Welcome to a new Sitcom Tuesday! Today, we’re continuing our coverage on the best episodes from one of the best sitcoms of all time, All In The Family (1971-1979, CBS). I’m thrilled to announce that every single episode of the series has been released on DVD. Archie Bunker, a conservative working-class family man with outdated and bigoted views, clashes with his liberal son-in-law, Michael Stivic (nicknamed “Meathead” by Archie), over important issues of the day. Also in the house are Archie’s sweet, but dingy wife, Edith, and their daughter, Gloria, who is caught between the ideals of her father and her husband. All In The Family stars CARROLL O’CONNOR as Archie Bunker, JEAN STAPLETON as Edith Bunker, ROB REINER as Mike Stivic, and SALLY STRUTHERS as Gloria Bunker-Stivic.
No longer a new and fresh series, the fourth season of All In The Family transitions the show into its middle years, revealing a sitcom that, although not shining quite as bright as it had in years past, is still able to produce episodes of a consistent (and most often hilarious) lot. Like Seasons Two and Three, there really aren’t any duds that completely miss the mark. (This will be the last season for which I can say that truthfully.) However, Season Four slowly begins the show’s descent into schizophrenia: one week a “serious” topical episode, the next week one that is silly and entirely too trivial. This will grow more pronounced as the series goes along, and with inferior scripts, the series won’t be able to pull of the dichotomy as well as it does here. Meanwhile, Betty Garrett and Vincent Gardenia join the cast as Irene and Frank Lorenzo, and while the latter will be phased out by the end of the season, Garrett holds on until late 1975, providing yet another wonderful foil for the Archie character (and a friend to Edith and the kids). So, I have picked ten episodes that I think exemplify this season’s strongest installments. For new fans, this list will give you a place to start. For seasoned fans, there might be a few surprises.
Here are my picks for the ten best episodes of Season Four. (They are in AIRING ORDER.) Note that every episode this season is directed by both John Rich and Bob LaHendro, unless otherwise noted.
Episode 62: “We’re Having A Heat Wave” (Aired: 09/15/73)
Archie and Henry Jefferson join forces to keep a Puerto Rican couple from moving into the neighborhood.
Written by Don NichollIn this superb start to the fourth season, the street is up in arms due to both a heat wave (while the Bunkers’ air conditioner is broken) and the possible arrival of Puerto Ricans into the neighborhood. What works particularly well about this episode is the unlikely alliance between Archie and Henry Jefferson, as the series explores the truism that racism exists in all ethnicities. Also, in addition to the introduction of the Lorenzos, a Catholic couple with reversed gender stereotypes (designed to clash with Archie), this episode is notable for its topicality, as Archie and Mike spend part of the episode screaming at each other about Nixon and Watergate. Great episode — fast-paced and funny.
