tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2277225125704474880..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The upcoming live ALL IN THE FAMILY/JEFFERSONS episodesBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52248474708537960122019-05-24T17:28:42.122-07:002019-05-24T17:28:42.122-07:00I didn’t like the special. Most of the actors were...I didn’t like the special. Most of the actors were doing bad imitations of the original actors, and didn’t have the wonderful timing that distinguished the old cast. What was the point of doing the same script on the same sets and imitating the old actors? And Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted, is increasingly insufferable.<br /><br />“All in the Family” was a wonderful show. It was not flawless. But as a character study, it was great. I liked Archie and Edith’s story arc. He was a bigot with few redeeming qualities at first. And she seemed stupid. But gradually, the writers turned Edith into deeply principled woman who wasn’t afraid to stand up to Archie. And she was responsible for pulling him back from where his worst instincts would lead him.<br /><br />I remember a great episode where Edith’s cousin passed away, and Edith expected to reclaim the silver family tea set from her. But the cousin’s female “roommate” turned out to be her partner, and she wanted to keep the tea set for sentimental reasons. Archie planned to drag her into court to get the silver, and the woman said she could not go to court because she would lose her job as a schoolteacher if she were outed. Edith pulled Archie aside and explained to him that this woman is her cousin’s next of kin and that Archie shouldn’t get her fired over the tea set. “I can’t believe you’d do something that mean,” she said. You see a closeup of Archie’s face as he realizes that he is wrong and his wife is right, and then he makes peace with the woman. It’s a beautiful, uplifting moment, and a great example of how this man is slowly becoming a little bit more enlightened.<br /><br />And honestly, have there ever been better character actors than Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton on TV?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73136178226191123822019-05-24T13:39:36.993-07:002019-05-24T13:39:36.993-07:00The series AMERICAN DAD was overtly political when...The series AMERICAN DAD was overtly political when it began: The father was the Bush-loving Republican and his daughter was strawman feminist hippie. His son was a Junior Republican. They later veered more toward personality conflict than political conflict. Conservative dad vs. liberal daughter can have conflicts in *how* they view the world and react to situations. (They also just made the son character an apolitical nerd.)<br /><br />ALL IN THE FAMILY was definitely not saddled with pop culture and political references -- the sort of thing that plagued MURPHY BROWN. It was much broader. I think the same thing happened with FAMILY TIES. Yes, Alex was a Republican but the conflict with his liberal Boomer parents was based more in his "greed is good" 80s consumerism.<br /><br />I remember commenting once online that the Hecks from The Middle were probably Trump voters (if they voted at all), and fans were irate. They *liked* the Frankie and Mike so couldn't believe they were like the 60% of Indiana residents who voted for Trump. Stephen Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03670422634319094941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8124818862283101162019-05-23T18:39:56.695-07:002019-05-23T18:39:56.695-07:00@buttermilkspy - The producers did actually come c...@buttermilkspy - The producers did actually come close to that line in a two parter around season six or seven where Archie was recruited by what turned out to be the KKK. That went too far even for Archie.<br /><br />Douglas Trapassohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18348522207945522495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26487613604135905072019-05-23T15:13:51.622-07:002019-05-23T15:13:51.622-07:00Rolling Stone just posted it's review of the s...Rolling Stone just posted it's review of the special. Ken I, strongly advise you not to eat a hearty meal before reading the last paragraph:<br /><br />https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-features/all-in-family-jeffersons-reboot-review-839078/Douglas Trapassohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18348522207945522495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49278944188815103772019-05-23T13:30:08.623-07:002019-05-23T13:30:08.623-07:00Looking at these comments, are you all aware that ...Looking at these comments, are you all aware that the show has already aired?MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69439153693615390472019-05-23T13:23:44.878-07:002019-05-23T13:23:44.878-07:00It turns out Marisa Tomei as Edith Bunker was a re...It turns out Marisa Tomei as Edith Bunker was a revelation. Who knew?Caleb Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09808270056236671679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37656649593040385202019-05-23T09:27:59.438-07:002019-05-23T09:27:59.438-07:00The problem as I see it is that a reboot would be ...The problem as I see it is that a reboot would be Trump-centric rather than issue-centric. Presidents Nixon/Ford/Carter who held office during the AITF years were not the focus or even mentioned in every episode. This is where the modern day writers would screw up. Viewers would watch a character that has certain beliefs but would tune out a show that is a non-stop Trump rally.Edwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03428768957017762182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47572724683562844272019-05-23T08:48:07.602-07:002019-05-23T08:48:07.602-07:00"Bigoted - having or revealing an obstinate b..."Bigoted - having or revealing an obstinate belief in the superiority of one's own opinions and a prejudiced intolerance of the opinions of others."