Why didn't the writers just have Edith leave Archie to stay with Gloria in California so she could possibly return at a later date? Was that Jean Stapleton's wish? It wasn't nice to 'kill her off'.

Of course it was a tragedy to kill off one of TV's most beloved characters, but Carroll and the producers felt it was the only way to continue the show. I always felt if they could have talked Jean into appearing in 10 episodes or so a year then Edith wouldn't have had to die. The remaining episodes would then be set in the bar. They may have been able to keep the AITF name that way and then we all could proudly say that AITF ran 13 years and was the 2nd longest running sitcom in history rather than saying it ran 9 and the debate over whether AITF and ABP should be considered seperate shows.

Unfortuneately, since Jean wanted out the only way Edith could leave the show would be to die. She may have visited Gloria or one of her other many (usually unseen) relatives for a few weeks at a time but she never would have left Archie for longer than that. To have Archie and Edith divorce would have been unthinkable (besides if they did, Archie would of had to have done something really bad and who would want to watch him after that!).

I wished Jean had stayed to the end but I respect her decision to leave as one she felt she had to do. Happy birthday, Jean, and we are glad that in real life you are still very much with us!

Originally posted by jon123
I always felt if they could have talked Jean into appearing in 10 episodes or so a year then Edith wouldn't have had to die.

Although many published sources say that Jean wanted to leave altogether, I've seen her interviewed where she said that out of loyalty to the show, she was willing to continue to do occasional appearances like she did during the first season, as long as they were all taped consecutively. But Carroll and his writers felt that as long as there was the possibility of Edith appearing, the audience would feel disappointed in the episodes in which she was absent. Also, they were running out of story ideas, and a widowed Archie allowed them to set more stories at the house, and have him go out on dates, etc. Jean said that she was surprised they decided to kill Edith off, but she understood the reasoning behind it.

Its too bad some kind of compromise with Jean couldn't have been reached. Edith appeared in five episodes (counting Thanksgiving Reunion as two) the first year of ABP but that wasn't enough. There were some like Sammy Davis' return visit or the party honoring Archie as man of the year that Edith should have been there. If she only offered to appear in four or five again I can see why they had to make the painful decision. But if she had appeared in about ten those episodes could have been set more at the Bunker home. It was actually very unpleasant watching Archie date other women and if the show had continued one more year he would have remarried(gasp!). By this time there were enough other characters on the show to have enough storylines for the non-Edith episodes. Also, the occassional "Edith is visiting Gloria" or "Aunt Helen" would have worked if she was there at least half the time. Speaking as one fan, I would not have been disappointed to not see Edith on some episodes rather than have her die. One wonders if the Bunker home would have seemed so dark in the last years if they had done that.

The Bunker home really was much darker after Edith's death, rarely as bright as it was in the first season of ABP.

I don't think they should have killed Edith off, but I agree about how she wasn't appearing in a few episodes she WAS needed in, like Man of the Year, etc. I still think it could have worked the remainder of the 3 seasons and I never minded only seeing Edith occasionally. But, they killed Edith off YEARS ago, lol, not much we can do now.

Originally posted by TVJunkie101
The Bunker home really was much darker after Edith's death, rarely as bright as it was in the first season of ABP.

I don't think they should have killed Edith off, but I agree about how she wasn't appearing in a few episodes she WAS needed in, like Man of the Year, etc. I still think it could have worked the remainder of the 3 seasons and I never minded only seeing Edith occasionally. But, they killed Edith off YEARS ago, lol, not much we can do now.

Yeah, ditto.

I'm happy the show got pulled before Archie could get remarried. Edith will always be Archie's wife and I just don't think I would buy a second wife. Yeah, I know if your spouse dies you can get remarried again. It's just that I can't picture anybody else, but Edith as Archie's wife.

Originally posted by Jenny

I'm happy the show got pulled before Archie could get remarried. Edith will always be Archie's wife and I just don't think I would buy a second wife. Yeah, I know if your spouse dies you can get remarried again. It's just that I can't picture anybody else, but Edith as Archie's wife.

When O'Connor was talking about his idea for a potential 1990s "Archie" series, he mentioned that Archie would have had a steady lady friend, but no plans for remarriage. Even he realized that Edith was irreplaceable.

