“All in the Family” is a beloved television show from the 1970s that many embrace to this day.
The show was controversial due to the bigoted character, Archie Bunker (who later softened and changed his former racist ways). Archie Bunker was played by the late Carroll O’Connor, who in real life was Liberal, as was Jean Stapleton, who played Edith Bunker. Stapleton was also a feminist.
While Archie was set in his ways, Edith was open-minded and saw life from a beautiful perspective. She was the family matriarch, a peacemaker, and the glue that held the family together. Edith reminds many of someone in their own family, usually a grandmother. My own grandmother had Edith’s positive qualities.
Edith had dinner on the table to make sure her grouchy husband was happy. She was able to see the point of view of both her daughter and her husband during times of arguments. When her husband Archie called her a “dingbat” and to “stifle yourself” she briefly looked disappointed, but within seconds she was cheery and smiling again. His negativity never jolted her spirit.
Edith Bunker was a non-judgmental woman and saw the good in everyone, but was oftentimes naive. My favorite episode of “All in the Family” is when Edith sees an ad in a magazine from a couple seeking another couple. Edith mistakes the “swingers” for a couple who simply want friendship.
Edith Bunker became great friends with her Black neighbor Louise Jefferson — whose husband George hated white people and was always at odds with Archie. The ladies didn’t let their husbands’ prejudices get in between their friendship. Edith also became friends with a drag queen, Beverly LaSalle; the show was truly ahead of its time, as was Edith.
The only time the happy Edith broke out of character was when she was going through menopause. It was hilarious when she was yelling at Archie and telling him to “stifle” himself as he told her for so many years.
This character comes across as a ditz, but if you closely watch the show you realize there is so much wisdom in Edith Bunker. Beautiful truth comes out in her child-like innocence. And we also see, Archie Bunker really loves her. How could he not? How could anyone not love Edith Bunker?
If Edith Bunker were alive today, she could be a motivational speaker. I can see her sharing one of her long stories on Ted Talks, captivating audiences with her silliness, and wrapping up with something unexpectedly profound. And she’d get a standing ovation, with Archie Bunker in the front row!
What do you think? Share your comments/memories about Edith Bunker in the comments below.
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Someone is trying to tell me something — this is the second reference I’ve seen about Edith Bunker in as many days.
I hope the Universe isn’t telling you to stifle yourself! LOL! 😀
No, its probably calling me a dingbat. 😉
it’s**
There you go, write about bats! That’s up your alley! 😀
I love Edith, too! 🤍🌻🌺
Yay! She’s the best! 🙂
So much fun…Edith’s character was written so well. Shy and unassuming, but she had some of the best lines. Jean Stapleton was a treasure and the show, overall, was quite controversial ‘back in the day’. I didn’t understand why, as a kid. I just loved the comedy and tried for years to figure out the opening song…that phrase about how “Glen Miller played” and the “hit parade” made no sense to me until explained. Who? What? LOL! 🤣
Yes, Edith was truly one in a million. Jean Stapleton did an amazing job with the character.
The show is more controversial today; as there are so many things that wouldn’t fly in today’s world. Though I watch commentary of the show from the younger generation and they are not as offended as the internet would have us believe. Though some didn’t get the Archie character and compared him to Al Bundy, which is not it at all. Archie wasn’t sexist like Al was and he really loved Edith. We see this many times in the series throughout the years.
😎😉😎
I remember that show and I thought it was great, and the characters were so recognizable. I agree with your evaluation of Edith. Spot on.
Thank you so much! I was watching a YouTube commentary on the show and this young guy said he loved Edith’s voice and that she was so positive, then added, “A shout out to Edith!” That was beautiful and got me all choked up.
I love this show and Edith so much! A few years back I introduced my husband to this show and I fell in love with it all over again. Though it ended before I was born, I remember watching it late at night and thinking that Edith was the actual brains of the whole operation as the perfect blend of the best of Archie and Mike. And best of all, when me or my hubs are being a little too sassy, the other will say, “Stifle yourself, Edith!”
Your comment brought a big smile to my face! I love that you and your husband playfully say, “Stifle yourself.” That show sure is addicting and we can take the best of it to “recreate” scenes. The other day I cooked breakfast for my husband and tried to emulate Edith’s voice, saying, “Here it is!!!!!”
We’ve been re-watching the series for sometime now. We’re only on the third season, so we have a long way to go. There are so many episodes I remember as a kid and re-runs throughout the years, but even more that didn’t see!
It’s fun watching the show “in order” and seeing how the characters develop, and new characters added in.
All in the family is definitely in my top 5 TV shows of all time. The episode with Sammy Davis Jr. was a good one!
Yes, that was legendary!
Hey Maryanne – Dave The Spazz just played Sammy on his WFMU show.
Oh wow! What song?
I used to do a Sammy Davis show with my library “Learn & Listen” series. I gave the audience a brief bio of the life of Sammy, followed by live music from Stephen Fuller. When he did “Candy Man” I’d give out candy to the audience. We had a blast doing that.