Fifty years ago, on September 29, 1968, Norman Lear and a small team shot a pilot for a TV sitcom about a Queens dockworker named Archie, his wife, affectionately called “Dingbat,” and his son-in-law, dubbed “Meathead.” The show, initially titled “Justice for All,” was canceled before it even aired.
Inspired by the BBC’s “Til Death Us Do Part,” Lear saw potential in adapting the premise of a bigoted father clashing with his daughter’s husband for American television. He cast Carroll O’Connor as the bigot, Jean Stapleton as his patient wife Edith, and Kelly Jean Peters and Tim McIntire as their daughter Gloria and her Irish husband Richard. Lear even commissioned a catchy theme song, “Those Were the Days.”
The ’60s were a time of social upheaval, and TV shows like “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and “Laugh-In” were beginning to tackle edgy, politically charged comedy. Lear aimed to do the same, challenging the idealized image of the family patriarch seen in shows like “Leave It to Beaver.”
“Justice for All” sparked controversy with its bold content. In one episode, Archie and Edith return from church to find Gloria and Richard adjusting their clothes after a spontaneous tryst, prompting Archie to grumble about changing social norms. The show also tackled race relations head-on, with Richard accusing Archie of denying minorities their fair share of the American dream, to which Archie retorts they should hustle for it like he did.
ABC executives were wary of the provocative language and themes, leading to a reshot pilot titled “Those Were the Days.” Despite recasting Gloria and Richard with new actors and reshooting in 1969, ABC passed on the show.
The story might have ended there if not for Yorkin’s meeting with CBS about another project. CBS executives laughed so hard during a screening of the pilot that Fred Silverman, a rising star in programming, took notice. The pilot was reshot yet again, this time with Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner as Gloria and Mike. Renamed “All in the Family,” it premiered in 1971 and quickly captivated 50 million viewers weekly, becoming one of television’s most beloved shows. Archie’s chair now resides at the Smithsonian.
Reflecting on “All in the Family,” it’s clear that American society has grown more accepting on many issues over the past 50 years. Yet, the dynamic has shifted—once it was conservatives who worried about appropriateness, now it’s often those on the left who scrutinize controversial language and figures. Earlier this year, ABC canceled the reboot of “Roseanne” due to offensive tweets by Roseanne Barr, demonstrating this shift.
While networks have the right to cancel shows, our national discourse suffers when we shy away from candid conversations. Norman Lear understood the value of open dialogue, and our culture is richer for it.
Jim Cullen, an author and pop culture expert, teaches history at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York. His upcoming book on the history of “All in the Family” will be published by Rutgers University Press in 2020. Follow him on Twitter: @jcullenAHN.