Bringing Back Mike ("The Meathead") - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 02-08-2020, 05:57 PM

Knowing that the show was facing a likely cancellation, a meeting was held in 1983 with Norman Lear, Carroll O' Connor and other show personnel regarding some ways the show could be revitalized.

One idea that was put forward was that Rob Reiner could return as Mike for some episodes, bringing back the contentious relationship between him and Archie, especially where Mike and Gloria were now divorced.

Was Rob Reiner actually contacted about this? And would it have been feasible, as Reiner was directing This is Spinal Tap? Maybe he would have returned as a favor to Norman Lear and Carroll O' Connor, but how would they explain Mike's return?

I read about the meeting in a TV Guide article that appeared in a summer 1983 issue that was a "farewell to Archie" cover story.

70s show watcher · 02-08-2020, 08:40 PM

he once said in an interview that he was contaced but that his gut instinc tolt him to turn it down dispite the bucketload of money that he was offferd

MikeLutton · 02-09-2020, 09:43 PM

he schould of went with ABP it would of been cool to see him back there make it more intresting.

Yong Fang · 02-11-2020, 11:32 AM

Archie Bunker's Place has ran its course by then. Caroll OConnor was the only original cast member, Martin Balsam moved on, and Archie the character mellowed out on his views, and it was the 1980's and not the 1970's.

80s Dude · 02-11-2020, 06:01 PM

Rob Reiner was busy with his "This is Spinal Tap" movie project at this time. He had no time to rescue a dying show.

Dr. Thong · 02-11-2020, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

Archie Bunker's Place has ran its course by then. Caroll OConnor was the only original cast member, Martin Balsam moved on, and Archie the character mellowed out on his views, and it was the 1980's and not the 1970's.

I can't say I disagree, but CBS should have let them come back in the fall and do a one-hour final episode and say a proper goodbye to the fans.

Greenbeans · 02-11-2020, 10:51 PM

I never, ever bought the Mike/Gloria divorce. It was to give Rob Reiner an out and Sally Struthers a shot at a TV show. I never believed Mike would leave his family for a commune. The affair storyline was awful as well. Once Gloria and Mike left the Bunker's house, it was a mess. At the time, they both wanted off the show. When they left, that should have ended it.

Dr. Thong · 02-12-2020, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenbeans

I never, ever bought the Mike/Gloria divorce. It was to give Rob Reiner an out and Sally Struthers a shot at a TV show. I never believed Mike would leave his family for a commune. The affair storyline was awful as well. Once Gloria and Mike left the Bunker's house, it was a mess. At the time, they both wanted off the show. When they left, that should have ended it.

Yeah, their relationship seemed to go to hell once they left the show, especially when Gloria returned home with Joey to embark on a new life as a single mom.

When Mike left, Archie said to him "You take care of them" and Mike replied, "You never have to worry about that." He meant it.

Yeah, him running off with a young hippie chick to a commune never rang true and ultimately, Gloria would never return to ABP after her one appearance (there was a behind the scenes reason for this that's been addressed elsewhere), so all it seemed to do was trash the relationship so they could give Sally Struthers her own show.

In retrospect, one thing that I keep going back to is: Why weren't Mike and Gloria in the season two opener, which took place after Edith's passing? I know the funeral had already happened, but you think that they would stick around for a little while to make sure Archie was okay.

DJM77 · 02-12-2020, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Gloria would never return to ABP after her one appearance (there was a behind the scenes reason for this that's been addressed elsewhere)

Got a link?

Dr. Thong · 02-13-2020, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

Got a link?

I don't. But a google search should find the results.

DJM77 · 02-13-2020, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I don't. But a google search should find the results.

I can't find anything. I guess I'm not entering the right search words.

TVFactFan · 02-24-2020, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Knowing that the show was facing a likely cancellation, a meeting was held in 1983 with Norman Lear, Carroll O' Connor and other show personnel regarding some ways the show could be revitalized.

One idea that was put forward was that Rob Reiner could return as Mike for some episodes, bringing back the contentious relationship between him and Archie, especially where Mike and Gloria were now divorced.

Was Rob Reiner actually contacted about this? And would it have been feasible, as Reiner was directing This is Spinal Tap? Maybe he would have returned as a favor to Norman Lear and Carroll O' Connor, but how would they explain Mike's return?

I read about the meeting in a TV Guide article that appeared in a summer 1983 issue that was a "farewell to Archie" cover story.

After the character left Gloria for another woman?

Dr. Thong · 02-24-2020, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

After the character left Gloria for another woman?

Yep. They were desperate to keep the show going.

The key word is desperation.

Shortly after that, the show was cancelled.

CBS gave Carroll O' Connor the option of taking credit for the decision and he balked at it, saying he never would have done that to the cast, crew, and the fans.

TVFactFan · 02-24-2020, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

Yep. They were desperate to keep the show going.

The key word is desperation.

Shortly after that, the show was cancelled.

CBS gave Carroll O' Connor the option of taking credit for the decision and he balked at it, saying he never would have done that to the cast, crew, and the fans.

Maybe they forgot that the show Gloria was based off Mike leaving her

Dr. Thong · 02-26-2020, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Maybe they forgot that the show Gloria was based off Mike leaving her

You could be right.

The way I see it, Mike would come back to visit Joey and maybe decides he wants to move back to NY so he can see his son regularly.

This would put Mike back in Archie's line of fire.

I could see Archie saying something like, "You promised me you were going to take care of them and you walk out on them for some yippie?"

02-08-2020, 05:57 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Bringing Back Mike ("The Meathead") Knowing that the show was facing a likely cancellation, a meeting was held in 1983 with Norman Lear, Carroll O' Connor and other show personnel regarding some ways the show could be revitalized. One idea that was put forward was that Rob Reiner could return as Mike for some episodes, bringing back the contentious relationship between him and Archie, especially where Mike and Gloria were now divorced. Was Rob Reiner actually contacted about this? And would it have been feasible, as Reiner was directing This is Spinal Tap? Maybe he would have returned as a favor to Norman Lear and Carroll O' Connor, but how would they explain Mike's return? I read about the meeting in a TV Guide article that appeared in a summer 1983 issue that was a "farewell to Archie" cover story.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

02-09-2020, 09:43 PM	#3
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,884	he schould of went with ABP it would of been cool to see him back there make it more intresting.
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

02-08-2020, 08:40 PM	#2
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	he once said in an interview that he was contaced but that his gut instinc tolt him to turn it down dispite the bucketload of money that he was offferd

02-11-2020, 11:32 AM	#4
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Archie Bunker's Place has ran its course by then. Caroll OConnor was the only original cast member, Martin Balsam moved on, and Archie the character mellowed out on his views, and it was the 1980's and not the 1970's.

02-11-2020, 06:01 PM	#5
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,811	Rob Reiner was busy with his "This is Spinal Tap" movie project at this time. He had no time to rescue a dying show.

02-11-2020, 10:51 PM	#7
Greenbeans Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 13, 2018 Posts: 197	I never, ever bought the Mike/Gloria divorce. It was to give Rob Reiner an out and Sally Struthers a shot at a TV show. I never believed Mike would leave his family for a commune. The affair storyline was awful as well. Once Gloria and Mike left the Bunker's house, it was a mess. At the time, they both wanted off the show. When they left, that should have ended it.