You're a pip, Edith, a real pip

[greatbear]

I was really saddened to read actress Jean Stapleton had died. Of course, she's most famous for her role as Edith Bunker, wife of America's most favorite bigot, Archie Bunker, in the series All In The Family. Her character was the perfect spoil for Archie, her seemingly limitless ability to know and do the right thing always came from the heart. AITF was must-see TV for me when it first aired, despite my relative youth at the time, I knew I was seeing something incredible on the small screen. Issues and controversy was examined in nearly every episode, be it politics, religion, homosexuality and gay rights, racial relations, you name it. Ms. Stapleton's portrayal of Edith allowed so many people to relate with her, she was Everyperson's aunt, grandma, mother. In the end, Archie would come to see that week's error of his ways, most often with Edith's heartfelt help. If I see the show in reruns while surfing channels, I always stop. I remember all those episodes, some practically word-for-word.

I also remember this scene, from 1980. I bawled my eyes out.

As "edgy" as television is considered these days, a show like this couldn't be made now. Too many people would get "offended" I'm sure. I feel fortunate that Norman Lear was able to completely destroy the boundaries of stuffy television series values and give us a show that not only changed television forever, but countless hearts and minds as well.

RIP, Jean Stapleton, and thanks for some of the fondest memories of my earlier days.