I could have seen Edith around a lot longer, my theory is that ABP wasn't as much about a family anymore, with Gloria and Mike moving away and the addition to Stephanie there wasn't as much to talk about, so I'm guessing the writers figured they would make another spin-off because they couldn't use the AITF title anymore. I think AITF was moving on. Jean didn't want to be in the show anymore, so I think the writers made a spin-off about Archie and his bar. Since she didn't want to appear, I think the writers wouldn't use her as much on ABP since it was mostly about his bar and his friends there, and since the show wasn't always involving the home, she wouldn't always be part of the show.

I don't think I would have had Archie and Edith divorce and have Archie re-marry, it wouldn't turn out to be the show that it was, it wouldn't be the same. So I think the only way was to have absent during the course of the show. After that, atleast they had a few storylines with the bar, and some of the cast, eventhough she had passed away.

It was Norman Lears idea that Archie could get remarried to a younger woman in ABP's 5th season. Maybe Lear would have taken a more active roll in a 5th season of ABP maybe Lear would have agreed to be a active creative consultant. Lear also wanted Reiner to appear on 8 shows or so. Maybe If Gloria was still canceled and CBS kept ABP for the 1983-84 season maybe Sally Struthers could returned Gloria and Joey would have became regulars on ABP and mike would have returned realizing the commune was a mistake and trying relentlessly trying to win Gloria back maybe even with Archie’s help. With Joey back maybe they could have brought Barney’s Granddaughter (AITF the Baby Contest) back Archie and Barney catch the two kids playing doctor with Barney and Archie saying it was the others fault and blaming each other.

I agree with the last post. I think it was a mistake to ever have a separate Gloria series in the first place. Perhaps, if Gloria had just returned to ABP it wouldn't have been cancelled. Norman's renewed involvement would definetely have helped. It would have been a nice twist to see Archie try to get Mike and Gloria back together, after all at the end of AITF he had finally accepted Mike. But if Archie was going to remarry, I'm also glad it was cancelled before that happened. No one could replace Edith.

Oh, I couldn't see Archie getting remarried. Dating? Yes, but not remarried. There's a few episodes where he dates a woman named Katherine (those episodes are good) and there's another one in the last season where he wants to see this one woman, but he finds out she's married (after spending the night with her), when he found out she was married, he felt so guilty about what happened the night before. He had no right to feel guilty, he didn't know...his old fashioned values were showing again. Anyway, I'm glad they didn't have Archie remarry (especially to a younger woman--remember in "The Return of Archie's Brother" when Fred married that 18 year old? Archie would have never done anything like that). If the show had been kept on the air, I wonder what would've happened to Billie and Stephanie. Having Mike and Gloria get back together would've been very interesting.
-Kristi

I believe that the two shows should be considered separate. The reason being is that they have two different vibes. All In The Family was about the day-to-day conflicts and plights of Archie, Edith, Mike and Gloria and how current events and their relationships shaped their lives. When Mike and Gloria left, the show was never the same.

I think they were wise to re-title the show with Jean Stapleton's limited involvement and eventual departure...it became a show about a bar owner coming to grips with being a widower raising a young girl who was coming of age. It wasn't the same show that it was when it began.

The character had also began to soften and mellow - he wasn't the same iracsible bigot he'd been when the show began in 1971. For that reason and the aforementioned cast changes, I feel that the two shows are different animals altogether.

All In The Family is one of the great, classic shows of all-time. A show that made you think, laugh and cry. A cast of characters you'll never forget. Archie Bunker's Place was merely a good show. Certainly a decent, mildly funny show - but nothing more.

i understood the reason why they did it but i just thought that ther could have been another way edith was such a great character to just kill her off like that it just wasn't right.

i understood the reason why they did it but i just thought that ther could have been another way edith was such a great character to just kill her off like that it just wasn't right.

How would they have done it?? Jean Stapleton was gone. Now, an alternative could have been to have her leave Archie, which she would never do.

Another way would to always have her working at the Sunshine Home, which would be foolish. She'd have to come home sometime.

