All in the Family debuted on CBS on January 12, 1971, and it hit the ground running. The Norman Lear-created sitcom about the Bunker family — including boorish everyman Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), sweet wife Edith (Jean Stapleton), feisty daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers), and son-in-law Michael, a.k.a. Meathead (Rob Reiner) —finished its first season as the #34 show in the country, but jumped to number one in its second season — a spot it held on to for the following four seasons. The 1979 series finale was watched by over 40 million viewers, and to this day, the show is beloved both for its warm comedy and boldness in dealing with social issues. Given credentials like that, you might be surprised to hear that before the show reached such great heights, it shot three pilots — two of which never aired.
What happened in the unaired All in the Family pilots?
All three pilots worked from the same script — which was adapted from a British show called ‘Til Death Do Us Part. Lear bought the rights and originally approached Mickey Rooney for the lead role, but the actor passed, feeling the show was doomed to failure. Lear then recruited O’Connor to play the role of a character then named Archie Justice, on a show then known as Justice for All. The Justice for All pilot was shot in 1968, and though it included Stapleton in the role of Edith, the role of Gloria was handled by Kelly Jean Peters, while her husband (then called Richard) was played by Tim McIntire. Though it included the signature opening of Archie and Edith singing “Those Were the Days,” instead of showing the pair crooning, the credits show shots of New York City, ending at the Justices’ front door.
Lear presented Justice For All to ABC, who passed on picking up the show, but gave him an infusion of cash to shoot a new pilot. That show, called Those Were the Days, was filmed in early 1969, and again starred O’Connor and Stapleton — but Gloria had been recast with Candy Azzara, while her husband (now called Dickie), was played by Chip Oliver. This version included a different but similar version of opening credits with Archie and Edith singing — though this was shot before a live audience, who chuckle throughout.
Lear took his second pilot again to ABC, who once again passed. He then brought it to CBS, who said yes, but with a caveat: it was time to once again recast Gloria and Meathead. It turned out, third time was the charm with the Bunker young’uns — Struthers and Reiner’s pilot made it to air as the show’s debut episode, “Meet the Bunkers.” Though they weren’t the show’s top-billed stars, Reiner and Struthers ended up being what finally got the show to air — and were an essential part of the secret sauce that kept them on top for so long.
Have you ever watched the very first episode of “All in the Family” and thought something felt… odd? Like, where the heck are Gloria and Meathead? You’re not crazy—Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers, the beloved kids of the Bunker clan, weren’t in the original pilot. But why? What happened behind the scenes that kept these future sitcom icons off our screens?
Let’s pull back the curtain and uncover the real story behind this early casting mystery.
The Birth of ‘All in the Family’: Not As Simple As You Think
Before this cultural powerhouse hit TV screens and rewrote American sitcom history, ‘All in the Family’ took a bumpy road to get made. Three pilot episodes were shot before CBS gave the final green light. Yep—three.
A Tale of Three Pilots
You read that right. CBS wasn’t totally sold at first. The show went through three separate pilot versions before the network dared to unleash Archie Bunker and family on America.
The First Pilot: A Different Gloria and Michael
In the original 1968 pilot titled ‘Justice for All’, Archie and Edith were already played by Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton. But guess who played Gloria and Michael? Not Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers.
Who Played the Original Kids?
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Tim McIntire as Mike
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Kelly Jean Peters as Gloria
Yep. These two actors were the original Bunker kids. But something didn’t click.
Why Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers Were Missing
So, why weren’t the faces we all know and love cast from the start?
1. Creative Adjustments
Norman Lear, the show’s brilliant creator, wasn’t satisfied with the original casting. The chemistry wasn’t right. The arguments between Archie and Mike felt stiff, and Gloria’s role lacked charm and strength.
2. Network Pressure
CBS execs also had their doubts. They wanted a sharper dynamic between the generations—a real fire between the old guard (Archie) and the young rebels (Mike and Gloria). Tim and Kelly just didn’t bring the spark Lear craved.
The Second Pilot: Still Not Quite There
The second pilot saw more tweaking, but the young couple was still not Reiner and Struthers. Lear was still searching for the perfect fit.
Third Time’s the Charm: Enter Reiner and Struthers
Finally, for the third pilot—what we now know as the real first episode—Lear brought in Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers. Instantly, magic. The chemistry exploded. The arguments between Archie and Meathead sizzled. Gloria became strong-willed and funny.
And CBS bought it.
Rob Reiner: The Perfect ‘Meathead’
You couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law nemesis for Archie Bunker. Rob Reiner had the youthful arrogance and liberal confidence that made every dinner-table debate feel real and biting.
Sally Struthers: Gloria with Guts and Heart
Struthers brought the perfect blend of sweetness and sass. Gloria wasn’t just Archie’s “little girl” anymore—she could go toe-to-toe with him or stand up to Mike’s lectures.
Why the Third Pilot Worked
1. Chemistry Over Everything
Casting isn’t just about looks or acting chops—it’s about energy. Reiner and Struthers lit up the screen in ways the earlier actors didn’t.
2. Norman Lear’s Insistence on Perfection
Lear fought hard to get the right mix. He knew the show would rise or fall on the family’s dynamic.
3. Realism That Hit Home
For audiences to believe in Archie’s world, they had to believe in his family. The final casting made that possible.
The Network’s Final Blessing
CBS finally gave in. They saw what Lear saw: a bold, fresh, dangerous new sitcom that America couldn’t ignore. And with Reiner and Struthers in place, “All in the Family” became unstoppable.
A Risk That Paid Off Big Time
Imagine if Lear had stuck with the original pilot. The show might have fizzled into obscurity. But thanks to his guts—and the right casting—TV history was made.
Archie Bunker Without Meathead? Unthinkable!
It’s wild to imagine Archie Bunker without Rob Reiner’s Meathead arguing across the table. Those scenes became the very heart of the show. Without that tension, would we still talk about “All in the Family” today?
The Takeaway: Pilots Are Just the Beginning
So many shows change between pilot and series—but few changed so much, and so perfectly, as “All in the Family.” The missing Reiner and Struthers in the first pilot wasn’t a mistake. It was part of the long, winding road to sitcom greatness.
Legacy: A Casting Lesson for the Ages
For TV creators everywhere, the “All in the Family” pilot story is a reminder: get the casting right, or don’t go forward. No amount of good writing can save the wrong chemistry.
Where Are They Now?
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Rob Reiner: Became an A-list director (“When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride”).
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Sally Struthers: Had a solid career in TV and theater—and became an activist.
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Both forever linked to the roles they almost never had.
Conclusion: Sometimes the Best Things Take Time
The first version of “All in the Family” was missing something—and that something was Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers. But Norman Lear didn’t settle. He waited, he tweaked, and he perfected. And thanks to that patience, we got a show that’s still unforgettable today.
So next time you watch Archie argue with Meathead, remember—it almost never happened.
