All in the Family - The Complete Seventh Season DVD Review - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJ · 10-03-2010, 08:28 PM

Archie, Edith, Gloria, and Meathead--err Mike--are back once again for the seventh season of All in the Family! Norman Lear’s classic sitcom that wasn’t afraid to tackle the most controversial of issues returns to DVD, this time from Shout! Factory (the previous releases were all from Sony) in a three disc set containing all 25 episodes of the 1976-1977 season of the series. The series ran for nine years on CBS and was essentially a spin-off machine, spawning other series that were just as popular (if not more so), including The Jeffersons, Maude, and Good Times.

By now, Archie and Edith have taken on a boarder with Teresa, as Mike and Gloria have moved in to the Jeffersons old house next door with little Joey with them. The seventh season begins with a revelation that could break up Archie and Edith’s long-running marriage and Archie facing the prospect of being unemployed. Will they keep it all in the family and grow together? Find out in The Complete Seventh Season of All in the Family!

Read our review by skees53 here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/allinth...dvdreview.html

Please post any questions or comments about this set.

comedyfreak · 10-05-2010, 05:56 AM

Sounds good I gotta get this one. I have all the others that have been released.

Robert 13 · 10-05-2010, 10:32 AM

Can't wait for my copy to arrive. I hope there is a short wait for Season 8 which has some of the best episodes including "Edith's 50th Birthday", "Edith's Crisis Of Faith", "Cousin Liz" and "Archie and the KKK".

Kasey · 10-05-2010, 01:39 PM

Yes Robert, those are the exact episodes I am waiting for, too. I don't think I will bother will Season 9. I didn't care much for the turn the series took with the addition of Stephanie, and the focus on Kelsey's Bar.

For me AITF really ended when Mike and Gloria moved to California. I sort of consider Season 9 more an "Archie Bunker's Place" show.

Robert 13 · 10-05-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasey

Yes Robert, those are the exact episodes I am waiting for, too. I don't think I will bother will Season 9. I didn't care much for the turn the series took with the addition of Stephanie, and the focus on Kelsey's Bar.

For me AITF really ended when Mike and Gloria moved to California. I sort of consider Season 9 more an "Archie Bunker's Place" show.

That's funny. I've heard people say that about Season 9. I, actually, love Season 9, believe it or not. One of my all-time favorite episodes is the Christmas episode "Bogus Bills" (absolutely hysterical). Also love "Edith Versus the Bank" and "Barney, the Gold Digger" (with the wonderful Peggy Rea).

BigManMike · 10-06-2010, 07:14 AM

Before Shout releases Season 8 of All in the Family, they need to acquire The Jeffersons and release Season 7 of The Jeffersons.

HelloLarry · 10-06-2010, 11:45 AM

Season 9 has some good eps like you mention "Oh my Dog"...classic line in Bogus Bills and again it continued the trend of the show becoming more of a sitcom with dramatic elements. I think that has to do more with the change in culture and the behind the scenes changes. You're so comfortable with these characters. The show still holds my interest even until the bitter end of season (13) in Archie Bunkers Place. I kind of consider season 9 of AITF to be one long pilot episode for Archie Bunkers Place. If they keep releasing them, I'll keep buying them.

ikhuri · 10-06-2010, 12:31 PM

I hate to burst everyone's bubbles, but there seems to be a scene missing, which takes place in the opening of "Archie's Brief Encounter Part 1". I remember seeing it when TV Land first aired the show in 1999. To the best of my memory, it goes like this. Archie's friends Whitey and Joe are sitting in the coffee shop, while Archie is in the restroom and they discuss Archie dragging them to the coffee shop several times to see the waitress Denise. She then approaches their table and referring to Archie, asks "Where's my Superburger with everything, and I mean EVERYTHING". Anyone care to elaborate on that?

Imad

HelloLarry · 10-06-2010, 02:42 PM

While my bubble is intact you are correct!

I just popped my copy in that I burned off of tv and the scene goes like this. Can you tell us where the cut is at.

Right after credits in the diner:

Foley: Hey how do you like this Bunker eh? You know Whitey it's the third time this week he's dragged us over here to have lunch. He acts like he's got an interest in this joint.

Whitey: He has Foley man hey and here his interest comes now baby.