Jean Stapleton chose to leave. She'd been doing the character for 10 years and wanted to move on. That's fine. But the producers of Archie Bunker's Place chose to continue on. I think given the situation, they made the right choice.

You reserve the right to disagree, of course, but I think any other choice would have been very contrived and foolish.

Besides, in my opinion, they should've ended it all two years earlier. When Gloria and the Meathead left for California, they should've ended All In The Family right then and there. Archie was never the same after they left - the conflict was gone. Archie without an opponent (Meathead) isn't any fun. :(

How would they have done it?? Jean Stapleton was gone. Now, an alternative could have been to have her leave Archie, which she would never do.

Another way would to always have her working at the Sunshine Home, which would be foolish. She'd have to come home sometime.

Jean Stapleton chose to leave. She'd been doing the character for 10 years and wanted to move on. That's fine. But the producers of Archie Bunker's Place chose to continue on. I think given the situation, they made the right choice.

You reserve the right to disagree, of course, but I think any other choice would have been very contrived and foolish.

Besides, in my opinion, they should've ended it all two years earlier. When Gloria and the Meathead left for California, they should've ended All In The Family right then and there. Archie was never the same after they left - the conflict was gone. Archie without an opponent (Meathead) isn't any fun. :(


That's the best explanation I ever heard for Archie during the 197-83 era. No opponent at all and that made Archie less entertaining to watch.

That's the best explanation I ever heard for Archie during the 197-83 era. No opponent at all and that made Archie less entertaining to watch.

Thanks. :cool:

How would they have done it?? Jean Stapleton was gone. Now, an alternative could have been to have her leave Archie, which she would never do.

Another way would to always have her working at the Sunshine Home, which would be foolish. She'd have to come home sometime.

Jean Stapleton chose to leave. She'd been doing the character for 10 years and wanted to move on. That's fine. But the producers of Archie Bunker's Place chose to continue on. I think given the situation, they made the right choice.

You reserve the right to disagree, of course, but I think any other choice would have been very contrived and foolish.

Besides, in my opinion, they should've ended it all two years earlier. When Gloria and the Meathead left for California, they should've ended All In The Family right then and there. Archie was never the same after they left - the conflict was gone. Archie without an opponent (Meathead) isn't any fun. :(

Agreed

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already, but how did Edith die? Was she sick?

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already, but how did Edith die? Was she sick?


She died of a stroke while she was sleep.

She died of a stroke while she was asleep.

It also happened off-camera. You saw Archie and Stephanie dealing with it after the fact. I think they handled it in a classy way.

I thought the episode where Archie deals with ediths death was the best of the entire series... however, it did seem unreal that gloria wouldn't come home to help out... I mean gloria and edith were so close, and i am sure that gloria would come home for a few months to help archie out with the tough times

I thought the episode where Archie deals with ediths death was the best of the entire series... however, it did seem unreal that gloria wouldn't come home to help out... I mean gloria and edith were so close, and i am sure that gloria would come home for a few months to help archie out with the tough times

If I remember correctly, the episode took place after Edith's funeral, so presumably Gloria at least made it in for the funeral. Probably Mike too, as they were still married at that point.

All I remember from it, was Archie in his chair grabbing onto Edith's slipper and crying.

That was a really sad episode but I guess they figured it opened new avenues for Archie's charecter like dating again.

Brain - I was just about to post that. That was such a memorable episode.

It also happened off-camera. You saw Archie and Stephanie dealing with it after the fact. I think they handled it in a classy way.

They really had no choice but to do it off-camera. The Edith character was not only most-beloved by fans but by the characters themselves, so all of them would've had to make an appearance for the funeral, which I don't CBS was willing to shell out mucho $$ for. A funeral for Edith without Gloria, Mike, Joey, Maude, Walter, Carol, the Jeffersons, and the Lorenzos, not to mention her many other relatives and friends, would've been wrong and not realistic. There'd be too many of the fans asking "Where was so-and-so?". Still, I imagine that her funeral service was probably the biggest attended.

I seem to recall an episode of All in the Family where Edith attended her great aunt's funeral (I think that's who it was anyway). Practically no one attend the funeral, and Edith was worried that when she died, she'd be similarly forgotten and that no one would attend. Archie assured her that the church would be so full that there'd not only be people filling up the seats, there'd also be people standing up as well.

