“All in the Family,” the groundbreaking CBS sitcom, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Over its nine-season run, the show amassed numerous awards, including Primetime Emmys for stars Carroll O’Connor (four times) and Jean Stapleton (three times), as well as supporting cast members Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers (two Emmys apiece). Here, we revisit five of the most memorable episodes that have cemented the show’s legacy in television history.
‘Sammy’s Visit,’ Season 2 (Feb. 19, 1972) Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) is moonlighting as a cab driver and finds himself with a famous fare — legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., who accidentally leaves his briefcase behind. Sammy treks out to the Bunker residence in Queens (704 Hauser St.) to retrieve it, thrilling everyone except Archie, whose ingrained bigotry comes to light through clueless comments. The episode culminates in a moment of TV history when Sammy, asking for a photo with Archie, surprises him with a kiss on the cheek as the flashbulb pops, eliciting the most sustained studio-audience laughter ever recorded.
‘Archie in the Cellar,’ Season 4 (Nov. 17, 1973) With the family away for the weekend, Archie accidentally locks himself in the basement and, while drunk, records his last will and testament, believing he’s about to die. In a callback to a Season 1 episode, Archie had argued with neighbor Louise Jefferson’s (Isabel Sanford) brother-in-law, Henry (Mel Stewart), who claimed that Jesus was black. As a sloshed Archie waits to be “delivered,” he hears a voice calling, “I’m coming for you, Mr. Bunker” . . . and sees a black man descending the basement steps. Stunned, Archie drops to his knees and pleads, “Forgive me, Lord, the Jeffersons was right!”
‘Gloria Has a Belly Full,’ Season 1 (Feb. 16, 1971) Archie’s beloved daughter, Gloria (Sally Struthers), suffers a miscarriage. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Archie goes upstairs to comfort her. Both are deeply upset, and Gloria assures Archie that she knows he loves her. Though Archie struggles to articulate his feelings, his distress and love for Gloria are palpable, showcasing powerful performances from Struthers and O’Connor.
‘Edith’s 50th Birthday,’ Season 8 (Oct. 16, 1977) In this intense two-part episode, Edith (Jean Stapleton) is celebrating her milestone birthday when a man disguised as a police detective breaks into the Bunker house and attempts to rape her. The rest of the family is next door at Gloria and Mike’s house, planning a surprise party. Edith fights off the attacker and later recounts her terrifying ordeal to Archie, delivering the rawest and most harrowing moment in the show’s history.
‘Two’s a Crowd,’ Season 8 (Feb. 12, 1978) Mike (Rob Reiner) is helping Archie close up the bar when they accidentally lock themselves in a storeroom. With no one around to help, they settle in for the night with a bottle of booze. In their drunken state, Mike confronts Archie about his bigotry, prompting Archie to reveal that he had a tough childhood with an abusive father whom he loved nonetheless. In this vulnerable moment, Archie indirectly tells Mike that he loves him, marking the first time he expresses such sentiment.
These episodes highlight the show’s ability to blend humor with profound social commentary, making “All in the Family” a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.
