This TV show is special to me. Toward the end of its original run on CBS, my entire family made a point of catching it when it aired on Sunday nights, something we didn't do for too many shows. So you can imagine my disappointment that the video quality wasn't - and couldn't be - perfect.
Nevertheless, having watched the first 13 episodes, I have gotten over my disappointment over the video quality, and can recommend that you pick up this set. The Bunkers and The Stivics are still very relevant to today's issues.
They also serve as a time capsule of the little differences from life these days to life in the 70's. Walking everywhere you went, dropping a letter in the mailbox and making sure you "jiggle", getting your fish at one store and your beef at another during a time when supermarkets were virtually unknown, and going to a bank on a weekday to get money instead of using the ATM any time you feel like it. When "Tricky Dick" Nixon was firmly running the country and getting no respect, but still years before his Watergate involvement was brought to life (I can't wait for THOSE episodes to come out). Hearing Mike and Archie discuss the celebrity of Jack Lemmon vs. John Wayne, and seeing Gloria tote the groceries in a very old-style personal shopping cart. I spent the first 9 years of my life in Brooklyn, NY during this same time period of history that we watch these TV characters reside in Astoria, Queens, NY.and boy does this bring back memories!
Even if your memories of the show are less personal, or if you have never seen this excellent show, then let me highly recommend that you give it a try. My wife, Stephanie, is 11 years younger than I am, and had only caught the occasional snippet of an episode here and there while flipping around. She found herself enjoying these shows, too.especially the hilarious final one of the 1st season!
I find myself looking forward to The Complete Second Season.
P.S. - ever wonder what an "old LaSalle" was? It was a pre-WW2 automobile! Gee, it ran great!!
My thanks to Jordan Nutson, who wrote in with information about the "Gloria" spin-off. This review was edited on 10/7/02 to accurately reflect that information.
Classic Emmy Award-Winning 1970s Sitcom From Legendary TV Producer Norman Lear
ALL IN THE FAMILY: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON
Three-Disc DVD Arrives February 13 Featuring All 24 Episodes Starring... (read entire news item)
11/27/2006
Reader Finds Street Date For 6th Season In Online Listing
A week-and-a-half ago we gave you the heads-up that All in the Family - The Complete 6th Season was on Sony's schedule for sometime in the first quarter of 2007. Now we've got an exact date, thanks to... (read entire news item)
11/17/2006
Don't worry, season 6 is coming
It's time for the yearly All in the Family release - sources tell us it should be out in the first quarter (Jan-March). Sony has already announced most of their January titles, so we're expecting it to... (read entire news item)
10/25/2005
It's Official: Season 5 hits shelves in Jan **Updated with Art**
As predicted, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced a few details for All in the Family: Season 5. The 3 disc set will be available on January 3 for a suggested price of $29.95. All 25 episodes... (read entire news item)
10/17/2005
5th Season - One Of The Show's Most Eventful! - Heads To DVD In January
This past week, on 10/11, Pavan Badal updated the the Sitcoms Online News Blog with some great news for All In The Family fans:
We can expect to see more Archie, the dingbat, the Meathead, and the little... (read entire news item)
1/31/2005
4th Season Announcement: Cover Art, Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Award-winning, Groundbreaking Sitcom
From Legendary TV Producer Norman Lear
ALL IN THE FAMILY:
THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON
Series Starring Carroll O'Connor, Jean Stapleton,... (read entire news item)
12/27/2004
Rumors about 'quick' turn-around for 4th Season release
All in the Family fans are used to long waits between DVD releases: the first season of the show hit DVD in March 2002, then it took close to a year for the Feb. 2003 release of season two, and then another... (read entire news item)
5/15/2004
Final Art for S3
Earlier this week we told you about the official announcement for All In The Family - The Complete 3rd Season. At that time we showed you some early cover art, but now Columbia has told us that this... (read entire news item)
5/10/2004
Stifle Yourself, Dingbat! Season 3 is announced!
More than a year after the last DVD release, fans can relax finally because All In The Family - The Complete 3rd Season is coming on July 20th.
Look for more groundbreaking 1970s comedy with Carroll... (read entire news item)
4/26/2004
Price Drop on Season 1
We usually don't go out of our way here at TVShowsOnDVD to mention a price drop, but this one is different. You see, we've gotten a lot of fan feedback over time about the price situation with the two... (read entire news item)
3/12/2004
Season 3 has been moved
Back in December we brought you news that All in the Family season 3 was slated for a fall, 2004 release.
We just got new word from Columbia TriStar that season 3 will be out in July, not the fall.... (read entire news item)
12/26/2003
Fear not - Season 3 news
We know that many of you are eagerly anticipating the release of the third season of All in the Family. We receive tons of email asking, "Where is it? Did it get cancelled?"
Good news - it didn't get... (read entire news item)
11/11/2002
Season 2...Finally!
After what seemed like a very long wait to fans of the Bunker clan, Columbia/TriStar today announced a 3-disc release of "All In The Family: The Complete Second Season". The $39.95 list price item should... (read entire news item)
1/17/2002
AitF - Season One Press Release
FROM AWARD-WINNING TELEVISION PRODUCER NORMAN LEAR COMES:
ALL IN THE FAMILY - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Comes to DVD in a Three-Disc Set on March 26, 2002
CARROLL O'CONNOR, JEAN STAPLETON,... (read entire news item)
1/12/2002
Season One out in March
March is going to be a VERY expensive month if you're a fan of TV shows on DVD. Columbia/TriStar is releasing "All in the Family" Season One on March 26. This 3 disc set contains all 13 episodes from... (read entire news item)
