All In the Family

My father was a lot like Archie--rough and rude on the outside, but a lot of mush on the inside. The second time I saw him cry was when he said goodbye to me on December 12, 1984, handing me over to the Air Force. He didn't even really cry--but he was obviously trying very hard not to. The other time was when his mother died, over 10 years earlier. He was like a lot from his generation--used a lot of racist terms, spoke in semi-derogatory terms about other races and demographics, but we had a black, a Japanese, and a Chinese neighbor, and we got along with them better than the white folks. Keep in mind, this was and still is a very segregated area. Races don't mix much here, so it's more of a case of unfamiliarity. I, on the other hand, after 20 years in the military, don't really notice races like I did before I left home. It's not something I'm mindful of like I was 30 years ago. People notice differences, but you don't have to hate someone because they are different. Watch animals, when they see something they aren't familiar with--they may growl, they may cowl, they may scowl, but does that make them racist? We all have pre-conceived notions to one level or another, yes, even those who profess to be completely void of an prejudice or bigotry. All fall short....all of us....read your Bible! Anyway, love this scene. Growing up watching this show with my parents, it seemed to be a lot of angry, yelling people. But now in my twilight years, I see there are more than two sides to a coin. By the time I finished editing this, I had tears running down my cheeks--very touching. Rob Reiner said when this scene was filmed, they weren't acting. He and Sally Struthers were leaving the show and it was very sad for them to leave their TV family.

Not much has changed....

Archie returns to the bedroom after Edith dies and finds her slipper. On the third day since the 101st birthday of Edith herself, Jean Stapleton, this heartworming clip of Archie saying goodbye to Edith. I've never been that close to anyone who died except my Gizmo, almost seven years now. I wrote a poem for my father when he passed, my uncle, everyone I felt I was close to as a way of dealing with the grief but Gizmo was different. We were so close--I know that sounds strange for a man and his dog to be closer than a lover or a wife, but no human has ever shown such unconditional love as Gizmo did. We spent 24 hours a day together for most of 14 1/2 years and they say there is no fear in love--well, my wife and any subsequent girlfriends thrived on fear, threats, just keeping their partner uneasy. But not Gizmo--I watched him pass from this world into wherever good doggies go and it was peaceful, beautiful, to know he left this world looking into the eyes of love. No words can really describe that, it was so intimate. My view of people changed after that. I saw what healthy love was like and realized I'd never had it with another human being. Hopefully, I can work on my relationship with Jesus and find that, that unconditional love that keeps one from being insecure in a relationship, unsure, and knowing that no matter what I do, I'll still be loved. As Mike Baxter (Tim Allen) said in "Last Man Standing", "Find someone who will love you for no reason, then shower them with reasons" That's how I was with Gizmo--I never gave much thought to toiling for him, because we loved each other and it was my pleasure to suffer for my little guy. I feel the same about Batman and Chewy--'till people learn to love each other again, dogs will be their closest friends in this life. #archiebunker

Archie and Meathead get locked in storeroom of the bar with no way to get out. They get drunk and begin to talk, mostly about why Archie is so prejudice against people who are different. Archie reveals his father was a very abusive man who corrected Archie by hitting him and locking him in the closet for days at a time. Yet, Archie defends his father. He falls asleep on the floor and Meathead covers him with a blanket.

No Ai was used in creating this video. It would look a lot more crips if it had.

Archies and his half brother talk about their father's reaction when Archie brought Edith home.

From the Sonny and Cher Comedy hour, this rare short of Carroll O'Connor singing "Remembering You", the closing them from "All in the Family" with the composer on piano. Carroll contacted the composer, Roger Kellaway and asked to write lyrics for it. So it's Carroll's words and voice with Roger's melody and pianistic expertise!

Sandy Gennaro and my friend, the late Dave Alexander do a skit from "All in the Family" of Archie and Edith Bunker #allinthefamily #davyjones #archiebunker #edithbunker