"Maude's" Infamous Abortion Episode Was NOT Controversial When It First Aired in 1972

[Brian Damage]

'Maude'

Who was offended? Right-wing groups

What was their beef? The mid-'70s limousine liberal who started as a foil to Carroll O'Connor's blue-collar "All in the Family' curmudgeon Archie Bunker faced several hot-button issues on her own show (alcoholism, prescription drug use). But Bea Arthur's Maude is often referenced for the two-part abortion episode that aired during the first season. In the episodes, which aired November 1972 when abortion was legal in the state of New York -- where "Maude" was set --but before Roe vs. Wade made the practice legal nationwide, the 47-year-old Maude finds out she's pregnant but she tearfully decides not to keep the baby.

Series creator Norman Lear noted that the abortion episodes didn't stir up that much trouble when they first aired -- it was when they tried to re-air them during the summer that caused the protesting, boycotts and advertising pulling.