Would You Agree that Archie & Mike Were the STARS of All in the Family? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-31-2010, 10:27 PM

Also, that one without the other just didn't work well?

dakert · 05-31-2010, 10:52 PM

Brian, I would have you watch the episode where Archie gets locked in the basement.
Archie Bunker's Place ran for 3 or 4 years

Marvo301 · 05-31-2010, 11:01 PM

I look at All in the Family as an ensemble show with Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner all contributing equally.

tdr · 06-02-2010, 11:30 PM

First, the stars of a show are the leading actors, not the characters. And I don't know if anyone has ever counted the lines, but it's likely O'Connor and Reiner had the most, though maybe Stapleton was right there with them, due to such excessive storytelling and explanations. But as for the impact their characters contributed, they are #1 and #1A. Story must involve conflict (as we learn in English class), and the Archie-Mike conflicts were most in number, the most hostile, the most animated, and the longest winded. What they may not have been were the most relevant to the family living under that one roof; rather they were more microcosmic of the conflicts of the country at the time-- and as such they usually were not resolved by the conclusion of the episode. This is unlike Archie v. Edith, where Archie hurt her feelings with insults or actions; unlike Mike v. Gloria, which was always a battle about who should make the decision in question; and unlike Edith v. Gloria, which was most often about the more equal roles of wives/women... these were always resolved with a return-to-normalcy, which is a mark of the domestic comedy. But Archie and Mike never resolve their arguments about Vietnam, Nixon, the existence of God, welfare, race relations,... Their battles are longer and never-ending. In that way the actors which played them were more the stars in the size and relevance of their roles.

catlover79 · 06-03-2010, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I look at All in the Family as an ensemble show with Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner all contributing equally.

05-31-2010, 10:27 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: 63,107	Would You Agree that Archie & Mike Were the STARS of All in the Family? Also, that one without the other just didn't work well?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

05-31-2010, 11:01 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	I look at All in the Family as an ensemble show with Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, and Rob Reiner all contributing equally.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-31-2010, 10:52 PM	#2
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Brian, I would have you watch the episode where Archie gets locked in the basement. Archie Bunker's Place ran for 3 or 4 years

06-02-2010, 11:30 PM	#4
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	First, the stars of a show are the leading actors, not the characters. And I don't know if anyone has ever counted the lines, but it's likely O'Connor and Reiner had the most, though maybe Stapleton was right there with them, due to such excessive storytelling and explanations. But as for the impact their characters contributed, they are #1 and #1A. Story must involve conflict (as we learn in English class), and the Archie-Mike conflicts were most in number, the most hostile, the most animated, and the longest winded. What they may not have been were the most relevant to the family living under that one roof; rather they were more microcosmic of the conflicts of the country at the time-- and as such they usually were not resolved by the conclusion of the episode. This is unlike Archie v. Edith, where Archie hurt her feelings with insults or actions; unlike Mike v. Gloria, which was always a battle about who should make the decision in question; and unlike Edith v. Gloria, which was most often about the more equal roles of wives/women... these were always resolved with a return-to-normalcy, which is a mark of the domestic comedy. But Archie and Mike never resolve their arguments about Vietnam, Nixon, the existence of God, welfare, race relations,... Their battles are longer and never-ending. In that way the actors which played them were more the stars in the size and relevance of their roles.