I know Archie was right. We just didn't get to see it...

Ed

They really had no choice but to do it off-camera. The Edith character was not only most-beloved by fans but by the characters themselves, so all of them would've had to make an appearance for the funeral, which I don't CBS was willing to shell out mucho $$ for. A funeral for Edith without Gloria, Mike, Joey, Maude, Walter, Carol, the Jeffersons, and the Lorenzos, not to mention her many other relatives and friends, would've been wrong and not realistic. There'd be too many of the fans asking "Where was so-and-so?". Still, I imagine that her funeral service was probably the biggest attended.

I seem to recall an episode of All in the Family where Edith attended her great aunt's funeral (I think that's who it was anyway). Practically no one attend the funeral, and Edith was worried that when she died, she'd be similarly forgotten and that no one would attend. Archie assured her that the church would be so full that there'd not only be people filling up the seats, there'd also be people standing up as well.

I know Archie was right. We just didn't get to see it...

Ed



Carol?-lol I don;t think no one would have asked why she wasn;t there Edster. But seriously, yes I defintely see what u mean about the funeral for Edith.

Carol?-lol I don;t think no one would have asked why she wasn;t there Edster. But seriously, yes I defintely see what u mean about the funeral for Edith.


Carol wouldn't have been the most obvious objection if she was absent, but surely she would have come along with Maude, so I included her too. The point I was making was that TONS of people would have made it to that funeral or it would've seemed odd.

Ed

It would have been tasteless to see Edith dying. I think they gave Edith a dignified exit. After 10 years, you can't blame someone for wanting to move on. I think Stapleton agreed with the manner in which her character was dealt with.

She also said that Edith could never truly die because you can't kill an idea. Quite true - Edith Bunker is alive and well in All In The Family.

It would have been tasteless to see Edith dying. I think they gave Edith a dignified exit. After 10 years, you can't blame someone for wanting to move on. I think Stapleton agreed with the manner in which her character was dealt with.

She also said that Edith could never truly die because you can't kill an idea. Quite true - Edith Bunker is alive and well in All In The Family.


No one was saying that Edith's death had to be depicted onscreen. People were just wondering about the funeral, not her death. Two entirely different things. Besides, showing her dying would've been a bit odd since she died in her sleep. It's not like it would've been a tearful good-bye or anything.

As for Edith not truly dying, Jean Stapleton was said to have said that to try to keep people from being too worked up about it. There was a huge outcry against killing off Edith. Even Norman Lear had grave misgivings about agreeing to kill her.

Sure, she "lives on" in repeats, but the fact is, her character does at one point die, and given how the character struck a chord in so many fans/viewers, it was disturbing. There was just something about the character. It's why her near-rape resonated with so many viewers to the point where many hated her would-be rapist.

And Danielle Brisebois said that the cast and crew were upset and sad shooting the episode "Archie Alone" since the character was such an integral part of the show. Idea or not, when Edith officially dies, it is painful for both Archie and viewer alike.

Ed

No one was saying that Edith's death had to be depicted onscreen. People were just wondering about the funeral, not her death. Two entirely different things. Besides, showing her dying would've been a bit odd since she died in her sleep. It's not like it would've been a tearful good-bye or anything.

What I meant is that they could have done it differently. I think they chose the right path myself. I was just proposing an alternate scenario, that's all.

Sure, she "lives on" in repeats, but the fact is, her character does at one point die, and given how the character struck a chord in so many fans/viewers, it was disturbing. There was just something about the character. It's why her near-rape resonated with so many viewers to the point where many hated her would-be rapist.

Another good point, but I think most people remember Edith from All In The Family. I really don't associate Edith with Archie Bunker's Place as she only appeared in a handful of episodes in the first season and the show ran for four years. Just my two cents, is all.;)

What I meant is that they could have done it differently. I think they chose the right path myself. I was just proposing an alternate scenario, that's all.

I think the handling of her death off-screen was the best way to go as well. I just think it had just as much to do with economics as it had to do with good taste. It does leave one feeling that the couple never got any closure, either with themselves or with us, the viewers, seeing as how they never got to say good-bye.