<br /><br />Clearly many people in this thread are up for the role of the new ArchieCoram_Locinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64988377551364876472019-05-22T10:11:50.178-07:002019-05-22T10:11:50.178-07:00Who should do the remake of Cheers? Colbert? Fal...Who should do the remake of Cheers? Colbert? Fallon? Or make it a musical and have James Corden do it?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880646894752760905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11709297002240875992019-05-22T03:37:54.464-07:002019-05-22T03:37:54.464-07:00Facebook member of I Loved A.M. Radio and THIS was...Facebook member of I Loved A.M. Radio and THIS was posted sometime yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2170630199695771&set=a.432832323475576&type=3&theater&ifg=1 What's the story behind this and do you remember it at all?<br />YEKIMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01921751875397071034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53185706350468182632019-05-21T23:39:29.603-07:002019-05-21T23:39:29.603-07:00Much as I admire Ms. Tomei I wonder how they can m...Much as I admire Ms. Tomei I wonder how they can make her as "frumpy" as Ms. Stapleton played Edith.<br /><br />As evil as nixon was he at least understood government and had some "respect" for the system. Not to mention he did enlist in WW II.<br /><br />demented has no understanding of government doesn't care and probably, like James Caan's character in the godfather, feels that only suckers go into the military and only little people pay taxes.<br />Granted tricky dicks crimes le to addled ronnie, perjurer poppa, the twit and now the dmented one.<br />If we were not on a down hill slope with thuglicans before tricky dick sure gave us that push headed down the slope straight into the sewer.<br />Greatest damage done by tricky dick was not only his lack of shame, but his acolytes complete lack of shame or honor, plus the thuglicans deciding that reporting the crimes were worst then the crimes so they dedicated the last decades to either buying the media and trashing it. <br />Nixon could be laughed at because we had faith in the system and that some of the thuglicans actually took their oath of office seriously not just a irrelevent ceremonial formality. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71966687040785694342019-05-21T21:15:41.914-07:002019-05-21T21:15:41.914-07:00I'd rather see Margo Martindale as Edith than ...I'd rather see Margo Martindale as Edith than Tomei.DBAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39006826110709705662019-05-21T19:58:45.151-07:002019-05-21T19:58:45.151-07:00Ironic that you won't watch a program about a....Ironic that you won't watch a program about a...trying to avoid saying "bigot" here...if he has the wrong political views. Just sayin'.Looseheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40019671898404900722019-05-21T16:45:18.438-07:002019-05-21T16:45:18.438-07:00I fear a slippery slope: next thing you know, they...I fear a slippery slope: next thing you know, they'll be rebooting Shakespeare and Neil Simon with contemporary actors.Todd Everettnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13654394630406316072019-05-21T16:18:33.319-07:002019-05-21T16:18:33.319-07:00If it doesn't work, it'll be forgotten, so...If it doesn't work, it'll be forgotten, so there doesn't seem to be much risk. Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69450819747574123482019-05-21T16:13:21.095-07:002019-05-21T16:13:21.095-07:00I recall seeing an interview with Norman Lear a fe...I recall seeing an interview with Norman Lear a few years back where he was asked what Archie would have thought of Barack Obama. Would Archie be a "birther", or one of those other right-wingers who questioned his presidency's "legitimacy" in some way?<br /> And Lear, being Lear had the perfect answer: Archie would never question the legitimacy of anyone elected Presidency, because that would be questioning The System itself, and Archie believed in The System.<br /> But he WOULD question whether Obama was really BLACK.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1649564664809135482019-05-21T15:36:49.167-07:002019-05-21T15:36:49.167-07:00Archie Bunker did refer at one time to "Richa...Archie Bunker did refer at one time to "Richard E. Nixon" (an obvious MAD magazine reference). I can't complain since I make my share of tpyos all the time...