Maybe it played that way with Lear and his elite circle of Hollywood friends. But in middle America and in the working class neighborhoods, we were all cheering Archie on while jeering at the Meathead. I don't think Lear anticipated that - but as another poster pointed out, he cashed his checks anyhow and became a very wealthy man.
Maybe it played that way with Lear and his elite circle of Hollywood friends. But in middle America and in the working class neighborhoods, we were all cheering Archie on while jeering at the Meathead. I don't think Lear anticipated that - but as another poster pointed out, he cashed his checks anyhow and became a very wealthy man.
"All in the Family" was inspired by Johnny Speight's Britcom "Till Death Us Do Part." Archie Bunker was originally known as Alf Garnett, across the pond.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Till_Death_Us_Do_Part
The series became an instant hit because, although a comedy, in the context of its time it did deal with aspects of working-class life comparatively realistically. It addressed racial and political issues at a difficult time in British society. Mitchell imbued the character of Alf Garnett with an earthy charm that served to humanise Alf and make him likable. According to interviews he gave, the fact that some viewers overlooked Alf's views and regarded him as a rough diamond disappointed Speight.