Did "All in the Family" Change Television For The Better Or For The Worse??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-17-2011, 06:28 AM

1971-79
"All in the Family"

Before Norman Lear, television would occasionally touch upon hot-button topics such as racism, women's rights, abortion and homosexuality. Yet Lear's "All in the Family" examined these issues on a weekly basis, using humor instead of sloganeering to look at the seismic changes rocking American society. When the show began in 1971, CBS included a disclaimer, warning audiences of its frank approach. A year later, "All in the Family" hit No. 1 in the ratings, launching Lear's empire that included topical spinoffs "Maude" and "The Jeffersons." After Archie Bunker, nothing was off limits.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118042646?refcatid=14

Retro4Life · 09-17-2011, 12:37 PM

Absolutely for the better. Lear proved you could be topical and still funny, that you could have a blue collar show that didn't talk down to the characters or the audience, that everything on TV doesn't have to be sanitized in order to be popular, and that you could mix laughter and tears and thoughtful scripts.

No question at all.

OH Nuts! · 09-17-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Absolutely for the better. Lear proved you could be topical and still funny, that you could have a blue collar show that didn't talk down to the characters or the audience, that everything on TV doesn't have to be sanitized in order to be popular, and that you could mix laughter and tears and thoughtful scripts.

No question at all.

Amen! You've said it beautifully. One of the best, if not the best, show ever.

70s show watcher · 09-18-2011, 05:23 AM

for the better

09-17-2011, 06:28 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	Did "All in the Family" Change Television For The Better Or For The Worse??? 1971-79 "All in the Family" Before Norman Lear, television would occasionally touch upon hot-button topics such as racism, women's rights, abortion and homosexuality. Yet Lear's "All in the Family" examined these issues on a weekly basis, using humor instead of sloganeering to look at the seismic changes rocking American society. When the show began in 1971, CBS included a disclaimer, warning audiences of its frank approach. A year later, "All in the Family" hit No. 1 in the ratings, launching Lear's empire that included topical spinoffs "Maude" and "The Jeffersons." After Archie Bunker, nothing was off limits. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118042646?refcatid=14
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-17-2011, 12:37 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Absolutely for the better. Lear proved you could be topical and still funny, that you could have a blue collar show that didn't talk down to the characters or the audience, that everything on TV doesn't have to be sanitized in order to be popular, and that you could mix laughter and tears and thoughtful scripts. No question at all.
	__________________ 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."

09-18-2011, 05:23 AM	#4
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	for the better