I usually don't like it when kids are brought in towards the end of a long time series run (such as Oliver on the Brady Bunch or Seven on Married with Children) but Danielle Brisebois as Stephanie is the exception. Her performance continued the high quality of the show. I thought she was wonderful and a perfect comic foil to Archie.

Of course, the episodes with her are not as good as the early episodes with Mike and Gloria (and I think people have a tendency to take that out on her), but that's a tough act to follow, which wasn't her fault. I wish she were doing more today.

Well, I really disliked Stephanie on AITF. I just thought the Gloria and Mike years were so much better. Then we roll around to ABP and I like her. I don't know if you guys consider AITF and ABP to be one show, but I consider it two shows. AITF will always be Archie, Edith, Mike and Gloria to me. ABP will be Archie and Stephanie, etc.

By the way, any of you have any of Danielle's cds?

I would consider AITF and ABP to be one show because Archie is the central figure in both. I certainly don't agree with his views on politics and life but he needs to be there so we can have fun with him. The worst AITF episodes are those were he doesn't appear or only appears briefly, and the focus is on Mike and Gloria, rather than Mike and Gloria's disagreements with Archie.

Also, the transition into ABP began two years earlier on AITF when Archie bought the bar from Kelsey, and then a little more the next year when Mike and Gloria left and then Stephanie arrived, then finally into ABP the next year when Edith went part time, and then even more the next season when she died. Towards the end it was totally different so I can see the case for considering it to be two shows-but in the end, it is all about Archie.

Originally posted by jon123
I would consider AITF and ABP to be one show because Archie is the central figure in both. I certainly don't agree with his views on politics and life but he needs to be there so we can have fun with him. The worst AITF episodes are those were he doesn't appear or only appears briefly, and the focus is on Mike and Gloria, rather than Mike and Gloria's disagreements with Archie.

Also, the transition into ABP began two years earlier on AITF when Archie bought the bar from Kelsey, and then a little more the next year when Mike and Gloria left and then Stephanie arrived, then finally into ABP the next year when Edith went part time, and then even more the next season when she died. Towards the end it was totally different so I can see the case for considering it to be two shows-but in the end, it is all about Archie.

I could not have said it better myself.

I totally agree with you. Unlike many kids on sitcoms Danielle didn't seem so cutesy about the role. She seemed so natural. Another thing I liked was that they didn't give her any stupid catch phrases like so many shows with kids. None of that you got it dude, or how rude crap they used on Full House and so many other shows. Personally I don't think there could have been a better kid to play the role of Stephanie, and iv'e always felt the same way as you that she did a wonderful job. Personally I thought the last season of AITF was just as good as all the other seasons, and as the years went on in ABP her acting just got better, and better. I know i'm in the minority here, but I can't help it, that's just how I feel.

I like the Stephanie character on AITF and ABP. I think she was a good child actress. And her character does seem more realistic and natural than on Full House (I can't stand that show now). I recently won a People magazine off of Ebay from 1981, with 'Archie' and 'Stephanie' on the cover. Inside was a nicely written article about Danielle Brisebois. Carroll said she was "not a Hollywood brat." She herself, said she lived a normal childhood and didn't end up in trouble like many other child stars of the time (i.e. Diffr'ent Strokes). And in the article she didn't sound stuck up at all either. Carroll said, in the article, that she was going to be big (a star) and felt her acting was great.
-Kristi

I liked Stephanie more on Archie Bunker's Place, for some reason. Why, I don't really know. I can't really explain it. Overall I like the character, but for some reason, even more on Archie Bunker's Place.

I completely agree with Jenny on the fact that All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place are two different shows. Obviously, they are. Sure, the turn towards the bar was gradual throughout AITF, but the major setting on Archie Bunker's Place was of course the bar, the major setting on All in the Family was the house. So, overall, it's two different shows, but the first season really is more of a true continuation of All in the Family.

I consider ABP a sequel to AITF, but not the same show. Too many differences (main setting, cast, producers, title) for them to be the same show, in my book. And Columbia/Sony obviously considers them to be separate as well. But a case can be made for either argument.

I also consider that ABP is a sequel to AITF, but I don't think I woud consider it as another season to AITF, again they are two completely different shows.

