What is your all-time favorite episode of All in the Family and why?

The episode that really showed the liberality and the contrast between certain groups was the last show of the first season,when Archie and mr.jefferson argued over whether God was black or white.

But I loved the episode Sammy Davis guested in,when he told Archie,"If you were prejudiced,you'd think you were better than anybody else-but after sitting here I know you ain't better than nobody."

My favorite episode will always be the one where Archie thinks that he has been poisoned by mushrooms, and makes out his will. He turns out that he didn't get poisoned, and he and Edith celebrate. Nick At Nite hasn't aired this one in monthes.

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Andrew Carden

As if you couldn't tell, without a doubt: "The Draft Dodger."

I actually have 2 favorite episodes: Both prove Archie to be an idiot. (But then, again, I don't recall too many in which this isn't proven!)

I, of course, liked the Sammy Davis, Jr. episode, which is tied for 1st place with the episode in which Archie saves the life of a transvestite.

I used to watch the show when I was young, and I'll never forget when the "lady" he saved took off his wig! (I was too young to understand it, but the shock value was still the same, if not greater.)

Definitely the Sammy Davis Jr. episode. Non stop hilarity from start to finish, topping it all off with "the Kiss". That might be the most classic moment in the history of TV.

Cousin Maude, It marks the first appearance of Maude Findlay

The one where they learn that Stephanie is Jewish. The last scene, where Archie gives her the Star of David pendant, moves me every time.

Mikes Hippie Friends also Mike Comes into Money — love both of those

Hands down “Cousin Maude’s Visit”

“The Stivics Go West”: funny, heartwarming, and tear jerking. If the show had ended there - as was intended - it would be the sitcom series finale of all time.

With so many excellent episodes, choosing just one as an all time favorite episode is so hard. So i'll do a top 5 in order of favorites.


1. "Second Honeymoon"---I first watched this episode about 7 years ago and fell in love with it. The conversation between Archie & Edith in the Atlantic City hotel room where they spent their honeymoon 25 years prior shows just how much these two characters still love each other after all the years together.

And when Edith walks out of the bathroom in her nightie, Archie's reaction to her always gets me. It's such a perfect scene showing their love for each other and will always be my favorite scene of the whole series between the two of them. :heart:

2. "We're Having a Heat Wave"--(both parts)---Is a big favorite of mine and I love the whole feel of the episode with the heatwave and Archie & Meathead at each others throats about Watergate. Both looked ready to pop veins all over the walls lol.

3. "The Battle of the Month"---This is a total LOL episode from start to finish. Everyone is fighting and at each other's throats into the wee hours of the morning because Gloria comes home from work on her 23rd birthday in a crabby mood and takes it out on everyone around her, especially poor Edith. Though they make up wonderfully in the end of the episode.

4. "The Games Bunkers Play"---it's mostly an Archie-less episode but it's a fun one because everyone gangs up on Meathead and I love it because I can't stand the character and it's so nice to see the commie pinko hypocrite put in his place by everyone---including the ever sweet Edith. :lol:

5. "All's Fair"---Edith goading Archie into fighting is hysterical no matter how many times I watch it. I love when she tells Archie about the fight they're going to have that will bring them closer than ever and his dumbfounded reaction to that asking if she's going through the "change" again. lol

This is a HARD series to just pick one favorite because there's SO many great ones!!

All of them, especially the first 5 seasons.

I like the two episodes where that German butcher has a crush on Edith , and in one of them Jean Stapleton plays dual roles , as Edith and the guys fiance who is jealous of Edith !:lol:

And the ep.where the Bunkers host a wedding at their house for an old couple from the Sunshine home ! :lol:

any episode that doesn't involve stephanie:lol:

any episode that doesn't involve stephanie:lol:

I was in love with Stephanie when I was a kid. To this day Danielle Brisebois is beautiful. But yeah, I get what you're saying. Those later seasons weren't very good.

I was in love with Stephanie when I was a kid. To this day Danielle Brisebois is beautiful. But yeah, I get what you're saying. Those later seasons weren't very good.

Adult show for 8 years and then all of sudden they add a kid:crazy:

Adult show for 8 years and then all of sudden they add a kid:crazy:

I think it was a wise decision because it was a catalyst for Archie's softer and more tolerant side to emerge. One of my favorite Stephanie episodes is where Stephanie is hesitant to let Archie know that she's Jewish because of his well known prejudice against anyone who's different from him.

