A television series that dominated the decade and spawned many spinoffs, All in the Family ended its successful run on April 8, 1979.
After nine seasons on CBS TV, the lives of Archie, Edith, (Carroll O’Connor & Jean Stapleton) their kids and friends was coming to an end. Gloria and Mike (Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner) had left and friends had gone off to their own lives (and shows such as Maude and The Jeffersons).
All in the Family changed television with its content as well as being the first television series that was videotaped in front of a live audience.
The first television series to achieve number one status in the Nielson ratings for five years, All in the Family had won numerous Emmy Awards for its unique combination of humour to address many issues: prejudice, bigotry, politics, feminism, war, poverty, drugs and the changing American society.
Its last episode, titled “Too Good Edith” shows Archie demanding Edith cook for a St. Patrick’s Day party. Edith’s health should prevent her from doing so, but she does, getting herself in worse health and getting Archie in trouble from her doctor.
Their last scene shows their relationship as well as foreshadows her demise, as seen here.
Watched by over 40 million viewers, everyone needed to see the final moments of this influential television series and say goodbye to Archie and Edith. And a lucky studio audience got to witness it live.
W POPAGANDA 