Who Knew? 'All In The Family' Was Originally Planned to Be Filmed in Black & White??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-26-2011, 10:18 PM

# Series producer Norman Lear wanted the show to be shot in black and white, but CBS refused to allow this.

All I can say is thank goodness, CBS balked at this idea. I think it would have been unwatchable as a black & white sitcom/ dramedy

http://sharetv.org/shows/all_in_the_family/trivia

Adamantium · 03-27-2011, 12:37 AM

I imagine Lear's thinking was this was supposed to be a typical family sitcom turned sideways. So it's got the classic black & white look to it (like many shows in the two decades before were) but has a family no one had ever seen before - the Bunkers.

Brian Damage · 03-27-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

I imagine Lear's thinking was this was supposed to be a typical family sitcom turned sideways. So it's got the classic black & white look to it (like many shows in the two decades before were) but has a family no one had ever seen before - the Bunkers.

I didn't think of it that way. So essentially, it was sort of like a spoof on a show like say, 'Leave it to Beaver.' Maybe spoof is the wrong word, but I get what Lear's vision was. Interesting.

Adamantium · 03-28-2011, 01:13 AM

It's still best the way it turned out - in color. Who knows if it would have gotten as popular if it were shot in black and white? In fact, I'm betting it would not of been as big a hit in black & white.

LittleRickyII · 03-28-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

# Series producer Norman Lear wanted the show to be shot in black and white, but CBS refused to allow this.

All I can say is thank goodness, CBS balked at this idea. I think it would have been unwatchable as a black & white sitcom/ dramedy

http://sharetv.org/shows/all_in_the_family/trivia

So when he didn't get his way to film the show in black and white, is that what made him decide to make the Bunker home as drab looking as possible?

Gina_lynn · 03-28-2011, 11:45 PM

That would have been an interesting spin ...

03-26-2011, 10:18 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Who Knew? 'All In The Family' Was Originally Planned to Be Filmed in Black & White??? # Series producer Norman Lear wanted the show to be shot in black and white, but CBS refused to allow this. All I can say is thank goodness, CBS balked at this idea. I think it would have been unwatchable as a black & white sitcom/ dramedy http://sharetv.org/shows/all_in_the_family/trivia
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03-27-2011, 12:37 AM	#2
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,817	I imagine Lear's thinking was this was supposed to be a typical family sitcom turned sideways. So it's got the classic black & white look to it (like many shows in the two decades before were) but has a family no one had ever seen before - the Bunkers.

03-28-2011, 01:13 AM	#4
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,817	It's still best the way it turned out - in color. Who knows if it would have gotten as popular if it were shot in black and white? In fact, I'm betting it would not of been as big a hit in black & white.

03-28-2011, 11:45 PM	#6
Gina_lynn Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2011 Location: Montana Posts: 9	That would have been an interesting spin ...