"All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" are two family based situational comedies from the 70's. "The Jeffersons" was actually a spin off show to "All in the Family". Both shows represent the same type of blue-collar ideals in two different manners. The Bunkers and Jeffersons were working class middle families. These two sitcoms challenged previous attitudes and beliefs on race, sexuality, and politics. Archie Bunker and George Jefferson use derogatory terms to other people on a pretty frequent basis. Terms such as "meathead", "Polack", "fag", "dingbat", "honky", and "nigger" have been said on the air.
One of the big differences between the shows is the point of view through two different races during the same time period. With the Bunkers being a white family, and the Jeffersons a black family, we see both families dealing with the same social problems in their own ways. Also, the role of the wife is different in these contemporary sitcoms. Edith Bunker is seen as a naive, submissive housewife who doesn't care much to argue with her beloved Archie. Louise Jefferson, on the other hand, was not as "small-minded" as her dear friend Edith. She was kind and friendly, as Edith was, but she didn't have problems getting into a heated argument with her bad tempered husband George.
As these shows were from the same time period, they deal with similar topics and issues. Both dealt with racism, prevalent political issues, and feminism. Some topics that "All in the Family" was known for challenging included homosexuality, feminism, and cancer. "The Jeffersons" dealt with some issues such as interracial coupling, suicide, and gun control.
Picture credits:
http://nocureforthat.wordpress.com/2010/01/12/all-in-the-family-%E2%99%A6-this-day-in-the-usa-%E2%99%A6-january-12/
http://www.starpulse.com/Television/Jeffersons,_The/gallery/JEFFERSONSTVS007/
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