Denise: OK you're the BLT, Whitey you are the ham and cheese on onion roll. Where's Archie my super burger with everything and I do mean everything.

Whitey: Oh he's in the mens room making himself gorgeous just for you.

Foley: Hey Denise, what's Archie got that we ain't got eh?

Denise: What's Archie got that you ain't got eh? My Daddy's big blue eyes. (HEY NOW!*)

Cut to Archie in the bathroom...

Now when this episode aired on the network it was originally an hour, why it is split up in two parts is unknown on the DVD unless both of these are the syndicated episodes.

Similarly on season 1 of Archie Bunkers Place, the first episode originally aired as an hour and it too is split up in two parts on the DVD. The first part of that episode has little snippets of dialog missing here and there (I did have them in my off-air recording of that episode off of a local station so I do have it complete). I wonder if it will be a similar situation here with this episode.

This is a shame. I'll just hang on to my off air copy of this one so I have the scene (and any others yet to be determined that are missing). When Columbia House released the episodes they had the full hour lenght eps of Archie Gets the Business and California Here We Are from seasons 8 and 9. Hopefully they will be included in their original configurations if and when Shout! releases them.

I would not blame Shout! for this, they are only receiving what has been provided to them by Sony and unless you are really familiar with these episodes as hardcore fans like myself are, you probably wouldn't know these little bits were missing.

Overall however the series has been complete so while annoying, this won't keep me up at night. There is an episode in season 2 or 3, Archie and the Mob that has a little section cut out on the DVD yet was complete when it was part of the Columbia House tapes. I don't know why so many versions of things are out there.

*editorial comment, line not delivered in episode.

ikhuri · 10-06-2010, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelloLarry

While my bubble is intact you are correct!

I just popped my copy in that I burned off of tv and the scene goes like this. Can you tell us where the cut is at.

Right after credits in the diner:

Foley: Hey how do you like this Bunker eh? You know Whitey it's the third time this week he's dragged us over here to have lunch. He acts like he's got an interest in this joint.

Whitey: He has Foley man hey and here his interest comes now baby.

Denise: OK you're the BLT, Whitey you are the ham and cheese on onion roll. Where's Archie my super burger with everything and I do mean everything.

Whitey: Oh he's in the mens room making himself gorgeous just for you.

Foley: Hey Denise, what's Archie got that we ain't got eh?

Denise: What's Archie got that you ain't got eh? My Daddy's big blue eyes. (HEY NOW!*)

Cut to Archie in the bathroom...

Now when this episode aired on the network it was originally an hour, why it is split up in two parts is unknown on the DVD unless both of these are the syndicated episodes.

Similarly on season 1 of Archie Bunkers Place, the first episode originally aired as an hour and it too is split up in two parts on the DVD. The first part of that episode has little snippets of dialog missing here and there (I did have them in my off-air recording of that episode off of a local station so I do have it complete). I wonder if it will be a similar situation here with this episode.

This is a shame. I'll just hang on to my off air copy of this one so I have the scene (and any others yet to be determined that are missing). When Columbia House released the episodes they had the full hour lenght eps of Archie Gets the Business and California Here We Are from seasons 8 and 9. Hopefully they will be included in their original configurations if and when Shout! releases them.

I would not blame Shout! for this, they are only receiving what has been provided to them by Sony and unless you are really familiar with these episodes as hardcore fans like myself are, you probably wouldn't know these little bits were missing.

Overall however the series has been complete so while annoying, this won't keep me up at night. There is an episode in season 2 or 3, Archie and the Mob that has a little section cut out on the DVD yet was complete when it was part of the Columbia House tapes. I don't know why so many versions of things are out there.

*editorial comment, line not delivered in episode.

The DVD version cuts to Archie in the restroom, singing "You're too Marvelous".

Imad

HelloLarry · 10-06-2010, 04:20 PM

So what is the last part of the dialog at the table between Whitey and Foley before the cut to Archie in the bathroom?

Robert 13 · 10-06-2010, 04:30 PM

If this is true, then this really stinks. I'm not blaming Shout but it is definitely disappointing to see this happen. This series hasn't caught a decent break on dvd since Season 1. Definitely not one of the better tv-on-dvd productions I've seen.

1960'sTVfan · 10-06-2010, 11:32 PM

How about the episode Mike, The Pacifist? This episode runs under 24 minutes on the DVD. Anything cut from this one?

