I am very disappointed that Archie Bunker's Place doesn't have closed caption but I am going to watch it though and as I was watching it, Archie has changed, he just doesn't look the same since the All In The Family Days, does anybody agree?

I'm sorry it doesn't have CC. Maybe you could search online and get some of the transcripts for ABP? Does anybody know of a good link to find transcripts for ABP?

I don't think he looks that different from the later years of AITF -- the episode shown tonight was taped just a few months after that last AITF was taped.

That said, I was surprised at how flat this episode was. I haven't seen the show in a long time, and I thought I remembered the first year as being pretty good, since most of the AITF creative team was still on board. But tonight really reminded me that the bar really doesn't work as the setting for entire episodes, which is why Edith was killed off during the second season, so they could set more episodes at the Bunker home.

I saw the Archie Bunker's Place episode. I didn't think it was flat at all. I laughed the whole time. I thought that the episode was quite good as a "pilot" for what was to come. However, the show actually got more funnier when they added all those wacky characters like Ellen Canby, Ed and Polly Swanson, Gary Rabinowitz, Billie Bunker and Veronica Rooney! The "pilot" only looked bad if you thought it was going to be a non-stop laugh riot like All in the Family. It's not fair to compare the two shows because each had it's own premise and cocept. It was much more an ode to the radio show "Duffy's Tavern" with Ed Gardner as Archie, the bartender/manager.

Since I hadn't seen the show since the 80s, I wasn't sure what to expect. I guess I was expecting something completely new and different. But, it just felt like one of the later episode of "All In The Family." It had some funny moments, but nothing special. I agree with the person who said that the bar just doesn't really "work" as a setting for the entire show. Obviously it worked for Cheers, but this particular set is just sort of tiny and dull. I was dying to see Archie's house (and Edith for that matter), but they never showed either. Still, I will continue to watch -- I want to see what kind of direction the show takes as we get deeper into the series. I'm also very curious to see how they handle Edith's Death.

Originally posted by Smokin' Sods
Since I hadn't seen the show since the 80s, I wasn't sure what to expect. I guess I was expecting something completely new and different. But, it just felt like one of the later episode of "All In The Family." It had some funny moments, but nothing special. I agree with the person who said that the bar just doesn't really "work" as a setting for the entire show. Obviously it worked for Cheers, but this particular set is just sort of tiny and dull. I was dying to see Archie's house (and Edith for that matter), but they never showed either. Still, I will continue to watch -- I want to see what kind of direction the show takes as we get deeper into the series. I'm also very curious to see how they handle Edith's Death.

Ditto

I'll still keep recording, because you never know when ABP will be yanked from the schedule. I'm still dying to see the Edith death episode.

Originally posted by Jenny
Ditto

I'll still keep recording, because you never know when ABP will be yanked from the schedule. I'm still dying to see the Edith death episode.

I'm also recording the show, because I know it won't be on very long, so I would keep recording because "Archie Bunker's Place" is a part of screen gems, and will not be around most likely after December 31st

Originally posted by Classic is Better


I'm also recording the show, because I know it won't be on very long, so I would keep recording because "Archie Bunker's Place" is a part of screen gems, and will not be around most likely after December 31st

I'm still worried they might stall out right in the middle. That would be pretty disappointing if they get to season 3 and stop. I wished they would tack another episode on at 12:30.

Originally posted by Jenny


I'm still worried they might stall out right in the middle. That would be pretty disappointing if they get to season 3 and stop. I wished they would tack another episode on at 12:30.

So far, most of the episodes from the Screen Gems deal (Donna Reed, Dennis, Father Knows Best, etc) are at the most, 36. I really hope they show as much of ABP as they can through December. Yeah, CiB is right, the Screen Gems deal expires December 31st. They've only had it since 2001! They should have done more with what they had instead of waiting so long...

I really do have a sinking feeling only the first 36 episodes will be shown.

I do agree, I wasn't thrilled with the first episode(s) it was funny and all, but something is missing from Carroll's performance; something was just different, it's like he was trying too hard to be Archie, it was never that way before. Don't get me wrong, I love Carroll as Archie, but something was just off, to me at least.

I to am taping the show, because it's not going to last on TV Land. And I doubt we'll ever see it again (well for a while anyway).

