Over half a century ago, the idea for what would become “All in the Family” was conceived by ABC, inspired by the British sitcom “Till Death Us Do Part.” This show, which premiered in 1965, was as controversial in the UK as the Bunkers and the Stivics would later be in the US. Despite this, Leonard H. Goldenson, the founder and then-president of ABC, asked Norman Lear to develop an American version of the sitcom.
Inspiration Strikes
Norman Lear discovered “Till Death Us Do Part” through a brief mention in TV Guide. “I believe it was a paragraph about this British show, about a father and son-in-law who fought about everything political,” Lear recounted in a Television Academy Foundation interview. The show had already made waves in the UK, and Lear saw a reflection of his own life in it. “My father used to call me the laziest white kid he ever met…Those arguments were fresh in my mind and so were his attitudes.”
Crafting the Concept
With this inspiration, Lear quickly wrote about a hundred pages of notes, outlining a show about a father and son-in-law with political differences, inspired by his own family. He initially named the lead character Archie Justice, and the show “Justice for All.” Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton were cast as Archie and Edith Justice, with Jean Peters and Tim McIntire playing their daughter and son-in-law. However, ABC rejected this pilot.
A Second Attempt
Determined, Lear agreed to produce a second pilot for ABC, now titled “Those Were the Days,” with O’Connor and Stapleton returning, but this too was rejected. ABC feared the public wouldn’t accept a show that took shots at blacks and ethnic groups. “We thought both pilots were terrific,” Goldenson admitted, “But we felt that the public wouldn’t accept it.”
CBS Takes a Chance
After ABC’s rejection, Lear approached CBS. Bob Wood, the new president of CBS, wanted shows that would spark conversations, and he believed this one would. CBS had seen one of the ABC pilots and requested a new one. Around this time, Lear was offered a lucrative three-picture deal with United Artists, but he chose to pursue the TV show instead, driven by his emotional connection to the material.
The Perfect Cast
This time, the casting was spot-on. Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers joined Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton as Mike and Gloria Stivic, the son-in-law and daughter. Lear described this casting as “magic” and credited some other entity for the perfect chemistry between the four actors.
A Rocky Start and Ultimate Triumph
CBS initially scheduled “All in the Family” in a challenging 9:30 PM Tuesday slot, where it struggled to gain traction. However, during the summer reruns, the show skyrocketed in popularity. “All in the Family” defied expectations, not only surviving its first season but going on to become one of the most influential and beloved sitcoms in television history.
Legacy
No one could have predicted that “All in the Family” would make such a profound impact. It wasn’t just a TV show; it was a cultural phenomenon that addressed and challenged societal issues head-on. Norman Lear’s dedication and vision, coupled with the undeniable chemistry of the cast, created a piece of television history that remains relevant and revered to this day.