Every week, for several years, 50 million TV viewers sat glued to their sets, watching Archie Bunker and his bickering, bellowing family pick on each other. Yet, somehow, the deep love, awkward tenderness and strong concern felt by each member of that family toward the others, reached the audience.
ALL IN THE FAMILY did not portray a model, ideal, artificial family, but a living, breathing, real one. That is why the show was so popular. It depicted average, everyday, ordinary people, often annoyed with one another, often angry with one another. Still, there was a strong bond of love between them. There was a readiness to forgive that often resulted in sincere, if clumsy efforts to bring out the best qualities in each other. When the day came for Gloria (the daughter) and “Meathead” (her husband) to leave the Bunker’s nest, many in the audience cried, as if they were losing a close friend.
Separation can be tough. But, isn’t that the way…
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