It's interesting that Season 9 had the episode where Edith almost died from phlebitis. I always find that episode touching, especially when Archie tells Edith that, inspite of how cantankerous he's always been to her, he is nothing without her. This is always touching to me and makes me cry, but it also gives one a sense of foreboding since we know what lies ahead for the two of them. But here, they got to say it all, and I regard this as their 'good-bye' to each other, or closure if you will, since they both had truly let the other know that they loved each other. We know Edith showed her affection constantly, and we all know Archie loved Edith but here they were both on the same page. As uncommon as it was, it came across as totally natural. I think the whole run of All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place would be all the poorer without this scene. At least there was nothing left unsaid when Edith does pass away one year later.


Another good point, but I think most people remember Edith from All In The Family. I really don't associate Edith with Archie Bunker's Place as she only appeared in a handful of episodes in the first season and the show ran for four years. Just my two cents, is all.;)

I think that has more to do with the fact that Archie Bunker's Place is hardly seen in syndication. If it got the constant replay of All in the Family, then it would probably stick out more in the public consciousness. I know it wouldn't be the default show for the character, but it would be thought of more. At least that's my guess...


Ed

I think that has more to do with the fact that Archie Bunker's Place is hardly seen in syndication. If it got the constant replay of All in the Family, then it would probably stick out more in the public consciousness. I know it wouldn't be the default show for the character, but it would be thought of more. At least that's my guess...


Ed

I agree with you, Ed. A show can't resonate with an audience if it goes away. AITF can still be seen regularly on TV Land - ABP, alas, cannot. However, after watching some reruns of ABP a couple of years ago, I can say that the show doesn't resonate with me. I liked it better when it was first-run, whereas AITF still strikes a chord with me. Just my opinion. You made some excellent points in your post, though.:cool:

man i wish i taped it when it was on TVland i used to watch it every now and then i had no idea that Edith had died i used to watch it for Edith and i would get so mad when the would'nt show her i did'nt know why

I was sad when Eidith Left Archie Bunker's Place.

Archie did state in the episode dealing with Edith's death that Mike and Gloria were at the funeral, along with Edith's relatives. I guess the Jeffersons, Lorenzo's, McNabs, and other neightbors former and current were there as well.

It was better to have it done the way it was presented...on shows like Falcon Crest, the children never even came to the funerals for Chase and Maggie.

Archie did state in the episode dealing with Edith's death that Mike and Gloria were at the funeral, along with Edith's relatives. I guess the Jeffersons, Lorenzo's, McNabs, and other neightbors former and current were there as well.

It was better to have it done the way it was presented...on shows like Falcon Crest, the children never even came to the funerals for Chase and Maggie.


Yeah that would have been too depressing to have a real funeral service on a sitcom.

Yeah that would have been too depressing to have a real funeral service on a sitcom.

What would they do, have a one-hour show devoted to a burial, a reception afterwards and then come home?? I think they handled it tastefully.

What would they do, have a one-hour show devoted to a burial, a reception afterwards and then come home?? I think they handled it tastefully.


Yes that's what I was saying, you would never have a funeral ep for one of the characters on the show. Most funerals on Sitcoms were for other people like when Edith and Archie went to her Aunt's Funeral

They did it with Good Times

They did it with Good Times


The funeral was for one of the characters on Good Times but if was offscreen. They could never had put a ep like that together it would have been TOO REAL-lol

The funeral was for one of the characters on Good Times but if was offscreen. They could never had put a ep like that together it would have been TOO REAL-lol

I wouldn't have minded seeing it.

They did it with Good Times

You saw the reception afterwards. I think they did it tastefully too.

Brian, I love your ever-evolving Patricia Heaton avatars. Needless to say, I find her the epitome of hotness.;)

You saw the reception afterwards. I think they did it tastefully too.

Brian, I love your ever-evolving Patricia Heaton avatars. Needless to say, I find her the epitome of hotness.;)


Now I think the reception hey did on Good Times was the only time in sitcom history that has happen

Did they have a funeral for Redd Foxx on the Royal Family, or was he just written out of the show as being "away". I know the gal from 227 came on to help boost ratings.

