I just started watcing AITF last year and I realized i only like to watch the show to see Archie, Mike, Lionel, and George Jefferson. Edith, Gloria and Louise were VERY VERY BORING. Edith was too dingy and Gloria was too whiny. Maude and Irene were pretty funny when they were on because they went back and forth with Archie but did anyone else besides me feel Mike and Archie carried the show from 71-78? After Mike leaves the show is boring.

Hmm, I think when I started watching the show I liked Archie the best. I would watch the show just to see Archie. As I got older, I started liking just about every character and just liking the show in general.

Originally posted by Jenny
Hmm, I think when I started watching the show I liked Archie the best. I would watch the show just to see Archie. As I got older, I started liking just about every character and just liking the show in general.

I think the Archie character overshadowed the dullness of Gloria and Edith. The Edith and Gloria characters were only funny when interacting with Archie. If they were talking to each other-I would fall quickly to sleep.

I Started watching when it came to Nick At Nite (Thats the way i usualy become a fan of old shows) And i just kinda like the show overall, Not really for any character. But my favorites are probably Archie and George Jefferson. Its a shame Archie never guest starred on the Jeffersons.

Originally posted by Chad Doody
I Started watching when it came to Nick At Nite (Thats the way i usualy become a fan of old shows) And i just kinda like the show overall, Not really for any character. But my favorites are probably Archie and George Jefferson. Its a shame Archie never guest starred on the Jeffersons.

I used to wonder the same thing about Archie, why he never guest starred on the Jeffersons. But after thinking about it, I know why. Since the Jeffersons did not like Archie, it would have made no sense for Archie to appear on the Jeffersons alone. The only AITF character I could have saw guest starring on the Jeffersons is Mike since him and Lionel were friends. But of course not Gloria, and Edith rarely went anywhere wihot Archie so to me it would have just been Mike Stivic.

Originally posted by SOLOMON


I used to wonder the same thing about Archie, why he never guest starred on the Jeffersons. But after thinking about it, I know why. Since the Jeffersons did not like Archie, it would have made no sense for Archie to appear on the Jeffersons alone. The only AITF character I could have saw guest starring on the Jeffersons is Mike since him and Lionel were friends. But of course not Gloria, and Edith rarely went anywhere wihot Archie so to me it would have just been Mike Stivic.

True, But i still think they could have had him fit in some episode. Like say Archie and Edith were in the area for something and Edith drags Archie to visit the Jeffersons, Since Edith and Louise were quite close. Even though Archie doesent want to he finally gives in and goes with Edith to visit them. I Think Archie could have had some funny scenes with George, The Willis's, Mr. Bentley and especially Florence. Could you imagine an Archie and Florence conversation? :lol:

Originally posted by Chad Doody


True, But i still think they could have had him fit in some episode. Like say Archie and Edith were in the area for something and Edith drags Archie to visit the Jeffersons, Since Edith and Louise were quite close. Even though Archie doesent want to he finally gives in and goes with Edith to visit them. I Think Archie could have had some funny scenes with George, The Willis's, Mr. Bentley and especially Florence. Could you imagine an Archie and Florence conversation? :lol:


Yes Archie and Florence would have been a true classic scene. My mom was in her early 20's when the Jeffersons started and she thought the Bukers would have appeared in a Jeffersons episode during the mid-season of 74-75 but she said when she didn't see them on the Jeffersons by 1977, she figured they would never guest appear on the jeffersons.

I think the reason we never anyone from AITF on the Jeffersons is that Norman may have the wanted the show to stand on its own, or maybe Carroll didn't want to for some reason. Still we really missed out because this was a crossover that made sense.
Even though Archie didn't like the Jeffersons there were many possibilities that could have dragged him over there, even after Edith died.

I would have loved to see Archie enter the Jeffersons apartment by surprise and Florence say "Whos this honky?"

During the 90's the networks carried it to the other extreme when characters from different shows would show up on the other as a sweeps stunt (like Chandler from "Friends" showing up on "Caroline in the City" and it really got ridiculous.