But when Archie finds out, it doesn't matter much to him because she's family and that final scene where Archie gives her the Jewish Star necklace out on the porch is one of Archie's best scenes throughout the entire series imo and shows how far the character has grown over the years.

With Mike & Gloria gone, I think the show had to go in another direction to stay fresh and I think it succeeded in doing that. I think it was still an "adult show", just more lighthearted with more focus on family over conflicts.

I think it was a wise decision because it was a catalyst for Archie's softer and more tolerant side to emerge. One of my favorite Stephanie episodes is where Stephanie is hesitant to let Archie know that she's Jewish because of his well known prejudice against anyone who's different from him.

But when Archie finds out, it doesn't matter much to him because she's family and that final scene where Archie gives her the Jewish Star necklace out on the porch is one of Archie's best scenes throughout the entire series imo and shows how far the character has grown over the years.

With Mike & Gloria gone, I think the show had to go in another direction to stay fresh and I think it succeeded in doing that. I think it was still an "adult show", just more lighthearted with more focus on family over conflicts.



It really should have ended after mike and gloria left

It really should have ended after mike and gloria left

I kind of agree with you, but there are some good episodes of season 9 like the 2 part California episode which is one of my favorites of the series. And we wouldn't have had Archie Bunker's Place that came afterwards with widowed Archie.

I kind of agree with you, but there are some good episodes of season 9 like the 2 part California episode which is one of my favorites of the series. And we wouldn't have had Archie Bunker's Place that came afterwards with widowed Archie.

Yes that episode was good but then when they came back to visit from CA that's when it all went down hill

Yes that episode was good but then when they came back to visit from CA that's when it all went down hill

The California 2 parter definitely ranks in my top 10 of favorites. After they came back, I think there were some good ones as well as some stinkers:

"A Night at the PTA" ----stinker!

"A Girl Like Edith"---I'm mixed on this one. It's fun seeing Jean Stapleton play the dual role and it was easy since they had no audience by that point, but it overall fell flat, so it's more a stinker. :lol:

"The Appendectomy"---I enjoy this one only for how Archie calls Stephanie's wetting doll "Peggy Poo Poo". (Can you visualize a doll like that?! :lol:) but overall not that great.

"Stephanie and the Crime Wave" ----Stinker!

"Barney the Gold Digger"--------Stinker....but I like Barney's line after Archie tells him the heavy set woman inherited a chain of supermarkets saying "She ate em!". :lol:

"The Return of Archie's Brother"-------A good one imo where Archie's brother Fred comes with his 18 year old wife. When Stephanie asks her what grade she's in and Edith drops the pan is funny. :lol:

"Stephanie's Conversion"-------One of my favorites for that heartwarming final scene between Archie & Stephanie on the porch.

"The Family Next Door"----Stinker! And it also changes history because a family just bought that house a year before when Mike & Gloria went to California and all of a sudden it's empty and for rent?!

"The Return of Stephanie's Father" ----I like this one where Stephanie's drunken dad returns to try and squeeze money from the Bunkers to keep Stephanie.

"Too Good Edith"-------This is such a weak episode to end a great series. While I like the final closing scene, the whole story of Edith with the Plebitis is dumb and I wish they had done something other than this for the finale. Stinker!!!

So while there are a couple of good ones there, I tend to agree it went downhill after California. The first 5 seasons are the absolute best---Season 6 when the Stivics moved next door signaled the series decline imo.

The California 2 parter definitely ranks in my top 10 of favorites. After they came back, I think there were some good ones as well as some stinkers:

"A Night at the PTA" ----stinker!

"A Girl Like Edith"---I'm mixed on this one. It's fun seeing Jean Stapleton play the dual role and it was easy since they had no audience by that point, but it overall fell flat, so it's more a stinker. :lol:

"The Appendectomy"---I enjoy this one only for how Archie calls Stephanie's wetting doll "Peggy Poo Poo". (Can you visualize a doll like that?! :lol:) but overall not that great.

"Stephanie and the Crime Wave" ----Stinker!

"Barney the Gold Digger"--------Stinker....but I like Barney's line after Archie tells him the heavy set woman inherited a chain of supermarkets saying "She ate em!". :lol:

"The Return of Archie's Brother"-------A good one imo where Archie's brother Fred comes with his 18 year old wife. When Stephanie asks her what grade she's in and Edith drops the pan is funny. :lol:

"Stephanie's Conversion"-------One of my favorites for that heartwarming final scene between Archie & Stephanie on the porch.

