The rape of Edith Bunker......... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

senor boogie woogi · 09-05-2008, 03:07 AM

Howdy!

Was the airing of the episode where Edith Bunker almost gets raped contreversial at the time that it aired? I personally thought it was way over the line personally. Norman Lear just wanted to see how far he could go.

Besides, it's Edith Bunker. Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.

Senor

treky · 09-05-2008, 03:36 AM

I haven't seen that one in YEARS,-I think the last time I saw it was when CBS used to rerun the series in the mornings back in 1979-and I saw it when it first aired in 1977 or 78, but from what I can recall, I don't think so.

TJL · 09-05-2008, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senor boogie woogi

Besides, it's Edith Bunker. Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.

Senor

Rape jokes? Really?

You really should work on your material Senor.

ThomasE · 09-05-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senor boogie woogi

Howdy!

Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.

Senor

Whoa!

You went there, huh?

TV_Forever · 09-14-2008, 08:53 AM

The episodes in question were used back in the day at woman's shelters. I don't know exactly why they would have been, I just recall hearing and or reading someplace about AITF that they were used. Also after the episode the gentleman who played the rapist (David Dukes) I had heard that many people told him to his face just how displeased they were about him trying to rape Edith. I have heard in some cases threats were made and punches came.

I don't have anything concrete because I can't remember whether I read it someplace and clipped the article or just saw it in discussions, sorry.

There are many people who loved Edith as a character so much, they easily forgot these were characters. That can be attributed to the fine acting of Jean.

At any rate LOL sorry if this is just wasted space...that's not my intention

Rockapella722 · 09-20-2008, 11:51 AM

Hey, guys.

I'm a TV/Film major at the University of Wisconsin and we recently watched "part 1" of this episode for a screening. As a rather big AITF fan, I had tears in my eyes by the end. (I haven't seen this episode before, which is weird.) But they didn't show us "part 2" for some ridiculous reason! UGH! I am DYING to see the rest. Is it possible to watch it anywhere online? I realize this is kind of difficult since season 8 isn't out on DVD yet...

Thanks for any help, guys!

~Kt

Schmoopie · 09-22-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by senor boogie woogi

Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.
Senor

I'm sorry... I know that this is going to make me sound so horrible, but I was laughing so hard I was crying when I read that sentence. It sounded to me like it was talking about Sally Struthers' weight gain, rather than rape. Please forgive me, though. I just found that line about her eating the bed hysterical!

Now I'm going to go hide my head in shame... and try not to laugh...)

Andrea

Hughsgirl · 09-22-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I'm sorry... I know that this is going to make me sound so horrible, but I was laughing so hard I was crying when I read that sentence. It sounded to me like it was talking about Sally Struthers' weight gain, rather than rape. Please forgive me, though. I just found that line about her eating the bed hysterical!

Now I'm going to go hide my head in shame... and try not to laugh...)

Andrea

I couldn't help but snicker at that crack about the bed too, but that idiot has been banned and probably for good reason, rape is not a laughing matter. It seemed he would excuse that behavior if it was Gloria being attacked rather then Edith and I'm sure it had to do with the age like alot of people don't understand that ANY woman is not safe when it comes to rape!

Schmoopie · 09-23-2008, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

I couldn't help but snicker at that crack about the bed too, but that idiot has been banned and probably for good reason, rape is not a laughing matter. It seemed he would excuse that behavior if it was Gloria being attacked rather then Edith and I'm sure it had to do with the age like alot of people don't understand that ANY woman is not safe when it comes to rape!

Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Just to change the subject though. Edith wasn't really raped, was she? My husband and I were talking about this and it seems to us that she was just attacked. I remember her throwing that pot of hot water or something that was baking in the attacker's face, but it's been a really long time since I've seen this episode.

Andrea

BTW, Hughsgirl... welcome to the board! Love your avatar!

Hughsgirl · 09-23-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Just to change the subject though. Edith wasn't really raped, was she? My husband and I were talking about this and it seems to us that she was just attacked. I remember her throwing that pot of hot water or something that was baking in the attacker's face, but it's been a really long time since I've seen this episode.

Andrea

BTW, Hughsgirl... welcome to the board! Love your avatar!

Thanks for the welcome! No, Edith wasn't raped, she managed to trick him into the kitchen where she was baking a cake that was actually burning and she through it in his face. The second part showed the effects it had on her, it was very realistic.

Mikado · 09-23-2008, 03:51 PM

I saw it once, the first time, havent watched it since, dont want to...yes it went over the line, but, maybe it was a story that needed to be told; mainly that rape is a crime of hate against women, and that you didnt have to be beautiful or wear short skirts (The old rapist was "enticed" defense, used by defense lawyers everywhere)to be a victim of this crime.

