place."

I suddenly realize now what it would've been like if "Saturday Night Live" had really been cancelled in the middle of the sixth season, like NBC wanted - an overwhelming feeling of "That's it? You gotta be kidding me."

I can't help but think that this show (and yes, I do consider AITF and ABP to be one single show, as Carroll did) ended as a frail ghost of its former self. Three main characters gone, a non-offensive Archie, and FAR TOO MUCH emphasis on Billie and Gary. When an old guy with a flyswatter is the only comedy remaining, something's wrong.

Not to mention.... "Bunker Madness" was the most incredibly awful and tasteless episode ever. Stephanie is a pothead? Give me a friggin' break!

It's painful to know that what was once the greatest sitcom in history ended as one of the worst. In my opinion, at least.

Is there anywhere you could watch the Archie Bunkers Place besides getting them on DVD?

Not really. Season 1 was officially released on DVD, I found Season 2 as a BitTorrent, and I bought DVD-R's of Seasons 3 and 4 (as well as the unaired Gloria pilot) from an auction site.

Go to Youtube.com and you can see many episodes of ABP for free.

Wow, that's really how they ended the series? I wasn't completely thrilled with the way they ended Frasier but at least they kept it in line with the rest of the series. But I hate when they just ruin series by having an awful finale. However, I'm sure it's hard to write a series ending that the audience will love. I mean, after all it's 'the end' and it's up to the writers to make the show memorable.

I can't help but think that this show (and yes, I do consider AITF and ABP to be one single show, as Carroll did) ended as a frail ghost of its former self.


To me, it was one show. It definitley was but then the action shifted and format changed. The two formats split up in syndication. To me, it was always one show on the timeline.

To me, it was one show. It definitley was but then the action shifted and format changed. The two formats split up in syndication. To me, it was always one show on the timeline.


Good point, just like Three's Company and Three's a Crowd

Schmoopie, the problem was that it *had* no ending. After the incredibly weak fourth season (or thirteenth - ironically enough - if you count AITF), CBS just pulled the plug, and refused to allow Carroll a proper last episode.

No, the final episode of the show was just another lame Billie and Gary episode, without a whole lot of Archie. Which was typical for that season, anyway.

Wow, that's really how they ended the series? I wasn't completely thrilled with the way they ended Frasier but at least they kept it in line with the rest of the series. But I hate when they just ruin series by having an awful finale. However, I'm sure it's hard to write a series ending that the audience will love. I mean, after all it's 'the end' and it's up to the writers to make the show memorable.
It wasn't written as a series final. The show was canceled. It came as a surprise to everyone.

What kind of Finale would it have been anyway?-lol

It wasn't written as a series final. The show was canceled. It came as a surprise to everyone.

That's the same thing that happened with the Jeffersons. They never got a series finale either.

So many of the cast members did "The Jeffersons on Stage" which was a play that toured the nation. The amazing thing is after all these years I can't find a SINGLE person who saw that!! WTF??

I can't imagine Bunker being in a stage play! LOL

Neither cast should have been surprised esecially the ABP cast since the show had been on 13 years

From season 1 of All in the Family to the end of Archie's Bunker's Place, you couldn't recognize anyone. Every 10 years people change so much it seems.

They pushed show too far. 13 seasons is way too long!

They pushed show too far. 13 seasons is way too long!


If a show is getting good ratings, then it doesn't matter how long a show runs. People are still watching. Two and a half men is in its 10th year and it still brings in enough ratings to remain on the air.

If a show is getting good ratings, then it doesn't matter how long a show runs. People are still watching. Two and a half men is in its 10th year and it still brings in enough ratings to remain on the air.


But I wonder is Two and a half men thinking of ways to close it out before the show starts dipping in the ratings?


See that didn't happen with ABP and it ended up being cancelled with no series finale

But I wonder is Two and a half men thinking of ways to close it out before the show starts dipping in the ratings?


See that didn't happen with ABP and it ended up being cancelled with no series finale


I think that CBS will allow the show time to make a finale that would be appropriate.

But I wonder is Two and a half men thinking of ways to close it out before the show starts dipping in the ratings?


See that didn't happen with ABP and it ended up being cancelled with no series finale
As Forrest Gump said, '**** happens'.

As Forrest Gump said, '**** happens'.


stop posting

Why?

I can't help but think that this show (and yes, I do consider AITF and ABP to be one single show, as Carroll did) ended as a frail ghost of its former self. Three main characters gone, a non-offensive Archie, and FAR TOO MUCH emphasis on Billie and Gary. When an old guy with a flyswatter is the only comedy remaining, something's wrong.

Not to mention.... "Bunker Madness" was the most incredibly awful and tasteless episode ever. Stephanie is a pothead? Give me a friggin' break!

It's painful to know that what was once the greatest sitcom in history ended as one of the worst. In my opinion, at least.

I thought it was a good episode with a bad premise. Wasn't Stephanie a cheerleader? Remember at the end of the prior season Stephanie was stoked because she had just made the squad.

Extra curricular activities had strict rules against drug use. Being caught with pot would have meant immediate dismissal from the squad and surely Stephanie was smart enough she would have never put her spot at risk just to smoke marijuana with a bunch of troubled classmates.