How about the father on Gimme A Break dying?

Aj

Did they have a funeral for Redd Foxx on the Royal Family, or was he just written out of the show as being "away". I know the gal from 227 came on to help boost ratings.

How about the father on Gimme A Break dying?

Aj



No, they can never have a funeral on a TV show for someone who really died. It was off screen

Although they didn't show a funeral with a casket at either a funeral home or gravesite, they did show a post funeral service which took place at the Royal home. Della Reese's character delivered a very emotional eulogy.

No, they can never have a funeral on a TV show for someone who really died. It was off screen

Of course they can. It's done all of the time. Look at Dallas when actor Jim Davis died. They had a funeral for his character Jock Ewing. They also did the same with Douglass Watson and Constance Ford on Another World with their respective characters (Mac and Ada) when those actors died.

Most of the time in comedies, shows who lose their actors in real life to death opt not to show a funeral for a variety of reasons. Firstly, there is only so much time allotted to a comedy (usually 30 minutes) and a show does not want to waste expensive time showing a service where only a preacher talks about the deceased. That does nothing to progress the episode and it doesn't give insight on how the other characters felt about the deceased. It's only after the service, when relatives and friends can speak freely, that any insight can be given typically.

Also, shows don't want a funeral episode to be more than 2 episodes. It's a downer (especially for a comedy) and some fans, while sympathetic to the actor who died in real life, have gotten past it by then and want the show to move on. Showing a service simply eats up too much time. An audience's interest only lasts so long and some will tune out, even if the die-hard fans of actor/show would tune in no matter what.

Keep in mind that in these politically correct times, shows usually prefer not to focus on religion at all for fear of offending some by appearing to have some bias towards a particular faith. One can usually figure out what faith a person belonged to based on what the funeral service is like.

Lastly, the desire for a funeral service by fans is merely a desire to mourn the character, especially if the actor died in real life (like John Ritter). Shows know this so they provide that outlet through the cast, not via a monologue given through a preacher at a service. I think how they handled it on Eight Simple Rules and NewsRadio was more effective than showing a funeral service. What insight is given by showing the service itself? People crying? Tears can be provided after the service where we're let in on the person's reactions and feelings. You can't tell what a person is thinking or feeling if they're not allowed to speak. Post-funeral is usually when we're given that insight.

So, even though it's not widely done in comedies, it's not that they CAN'T have funeral services for someone who really died, it's just that, most of the time, they choose not to. There's no rule in TV that says you can't.


Ed

Of course they can. It's done all of the time. Look at Dallas when actor Jim Davis died. They had a funeral for his character Jock Ewing. They also did the same with Douglass Watson and Constance Ford on Another World with their respective characters (Mac and Ada) when those actors died.

Most of the time in comedies, shows who lose their actors in real life to death opt not to show a funeral for a variety of reasons. Firstly, there is only so much time allotted to a comedy (usually 30 minutes) and a show does not want to waste expensive time showing a service where only a preacher talks about the deceased. That does nothing to progress the episode and it doesn't give insight on how the other characters felt about the deceased. It's only after the service, when relatives and friends can speak freely, that any insight can be given typically.

Also, shows don't want a funeral episode to be more than 2 episodes. It's a downer (especially for a comedy) and some fans, while sympathetic to the actor who died in real life, have gotten past it by then and want the show to move on. Showing a service simply eats up too much time. An audience's interest only lasts so long and some will tune out, even if the die-hard fans of actor/show would tune in no matter what.

Keep in mind that in these politically correct times, shows usually prefer not to focus on religion at all for fear of offending some by appearing to have some bias towards a particular faith. One can usually figure out what faith a person belonged to based on what the funeral service is like.

Lastly, the desire for a funeral service by fans is merely a desire to mourn the character, especially if the actor died in real life (like John Ritter). Shows know this so they provide that outlet through the cast, not via a monologue given through a preacher at a service. I think how they handled it on Eight Simple Rules and NewsRadio was more effective than showing a funeral service. What insight is given by showing the service itself? People crying? Tears can be provided after the service where we're let in on the person's reactions and feelings. You can't tell what a person is thinking or feeling if they're not allowed to speak. Post-funeral is usually when we're given that insight.

