ALL IN THE FAMILY: THE FIRST AND LAST SUPPER (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about a working-class household presided over by the opinionated Archie Bunker. In this episode, over brunch, Archie argues with the atheist Michael about creationism. Their neighbor Lionel Jefferson stops by and mentions the dinner to which his parents invited Archie and Edith, and Gloria realizes that Edith has not yet told Archie about the plan, knowing that he will object. Gloria encourages them to go, and Archie states that he has plans to attend a Mets game with Michael, but Edith confesses about the invitation and Archie reacts with predictable scorn, not wanting to "break bread with coloreds." He claims that minorities are inferior and are trying to "raise their station" by consorting with whites, and the others call him out on his attitude. Archie asks Edith to cancel the dinner, but Michael challenges him to make the call himself, so he calls the Jeffersons and claims that Edith injured her ankle and must stay home. The lie then backfires when Arnold hurries over to offer his help, and Archie is shocked when he confesses that his father was not looking forward to the dinner either, being an "old-fashioned" sort who does not wish to dine with "Whitey." Arnold offers to bring the dinner to the Bunkers' home, and they are forced to accept.
Archie critiques Gloria's dinner outfit, and Edith makes a fake compress for her "injured" ankle. Just then, a neighbor comes by seeking signatures for a petition to ban blacks from the neighborhood, and Archie ushers him into the kitchen as the Jeffersons arrive, causing the man to wonder if Archie is a "double agent." Mr. Jefferson spots the petition, but Archie dismisses it and awkwardly attempts to make conversation. When they discuss the moon landing, Mr. Jefferson states that it is a waste of money, and Archie is annoyed to notice a similarity to Michael's "radical" views. Mr. Jefferson confirms that he is not an atheist, but they then begin to argue about the race of God and Jesus, with each man pointing out his own culture's superiority. The debate descends into childish bickering, and Edith finally confesses that her ankle is not injured and that they lied to avoid the dinner because of Archie's views. Mrs. Jefferson then admits that the man she brought is actually her brother-in-law, as her husband refused to come for similar reasons—and is currently attending the Mets game. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: April 6, 1971 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:13797
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; African-American Collection - Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1968-1979
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Norman Lear … Producer, Developed by
- Jane Thompson … Associate Producer
- John Rich … Director
- Jerry Mayer … Writer
- Johnny Speight … Based on the British series by
- Roger Kellaway … Music by
- Lee Adams … Theme Music by
- Charles Strouse … Theme Music by
- Jean Stapleton … Cast, Edith Bunker
- Carroll O'Connor … Cast, Archie Bunker
- Rob Reiner … Cast, Michael Stivic
- Sally Struthers … Cast, Gloria Bunker-Stivic
- Mike Evans … Cast, Lionel
- Mel Stewart … Cast, Henry Jefferson
- Isabel Sanford … Cast, Louise Jefferson
- Bill Benedict … Cast, Jimmy McNab