Do You Think *Perhaps* Ann Romano Should Have Had The Infamous Rape Episode??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-11-2011, 11:17 PM

In case you didn't know already, Norman Lear originally intended for the Ann Romano character to be raped. However, for what ever reason changed it to Edith Bunker from All in the Family being raped. Do you think it would've fit better if it was Ann instead? Was a rape episode even needed?

McGillicuddy · 06-13-2011, 08:46 PM

I was always rather disturbed by that All in the Family episode. That just wasn't appropriete for a sitcom.

Retro4Life · 06-13-2011, 09:53 PM

I think it was only successful because of the immense popularity of the show and the character. The audience had faith in Lear's ability to do it tastefully and for the right reasons, and so they accepted it, while still being shocked.

As to the question, I don't know. I'm sure Franklin could have made it work. But Stapleton did a great job with the episode as did the entire AITF cast.

mstewart · 06-14-2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

I was always rather disturbed by that All in the Family episode. That just wasn't appropriete for a sitcom.

That episode was an emotionally powerful episode.

McGillicuddy · 06-14-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

That episode was an emotionally powerful episode.

And , although in spite of what I said above, it was written and performed very well, and yes very emotionally powerful.

Guy Incognito · 06-19-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

In case you didn't know already, Norman Lear originally intended for the Ann Romano character to be raped. However, for what ever reason changed it to Edith Bunker from All in the Family being raped. Do you think it would've fit better if it was Ann instead? Was a rape episode even needed?

You know what? I completely agree.

I think one of the main issues which hurts ODAAT's visibility is the real lack of a heavy "marquee episode" like "Edith's 50th Birthday", "The Big Move" from Good Times or the abortion episode of Maude. To be fair, The Jeffersons never really had one, either, but you could tell that Norman Lear's influence over that show waned considerably over the years (the early episodes tended to focus more on the latest 70's social fads or concepts and were decidedly preachier than later ones). Plus, they had far more memorable supporting characters like Mother Jefferson, Bentley and Florence.

These days when people think about ODAAT, they're far more likely to associate it with Mackenzie's various escapades and little else (Diff'rent Strokes suffers from the same fate). IMODO, of course.

06-11-2011, 11:17 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	*Do You Think Perhaps* Ann Romano Should Have Had The Infamous Rape Episode???** In case you didn't know already, Norman Lear originally intended for the Ann Romano character to be raped. However, for what ever reason changed it to Edith Bunker from All in the Family being raped. Do you think it would've fit better if it was Ann instead? Was a rape episode even needed?
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06-13-2011, 09:53 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I think it was only successful because of the immense popularity of the show and the character. The audience had faith in Lear's ability to do it tastefully and for the right reasons, and so they accepted it, while still being shocked. As to the question, I don't know. I'm sure Franklin could have made it work. But Stapleton did a great job with the episode as did the entire AITF cast.
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06-13-2011, 08:46 PM	#2
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I was always rather disturbed by that All in the Family episode. That just wasn't appropriete for a sitcom.