The opening line “Boy, the way Glenn Miller played” stirs waves of nostalgia, bringing back memories of the iconic sitcom All in the Family. This legendary show was so influential that it spawned a record number of spin-offs, though some are better remembered than others.
The last of these spin-offs was 704 Hauser. If you don’t recognize the name, it’s because the show had a short run. Nevertheless, Archie Bunker’s legacy remains undiminished, not just for the debates over his politics but for the cultural impact of the show itself.
All in the Family: A Cultural Phenomenon
According to the Smithsonian website, All in the Family debuted on CBS in 1971 and ran until 1979. It was one of several shows produced by the legendary Norman Lear, alongside other hits like Sanford and Son and One Day at a Time. Few would argue that any had a greater impact than All in the Family.
The show centered around Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O’Connor, and his wife Edith, portrayed by Jean Stapleton. They were a working-class family living in Queens, New York. Archie, a conservative, often clashed with his more liberal-minded son-in-law, Michael (popularly known as “Meathead”), played by Rob Reiner.
As the Smithsonian notes, the show gave voice to people who felt unseen. “Archie was one of television comedy’s first white hourly wage earners, undermining the media perception that white Americans made up a homogeneously middle-class demographic.” So impactful was the show that Archie Bunker’s chair now resides in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
The Spin-Offs: Hits and Misses
According to Variety, the show produced seven spin-offs. The first was Maude, which ran from 1972 to 1978 and centered around Bea Arthur’s title character, Edith’s cousin who often got on Archie’s nerves. Maude spawned its own spin-off, Good Times, which aired from 1974 to 1979 and is perhaps best remembered for Jimmie Walker’s catchphrase “Dyn-o-mite!”
Following these came the longest-running spin-off, The Jeffersons. Airing from 1975 to 1985, it followed the black family that lived next door to the Bunkers before moving “on up” to the big city. After this, Archie Bunker’s Place continued Archie’s story following Edith’s death, running from 1979 to 1983.
The final spin-off with any longevity was 704 Hauser, which ran for only nine episodes in 1994. Screen Rant described it as an inversion of All in the Family, featuring a liberal black family moving into Archie’s old house. It fared slightly better than Gloria (1982-1983) but not as well as Checking In, a Jeffersons spin-off that lasted only four episodes.
Talent Beyond the Screen
While many of the All in the Family spin-offs are not widely remembered today, they launched talents that have had lasting impacts. Danielle Brisebois, who played Stephanie (the daughter of Edith’s step-cousin) on Archie Bunker’s Place, transitioned from acting to a successful songwriting career. She co-wrote hits like Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten” and “Pocketful of Sunshine,” and Halestorm’s “Here’s to Us.” Brisebois also received an Oscar nomination for “Lost Stars,” featured in the 2013 film Begin Again, directed by John Carney.
These songs have certainly lingered in the public consciousness longer than 704 Hauser, if not quite as enduringly as the theme song “Those Were the Days.”
The Lasting Impact
All in the Family remains an integral part of television history. A recent tribute featuring Woody Harrelson and Marisa Tomei received critical acclaim, highlighting the show’s continued relevance. Television might have evolved differently if All in the Family had remained in development limbo, but its success helped shape the landscape of modern television. CBS saw the brilliance behind Norman Lear’s vision, and the rest is history.
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