DVD edits aside, the seventh season will be the last one for me. I lost interest in the show from the eighth season forward, the final straw was the two parter where Edith is locked in the house with a rapist on her 50th birthday. Very depressing, I didn't like that at all. While there are a few good episodes in seasons 8 and 9, the last "classic" season of AITF is season 7.

HelloLarry · 10-07-2010, 07:38 AM

I haven't received my copy yet so I couldn't comment on that. I wonder though. In syndication they episodes run about 22 minutes and change right? By 1977 wasn't network tv trimming back the amount of actual content time to make way for more advertising? Mike the Pacifist is a few seconds shy of 24 minutes which is the low end of running time for that set. (pt. 1) of Archie's Brief Encounter runs 25:01 according to the review and a cut line has already been identified. Who knows?

1960'sTVfan · 10-07-2010, 11:20 AM

There may be little edits scattered thruout the episodes, someone who knows the series very well would know for sure. I have seasons 1-7, as far as I can tell the majority of episodes seem to be complete. I agree that All In The Family hasn't received the best treatment on DVD, edits aside, compressing 8 or 9 episodes per disc isn't a good thing. HelloLarry, please post here if you discover edits in any more episodes.

10-03-2010, 08:28 PM	#1
TJ Site Owner Administrator Forum Star Join Date: Feb 03, 2000 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 10,718	All in the Family - The Complete Seventh Season DVD Review Archie, Edith, Gloria, and Meathead--err Mike--are back once again for the seventh season of All in the Family! Norman Lear’s classic sitcom that wasn’t afraid to tackle the most controversial of issues returns to DVD, this time from Shout! Factory (the previous releases were all from Sony) in a three disc set containing all 25 episodes of the 1976-1977 season of the series. The series ran for nine years on CBS and was essentially a spin-off machine, spawning other series that were just as popular (if not more so), including The Jeffersons, Maude, and Good Times. By now, Archie and Edith have taken on a boarder with Teresa, as Mike and Gloria have moved in to the Jeffersons old house next door with little Joey with them. The seventh season begins with a revelation that could break up Archie and Edith’s long-running marriage and Archie facing the prospect of being unemployed. Will they keep it all in the family and grow together? Find out in The Complete Seventh Season of All in the Family! Read our review by skees53 here: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/allinth...dvdreview.html Please post any questions or comments about this set.

10-05-2010, 05:56 AM	#2
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	Sounds good I gotta get this one. I have all the others that have been released.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

10-05-2010, 10:32 AM	#3
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	Can't wait for my copy to arrive. I hope there is a short wait for Season 8 which has some of the best episodes including "Edith's 50th Birthday", "Edith's Crisis Of Faith", "Cousin Liz" and "Archie and the KKK".
	__________________ Com'è straordinaria la vita, che un giorno ti senti come in un sogno e poi ti ritrovi all'inferno - Dolcenera

10-05-2010, 01:39 PM	#4
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	Yes Robert, those are the exact episodes I am waiting for, too. I don't think I will bother will Season 9. I didn't care much for the turn the series took with the addition of Stephanie, and the focus on Kelsey's Bar. For me AITF really ended when Mike and Gloria moved to California. I sort of consider Season 9 more an "Archie Bunker's Place" show.

10-06-2010, 07:14 AM	#6
BigManMike Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 25, 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 3,022	Before Shout releases Season 8 of All in the Family, they need to acquire The Jeffersons and release Season 7 of The Jeffersons.

10-06-2010, 11:45 AM	#7
HelloLarry Meathead Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 273	Season 9 has some good eps like you mention "Oh my Dog"...classic line in Bogus Bills and again it continued the trend of the show becoming more of a sitcom with dramatic elements. I think that has to do more with the change in culture and the behind the scenes changes. You're so comfortable with these characters. The show still holds my interest even until the bitter end of season (13) in Archie Bunkers Place. I kind of consider season 9 of AITF to be one long pilot episode for Archie Bunkers Place. If they keep releasing them, I'll keep buying them.