So, even though it's not widely done in comedies, it's not that they CAN'T have funeral services for someone who really died, it's just that, most of the time, they choose not to. There's no rule in TV that says you can't.


Ed



If It's not a rule it should be

If It's not a rule it should be

Such an insightful comment Solomon. Thanks for sharing... :rolleyes:

Ed

Such an insightful comment Solomon. Thanks for sharing... :rolleyes:

Ed


Well it's the truth, I don't want to see a actual Funeral on a Sitcom.

Well it's the truth, I don't want to see a actual Funeral on a Sitcom.

The gospel, according to Solomon...


Ed

The gospel, according to Solomon...


Ed


I have no interest in anything that depressing.

I dont see a problem with it on screen,its pays homage the character that the person is playing as well as the person..if that makes any sense.

When Archie was up in his bedroom and he had his little talk alone in the room while holding Ediths slippers, I thought that was sad enough. I wouldn't want to see her in a casket. That's one episode I wouldn't have watched.

When Archie was up in his bedroom and he had his little talk alone in the room while holding Ediths slippers, I thought that was sad enough. I wouldn't want to see her in a casket. That's one episode I wouldn't have watched.


Agree, the only way I would watch Edith Alone ep if someone sent me the CBS version

Agree, the only way I would watch Edith Alone ep if someone sent me the CBS version

I've seen them a few times and it's just two sad episodes. After those episodes the show just wasn't the same anymore.

When Archie was up in his bedroom and he had his little talk alone in the room while holding Ediths slippers, I thought that was sad enough. I wouldn't want to see her in a casket. That's one episode I wouldn't have watched.

Edith in a casket would have been ghoulish. What would they do, have Archie sitting at her side as she died in the hospital.

Like I've said before, they handled it tastefully. They did what they had to do and yet honored the character.

Jean Stapleton was taken aback by all the grief over Edith's death. She said something like well, you can't kill an idea, can you?? Besides, AITF was in syndication by then and anyone who wanted to relive the old days with Edith, etc, could watch the reruns.

I have no interest in anything that depressing.

As I said before, it isn't any more depressing. A funeral scene would just eat up more time and not provide any insight as to how the characters feel about the deceased, so most opt not to go that route. But whether or not there's a funeral scene, when a character dies, it's always depressing, so your reasons are not valid. Having Edith's death start off with a funeral wouldn't have made 'Archie Alone' more depressing; it just would have made it a longer episode. No matter how you choose to look at it, 'Archie Alone' was depressing no matter what, funeral scene or no. Everyone who followed this show and cared about the characters ended up crying their eyes out...

Ed

Do you think that you all could have handled it if we actually did see Archie trying to wake up Edith and realizing that she was dead? While it would have been terribly sad, that moment would have been SO powerful.

Do you think that you all could have handled it if we actually did see Archie trying to wake up Edith and realizing that she was dead? While it would have been terribly sad, that moment would have been SO powerful.

Whether or not it would've been powerful, the thing is, there would have been someone who would've thought it was in bad taste. Also, for them to start right where Edith dies would've meant having to have a service for Edith, and that would've required a LOT of cast members from the past returning for just that one episode. The cost alone to have Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers, Sherman Helmsley, Isabel Sanford, Irene Garrett, Bea Arthur and a host of others to be in the same episode would've run in the millions. No way would CBS have done that, especially since the show was considered NOT to be in its prime. And no way would CBS have paid for that in order to pull off an episode that most would've dissed for being too ghoulish. CBS would've looked bad for airing the episode and would've looked even more foolish for paying so much for it with all the actors involved.

Given how CBS treated the show's finale (translation: they didn't give the show one), it's clear the show wasn't CBS's priority. And it's just as well. Having a death scene filmed by a network that really didn't care anymore would've sucked. At least the way they handled it showed Edith some respect, even though we the fans wished she hadn't had been killed off.