I have always liked Stephanie, no particular reason, she was just another character on the show, she has grown up on ABP, and I like to see that Archie has taken care of her, as if she was his own daughter.

After Edith's death, I think it was nice to have somebody around at that time, and Stephanie was that person. Of course Archie had his friends at his bar to talk to, but he couldn't be around them all the time.

Usually sequels have new theme songs-"Those were the days" and "Remembering You" remained as opening and closing themes on ABP, albeit with different arrangements since Edith had left it was no longer appropriate for her to be at the piano in the opening.

Also at the end of each AITF episode you see it is based on "Til Death Do Us Part", the English original created by Johnny Speight. You see the same at the end of each ABP episode. If it were not the same series, legally they wouldn't have to make the same disclaimer.

If I were Archie I would say "Case Closed" as to whether AITF and ABP are the same show but I am not and all that matters was that it was the finest show ever, whether you consider it to be one series or two.

I liked Stephanie on the show. After Edith was gone, she was the one person that could get to the heart of Archie. Archie and Steffy had a real chemistry together, which seems to have been true off screen as well - Carroll really loved that "little goyl".

Well, I really disliked Stephanie on AITF. I just thought the Gloria and Mike years were so much better.Yup so did I!!

I dont not like Steph,I just like Mike and Gloria much better!!

I agree with the consensus. I hated Stephanie on AITF. She did not fit at all and it looked desperate to bring in a child to jump start ratings and give the show new appeal. But she worked on ABP. She was the most likeable of all the changing women that lived with Archie on the show. So it was good that she earned her stripes on AITF because she transitioned with Archie to the next show flawlessly.

I liked Stephanie. I liked the little kid version on AITF better than the older one, which I know is the minority opinion.

I liked Stephanie. I liked the little kid version on AITF better than the older one, which I know is the minority opinion.

Ya she did better Stevie :)

I usually don't like it when kids are brought in towards the end of a long time series run (such as Oliver on the Brady Bunch or Seven on Married with Children) but Danielle Brisebois as Stephanie is the exception. Her performance continued the high quality of the show. I thought she was wonderful and a perfect comic foil to Archie.

Of course, the episodes with her are not as good as the early episodes with Mike and Gloria (and I think people have a tendency to take that out on her), but that's a tough act to follow, which wasn't her fault. I wish she were doing more today.

I was a fan of the early AITF but drifted away a few years in, pretty much missing Archie Bunker's Place in first run, but watching them now I'm enjoying Archie and the new characters, and Stephanie is charming.

Good show, even with all the changes.

I liked Stephanie. I liked the little kid version on AITF better than the older one, which I know is the minority opinion.

The Stephanie character evoked logically, I think.

She was ok on ABP but didnt fit on AITF

I remember watching in primetime when she was first introduced in AITF. I thought it was sort of dumb, but at a young age I didn't understand the "whys" of what the writers were up to.

Later Brisebois was evolving into a nice-looking woman as seen on Archie Bunker's Place, watching those now I like seeing her on there.

I like Stephanie.

I thought Danielle did a good job at first and what she lacked in ability she was able to make up for by being super cute and sexy for a young woman her age. But I assume acting is like most things, you need to do it frequently to stay in a good groove. As she got older on ABP especially when Stephanie became a teenager and her role lessened with the addition of Denise Miller, she didn't seem as sharp as when she was on almost every episode and her limitations as an actress kinda showed. She almost became a non factor on the show, disappointing her ABP run would end like that.

I thought Danielle did a good job at first and what she lacked in ability she was able to make up for by being super cute and sexy for a young woman her age. But I assume acting is like most things, you need to do it frequently to stay in a good groove. As she got older on ABP especially when Stephanie became a teenager and her role lessened with the addition of Denise Miller, she didn't seem as sharp as when she was on almost every episode and her limitations as an actress kinda showed. She almost became a non factor on the show, disappointing her ABP run would end like that.


she didnt bother me on ABP like she did on AITF.

The good thing about Stephanie is if you like her you got seasons 1 and especially two where it seemed the entire show revolved around lovely Danielle Brisebois.

If you don't like her S3 and especially four are for you as Miss Mills was put on the back burner.

Ya she did better Stevie :)

Who? :confused: