Bill Cosby Never Understood 'All in The Family's' Popularity - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-17-2010, 10:24 AM

In the mid 1980s I recall seeing comedian Bill Cosby on the Phil Donahue talk show. He was pushing his own mediocre sitcom, at the time, and as it had been #1 in the ratings, for a few years, it was drawing comparisons to Norman Lear’s breakthrough comedy, All In The Family, from over a decade earlier, which similarly had been a ratings titan. Cosby then showed off both his envy and stupidity when, on national tv, he declared that he did not think All In The Family a good show because its lead character Archie Bunker was an unapologetic bigot. Yet, that was the POINT! The show’s episodes did not follow in the now noxious habit of tidying up every episode at its ending. Similarly, like most real world bigots, Archie Bunker was unrepentant, although late in the series run, viewers found out part of Archie’s bigotry stemmed from emotional sufferings he endured as a poor Great Depression era child.

http://www.cosmoetica.com/B874-DES691.htm

USATVFAN · 08-17-2010, 10:47 AM

It's Pretty clear that Bill Cosby does not like any Television Show that he not in. He hate just about every TV show that ever aired.

Hughsgirl · 08-20-2010, 10:21 AM

Archie Bunker offended alot people of all races so this doesn't surprise me that Bill Cosby had issues with the show. I, however absolutely loved Archie Bunker and found him hilarious. Being a Catholic and a Polock, I laughed even harder at those jokes. LOL!

Benno123 · 08-20-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hughsgirl

Archie Bunker offended alot people of all races so this doesn't surprise me that Bill Cosby had issues with the show. I, however absolutely loved Archie Bunker and found him hilarious. Being a Catholic and a Polock, I laughed even harder at those jokes. LOL!

Why is it that us Catholics love a Catholic joke?

MickeyMac · 08-20-2010, 04:58 PM

I like Bill Cosby because he is a humanitarian, but sometimes he is too much of a goody two shoes. Then again maybe he was jealous because All In The Family is a good show, and Cosby was one of the worst shows in history.

Adamantium · 08-20-2010, 05:37 PM

It's clear that Cosby goes more for the gentle humor, as shown in all of his shows. I think this was an important show in the history of television, but it's not for everyone.

Retro4Life · 08-20-2010, 05:57 PM

That's kind of funny because I never understood the appeal of "The Cosby Show" myself.

AITF was reality while the Cosby show was pure fantasy. Worse, it was fantasy masquerading as reality. Like most of you I do like Bill Cosby (particularly his albums) but his self-righteousness and smugness can be grating. I'm sorry he can't appreciate AITF for what it is.

Hughsgirl · 08-23-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benno123

Why is it that us Catholics love a Catholic joke?

We have a good sense of humor? LOL!

lucyandethel · 08-26-2010, 05:00 PM

"The Cosby Show" was one of the most overhyped shows of all-time. 25 years later, I still don't get what the big deal was....

OH Nuts! · 08-26-2010, 05:33 PM

The thing with Archie is that he insulted people across-the-board; he was an "equal opportunity bigot", a charcterization that seems oxymoronic.

That Bill Cosby takes the stance he does, shows he missed the whole point of the show. And if he doesn't think AITF is all that, he's entitled to his opinion. I'm sure we could find people who thought Citizen Kane wasn't that great - or I Love Lucy - or Casablanca, etc. But MOST people do seem to agree that AITF was one of the greatest shows ever. And I'm one of them!

I 'm with lucyandethel, Cosby's show never rang my bell either. If someone gave me the entire Cosby's series I'd trade it for an ep of AITF in a nannosecond.

biffbronson · 08-27-2010, 03:58 PM

I actually preferred "A Different World" over "The Cosby Show," so I guess I was thankful for the spinoff.

As far as AITF, I would have Cosby watch some of the best episodes (like the refrigerator repair ep with Ken Lynch) and let him try not to admit that at times it was GENIUS...! I think the series had its share of quiet moments and subtle, gentle humor as well. And most importantly it tended to be downright funny!

OH Nuts! · 08-27-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I actually preferred "A Different World" over "The Cosby Show," so I guess I was thankful for the spinoff.

As far as AITF, I would have Cosby watch some of the best episodes (like the refrigerator repair ep with Ken Lynch) and let him try not to admit that at times it was GENIUS...! I think the series had its share of quiet moments and subtle, gentle humor as well. And most importantly it tended to be downright funny!

It is a LONG list of what was sooo good about AITF...Cosby Shmosby...his show couldn't hold a candle to AITF never ever ever imho

MickeyMac · 08-27-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

"The Cosby Show" was one of the most overhyped shows of all-time. 25 years later, I still don't get what the big deal was....

Thank you

Its nice to see someone who loathes that show as much as I do.

LUNCH · 12-10-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

"The Cosby Show" was one of the most overhyped shows of all-time. 25 years later, I still don't get what the big deal was....

I agree.The Cosby show was boring, bland and very,very over-rated.All In The Family is a brilliant show.You cannot even compare the two.I never understood why The Cosby Show did so well in the ratings.One good thing I can say about The Cosby Show is it's probably better than any show they make nowadays,but that really is not saying much.

Goldilocks · 12-10-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

That's kind of funny because I never understood the appeal of "The Cosby Show" myself.

AITF was reality while the Cosby show was pure fantasy. Worse, it was fantasy masquerading as reality.

This ^!

Plus, it was subtlely racist in a more offensive manner than All in the Family EVER was...with the whole "We are successful BLACK people and we want to rub it in WHITE America's faces....ha ha ha! "

Now it was never racist in the way George Lopez was (portraying white folk as dumb and shallow) but like has been said, the "smugness" of it all.

08-17-2010, 10:24 AM	#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	Bill Cosby Never Understood 'All in The Family's' Popularity In the mid 1980s I recall seeing comedian Bill Cosby on the Phil Donahue talk show. He was pushing his own mediocre sitcom, at the time, and as it had been #1 in the ratings, for a few years, it was drawing comparisons to Norman Lear’s breakthrough comedy, All In The Family, from over a decade earlier, which similarly had been a ratings titan. Cosby then showed off both his envy and stupidity when, on national tv, he declared that he did not think All In The Family a good show because its lead character Archie Bunker was an unapologetic bigot. Yet, that was the POINT! The show’s episodes did not follow in the now noxious habit of tidying up every episode at its ending. Similarly, like most real world bigots, Archie Bunker was unrepentant, although late in the series run, viewers found out part of Archie’s bigotry stemmed from emotional sufferings he endured as a poor Great Depression era child. http://www.cosmoetica.com/B874-DES691.htm
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08-17-2010, 10:47 AM	#2
USATVFAN Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 31, 2007 Location: Kalispell, USA Posts: 1,742	It's Pretty clear that Bill Cosby does not like any Television Show that he not in. He hate just about every TV show that ever aired.
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08-20-2010, 05:57 PM	#7
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	That's kind of funny because I never understood the appeal of "The Cosby Show" myself. AITF was reality while the Cosby show was pure fantasy. Worse, it was fantasy masquerading as reality. Like most of you I do like Bill Cosby (particularly his albums) but his self-righteousness and smugness can be grating. I'm sorry he can't appreciate AITF for what it is.
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08-27-2010, 03:58 PM	#11
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,637	I actually preferred "A Different World" over "The Cosby Show," so I guess I was thankful for the spinoff. As far as AITF, I would have Cosby watch some of the best episodes (like the refrigerator repair ep with Ken Lynch) and let him try not to admit that at times it was GENIUS...! I think the series had its share of quiet moments and subtle, gentle humor as well. And most importantly it tended to be downright funny!
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08-20-2010, 10:21 AM	#3
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	Archie Bunker offended alot people of all races so this doesn't surprise me that Bill Cosby had issues with the show. I, however absolutely loved Archie Bunker and found him hilarious. Being a Catholic and a Polock, I laughed even harder at those jokes. LOL!

08-20-2010, 04:58 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	I like Bill Cosby because he is a humanitarian, but sometimes he is too much of a goody two shoes. Then again maybe he was jealous because All In The Family is a good show, and Cosby was one of the worst shows in history.

08-20-2010, 05:37 PM	#6
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,840	It's clear that Cosby goes more for the gentle humor, as shown in all of his shows. I think this was an important show in the history of television, but it's not for everyone.

08-26-2010, 05:00 PM	#9
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	"The Cosby Show" was one of the most overhyped shows of all-time. 25 years later, I still don't get what the big deal was....

08-26-2010, 05:33 PM	#10
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	The thing with Archie is that he insulted people across-the-board; he was an "equal opportunity bigot", a charcterization that seems oxymoronic. That Bill Cosby takes the stance he does, shows he missed the whole point of the show. And if he doesn't think AITF is all that, he's entitled to his opinion. I'm sure we could find people who thought Citizen Kane wasn't that great - or I Love Lucy - or Casablanca, etc. But MOST people do seem to agree that AITF was one of the greatest shows ever. And I'm one of them! I 'm with lucyandethel, Cosby's show never rang my bell either. If someone gave me the entire Cosby's series I'd trade it for an ep of AITF in a nannosecond.