So far I think the show is pretty good. Looking forward to the ones that have Edith in them and the one in which Archie mourns over her death.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101


So far, most of the episodes from the Screen Gems deal (Donna Reed, Dennis, Father Knows Best, etc) are at the most, 36. I really hope they show as much of ABP as they can through December. Yeah, CiB is right, the Screen Gems deal expires December 31st. They've only had it since 2001! They should have done more with what they had instead of waiting so long...

I really do have a sinking feeling only the first 36 episodes will be shown.

I do agree, I wasn't thrilled with the pilot, it was funny and all, but something is missing from Carroll's performance; something was just different, it's like he was trying too hard to be Archie, it was never that way before. Don't get me wrong, I love Carroll as Archie, but something was just off, to me at least.

I to am taping the show, because it's not going to last on TV Land. And I doubt we'll ever see it again (well for a while anyway).

You're right. They could've showed them earlier.

I bet tonights episode with Jean will be a lot better than the pilot. I never noticed it until you said something, but Carroll's performance was a little off on the pilot. I guess he was really determined to make this show work. I could understand the forceness if it had been a few years since he did the Archie character, but this show immediately came after All in the Family.

Originally posted by Jenny


You're right. They could've showed them earlier.

I bet tonights episode with Jean will be a lot better than the pilot. I never noticed it until you said something, but Carroll's performance was a little off on the pilot. I guess he was really determined to make this show work. I could understand the forceness if it had been a few years since he did the Archie character, but this show immediately came after All in the Family.

Yeah, it just seemed as he was trying too hard; you know? He never had to do that. I am really hoping tonights episode with Jean is better, also, It really left a hole without Jean, but the show will still be enjoyable. I mean, it lasted four years, it couldn't have been that bad. Anyway, I shouldn't just judge on the pilot, so, I'm anticipating tonight's show, and especially the Thanksgiving reunion episodes next week (With Sally, Rob and Jean).

I'm splitting hairs here, but "Archie's New Partner" was not a pilot. Pilots are made for the purpose of selling the network on a show, and new fall shows generally tape their pilots in the spring. "Archie Bunker's Place" did not need a pilot -- the network considered it a continuation of AITF and didn't need to be sold on it. "Archie's New Partner" was simply the first episode and was taped in late summer at the same time as the other early episodes.

And the episode with Jean was much better than the first two episodes, I laughed more than I did, but I'll get used to the show, with or without Jean.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101




And the episode with Jean was much better than the first two episodes, I laughed more than I did, but I'll get used to the show, with or without Jean.

I agree. It was a lot better with Jean in it.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101


Actually, IMO, it's somewhat of a spinoff; and yes, that was the pilot, of sorts. It was the first episode, and first episodes generally are pilots for a series; and yes, APB technically had it's "pilot" during AITF.


"Archie's New Partner" was not a pilot at all. Pilots are sample episodes that are used for the purpose of selling series to networks. If a series is already sold to the network, no pilot is necessary, which is the case with ABP. First episodes are not necessarily pilots -- I worked in the TV industry for several years, and there is a distinct difference. For example, the later Lucille Ball series, "Lucy Show", "Here's Lucy" and "Life With Lucy", did not have pilots, since the network did not need to see any samples to know that they wanted a new series with Ball.

Originally posted by TV Guy


"Archie's New Partner" was not a pilot at all. Pilots are sample episodes that are used for the purpose of selling series to networks. If a series is already sold to the network, no pilot is necessary, which is the case with ABP. First episodes are not necessarily pilots

You are correct, TVGuy. TVjunkie101 needs to enroll in TV 101. Pilots are not necessarily the first episode of a series. And the first episode of a series is not necessarily the pilot. The pilot may be aired as the first episode, it may be aired as the second, third, fourth, fifth episode or later. It might not ever be aired at all. THE purpose of a pilot is to sell a series to a network. Often pilots never get aired, even if the show sells. They are produced not so much with the viewing public in mind, but with a network in mind to buy the series.

Regarding Archie Bunker's Place, I'm surprised all these folks here are so interested in seeing it. I always hated this show when it originally aired. I never found it funny, just lacking in the chemistry between the actors that was so present on All in the Family. Archie NEEDED Edith and the Meathead to be funny. This show was such a bore. The only reason it lasted as long as it did was viewer habit (after a decade of Archie), and because it was scheduled during a strong CBS lineup kicked off by the highly popular 60 Minutes.

