The fictional character Archie Bunker, portrayed by Carroll O’Connor, may have significantly influenced how television characters were written in the years following. The show All in the Family elevated its cast—including O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, Sally Struthers, Sherman Hemsley, and Rob Reiner—to entertainment royalty. However, the journey to its iconic status was filled with changes and challenges, especially during its pilot phase.
The Rocky Start of ‘Justice for All’
Pilot season is a crucial period in the television industry, where emerging talents and seasoned actors alike produce episodes in the hopes that they will become full-fledged series. Yet, a successful pilot doesn’t always guarantee a show will make it to air. This was the case for Justice for All, the Norman Lear-directed pilot that would eventually evolve into All in the Family.
According to Vulture, while the pilot had its standout elements, many aspects were different from what audiences would come to know. Lear initially considered Hollywood superstar Mickey Rooney for the lead role, but it was Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton who ultimately defined the show. O’Connor secured the role after Rooney turned it down. However, other characters were recast: Tim McIntire and Kelly Jean Peters played Richard and Gloria, and D’Urville Martin played Lionel Jefferson.
The Evolution of the Cast and Network Hesitations
Although the original pilot remained unseen by the public for many years, it contained many elements that would later define the show. Archie Justice delivered rants on racism, anti-Semitism, sex, and food. ABC was interested but ultimately passed on the pilot, citing chemistry issues between O’Connor, Stapleton, and the original actors playing their children. They then recast Richard and Gloria with Candy Azzara and Chip Oliver, while Martin returned as Jefferson. Despite these changes, ABC still found the show too provocative for its audience.
Fortunately for Lear, CBS saw potential in the series and decided to pick it up. After working out the remaining issues, the Justice family became the Bunkers, with Gloria and Richard recast as Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner. Sherman Hemsley also joined as Lionel Jefferson, a character who would not only challenge the Bunkers’ views but also star in his own successful spinoff.
Impact and Legacy
All in the Family proved that network television could address serious social issues with humor and honesty. While Archie Bunker was often misunderstood as an aspirational figure, O’Connor’s portrayal highlighted the casual bigotry and obtuseness prevalent in the older generation as society grew more progressive on matters of race, sex, and other social issues.
The show ran for nine years, with O’Connor reprising his role in Archie’s Place for an additional four years. Its influence on television history is undeniable. However, its initial struggle to get on the air underscores the cutthroat nature of the industry.
Norman Lear, who continues to create television hits even as he approaches 100, reflected on the challenges in a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He revealed that the script for the pilot remained largely unchanged through multiple iterations.
“I made pilots two more times before it finally went on the air on CBS in 1971. I never changed the script though. The first show had to show 360 degrees of Archie Bunker, and the script did that. CBS had recently brought in a new network president, Robert Wood. He knew about the pilot, watched it, and called me. I said I didn’t want to meet about another pilot. I would only take the meeting if he wanted to talk about putting it on the air. And he did,” Lear explained.
Continued Relevance
All in the Family continues to resonate today. A recent tribute featuring Woody Harrelson and Marissa Tomei received critical acclaim and captivated audiences, showcasing the show’s enduring impact.
While television might have evolved differently if All in the Family had remained in development limbo, the show’s success helped shape the landscape of modern television. Thanks to CBS’s recognition of Lear’s vision, All in the Family made television history and continues to be celebrated for its groundbreaking contributions to the medium.