Hughsgirl · 09-25-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

I saw it once, the first time, havent watched it since, dont want to...yes it went over the line, but, maybe it was a story that needed to be told; mainly that rape is a crime of hate against women, and that you didnt have to be beautiful or wear short skirts (The old rapist was "enticed" defense, used by defense lawyers everywhere)to be a victim of this crime.

Yeah, wasn't that outrageous that a lawyer could sleep with himself at night trying to make an argument like that by turning the tables and saying the victim "enticed" the man? I'm glad times have changed in that sense.

Don Howard · 10-14-2008, 01:10 AM

While the scene was being filmed, the actor recalled on E! True Hollywood Story how the audience was growling at him when it was clear he was not going to be "a funny rapist". The growling and hatred he felt was as he was pulling the zipper down on the back of Edith's dress.

comedyfreak · 11-01-2008, 09:02 AM

I think the ep killed his career, it's my favorite episode of the whole series.

JAlanRuss72 · 11-01-2008, 10:12 AM

This episode is rather difficult to watch, even today, which shows how realistic and ahead of its time it was. The 1970s had some truly groundbreaking material woven into its sitcoms. (BTW that comment about SS EATING the bed made me laugh too- sorry)

09-05-2008, 03:07 AM	#1
senor boogie woogi Banned Banned!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Posts: 107	The rape of Edith Bunker......... Howdy! Was the airing of the episode where Edith Bunker almost gets raped contreversial at the time that it aired? I personally thought it was way over the line personally. Norman Lear just wanted to see how far he could go. Besides, it's Edith Bunker. Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed. Senor

09-05-2008, 03:36 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I haven't seen that one in YEARS,-I think the last time I saw it was when CBS used to rerun the series in the mornings back in 1979-and I saw it when it first aired in 1977 or 78, but from what I can recall, I don't think so.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

09-14-2008, 08:53 AM	#5
TV_Forever Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2005 Posts: 184	From what I have heard... The episodes in question were used back in the day at woman's shelters. I don't know exactly why they would have been, I just recall hearing and or reading someplace about AITF that they were used. Also after the episode the gentleman who played the rapist (David Dukes) I had heard that many people told him to his face just how displeased they were about him trying to rape Edith. I have heard in some cases threats were made and punches came. I don't have anything concrete because I can't remember whether I read it someplace and clipped the article or just saw it in discussions, sorry. There are many people who loved Edith as a character so much, they easily forgot these were characters. That can be attributed to the fine acting of Jean. At any rate LOL sorry if this is just wasted space...that's not my intention

09-20-2008, 11:51 AM	#6
Rockapella722 .B.A.D.G.E.R. .G.I.R.L. Senior Member Join Date: Oct 28, 2001 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,489	Hey, guys. I'm a TV/Film major at the University of Wisconsin and we recently watched "part 1" of this episode for a screening. As a rather big AITF fan, I had tears in my eyes by the end. (I haven't seen this episode before, which is weird.) But they didn't show us "part 2" for some ridiculous reason! UGH! I am DYING to see the rest. Is it possible to watch it anywhere online? I realize this is kind of difficult since season 8 isn't out on DVD yet... Thanks for any help, guys! ~Kt
	__________________ ...Queer Eye For The Straight Guy... "You guys, look. This is my pile of stuff I don't like..... is it getting too big?" -Thom Filicia \| livejournal \| email \|

11-01-2008, 09:02 AM	#14
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,060	I think the ep killed his career, it's my favorite episode of the whole series.
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09-23-2008, 03:51 PM	#11
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,886	I saw it once, the first time, havent watched it since, dont want to...yes it went over the line, but, maybe it was a story that needed to be told; mainly that rape is a crime of hate against women, and that you didnt have to be beautiful or wear short skirts (The old rapist was "enticed" defense, used by defense lawyers everywhere)to be a victim of this crime.

10-14-2008, 01:10 AM	#13
Don Howard Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 13, 2008 Location: Dover, Ohio Posts: 55	While the scene was being filmed, the actor recalled on E! True Hollywood Story how the audience was growling at him when it was clear he was not going to be "a funny rapist". The growling and hatred he felt was as he was pulling the zipper down on the back of Edith's dress.

11-01-2008, 10:12 AM	#15
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	This episode is rather difficult to watch, even today, which shows how realistic and ahead of its time it was. The 1970s had some truly groundbreaking material woven into its sitcoms. (BTW that comment about SS EATING the bed made me laugh too- sorry)
	__________________ Jeff Russell Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Jrussell1972