Cincinnati native Jay Moriarty, who spent seven seasons writing for “The Jeffersons,” is eagerly anticipating ABC’s recreation of the iconic 1976 “All in the Family” episode on “Live In Front Of A Studio Audience,” airing Wednesday at 8 p.m. on December 18 (Channel 9, ABC).
Moriarty, along with his partner Mike Milligan, penned the episode for creator Norman Lear. Reflecting on his career, Moriarty, a 1964 St. Xavier High School alum who moved to Los Angeles after graduating from Xavier University in 1968, said, “It was the first thing I wrote for TV.”
ABC executives and Lear selected “The Draft Dodger” for the live special, recognizing it as one of the most memorable episodes from the show’s nine-season run (1971-79). The Writers Guild of America even hailed it as “one of the top 100 shows ever seen on television,” says Moriarty, who grew up in Finneytown.
“The Draft Dodger” revolves around a Christmas dinner at the Bunkers’ home, attended by Archie’s friend Pinky, whose son died in Vietnam, and Mike’s friend David, who fled to Canada to avoid the draft. Moriarty explained, “It was a significant decision for many at that age—go to Canada or go to war. I thought it was an important issue for Archie and Meathead (Mike) to discuss.”
Moriarty initially wrote “The Draft Dodger” as a treatment—a summary, not a full script—for “All in the Family” in 1971, while transitioning from writing for the Pacific Life insurance company to pursuing TV sitcom writing. After finding an agent and partnering with Milligan, they achieved early success with episodes of “Good Times” and “That’s My Mama.”
By 1975, Moriarty and Milligan joined the writing staff of “The Jeffersons,” Lear’s “All in the Family” spin-off featuring Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, and Marla Gibbs. The following year, Moriarty pitched “The Draft Dodger” to Lear, unaware if Lear had seen the unsolicited treatment from 1971. Lear’s enthusiastic response—”Wow!”—led to the episode being produced, with Lear remarking, “You just gave us a reason for doing next season.”
Lear, now 97, will join ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for the special. The one-hour broadcast also includes a recreation of “Good Times” (1974-79), set in a Chicago housing project.
Returning from the first “Live In Front Of A Studio Audience” in May are Woody Harrelson as Archie Bunker, Marisa Tomei as Edith Bunker, Ellie Kemper as Gloria, and Ike Barinholtz as Mike “Meathead” Stivic. The special will also feature Kevin Bacon, Jesse Eisenberg, and Justina Machado in undisclosed roles.
The “Good Times” cast includes Viola Davis as Florida Evans, Andre Braugher as James Evans, Jay Pharoah as J.J. Evans, Asante Blackk as Michael Evans, and Corinne Foxx as Thelma Evans. Patti LaBelle and Anthony Anderson will perform the theme song.
In his new memoir, “Honky In The House: Writing & Producing The Jeffersons,” Moriarty recounts attending the taping of “The Draft Dodger.” Seated next to Nancy O’Connor (Carroll’s wife), he recalls her tears as Archie and Meathead debated the war.
The book also features a note from President-elect Jimmy Carter, who, in 1976, campaigned on granting amnesty to Vietnam War draft dodgers. Carter wrote, “I appreciate your congratulations and expressions of confidence. Your thoughts are important to me, and I will carefully consider your suggestions regarding pardons/amnesty.”
“We received many personal letters. It was courageous of Norman to tackle such a controversial issue,” Moriarty reflects.
How will the topic of draft dodgers resonate in 2019? Tune in Wednesday to find out.
