First of all, the Antenna versions are so hacked up. They will often start the episode in the middle of the first scene!

Secondly, I prefer the latter half of the show’s run. Everyone is always so angry in the first few years, and Archie is such a jerk. During the latter half of the series, the tone is softer, and everyone is a little less entrenched in their positions. Mike is a lot calmer, too. I think that part of the series has aged better, too, since there are fewer “issue of the day” episodes.

I've been watching these past few days and I love it! It's so refreshing to watch a well-made, good quality tv show like All in the Family, unlike the tv shows of today. I agree with you that the later episodes (after Gloria and Mike move out) the show took on a different tone. Archie didn't seem so angry and always fighting with Mike. Although there were some serious storylines during season 8, such as Beverly Lasalle's murder, Edith almost getting raped on her 50th birthday, Archie becoming addicted to pills, and the Stivics moving to California. I know most fans of the show think that the later seasons weren't as good as the earlier ones, but I prefer the later seasons, especially season 8.

Antenna just airs what they are given. LOGO, on the other hand, hacks All in the Family up when they air it--they remove many scenes and lines of funny dialogue and it no longer makes sense. Antenna at least keeps funny stuff intact--can't say that for LOGO or TVLand.