1970s Television: All in the Family [Subgenre, back-story, location]

Subgenre:

All in the Family is categorized under the subgenre of family at home. This show represents family life at home in the 1970s because Archie Bunker, the father of the family in the show, was a working-class family man who held bigoted, conservative views of the world. His viewpoints clash with nearly everyone he comes into contact with especially his liberal son-in-law Mike Stivic. Archie constantly squabbles with his family over the important issues of the day.



This is the theme song for the sitcom All in the Family. All in the Family is an Emmy Award-winning American situation comedy.




This comical episode is titled Archie the Hero. It shows Archie's quick thinking skills. He saves the life of a woman, but the woman he saved is no lady.





This episode is cleverly named Archie's Weighty Problem. Archie has been warned by his doctor to lose weight, and the rest of the Bunkers decide it's time for everyone to go on a healthful diet.

Back-story:

The back-story of All in the Family was pointing out all of the controversial issues of the 1970s. These issues included but were not limited to the Vietnam War, race relations within the United States, drug use and abuse, and political issues during that time. It was extremely filled in because it conveyed and discussed what went on in the 1970s. The series did not shy away from any controversial topic. From politics to sexuality, All in the Family was a very open sitcom.

Location:

The series was filmed at Metromedia Square in Holleywood Los Angeles, California. Lear and his wrtiers set the series in the Queens neighborhood of Astoria. The exact location of the Bunker's House at 704 Houser Street is completely fictitious. Nevertheless, many episodes reveal that the Bunkers live near the major thoroughfare Northern Blvd, which was the location of Kelcy’s Bar and later Archie Bunkers Place. In addition the opening credits for Archie Bunker’s Place suggest that the Bunker’s home and Archie’s bar are also close to intersection of Northern Blvd and Steinway Street. Their house was a lower middle-class home. The sitcom, like many during that time, was shot with three cameras.