Bigot, or Regular Guy?--Poll - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dougiezerts · 12-06-2012, 08:34 PM

In your opinion, was Archie Bunker a bigot? Or was he just a regular guy who had trouble coping with the rapid changes that were going on around him?

gilligan fanatic · 12-07-2012, 09:16 AM

I'd say a bit of both really

Retro4Life · 12-07-2012, 04:01 PM

The two are not mutually exclusive. Many "regular guys" were bigots. Lear's genius was that he showed how bigotry exists WITHIN 'regular guys' and how really all of us have the capability to be both.

dougiezerts · 12-09-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

The two are not mutually exclusive. Many "regular guys" were bigots. Lear's genius was that he showed how bigotry exists WITHIN 'regular guys' and how really all of us have the capability to be both.

Perhaps I should have added "A little bit of both" as a third choice.

Johnny be good! · 12-13-2012, 02:48 PM

You can.

704Hauser · 12-13-2012, 10:16 PM

I'd go with a bit of both, he was quite the bigot, especially in the first few seasons, although my late grandfather, who was about 6 years younger than Archie and quite the regular guy, was quite the bigot too...

If you want full-blown bigotry, watch Til Death Us Do Part, the original All In The Family. Alf Garnett makes Archie Bunker seem mild in comparison!

east215 · 12-27-2012, 04:29 AM

Yes, a little of both. We also have to consider Archie's age and the time frame of the show. My Grandmother was a nice woman and would never intentionally say anything bad or deliberately try to hurt anyone's feeling. She was born in 1901, and still used the word "colored" until she passed in 1990. She thought it was acceptable because most people used the "N" word when she was growing up. In fact, if anyone ever used the "N" word in front of her, she would let them have it with both barrels.

Hughsgirl · 12-27-2012, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

The two are not mutually exclusive. Many "regular guys" were bigots. Lear's genius was that he showed how bigotry exists WITHIN 'regular guys' and how really all of us have the capability to be both.

I must say this is the best explaination I have read on this issue. Well done and I agree!

View Poll Results: Bigot, or Regular Guy?
Bigot	3	42.86%
Regular guy	4	57.14%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

12-06-2012, 08:34 PM	#1
dougiezerts Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 20, 2012 Location: Silver Spring, MD Posts: 204	Bigot, or Regular Guy?--Poll In your opinion, was Archie Bunker a bigot? Or was he just a regular guy who had trouble coping with the rapid changes that were going on around him?

12-07-2012, 09:16 AM	#2
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	I'd say a bit of both really
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12-07-2012, 04:01 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	The two are not mutually exclusive. Many "regular guys" were bigots. Lear's genius was that he showed how bigotry exists WITHIN 'regular guys' and how really all of us have the capability to be both.
	__________________ 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."

12-13-2012, 02:48 PM	#5
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	You can.
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12-13-2012, 10:16 PM	#6
704Hauser Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 08, 2011 Location: Australia Posts: 366	I'd go with a bit of both, he was quite the bigot, especially in the first few seasons, although my late grandfather, who was about 6 years younger than Archie and quite the regular guy, was quite the bigot too... If you want full-blown bigotry, watch Til Death Us Do Part, the original All In The Family. Alf Garnett makes Archie Bunker seem mild in comparison!
	__________________ Who's that riding in the sun? Who's the man with the itchy gun? Who's the man who kills for fun? Psycho Dad, Psycho Dad, Psycho Dad.

12-27-2012, 04:29 AM	#7
east215 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 29, 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 115	Yes, a little of both. We also have to consider Archie's age and the time frame of the show. My Grandmother was a nice woman and would never intentionally say anything bad or deliberately try to hurt anyone's feeling. She was born in 1901, and still used the word "colored" until she passed in 1990. She thought it was acceptable because most people used the "N" word when she was growing up. In fact, if anyone ever used the "N" word in front of her, she would let them have it with both barrels.
	__________________ MARK in Mass.