<br /><br />Frank Beansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20972156198314619342019-05-21T14:37:55.688-07:002019-05-21T14:37:55.688-07:00This sounds like an exercise in nostalgia for the ...This sounds like an exercise in nostalgia for the good old days of Watergate and the Vietnam War. Archie was a racist but I can't imagine him marching with Nazis, just as I can't imagine Nixon demanding that "his" Justice Department find a reason to prosecute Hubert Humphrey (to cite only one of Benedict Donald's offenses against decency). We COULD use a man like Herbert Hoover again. He was a lousy president but he wasn't a sociopath.Buttermilk Skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07430011403223875192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66761220124226720582019-05-21T14:34:06.766-07:002019-05-21T14:34:06.766-07:00I was a pre-teen in the 70's. So when I watche...I was a pre-teen in the 70's. So when I watched All in the Family, the politics and social issues were way over my head. But I remember having a much more negative reaction to Michael than I did to Archie. Michael seemed so insufferable and self-righteous. Again, I was just a kid, so I didn't understand the bigger issues. But Archie was human and sympathetic to me, and I could kind of see through his bluster. I instinctively wanted Archie to win his arguments against Michael. I think that O'Connor's brilliance as an actor had a lot to do with that. I'm not sure who else could have pulled it off. Maybe Harrelson can.<br /><br />I have members in my family just like Michael: very liberal on all sorts of issues, but jerks to the people around them. Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29191551209843509382019-05-21T14:17:32.486-07:002019-05-21T14:17:32.486-07:00There was a reboot in 2016 that flopped https://yo...There was a reboot in 2016 that flopped https://youtu.be/4-11ONNnh8Utherealshellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05598639173652882797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72457152199055253822019-05-21T13:03:48.743-07:002019-05-21T13:03:48.743-07:00Which is funny because Carroll O'Connor and Ro...Which is funny because Carroll O'Connor and Rob Reiner were best friends off-camera.<br /><br />O'Connor was not politically like Archie in real life.Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16136856533329478197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71630065675429730042019-05-21T12:02:01.763-07:002019-05-21T12:02:01.763-07:00@Michael Hagerty: great observations about the (m...@Michael Hagerty: great observations about the (my) Boomer Generation. Maybe we all grow up to be our parents, in one way or another.<br />@Ken: they're still scared, and afraid of change. And in some of them, there's definitely a stupidity, and even a malevolence. True, I get that. But not in all, or even most. The harshness of your judgment is jarring. But I'll leave it at that; don't want to hijack comments.thomas tuckernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2751293991972856292019-05-21T11:57:59.367-07:002019-05-21T11:57:59.367-07:00I don't get this at all. If they're remak...I don't get this at all. If they're remakes of two episodes- why bother? I can see the originals on Youtube. And I have no interest in watching a reboot. <br /><br />There are on youtube two episodes of Lucille Ball's radio show My Favorite Husband where the audio was set to Flash Animation. And the Batman 66 Comic Book had one issue that was an adaptation of a Harlen Ellison story outline for an episode that would have featured Two-Face. Those I found interesting. Jeff Boicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14600946876122022978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65584373574094522132019-05-21T11:07:03.942-07:002019-05-21T11:07:03.942-07:00::: FRIDAY QUESTION :::
This is odd. During the o...::: FRIDAY QUESTION :::<br /><br />This is odd. During the opening credits of MASH, the "T" in McLean Stevenson's name isn't stenciled, although the rest of the letters in his name are stenciled. Any speculation as to why this might've happened? Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00107309396839340695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79124474882145094252019-05-21T11:02:51.026-07:002019-05-21T11:02:51.026-07:00I wish them all well, yet I won't be watching ...I wish them all well, yet I won't be watching regardless. Wednesday night is "Nova" on PBS. But seriously, I think Marisa Tomei is the best, i.e. the most appropriate casting choice of all the actors. I also think Kevin Hart would be a better George than Jamie Foxx.<br /><br />I saw Ken's play this past weekend. I highly recommend it. Go see it if you live in or near Los Angeles.<br /><br />Good point, Michael Hagerty.<br /><br />Off topic: Regarding yesterday's blog, CBS reran the "Big Bang Theory" series finale last night. I liked it much better the second time. As for the numbers, I agree that over the years people have developed a finale burn out. And as for TBBT itself, the series has been running out of steam for awhile now, so there was no real impetus to watch the last episode. <br />The main question I have about "Game of Thrones" ratings is do people watch that show because they actually enjoy it?! Or simply because they want to be part of a pop-culture fad?<br />M.B. Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.com