Before All in the Family emerged as one of television’s most revolutionary sitcoms, it struggled to find its footing, with two failed pilot attempts that left network executives skeptical. The inaugural pilot, titled “Justice For All,” was filmed three years prior to the show’s eventual debut and featured familiar faces like Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton, who would later portray the iconic married couple, Archie and Edith Bunker. However, the original casting for their daughter and son-in-law did not resonate, with Kelly Jean Peters from Cagney & Lacey and Tim McIntire from Soap filling those roles.
In his memoir, I Think I’m Outta Here, O’Connor revealed that he took the initiative to rewrite the original pilot script. Recorded in October 1968, it did not win over network executives. According to a TIME magazine retrospective by Daniel S. Levy, dissatisfaction with the younger cast led to a second pilot, “Those Were The Days,” featuring Candice Azzara and newcomer Chip Oliver. Unfortunately, this version also failed to impress. It wasn’t until CBS appointed a new president willing to commit to a 13-week Season 1 that the show we recognize as All in the Family was finally greenlit.
A Fateful Casting Change
In a retrospective interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2021, series creator Norman Lear credited a pivotal casting decision for the show’s ultimate success. “The gods wanted me to come across Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers,” he remarked, referring to the actors who embodied Gloria and her husband, Michael “Meathead” Stivic. Lear emphasized that the initial pilots were solid, featuring O’Connor and Stapleton, but the younger roles needed the right actors to bring the ensemble to life.
Reflecting on the serendipity of their casting, Lear noted, “It was the third time we were asked to make it that I cast Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers, and bless the fact that nobody picked up the show before we found them. Because the chemistry of those four people in every direction was magic.” This chemistry ultimately became a cornerstone of the show’s enduring appeal. Following the nine successful seasons of All in the Family, Reiner transitioned into directing, helming classics like Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally…, and The Princess Bride. Struthers, too, left her mark on television with memorable roles in 9 to 5, Gilmore Girls, and Dinosaurs.
Overcoming Doubts and Controversy
Despite the eventual triumph, the journey was fraught with uncertainty. At the time, the notion of showcasing a flawed, bigoted patriarch on national television during a period of social upheaval raised eyebrows. Lear recounted that actor Mickey Rooney warned him, “Norm, they are going to kill you. They are going to shoot you in the streets,” after being offered the role of Archie Bunker.
With ABC executives wary of potential backlash, they opted to shelve the project after investing around $250,000 between the second and third pilots. Lear explained, “It wasn’t a question of whether it was funny or not. They peed in their pants. But they were afraid.” It was only in 1972 that CBS was bold enough to embrace the show, a decision that would redefine television. All in the Family has since become an iconic series, celebrated for its fearless exploration of social issues and its dynamic cast, which continues to influence the industry today.
