It’s the 1970’s, the world is changing, lifestyles are changing, television is changing. It is also a time when producer/director/writer Norman Lear is pitching his new show to the ABC network. It was a show that would change television viewing forever and spawn a number of spinoffs. Here are some fun facts about “All in The Family”.

The show was based on a very funny and successful British sitcom called “Till Death Do Us Part” about a conservative father and his liberal son in law. Lear took the idea and created one of the biggest hits TV would see in the U.S.

The pilot was titled “Justice For All” with the main character named Archie Justice, and was pitched to ABC. They weren’t sure and asked for another pilot with the new title “Those Were the Days”

Lear did two pilots for ABC, but they turned it down because they saw it as way to controversial. So, Lear went to CBS and pitched his idea for “All in the Family” the new title.

Robert Wood, president of CBS had heard about the show. Wanting to get new shows that were more “cutting edge” he met with Lear saw takes from the pilots and read some of Lear’s ideas and decided to take a chance on the show.

When the show premiered it posted a disclaimer at the beginning. Still CBS was worried about reaction. So they hired dozens of extra operators at the network’s switchboard to handle the barrage of outraged telephone calls, It never happened and CBS knew they had a hit on their hands.

As for some of the early casting a couple of interesting actors were offered roles and turned them down. Mickey Rooney was offered the role of Archie Bunker. He turned it down saying he wouldn’t play a bigot, that was not him. So, Carroll O’Conner was brought in ad the rest, as they say is history.

The network was concerned about O’Connor playing the role of Archie because he had never done real comedy. In films and some early TV he had always played bad guys. But after seeing the pilot, they were convinced he could carry the show.

The role of Meathead was offered to Richard Dreyfuss, but he also turned it down. Lear was very close friends with Carl Reiner and knew Rob Reiner’s talents so he convinced network execs that he could play the role.

Jean Stapleton was a Broadway star. Although Stapleton’s opening credits performance of Those Were The Days is played for laughs, she was actually an accomplished singer. She performed on Broadway in Damn Yankees and Bells Are Ringing in the 1950s and recreated her stage roles in the film versions.

One more bit about casting. The character of Stretch Cunningham, Archie’s somewhat goofy friend, was played by an up and coming actor. He always got laughs with his character, but would leave the show after 2 seasons. He then went on to become one of Hollywood’s great dramatic actors. His name is James Cromwell.

O’Connor and Sammy Davis Jr. were good friends in real life, and All in the Family was Davis’ favorite TV show. So, at his request, a guest spot was arranged for him in season two. The kiss at the end was O’Connor’s idea, and the audience reaction was the loudest and longest laugh in the history of the series.

All In The Family has more spin-offs than any other TV sitcom with seven directly or indirectly. Maude with Bea Arthur as Edith’s cousin was first in 1972. Next came The Jeffersons, with Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford as Bunker neighbors who “move on up to the East Side” of Manhattan. Next was the short-lived Gloria in 1982, with Struthers raising Joey after divorcing Mike. Then came 97 episodes of Archie Bunker’s Place. And finally, 704 Hauser brought us back to the Bunker house with a new family living there in 1994.

There is a lot more we could add about this ground breaking show, but for now we hope you enjoyed these fun facts. If you want to see even more go to:  https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71345/16-cutting-edge-facts-about-all-family which just one of the sites with some fun facts. Yep, those were the days my friend.