10-06-2010, 12:31 PM	#8
ikhuri Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 29, 2002 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 275	I hate to burst everyone's bubbles, but there seems to be a scene missing, which takes place in the opening of "Archie's Brief Encounter Part 1". I remember seeing it when TV Land first aired the show in 1999. To the best of my memory, it goes like this. Archie's friends Whitey and Joe are sitting in the coffee shop, while Archie is in the restroom and they discuss Archie dragging them to the coffee shop several times to see the waitress Denise. She then approaches their table and referring to Archie, asks "Where's my Superburger with everything, and I mean EVERYTHING". Anyone care to elaborate on that? Imad

10-06-2010, 02:42 PM	#9
HelloLarry Meathead Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 273	While my bubble is intact you are correct! I just popped my copy in that I burned off of tv and the scene goes like this. Can you tell us where the cut is at. Right after credits in the diner: Foley: Hey how do you like this Bunker eh? You know Whitey it's the third time this week he's dragged us over here to have lunch. He acts like he's got an interest in this joint. Whitey: He has Foley man hey and here his interest comes now baby. Denise: OK you're the BLT, Whitey you are the ham and cheese on onion roll. Where's Archie my super burger with everything and I do mean everything. Whitey: Oh he's in the mens room making himself gorgeous just for you. Foley: Hey Denise, what's Archie got that we ain't got eh? Denise: What's Archie got that you ain't got eh? My Daddy's big blue eyes. (HEY NOW!) Cut to Archie in the bathroom... Now when this episode aired on the network it was originally an hour, why it is split up in two parts is unknown on the DVD unless both of these are the syndicated episodes. Similarly on season 1 of Archie Bunkers Place, the first episode originally aired as an hour and it too is split up in two parts on the DVD. The first part of that episode has little snippets of dialog missing here and there (I did have them in my off-air recording of that episode off of a local station so I do have it complete). I wonder if it will be a similar situation here with this episode. This is a shame. I'll just hang on to my off air copy of this one so I have the scene (and any others yet to be determined that are missing). When Columbia House released the episodes they had the full hour lenght eps of Archie Gets the Business and California Here We Are from seasons 8 and 9. Hopefully they will be included in their original configurations if and when Shout! releases them. I would not blame Shout! for this, they are only receiving what has been provided to them by Sony and unless you are really familiar with these episodes as hardcore fans like myself are, you probably wouldn't know these little bits were missing. Overall however the series has been complete so while annoying, this won't keep me up at night. There is an episode in season 2 or 3, Archie and the Mob that has a little section cut out on the DVD yet was complete when it was part of the Columbia House tapes. I don't know why so many versions of things are out there. editorial comment, line not delivered in episode.

10-06-2010, 04:20 PM	#11
HelloLarry Meathead Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 273	So what is the last part of the dialog at the table between Whitey and Foley before the cut to Archie in the bathroom?

10-06-2010, 04:30 PM	#12
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	If this is true, then this really stinks. I'm not blaming Shout but it is definitely disappointing to see this happen. This series hasn't caught a decent break on dvd since Season 1. Definitely not one of the better tv-on-dvd productions I've seen.

10-06-2010, 11:32 PM	#13
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,134	How about the episode Mike, The Pacifist? This episode runs under 24 minutes on the DVD. Anything cut from this one? DVD edits aside, the seventh season will be the last one for me. I lost interest in the show from the eighth season forward, the final straw was the two parter where Edith is locked in the house with a rapist on her 50th birthday. Very depressing, I didn't like that at all. While there are a few good episodes in seasons 8 and 9, the last "classic" season of AITF is season 7.

10-07-2010, 07:38 AM	#14
HelloLarry Meathead Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 273	I haven't received my copy yet so I couldn't comment on that. I wonder though. In syndication they episodes run about 22 minutes and change right? By 1977 wasn't network tv trimming back the amount of actual content time to make way for more advertising? Mike the Pacifist is a few seconds shy of 24 minutes which is the low end of running time for that set. (pt. 1) of Archie's Brief Encounter runs 25:01 according to the review and a cut line has already been identified. Who knows?

10-07-2010, 11:20 AM	#15
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,134	There may be little edits scattered thruout the episodes, someone who knows the series very well would know for sure. I have seasons 1-7, as far as I can tell the majority of episodes seem to be complete. I agree that All In The Family hasn't received the best treatment on DVD, edits aside, compressing 8 or 9 episodes per disc isn't a good thing. HelloLarry, please post here if you discover edits in any more episodes.