"The Family Next Door"----Stinker! And it also changes history because a family just bought that house a year before when Mike & Gloria went to California and all of a sudden it's empty and for rent?!

"The Return of Stephanie's Father" ----I like this one where Stephanie's drunken dad returns to try and squeeze money from the Bunkers to keep Stephanie.

"Too Good Edith"-------This is such a weak episode to end a great series. While I like the final closing scene, the whole story of Edith with the Plebitis is dumb and I wish they had done something other than this for the finale. Stinker!!!

So while there are a couple of good ones there, I tend to agree it went downhill after California. The first 5 seasons are the absolute best---Season 6 when the Stivics moved next door signaled the series decline imo.


I forgot Family Next Door with the guest appearance of weezy

I forgot Family Next Door with the guest appearance of weezy

I enjoy her appearance but it always confuses me because a year before, George came over saying he sold the house and the Stivics had to be out the next day. (which makes no sense because they still had closings in the 70's didn't they?)

Anyways, a year later Weezy comes by to say she's renting the house and for Edith to show it for her with no mention of the sale a year before. Every time this episode comes around I get distracted thinking about that. :lol:

I enjoy her appearance but it always confuses me because a year before, George came over saying he sold the house and the Stivics had to be out the next day. (which makes no sense because they still had closings in the 70's didn't they?)

Anyways, a year later Weezy comes by to say she's renting the house and for Edith to show it for her with no mention of the sale a year before. Every time this episode comes around I get distracted thinking about that. :lol:

I will make note of that so when I get to season 8 and 9 I will pay more attention. Right now I am completing season 5 and will be on season 6 next weekend.

I will make note of that so when I get to season 8 and 9 I will pay more attention. Right now I am completing season 5 and will be on season 6 next weekend.

I watch an episode each night before bed and i'm just starting season 9 at the moment...and i'm glad because that means soon I go back to the beginning again.

I watch an episode each night before bed and i'm just starting season 9 at the moment...and i'm glad because that means soon I go back to the beginning again.

Hoping ABP complete is available by september.

Hoping ABP complete is available by september.

Has there been news that they're finally releasing it? I'd snatch that up the first day it's on sale.

Has there been news that they're finally releasing it? I'd snatch that up the first day it's on sale.

No it's a guy we found online who has connections with the studios and been releasing some rare stuff like the complete series of gloria I bought from him last month

No it's a guy we found online who has connections with the studios and been releasing some rare stuff like the complete series of gloria I bought from him last month

Aw, I was hoping for an official release. Maybe someday they'll release another AITF box set that includes ABP and Gloria all together. That would be the ultimate collection.

Archie's bitter pill
Clinged peaches
Maude's visit
Archie eats and runs
Archie's Gall bladder
Edith's change of life
Death of stretch Cunningham
Aunt Iolas visit

There are so many favorites:

Archie Gives Blood
Flashback: Mike Meets Archie
Christmas Day At The Bunkers
Sammy's Visit
The Bunkers and the Swingers
Flashback: Mike and Gloria's Wedding
We're Having A Heatwave
The Games Bunkers Play
Archie in the Cellar
Black is the Color of My True Love's Wig
Pay The Twenty Dollars
The Longest Kiss
Archie and the Quiz
Archie the Hero (this one has Beverly LaSalle in it)
Gloria Poses in the Nude
Archie is Branded
Archie's Operation
Beverly Rides Again
Mike and Gloria Meet
Two's A Crowd
Archie's Other Wife
Too Good Edith

Lionel's Engagement is in my top 3.

My two favorite episodes were The Election Story and Archie Eats and Runs. I still crack up every single time I watch them, lol.

The darker Archie's hair is the greatest chance it's a classic episode. Seasons 1,2,3. Carrol O'Connor starts losing his comedic edge after that.

The Games Bunkers Play
I like the last scene in Stephanie's Converson too.

The Bunkers and the Swingers and The Games Bunkers Play.

Bunkers meet the swingers
Mike Comes Into Money
The episode where the swastika is painted on the door
The episode where Archie's niece has her picture taken with Lionel
Edith the kleptomaniac
Archie breaks the laundry machine at the laundromat
Archie and the hot watch (hysterical)

I like the elevator story the best,probably the most UNPC of the whole series :D