Would an 'All in the Family' type show be even remotely successful today?

[Deja Q]

It would be nice to see a topical comedy again...

[Steve Nash is god 13]

1. only if it was turned into a reality show

[Eric J in MN]

14. This was tried, but rightwing and leftwing protests stopped

it from even airing.

"Welcome to the Neighborhood," reality show about bigoted neighbors, would have aired this summer:

http://www.speakspeak.org/speak-blog/index.php?p=877

[ALago1]

2. It would have to be super subtle

People would have to genuinely laugh at the protagonist's idiocy but at the same time not fully pick up that they're laughing at their own idiotic beliefs as well. That's a tight rope to walk...

[MichiganVote]

3. I don't know. People seem to have a hard time laughing at themselves

and I wonder if anyone would have the balls to produce it. Reality shows, cheap entertainment, even cheaper content seem to be the current fare

[Rabrrrrrr]

No. I think there would be a huge liberal backlash on it,

for the kind of "forbidden" words that were used in the show, even though used artistically and within an appropriate context of satire.

[ALago1]

6. Good point

Never thought of that, but I can forsee it being true.

[enigmatic]

7. I was going to say that

You beat me to it; it would never get on the air.

[proud patriot]

4. The new show American Dad might be

:shrug:

[Mojambo]

10. Yeah, both Seth MacFarlane shows do some similar things

Peter Griffin IS an updated Archie Bunker in a lot of ways. Only more retarded.

[all.of.me]

5. too much racism and hatred

but lots of political info. i hope people have learned since then that hating others is not funny. the humor could be done quietly. all in the family was pretty harsh. it was great, though! don't get me wrong! but it would get on my nerves today.

[napi21]

8. Don't you think that's why "Everybody Loves Raymond" was

a success? Most people could look at at leaset one of the charachters and relate to them.


If you're asking if Father Knows Best could make it today, I doubt it. Again, at the time it was popular, it did typify a lot of families. I remember watching it and realting to Bud getting into trouble, or Betty doing something that you knew happened in almost every home.

I hope there is another show similar to Everybody Loves Raymond. It was enjoyable to just sit and watch a show and laugh.

[carpetbagger]

9. Yes.

Good comedies are hard to come by over the last 20 years. But even pale imitations are remarkable successes.

To the other question, could you make an edgy sitcom about working-class values, ethnicity, and generational clashes? Absolutely. Could you set it in Queens? Sure. Could you do that with a central, white lead? Probably not. If you did, it would have to look inward (Raymond, K of Q). Could you have a multi-ethnic, Sesame-Street-like setting? Sure. The "Archie Bunker" character would have to be more slapstick than realistic. I'm thinking the actual casting of John Rocker moving into the neighborhood for that one. The true beauty would be gently poking fun at older individuals of multiple ethnic and religious groups by way of generational clash with their children who flow freely through the melting pot.

[RummyTheDummy]

11. It would be great on HBO

But network TV has become so dumbed down today it wouldn't work. I can't even stand to watch it anymore. Too many banal shows like Everybody Loves Raymond.

[enigami]

12. That was a great show

Much similar times. Alas, I am afraid it would never get on the air today.

[leftofthedial]

13. I don't know how successful it would be

but I think one is inevitable