All In The Family Facts That Would Make Even Archie Bunker Blush
From 1971 to 1979, people across America couldn’t wait to watch All in the Family every week. Created by the late, great comedy legend Norman Lear, who died in December 2023, the show kept audiences laughing by making sure the loud-mouthed, prejudiced Archie Bunker always got his comeuppance. But while a willingness to address serious social issues put All in the Family in the national spotlight, these behind-the-scenes decisions were what helped the show swim — and nearly caused it to sink.
1. The show was 'basically' cancelled twice
Before All in the Family became a TV classic, it had humble beginnings. Originally, the show was going to be aired on ABC — not CBS. But while the production company created a pilot episode, executives at ABC didn’t like it. Producers took another crack at that first episode, but the execs still weren’t happy. Eventually, the rights to All in the Family were sold to CBS.
2. It aired because of the Rural Purge
Archie Bunker only made it to air when the new CBS president decided he wanted more socially relevant programming. Attempting to attract younger viewers, Robert Wood axed several comedies, including Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, to make way for shows such as All in the Family. This became known as the Rural Purge.
3. All in the Family was based on another show
The idea for All in the Family wasn’t pulled out of a hat. Back in the 1960s, Norman Lear was heavily influenced by the BBC comedy Till Death Us Do Part. The British sitcom revolved around a prejudiced man who freely shared his views with his family. Sound familiar at all?
4. Execs worked through a few different names
That first pilot created for ABC? It was not called All in the Family. The show was originally dubbed Justice For All, which sounds more like a courtroom drama than a sitcom. ABC’s second attempt? Those Were The Days. Finally, when CBS bought the show, it was given its iconic name — and the rest is history.
