"All In The Family" script recycled on "Good Times" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 05-11-2004, 03:11 PM

On the last episode of TV Land Moguls, they were talking with All In The Family director John Rich about how Carroll O' Connor was asking for an astronomical salary increase, which prompted he and producer Norman Lear to have a script written about the death of Archie Bunker. This way if O' Connor persisted, they could show him the script and get him to back down.

Rich says that Lear and O' Connor ended up compromising and O' Connor was never shown the script. However, when they decided to write the character of James Evans (John Amos) out of Good Times, they used the Death Of Archie Bunker script and rewrote it accordingly.

It's funny these things that happen behind the scenes that you never find out until years later. It's also funny because the Good Times writers merely had to retool an existing script. Hilarious!

jamesanthony · 05-11-2004, 03:33 PM

I can't imagine Edith doing the DAMN DAMN DAMN thing though.

I remember the 3 part Archie goes missing storyline. The Jeffesons were in it. If Archie was killed the show would have had to end automatically. O'Connor knew how to play his hand in asking for more money.

marvin g · 05-11-2004, 09:30 PM

Interesting post!

Dr. Thong · 05-13-2004, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I can't imagine Edith doing the DAMN DAMN DAMN thing though.

I remember the 3 part Archie goes missing storyline. The Jeffesons were in it. If Archie was killed the show would have had to end automatically. O'Connor knew how to play his hand in asking for more money.

I'm sure Edith's dialogue was phrased differently.

And yes, the Archie goes missing script was done because of one of O' Connor's attempts to squeeze more money out of Norman Lear. However, Lear was not planning to end the show - Archie would have been buried and after a time, Edith would be thrown back into the dating world.

If you don't believe me, read Donna McCrohan's book Archie & Edith, Mike & Gloria, an excellent read about what went on behind the scenes at AITF. I don't know if the book is still in print, but it's worth getting if you can find it.

And I think the show would have collapsed without O' Connor...one way or the other. Personally, once Mike and Gloria went to California, the show was never the same and when Edith died, it was truly over.

jamesanthony · 05-13-2004, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
I'm sure Edith's dialogue was phrased differently.

And yes, the Archie goes missing script was done because of one of O' Connor's attempts to squeeze more money out of Norman Lear. However, Lear was not planning to end the show - Archie would have been buried and after a time, Edith would be thrown back into the dating world.

And I think the show would have collapsed without O' Connor...one way or the other. Personally, once Mike and Gloria went to California, the show was never the same and when Edith died, it was truly over.

I can't imagine this show without Archie. It would have ended right away without him. As for Edith dating I can't even fathom such a thing.

The show lost something when the children moved out of the house, there were still decent episodes but it wasn't any where near as strong, and it should've ended when they moved to California.

Dr. Thong · 05-13-2004, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
The show lost something when the children moved out of the house, there were still decent episodes but it wasn't any where near as strong, and it should've ended when they moved to California.

James"Thunder"Early · 05-16-2004, 11:13 PM

I think Edith would have said Damn, Damn, Damn. If Archie had died then they would have had Edith act out of character. I've never seen this episode of Good Times, my mom told me about it.

05-11-2004, 03:11 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	"All In The Family" script recycled on "Good Times" On the last episode of TV Land Moguls, they were talking with All In The Family director John Rich about how Carroll O' Connor was asking for an astronomical salary increase, which prompted he and producer Norman Lear to have a script written about the death of Archie Bunker. This way if O' Connor persisted, they could show him the script and get him to back down. Rich says that Lear and O' Connor ended up compromising and O' Connor was never shown the script. However, when they decided to write the character of James Evans (John Amos) out of Good Times, they used the Death Of Archie Bunker script and rewrote it accordingly. It's funny these things that happen behind the scenes that you never find out until years later. It's also funny because the Good Times writers merely had to retool an existing script. Hilarious!
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

05-11-2004, 03:33 PM	#2
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	I can't imagine Edith doing the DAMN DAMN DAMN thing though. I remember the 3 part Archie goes missing storyline. The Jeffesons were in it. If Archie was killed the show would have had to end automatically. O'Connor knew how to play his hand in asking for more money.

05-11-2004, 09:30 PM	#3
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	Interesting post!

05-16-2004, 11:13 PM	#7
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	I think Edith would have said Damn, Damn, Damn. If Archie had died then they would have had Edith act out of character. I've never seen this episode of Good Times, my mom told me about it.