The continuation of the beloved “All in the Family” under the new guise of “Archie Bunker’s Place” marked a significant departure from its original formula. The series transitioned to a different locale and saw the character of Edith Bunker, played by Jean Stapleton, exit after only a few appearances in the first season, having her character pass away early in the show’s second season in 1980. As a result, new characters with progressive viewpoints were brought in to clash with the titular Archie, attempting to fill the void left by Mike, also known as ‘The Meathead.’ Additionally, appearances by Archie and Edith’s daughter Gloria, portrayed by Sally Struthers, and her husband Mike were scarce. This half-hearted attempt at continuing the legacy of “All in the Family” only materialized after Norman Lear, the original show’s creator, attempted to stop the spin-off for several months.
In spite of Lear’s efforts, he eventually conceded, largely due to the potential job losses the cancellation might have caused:
“The only time I met Mr. [William] Paley, who owned the network, was when he called to ask me to lunch, nine years later, to talk about wanting ‘Archie Bunker’s Place’ on air. The only way it got on was when [he] called me to his office and had four or five pages of names of people who would be out of work if the show didn’t go on. And so the show went on.”
Lear’s concerns seemed rooted in the show’s creative direction. “All in the Family” benefited from the special chemistry amongst its cast and storylines. Without some of its key ingredients, the magic wasn’t quite there. Yet, the show managed to survive on the strength of Carroll O’Connor’s portrayal of Archie, lasting four seasons on air. Despite this relative success, “Archie Bunker’s Place” never managed to garner the same level of enduring cultural significance as “All in the Family.”
FAQ Section
- Why did Norman Lear try to stop “Archie Bunker’s Place”?
- Norman Lear was opposed to “Archie Bunker’s Place” because he believed that removing essential characters and altering the dynamic of the original show, “All in the Family,” would affect its creative integrity.
- What ultimately convinced Lear to allow “Archie Bunker’s Place” to continue?
- Lear was convinced to let the show go on by CBS head William Paley, who presented Lear with a list of all the individuals who would lose their jobs if the show were to be cancelled.
- How long did “Archie Bunker’s Place” air on television?
- “Archie Bunker’s Place” aired for four seasons.
- Did “Archie Bunker’s Place” achieve the same success as “All in the Family”?
- No, while “Archie Bunker’s Place” had moderate success, it did not reach the same level of cultural impact as “All in the Family.”
Conclusion
In revisiting the story of “Archie Bunker’s Place,” we are reminded that even the most successful television series face challenges when they depart from their core elements that made them distinctive. Norman Lear’s attempt to prevent the spin-off from happening underscores the importance of original vision and chemistry in storytelling. Though “Archie Bunker’s Place” had a respectable run, it serves as an example of how drastic changes to a beloved series can lead to a different legacy—one that may not live up to the original’s storied impact.