Yes. Once Jean Stapleton refused to renew another contract, & was “dead”—the show was finished. I think the only thing that could have saved it was getting a very strong replacement for Edith, whether it be a relative or a housekeeper. Billie Bunker & Ms Canby didn’t cut the mustard, sorry. They needed a Nancy Walker, Alice Ghostley or a Kaye Ballard. They also should have recycled their awesome A list of characters from AITF. There are 3 or 4 I can think of from just one episode (Edith’s high school reunion episode) off the top of my head.
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