Rob Reiner, famously known as “Meathead” from the iconic sitcom All in the Family, was part of one of television’s most beloved ensembles. Along with his co-star Sally Struthers, Reiner chose to leave the show at the end of its eighth season, a decision that brought profound emotional weight, especially during his final scene with his on-screen father-in-law, Carroll O’Connor.
The Impact of Archie Bunker
All in the Family introduced audiences to Archie Bunker, a loudmouthed bigot portrayed by Carroll O’Connor. Despite Archie’s offensive views, O’Connor’s portrayal resonated with viewers, as explained by Reiner in a 2004 interview with the Television Academy Foundation.
“I think [Archie] was acceptable because he was real,” said Reiner, the director of The Princess Bride. “He loved his family, and even though he was bigoted and was ignorant, he was human. We saw a very vulnerable, loving person towards his family, and that made him acceptable in a certain way.”
Reiner emphasized that while audiences didn’t accept Archie’s viewpoints or bigotry, they could relate to his humanity as a loving father and husband.
The Archie-Mike Dynamic
A central theme of the series was the tumultuous relationship between Archie Bunker and his son-in-law, Mike Stivic, played by Reiner. Archie, an opinionated conservative, often clashed with Mike, whom he disparagingly called a “bleeding heart liberal.”
Reiner reflected on this complex dynamic, noting that despite Archie’s anger and resentment towards Mike, there was an underlying affection. “I think that [Archie], at the same time that he was angry with Mike, he had a love for him,” Reiner recalled. He suggested that Archie’s resentment stemmed partly from jealousy, as Mike had opportunities that Archie never had.
“He looked up to Mike in an odd way,” Reiner said. “He was angry at him, but part of him looked up to Mike because Mike could achieve things that he could not. And he definitely had a love for him. That’s why audiences accepted him. Because as angry as he was, and as rageful as he was, and as bigoted as he was, he still had a capacity to love.”
The Emotional Farewell
Reiner described the deeply emotional experience of filming his final episode on All in the Family. After eight seasons, the cast had become like a second family, spending more time together than with their real families.
The final episode of the eighth season, titled “The Stivics Go West,” featured Reiner and Struthers’ characters saying goodbye to Archie and Edith, played by the unforgettable Jean Stapleton.
“That [episode] was a very emotional time for all of us,” Reiner shared. “We’d been together for eight years… and you spend more time with your TV family than with your real family. And so you get very, very close to them and it’s very emotional.”
Reiner recounted the authenticity of their farewell scene. “The scene where we say goodbye to each other, there was no acting. There was just no acting. You didn’t have to act. I mean, I looked at Carroll… I’ll never forget it because it was one of those times when you don’t act because all of your emotions just come out.”
The genuine emotions that flowed during that farewell scene underscore the deep connections formed on All in the Family, making the show a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.