Okay, now, on my season 1 DVD, I watch the "Pilot" called "Meet the Bunkers", and Edith acts WAY out of character BTW. But what's weird is, I watch that episode, then some other season 1 episodes, and you know how Archie has grayer hair and Edith's voice wasn't all high yet, and her hair's different early in the 1st season? Well, in this "Pilot", they look like they do in the end of the first season and maybe a little before the second season. Did they really tape "Meet the Bunkers" first? Does this have anything to do with the show "Those Were the Days" where Mike and Gloria were played by different peoples?

I've never seen the episode you're referring to, but most show's early episodes are different than the later ones. It takes a while for actors to establish their characters and get their footing.
If you watch the first few episodes of the majority of shows, you'll find differences such as voice inflection, mannerisms, personalities, etc.
Actors personalities are toned down or toned up, all sorts of stuff.

Originally posted by Janice
I've never seen the episode you're referring to, but most show's early episodes are different than the later ones. It takes a while for actors to establish their characters and get their footing.
If you watch the first few episodes of the majority of shows, you'll find differences such as voice inflection, mannerisms, personalities, etc.
Actors personalities are toned down or toned up, all sorts of stuff.


Ditto. I'm glad they toned down Edith's sarcasm from the first few eps.

I think it's only natural that characters are rewritten/rethought when a series is in its nascent stages of development. Edith seems almost defiant in the first episode ("Of course Mr. Religion here didn't see eye-to-eye with the Reverend."). Making her more docile made for a better contrast (and better balance) against 3 opinionated individuals.

No no no, I know all about the characters changing from season to season (And Ep. to ep. in 1st season). What I mean is, the second epsode, third, fourth, and maybe a few more all have that same "AITF First Season" look; but "Meet the Bunkers" (the "Pilot") has the "End of the First Season"/"Beginning of Second Season" look. I just wondered why.

Originally posted by ClesStahn

No no no, I know all about the characters changing from season to season (And Ep. to ep. in 1st season). What I mean is, the second epsode, third, fourth, and maybe a few more all have that same "AITF First Season" look; but "Meet the Bunkers" (the "Pilot") has the "End of the First Season"/"Beginning of Second Season" look. I just wondered why.

You beat me to it. I was going to tell everyone that's what you were asking in the beginning. Anyways, since no one else has answer the real question yet, I'll just say that I have never heard of a pilot taped after they start making episode for the series. I'm not an expert on this though. But the whole point of the pilot is to jumpstart the series--see if it does well, then they can fund further tapings. Otherwise, making some pilot later defeats the purpose.

It's interesting that the show went back and forth from the pilot though. I'd like to see it myself someday.

Since the original pilot had a different Meathead and Gloria, maybe they re-filmed it once it looked like the series was going to be picked up so that the syndication package was complete? Just a theory.