Even when it premiered in America in the 1970's, audiences knew that "All in the Family" was a groundbreaking television show, pushing the boundaries of what a family oriented situational comedy could be. This influence has now passed on forty years later with our generation's new, edgy, and very popular sitcom, "Modern Family".
After seeing a few episodes of "All in the Family" and seeing every episode of "Modern Family", it is easy to draw parallels in the content both covered. They both deal with an older, traditional father (Carroll O'Connor and Ed O'Neill respectively) who must deal with the new radical changes, their adult children and younger generation feel. Archie (O'Connor) and Jay (O'Neill) both come face to face and resent new changes such as homosexuality, new, more loving ways of parenting (not just the "tough love" approach they grew up with), and the new roles men in society should take. Archie and Jay are both the dominant Alpha Male, and seeing their sons and sons-in-law take new, somewhat domestic roles shakes their sense of masculinity even more.
Where they differ however, is what makes the shows very different. Archie is a bigot, racist, sexist, and all around son-of-a-bitch whose mind is incapable of being changed. "All in the Family" usually ends with a prominent does of cynicism, following Archie's bewildered expression into no real impact, offering little hope for the older generation's understanding of new, liberal ideals. Jay, on the other hand, usually learns a lesson or two and "Modern Family" itself offers a more optimistic view of how family can come together and love each other even with so many generational differences. This is the true difference of the show, and what makes "All in the Family" a more cynical, topical show, and "Modern Family" a friendlier, if just as topical show.
As for the content, "All in the Family" had very edgy episodes showing a high-class African-American family richer than Archie's, the Jeffersons. This was very edgy and topical, but today is not very unusual or edgy on TV. For "Modern Family", the most relevant topic is a homosexual couple, raising a child. This is still VERY controversial and something that is true to our time. A concept like this was probably never even considered when "All in the Family" aired.
It is safe to say that without "All in the Family" we could not have new edgy, family shows like "Modern Family", "Family Guy", "The Simpsons", and most of all "South Park", the most relevant and revolutionary family comedy show of our generation. "All in the Family" made it possible to show very edgy social and political changes on a medium meant for safe, family comedy. Thank you, Norman Lear.
No comments:
Post a Comment