Originally posted by JaneTVFan


You are correct, TVGuy. TVjunkie101 needs to enroll in TV 101. Pilots are not necessarily the first episode of a series. And the first episode of a series is not necessarily the pilot. The pilot may be aired as the first episode, it may be aired as the second, third, fourth, fifth episode or later. It might not ever be aired at all. THE purpose of a pilot is to sell a series to a network. Often pilots never get aired, even if the show sells. They are produced not so much with the viewing public in mind, but with a network in mind to buy the series.

Regarding Archie Bunker's Place, I'm surprised all these folks here are so interested in seeing it. I always hated this show when it originally aired. I never found it funny, just lacking in the chemistry between the actors that was so present on All in the Family. Archie NEEDED Edith and the Meathead to be funny. This show was such a bore. The only reason it lasted as long as it did was viewer habit (after a decade of Archie), and because it was scheduled during a strong CBS lineup kicked off by the highly popular 60 Minutes.

You know, you two people really need to calm down. I never said it was THE pilot, I said it was a pilot, to me that is. That's all I meant. I know what a pilot is and what it's purpose is. Notice how I said IMO. Believe me, I'm not an iditot, I know what a pilot is.

I just don't appreciate the two of you jumping in here and getting so upset over it; at least JaneTVFan thought I didn't know what a pilot was so she explained it to me, but I already know what a Pilot is and what it's purpose is.

All I meant was, that to many of us here, it's a pilot, because not a lot of us have seen the show so in a way, we had to be sold on it.

Make sense?

And I do agree; it sometimes is a bore, and sometimes it's funny. I felt the "Archie and the Oldest Profession" was a fairly funny episode, and the "Edith Gets Hired" was even funnier, because Jean Stapleton was featured. Any episode with Jean, I know will be funny.

Okay you two, I fixed my posts; I never meant to imply that it WAS a pilot, but to me it was; so, I fixed my posts so I don't confuse other people.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101

You know, you two people really need to calm down. I never said it was THE pilot, I said it was a pilot, to me that is. That's all I meant. I know what a pilot is and what it's purpose is. Notice how I said IMO. Believe me, I'm not an iditot, I know what a pilot is.

I just don't appreciate the two of you jumping in here and getting so upset over it; at least JaneTVFan thought I didn't know what a pilot was so she explained it to me, but I already know what a Pilot is and what it's purpose is.

I don't want to speak for Jane, but I'm curious what specifically about my posts makes you think I need to calm down, or makes you think that I'm upset? Some of the posts were referring to "Archie's New Partner" as a pilot, and I said that it isn't, and explained why.

Originally posted by JaneTVFan

Regarding Archie Bunker's Place, I'm surprised all these folks here are so interested in seeing it. I always hated this show when it originally aired. I never found it funny, just lacking in the chemistry between the actors that was so present on All in the Family. Archie NEEDED Edith and the Meathead to be funny. This show was such a bore. The only reason it lasted as long as it did was viewer habit (after a decade of Archie), and because it was scheduled during a strong CBS lineup kicked off by the highly popular 60 Minutes.

I completely agree. I was actually interested in seeing it, just because I hadn't seen it in so long. But there's just something lacking in it, even the episode with Jean. It's a considerable step down from AITF, even the last AITF season with Stephanie. I didn't like "Edith Gets Hired" just because it seemed so out of character for Edith to take a full-time job with those hours, leaving Stephanie to spend her afternoons and early evenings at the saloon. And Archie agreed to this? "Archie and the Oldest Profession" has been the best of the bunch so far, IMO. But even that can't compare to the AITF classics. I think this is the main problem with the show -- it will always suffer in comparison to what came before it.

Originally posted by TV Guy


I think this is the main problem with the show -- it will always suffer in comparison to what came before it.

You got a point there. I've been looking over the episode guide. Here's a link if you are interested: http://www.tvtome.com/ArchieBunkersPlace/guide.html

I only see a few episodes that might be the hits out of the whole ABP series (Thanksgiving Reunion, The Return of Sammy, Father and Daughter Night, Van Ranseleer's Operation, Archie Alone, Home Again, The Incident, Custody, The Trashing of the Temple, Growing Up is Hard to Do, Gloria Comes Home, Love is Hell, West Side Astoria, Bunker Madness, No One Said it was Easy) I just figured those episodes looked the most interesting out of the episode guide.

Let's just hope they get around to showing all the episodes though.