Ed

Whether or not it would've been powerful, the thing is, there would have been someone who would've thought it was in bad taste. Also, for them to start right where Edith dies would've meant having to have a service for Edith, and that would've required a LOT of cast members from the past returning for just that one episode. The cost alone to have Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers, Sherman Helmsley, Isabel Sanford, Irene Garrett, Bea Arthur and a host of others to be in the same episode would've run in the millions. No way would CBS have done that, especially since the show was considered NOT to be in its prime. And no way would CBS have paid for that in order to pull off an episode that most would've dissed for being too ghoulish. CBS would've looked bad for airing the episode and would've looked even more foolish for paying so much for it with all the actors involved.

Given how CBS treated the show's finale (translation: they didn't give the show one), it's clear the show wasn't CBS's priority. And it's just as well. Having a death scene filmed by a network that really didn't care anymore would've sucked. At least the way they handled it showed Edith some respect, even though we the fans wished she hadn't had been killed off.


Ed


I agree plus a scene like that has no buiness on a sitcom

Edith's departure was handled in good taste.

The show's finale - or lack of one - was not.

If I remember correctly, the episode took place after Edith's funeral, so presumably Gloria at least made it in for the funeral. Probably Mike too, as they were still married at that point.
Also Joey, Maude and her family, George & Louise, Florence, Lionel, Jenny, and Jessica, even the Willis', as they met the Bunker's before, Frank & Irene, and lots of other people. Because, Edith was quite a loveable person with many friends.

Also Joey, Maude and her family, George & Louise, Florence, Lionel, Jenny, and Jessica, even the Willis', as they met the Bunker's before, Frank & Irene, and lots of other people. Because, Edith was quite a loveable person with many friends.

If they had included all those characters, it would have to have been a one-hour show and the budget for all those guest stars would have broken the bank.

I think it was more tasteful the way they did it, anyway.

A little TOO powerful. Of all episodes I saw on millions of shows on America television, that is one of the rare episodes that makes me cry.

When they were syndicating All in the Family, they came to Jean Stapleton with an offer, a lump sum that she accepted. A decade later, she said that the AITF money is long gone. If she had taken producer/associate producer credit with a diminished salary, she would have had better residuals. Archie Bunker's Place only ran for a few seasons but that money would have been nice.

When they were syndicating All in the Family, they came to Jean Stapleton with an offer, a lump sum that she accepted. A decade later, she said that the AITF money is long gone. If she had taken producer/associate producer credit with a diminished salary, she would have had better residuals. Archie Bunker's Place only ran for a few seasons but that money would have been nice.

I think Jean Stapleton was just done with Edith in 1980. She had nothing more to give to the character. I don't think she regretted leaving.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/57p9L3YUG8NKLCSiBG92S3

A new interview with Danielle Brisebois. The interview itself is awful, the interviewer obviously knew nothing about her and was too lazy to do real research so he just went off of Wiki which is pretty much useless.

With that said there is a little bit about Archie at starting 36:00. Danielle says when she joined the cast during Season 9 of AITF, she could tell Jean's heart was no longer in it.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/57p9L3YUG8NKLCSiBG92S3

A new interview with Danielle Brisebois. The interview itself is awful, the interviewer obviously knew nothing about her and was too lazy to do real research so he just went off of Wiki which is pretty much useless.

With at said there is a little bit about Archie at starting 36:00. Danielle says when she joined the cast during Season 9 of AITF, she could tell Jean's heart was no longer in it.


she was 9 in 1979, lol No one should take that seriously

she was 9 in 1979, lol No one should take that seriously

She'd been in showbiz 1/2 her life at that point so she wasn't a regular 9 year old girl. Plus kids are pretty preceptive, it wouldn't be that hard to tell who is all in and who is going thru the motions.

I think Jean Stapleton was just done with Edith in 1980. She had nothing more to give to the character. I don't think she regretted leaving.

Jean Stapleton from my understanding, agreed to appear in only six episodes of the first season of Archie Bunker's Place, and was willing to make a similar deal for Season 2.

But, it was decided that it was too awkward to explain Edith's absence for 16 out of 22 episodes. And Norman Lear and Carroll O'Connor thought that Archie being able to date might make for some interest story possibilities.

So Norman Lear if I have my facts straight, called Jean Stapleton, and told her that Edith was to be killed off. Edith of course, dies off-camera, and Season 2 begins in the aftermath of her funeral.