Customer Reviews

All in the Family: Archie Meets Meathead [VHS]

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"All In The Family" was certainly a ground-breaking TV show, and the episodes selected for this VHS video will give you a pretty good idea as to why that was true. Archie Bunker, in all his bigoted splendor, comes to life right away in the premiere episode of the series, entitled "Meet The Bunkers" (first aired in January of 1971).

In addition to that first episode, this tape also gives us another Season-One program (Episode # 8), "Lionel Moves Into The Neighborhood", and a show from Season Two, "Flashback: Mike Meets Archie" (which was the 18th episode in the series).

This 1998-produced color video from Columbia Tri-Star Home Video is presented (for some odd reason that I've yet to fathom) in "EP" (Extended Play) mode. (Well, at least the copy that I received is in EP mode; perhaps some other copies *were* recorded in SP; I cannot be sure of this.)

But this EP recording makes no sense to me at all, since all 70 minutes could easily fit on the tape's spool in "SP" (Standard) playback mode, and give better quality to boot. It also seems strange that Columbia has produced some of the tapes in this series of 10 "All In The Family" videos in SP mode, while others (like this one) are recorded at the inferior EP speed. Most curious indeed.

But, even so, the video and audio look and sound pretty good here, considering the limitations of the VHS format. In fact, the Hi-Fi Mono sound on this tape actually sounds *better* than the audio on any of the multiple AITF boxed sets on DVD. The DVD's audio tracks seem a tad "weak" to me.

Completists beware! --- These Columbia/Tri-Star videos of "AITF" are NOT showing the complete, uncut episodes. Some large chunks of programming have been edited out of this video, and others in this series too. Which, again, seems strange, because there are no commercial interruptions here, and obviously no need to trim anything for time reasons. But, obviously, Columbia has used truncated, syndicated prints for these "All In The Family" videos.

An example of missing scenes --- In the first episode on this tape, the final 2 to 3 minutes of the Epilog scene are missing (when Archie and Mike/Meathead are talking about the greeting card that Edith received earlier in the episode). It *is*, indeed, all just "filler", without much substance, but it would still be nice to see the shows uncut.

If you desire to see the complete, unedited shows, you'll have to purchase the seasonal boxed sets of "All In The Family" on DVD. The DVDs do present the shows in uncut form, which is great to see, because there are some often-excised scenes shown on the DVDs that you've probably never seen before, due to the chopped-up prints shown on commercial TV.

Smile-inducing dialogue courtesy Mr. Archie Bunker in "Meet The Bunkers" ..................

Archie (talking to daughter Gloria): "Pull that skirt down! ...... Every time you sit down in one of them things, the mystery's over!"

LOL!

I have seen this video and it made me laugh till it hurt and it also makes you think as well. CARROLL O'CONNOR is great as ARCHIE plus JEAN STAPELTON AS EDITH will have anyone in stiches with her one-liners I won't give the plot away in these stories but just watch and you'll agree they are some of the funniest on television. The things ol ARCHIE gets worked up over may seem taboo today but will make you look at one's self at your own feelings about these story issues anway buy this tape you won't regret it.

All in the famiy is totally classic. I always loved it and I always will. I highly recommend this video for anyone who needs a good laugh.

I loved it! This is incredibly funny and entertaining. The Bunkers really know how to show someone a good time.

My husband and I are major fans of All in the Family. There is not and episode that we did not cry laughing. There is so much to be learned from this show. I've heard some say what a crude man Archie was, but I could always see the good in him and how Edith was the perfect partner for him. I know I talk of them as if they were real. But to me they are and they will live on in my heart forever. This was and is a very special special show, and I hope that all the seasons come out soon on DVD/Video, because I want to collect them all. I have only the first and second season. I am hoping that they will be coming out with the rest of the seasons in the VERY NEAR future. Sincerely, One of your many #1 fans!!!

I FIND THIS TELEVSION COMEDY SERISES TO BE ABSOLUTEMLY FUNNTY AND I GET A REAL KICK OUT THE CONFRONTATIONS THAT TAKE PLACE!

"All In The Family" Is 1 Of The Best Sitcoms Ever. On This Cassatte It Has Lional From The Spinoff "The Jeffersons". Archie Meets His Future Son-In-Low Mike "The Meathead". Gloria And Mike Put On A Anniversiry Party For Edith And Archie, Lional From "The Jeffersons" Visits The Bunker House, And Gloria And Mike Celebrate Their Wedding Anniversiry. This Is A Funny Tape. You Must Buy It.

Have you ever seen such a look on anyones face like the one you see on Archie's when he first saw "Meathead"? I would admit, Mike did look sort of like a friek!