Archie Bunker's Place Boned the Fish When... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 09-29-2013, 04:44 AM

http://www.bonethefish.com/viewtopics.php?3834

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Archie Bunker's Place is an American sitcom originally broadcast on the CBS network, conceived in 1979 as a continuation of All in the Family. While not as popular, the show maintained a large enough audience to last four seasons, ending its run in 1983. The major difference in the continuation is that, although some of the scenes were set in the Bunker home long familiar to viewers, most of the stories were set at Archie Bunker's Place, the neighborhood tavern Archie Bunker Carroll O'Connor purchased in 1977 in the eighth season premiere of All in the Family. He had purchased what was then known as Kelcy's Bar from former proprietor Tommy Kelsey when Kelcy's health declined. During the premiere of Archie Bunker's Place, he takes on a Jewish partner, Murray Klein Martin Balsam when coowner Harry Snowden decides to sell his share of the business. Early in the first season, to increase his clientele, Archie and Murray build a restaurant onto the bar; the additions include a separate seating area for the restaurant and a well equipped kitchen with service window. The regular patrons are Barney Hefner, Hank Pivnik, and Edgar Van Ranseleer.

Skywalker · 10-05-2013, 04:02 PM

When Martin Balsham left. The show was never going to be great like All in the Family was, but the interaction between Murray and Archie is what made it watchable.

Retro4Life · 10-05-2013, 04:06 PM

No offense to its fans, but this was an ill conceived show from the beginning. "All in the Family" lite, if you will; way too light. Little conflict, a defanged Archie and an air of sadness over the whole show.

Mr. Television · 10-05-2013, 04:06 PM

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Originally Posted by Skywalker

When Martin Balsham left. The show was never going to be great like All in the Family was, but the interaction between Murray and Archie is what made it watchable.

But Denise Miller was hot. I'd watch just for her. lol

I don't think it ever really JTS. It was never going to be great like AITF but as long as Archie was on, it was watchable to me.

Retro4Life · 10-05-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

But Denise Miller was hot. I'd watch just for her. lol

I don't think it ever really JTS. It was never going to be great like AITF but as long as Archie was on, it was watchable to me.

Denise was a cutie, for sure, as was Danielle Brisbois in the last year or so.

My folks and I watched the show, but it always frustrated me that they didn't end the AITF series with the Stivics moving west, and all the crap the creators did to the family thereafter.

Mr. Television · 10-05-2013, 04:35 PM

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Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Denise was a cutie, for sure, as was Danielle Brisbois in the last year or so.

My folks and I watched the show, but it always frustrated me that they didn't end the AITF series with the Stivics moving west, and all the crap the creators did to the family thereafter.

I can understand that. Mike & Gloria moving would have been a great ending.

Skywalker · 10-05-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

But Denise Miller was hot. I'd watch just for her. lol

I don't think it ever really JTS. It was never going to be great like AITF but as long as Archie was on, it was watchable to me.

I never really got to see much of her character. While I was watching Season 3 on YT a while back they deleted all the ABP episodes.

I just hated the way they got rid of Murray and it was Martin's fault. I think he wanted more money.

McGillicuddy · 10-13-2013, 03:05 PM

When Edith died.

Dr. Thong · 10-13-2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

But Denise Miller was hot. I'd watch just for her. lol

I don't think it ever really JTS. It was never going to be great like AITF but as long as Archie was on, it was watchable to me.

Agree on all counts.

LittleRickyII · 10-18-2013, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

No offense to its fans, but this was an ill conceived show from the beginning. "All in the Family" lite, if you will; way too light. Little conflict, a defanged Archie and an air of sadness over the whole show.

I totally agree. It boned on Day 1.

ThomasE · 10-21-2013, 10:58 AM

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Originally Posted by Skywalker

When Martin Balsham left. The show was never going to be great like All in the Family was, but the interaction between Murray and Archie is what made it watchable.

I agree. I liked the interplay between Archie and Murray. It had a hollow vibe to it especially after Edith was officially gone. The lighting even made the show look gloomy which I actually think is convincing since Edith's cheerful presence and spirit was gone forever.

Dr. Thong · 10-21-2013, 06:18 PM

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Originally Posted by ThomasE

I agree. I liked the interplay between Archie and Murray. It had a hollow vibe to it especially after Edith was officially gone. The lighting even made the show look gloomy which I actually think is convincing since Edith's cheerful presence and spirit was gone forever.

So I'm not the only one who noticed that after Edith died, the scenes in the house were dimly lit. I always thought that was their way of acknowledging that the light (Edith) was gone from Archie's life.

Retro4Life · 10-21-2013, 06:47 PM

Sometimes I thought that O'Connor's voice had softened a LOT from the early days, too. I doubt this was intentional, and you could chalk it up to aging except that he wasn't THAT much older than he was in the show's halcyon days.

The show really had a very subdued vibe; it's hard to put into words and it may be largely because everyone was used to the energy of the old AITF, but it was a really noticeable difference.

ThomasE · 10-22-2013, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

So I'm not the only one who noticed that after Edith died, the scenes in the house were dimly lit. I always thought that was their way of acknowledging that the light (Edith) was gone from Archie's life.

Of course I noticed. That vibe was quite different. There was an evolution that happened. It was a different tone. Kind of sad when you think about it.

Dr. Thong · 10-23-2013, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

Of course I noticed. That vibe was quite different. There was an evolution that happened. It was a different tone. Kind of sad when you think about it.

Archie without the others wasn't the same, obviously. He didn't have his antagonist (Mike), his conscience (Edith) and his little girl (Gloria).

They didn't come up with characters who thoroughly challenged Archie like Mike, or balanced him out, like Edith. The character was obviously tired and I think they were milking the legacy of the character rather than evolving it.

That said, I thought ABP was a good show. It just wasn't great like the show that it spun off from.

View Poll Results: Boned When...
Day 1	5	41.67%
Exit...Stage Left - Martin Balsam	4	33.33%
Never Boned	3	25.00%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

10-05-2013, 04:06 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	No offense to its fans, but this was an ill conceived show from the beginning. "All in the Family" lite, if you will; way too light. Little conflict, a defanged Archie and an air of sadness over the whole show.
	__________________ 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."

10-05-2013, 04:02 PM	#2
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	When Martin Balsham left. The show was never going to be great like All in the Family was, but the interaction between Murray and Archie is what made it watchable.

10-13-2013, 03:05 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	When Edith died.

10-21-2013, 06:47 PM	#13
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Sometimes I thought that O'Connor's voice had softened a LOT from the early days, too. I doubt this was intentional, and you could chalk it up to aging except that he wasn't THAT much older than he was in the show's halcyon days. The show really had a very subdued vibe; it's hard to put into words and it may be largely because everyone was used to the energy of the old AITF, but it was a really noticeable difference.