How great a character was Edith Bunker? Actress Jean Stapleton died Friday at age 90 with dozens of credits in TV, movies and theater before and after “All in the Family,” but it was her embodiment of Archie’s put-upon wife that America mourns most.
The history of TV comedy is filled with great second-billed characters – Ed Norton, Barney Fife, George Costanza – but few had a more difficult task than Stapleton did with Edith. It wasn’t just that Carroll O’Connor’s Archie was a brilliantly funny, scene-consuming giant in his own right. Edith was supposed to be something of a non-entity: a woman who deferred to her husband nearly all the time, even against her better judgment.
While Archie got the great lines, Edith made us laugh with her expressions when she was told to “stifle” or by inflecting her signature “Ohh, Ah-chie” in a pinpoint-perfect way. Stapleton won two Emmys and earned eight nominations for her work as Edith, yet somehow she still seems underappreciated.
‘STORM CHASERS’ GONE
The three tornado researchers killed Friday in Oklahoma had been regulars on the Discovery channel’s series “Storm Chasers,” which aired for five years before being canceled in 2012. Tim Samaras, 55, his son Paul Samaras, 24, and Carl Young, 45, were members of the tornado research group TWISTEX, which was added to the series in its third season. Young and the elder Samaras were regulars on the show, which featured several teams of storm chasers that regularly risked their lives trying to get meteorological equipment into the paths of tornados.
“Storm Chasers” was one of those rare reality shows where much of the drama was genuine. There is little need for producer-concocted “drama” when a deadly storm is bearing down. Sadly, Friday’s events remind us that the danger to the show’s stars was very real.
‘THRONE’ OF BLOOD
More tragedy, this one far less sad. Sunday’s episode of “Game of Thrones” featured an ending that had the fan base buzzing. We won’t spoil the details for those of you still catching up, but suffice it to say a major character or two or three said farewell to the show and their fictional lives. Since then, the “GOT” fan world has been awash in grief and electronic tears and, curiously, a cry from those who haven’t read the books of utter surprise. That requires me to bring out my own, now-signature, wail: What show have you been watching!?
Perhaps we didn’t expect the outcome to happen when and where it did, but that entire storyline has done nothing but point toward a certain character not being around for long and another being left alone to plot long-term revenge. I’m not even a devotee, and I saw that coming a mile back. Pay attention, folks!
LIVING ‘NIGHTMARE’
One last tragic event. A recent episode of Fox’s “Kitchen Nightmares” featured Amy’s Baking Co., run by a couple so dysfunctional that for the first time in the show’s history, Gordon Ramsay decided he could not rescue the restaurant.
But what really made this episode stand out was that the couple, Amy and Samy Bouzaglo of Scottsdale, Ariz., proceeded to engage in what became the WWII of flame wars on their Facebook page, with the Bouzaglos taking on all-comers in a heady “I’m not stupid, you’re stupid” discussion.
Sadly, and even more sadly, inevitably, reality-show producers came calling. The Bouzaglos are now in negotiations for their own series, which is likely to net them more money and fame than their restaurant ever did. Who’s stupid now?
TOP TEN
What I’m watching this week.
1. “Mad Men” (AMC, Sunday) – Three episodes left
2. “The Killing” (AMC, Sunday) – TV’s best one-two punch
3. “Veep” (HBO, Sunday) – Starts 10 minutes later this week
4. “Food Network Star” (Food Network, Sunday) – Looks like a strong season
5. “The Voice” (NBC, tonight, Monday) – Down to the nitty gritty
6. “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime, Sunday) – Drama ratchets up
7. “Burn Notice” (USA, Thursday) – Season seven premiere
8. “Graceland” (USA, Thursday) – Series premiere: Good summer fun
9. “Falling Skies” (TNT, Sunday) – Two-hour season premiere
10. “Game of Thrones” (HBO, Sunday) – 70-minute season finale
Contact the writer: 714-796-7724 or mhewitt@ocregister.com