I hate to agree with this because it sounds chauvenistic, but Archie and Mike did carry AITF. Edith was wonderful also, of course, but she could never have carried the show without Archie. Gloria was wonderful because of her interaction with the other characters but when she did her own show it bombed. Archie was not as effective in ABP without the rest of the family but he could still carry the show to some extent.

Originally posted by jon123
I think the reason we never anyone from AITF on the Jeffersons is that Norman may have the wanted the show to stand on its own, or maybe Carroll didn't want to for some reason. Still we really missed out because this was a crossover that made sense.
Even though Archie didn't like the Jeffersons there were many possibilities that could have dragged him over there, even after Edith died.

I would have loved to see Archie enter the Jeffersons apartment by surprise and Florence say "Whos this honky?"

During the 90's the networks carried it to the other extreme when characters from different shows would show up on the other as a sweeps stunt (like Chandler from "Friends" showing up on "Caroline in the City" and it really got ridiculous.

I hate to agree with this because it sounds chauvenistic, but Archie and Mike did carry AITF. Edith was wonderful also, of course, but she could never have carried the show without Archie. Gloria was wonderful because of her interaction with the other characters but when she did her own show it bombed. Archie was not as effective in ABP without the rest of the family but he could still carry the show to some extent.


Archie did like Lionel but wasn't crazy about George and Louise.

Originally posted by SOLOMON



Archie did like Lionel but wasn't crazy about George and Louise.

Archie didnt really mind Louise either, But he HATED George.

Originally posted by Chad Doody


Archie didnt really mind Louise either, But he HATED George.

I never saw a pleasant conversation between Archie and Louise. And the only time I seen a pleasant conversation between Archie and George is when George guest starred in Mike's New Job episode.

The first five years of AITF was very good with the four principal characters under the same roof. Once Mike and Gloria moved next door the dynamics was not quite the same. It was somewhat rekindled when Archie and Edith had to stay with the Stivic's when some work was being done on their home. The same dynamics came back with the exception that it was in Mike's house. I loved it when Mike told Archie to get out of his chair. Classic of turnabout is fair play. Now watching the repeats as an older adult shows the true interaction of a family and the dynamics of it. Especially once the character of Gloria was better develop from the second season it was good. The season where it peaked was season four. Surprisingly the three parter where Archie was missiing (Carroll O'Connor's battle for more money season) Edith, Gloria and Mike held their own very well without Archie. I cannot imagine what would had happened to the show if O'Connor did not come back. It would not had been the same.

If Carroll had left the show, it would have been gone in a year. There could be no AITF without Archie Bunker, just as much as there could be no I Love Lucy without Lucy. Archie was still the focus of that three part episode even though he was missing from most of it. As sad as it was when Edith died on ABP, had Archie died first it would have been sadder to see Edith mourn Archie and I don't think it would be watchable.

I agree the best seasons were when all four lived under the same roof, but of course that couldn't continue forever-this show was as close to real life as we will ever see on TV.

Originally posted by jon123
If Carroll had left the show, it would have been gone in a year. There could be no AITF without Archie Bunker, just as much as there could be no I Love Lucy without Lucy. Archie was still the focus of that three part episode even though he was missing from most of it. As sad as it was when Edith died on ABP, had Archie died first it would have been sadder to see Edith mourn Archie and I don't think it would be watchable.

I agree the best seasons were when all four lived under the same roof, but of course that couldn't continue forever-this show was as close to real life as we will ever see on TV.

Yep, I agree with you. Everything you said, I agree with.

I never cared for Gloria or Michael. Edith is ok. I ADORE Archie, and his interactions with Stephanie. I usually only watch the later eps. with Stephanie in them. And then, of course, ABP because of the Stephanie/Archie interactions. Archie makes such a cute dad.

I also LOVE George Jefferson.

Originally posted by CollegeGirl
I never cared for Gloria or Michael. Edith is ok. I ADORE Archie, and his interactions with Stephanie. I usually only watch the later eps. with Stephanie in them. And then, of course, ABP because of the Stephanie/Archie interactions. Archie makes such a cute dad.

I also LOVE George Jefferson.

yeah Archie was wild. I liked his interactions with Maude and George Jefferson