'All in the Family' is Too Dated to Enjoy Today? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-04-2010, 10:14 PM

Even though All in the Family was a true groundbreaking and at times controversial sitcom, a lot of the topics are really dated. Do you think AITF is a bit too dated for new viewers to really enjoy?

Kasey · 12-05-2010, 02:45 PM

While I think that young people seeing it today for the first time would not get the President Nixon/Ford/Carter references, etc., the relationship humour is timeless and not really dated.

TVFactFan · 12-05-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Even though All in the Family was a true groundbreaking and at times controversial sitcom, a lot of the topics are really dated. Do you think AITF is a bit too dated for new viewers to really enjoy?

The fact that it's dated so make it easier for people to enjoy the show.

Retro4Life · 12-05-2010, 02:55 PM

If you can get past the clothing styles, 70's lingo and references as Kasey mentioned (which discerning viewers SHOULD BE able to), NO, it is most definitely not too dated.

Dealing with issues like homosexuality, abortion, rape, foreign wars, inflation, government corruption, unemployment, the Arab/Israeli conflict, racism and many others, this show is as relevant today as it ever was.

Dr. Thong · 12-05-2010, 03:34 PM

Retro is right. Think about it, just substitute Iraq for Vietnam, Bush for Nixon or Obama for Carter and it's as relevant today as it ever was.

It sad that we haven't evolved much as human beings since those days of the seventies. In fact, if anything we've regressed and lost sight of what's really important.

OH Nuts! · 12-06-2010, 03:41 PM

Not at all. Many of the topics dealt with poignant problems related to the human condition. The show can also be enjoyed as a classic - savored for its groundbreaking and clever approach to controversial issues.

biffbronson · 12-06-2010, 07:55 PM

There were yet more issues that could be added to the list, like gun control, marital infidelity (the "Miss America" remarks from a married man toward a young woman in Kelsey's), and Mike's agnosticism -- and wasn't there an ep where Gloria wanted Mike to get a vasectomy?? All of these things remain in the public eye and can be considered timeless.

McGillicuddy · 12-06-2010, 08:00 PM

If it is "too dated", as you say, Maude would be also. I find both shows nostalgic.

MickeyMac · 12-07-2010, 07:26 PM

The fact that this show would be considered dated is obscured. It captures that time perfectly, and like all classic shows, its never dated.

OH Nuts! · 12-07-2010, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

The fact that this show would be considered dated is obscured. It captures that time perfectly, and like all classic shows, its never dated.

Exactly! Beautifully said.

704Hauser · 03-08-2011, 10:13 AM

AITF may have premiered 20 years before I was born, but I find it very funny and interesting to watch, so no, I don't find it dated. I know my history quite well so I get most of the references.

Vince53 · 03-10-2011, 12:50 AM

I'm watching it for the first time, and I think it's hilarious.

biffbronson · 03-10-2011, 09:28 PM

I sort of envy you for being able to enjoy these episodes for the first time.

Have you seen the refrigerator repair episode yet, when Archie and Mike each give their own version of the events? Brilliant episode, unlike anything I've ever seen.

Vince53 · 03-10-2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I sort of envy you for being able to enjoy these episodes for the first time.

Have you seen the refrigerator repair episode yet, when Archie and Mike each give their own version of the events? Brilliant episode, unlike anything I've ever seen.

You're referring to "Everybody Tells the Truth," and you're right; it was hilarious.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=279765

monandwes · 03-20-2011, 11:18 AM

This is my first post as I am brand new to the community. But someone mentioned "if you can get past the hairstlyes, clothing etc.". I always find it exciting and nostalgic to look at those. I as a child (born in 65) when AITF was in its heyday, but my mother and aunts wore alot of the same fashions and hair do's. I guess we have our own perspective on watching old sitcoms. I guess the 50's s/coms leave me a little empty cuz I have no point of reference for anything in them. They also tended to be lightweight and fluffy and warm and fuzzy. But the issues addressed in AITF are the same issues as a child I remember all the grown-ups in my life heatedly debating and protesting and voting and carrying on about. (I grew up in a commie-pinko liberal household

). Having said that, I guess I can understand why the younger generations might not "get" it. But for those of us who do, I am sure glad it is still in syndication.

12-04-2010, 10:14 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	'All in the Family' is Too Dated to Enjoy Today? Even though All in the Family was a true groundbreaking and at times controversial sitcom, a lot of the topics are really dated. Do you think AITF is a bit too dated for new viewers to really enjoy?
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12-05-2010, 02:55 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	If you can get past the clothing styles, 70's lingo and references as Kasey mentioned (which discerning viewers SHOULD BE able to), NO, it is most definitely not too dated. Dealing with issues like homosexuality, abortion, rape, foreign wars, inflation, government corruption, unemployment, the Arab/Israeli conflict, racism and many others, this show is as relevant today as it ever was.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

12-05-2010, 03:34 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	Retro is right. Think about it, just substitute Iraq for Vietnam, Bush for Nixon or Obama for Carter and it's as relevant today as it ever was. It sad that we haven't evolved much as human beings since those days of the seventies. In fact, if anything we've regressed and lost sight of what's really important.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

12-06-2010, 07:55 PM	#7
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,547	There were yet more issues that could be added to the list, like gun control, marital infidelity (the "Miss America" remarks from a married man toward a young woman in Kelsey's), and Mike's agnosticism -- and wasn't there an ep where Gloria wanted Mike to get a vasectomy?? All of these things remain in the public eye and can be considered timeless.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

12-05-2010, 02:45 PM	#2
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	While I think that young people seeing it today for the first time would not get the President Nixon/Ford/Carter references, etc., the relationship humour is timeless and not really dated.

12-06-2010, 03:41 PM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Not at all. Many of the topics dealt with poignant problems related to the human condition. The show can also be enjoyed as a classic - savored for its groundbreaking and clever approach to controversial issues.

12-06-2010, 08:00 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	If it is "too dated", as you say, Maude would be also. I find both shows nostalgic.

12-07-2010, 07:26 PM	#9
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	The fact that this show would be considered dated is obscured. It captures that time perfectly, and like all classic shows, its never dated.

03-08-2011, 10:13 AM	#11
704Hauser Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 08, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 366	AITF may have premiered 20 years before I was born, but I find it very funny and interesting to watch, so no, I don't find it dated. I know my history quite well so I get most of the references.

03-10-2011, 12:50 AM	#12
Vince53 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 26, 2010 Location: Chapala, Mexico Posts: 492	I'm watching it for the first time, and I think it's hilarious.

03-10-2011, 09:28 PM	#13
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,547	I sort of envy you for being able to enjoy these episodes for the first time. Have you seen the refrigerator repair episode yet, when Archie and Mike each give their own version of the events? Brilliant episode, unlike anything I've ever seen.

03-20-2011, 11:18 AM	#15
monandwes Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2011 Location: Detroit Posts: 6	This is my first post as I am brand new to the community. But someone mentioned "if you can get past the hairstlyes, clothing etc.". I always find it exciting and nostalgic to look at those. I as a child (born in 65) when AITF was in its heyday, but my mother and aunts wore alot of the same fashions and hair do's. I guess we have our own perspective on watching old sitcoms. I guess the 50's s/coms leave me a little empty cuz I have no point of reference for anything in them. They also tended to be lightweight and fluffy and warm and fuzzy. But the issues addressed in AITF are the same issues as a child I remember all the grown-ups in my life heatedly debating and protesting and voting and carrying on about. (I grew up in a commie-pinko liberal household ). Having said that, I guess I can understand why the younger generations might not "get" it. But for those of us who do, I am sure glad it is still in syndication.