as well as “All in the Family” and “Sanford & Son”? If so, how do they compare? Have “All in—” and “Sanford” ever been shown in the UK? (I can see where AITF would be too topical and geospecific to cross the Atlantic, but Sanford is pretty universal humor).
I was surprised both at how dissimilar Alf Garnett looks from Archie Bunker (more than just the difference in the actors) and by the fact that the actor who played Alf still resurrects the character for plays and TV specials 35 years after he originated. Is Alf as major a character in British pop-culture as Archie is in ours?
I really wish BBC would release both TDUDP and Steptoe onto DVD. Meanwhile, I’d love to hear how those who’ve seen all four series judge them.
I can’t speak about Britain, but AITF was shown in Finland and was moderately popular. Don’t forget that the rest of the world pays quite a bit more attention to American domestic politics than America pays to the domestic politics of the rest of the world (and it’s not like the concept of a clash between generations isn’t rather universal, anyway)
There is a Steptoe and Son dvd. In fact there are three, although one features the two mainly bad movies:
They’re probably Region 2 only, though.
Till Death Us Do Part was thunderously popular here but came under a lot of fire for being racist, homophobic etc. While one appreciated that Alf was meant to represent a racist character, and that he was invariably shown up as a silly old twit by the realities of the world around him (eg. his gay black home-help Marigold, for one), it became harder and harder to justify him as the years went by. One got the impression that Johnny Speight, the writer, had never actually met a gay black guy, and was just trying to write the most sympathetic one he could. Sadly stereotypes crept in everywhere. I once saw Speight interviewed at the Edinburgh TV Festival, and it was really very clear that the show had had its day: perhaps a little like Benny Hill, the wind of political change had decided his opinion for him. To be fair Speight was just of a different generation, and while he was doing the best he could to be positive, his old-school phrases and language inevitably got in the way. I really don’t believe he was a racist. At one point, accused of homophobia, he declared that he “didn’t mind what gays do as long as they don’t ask me to join in”. It’s an old line and it was the voice of an old man; he simply didn’t know what else to say. Benny Hill was much the same when challenged with sexism. I felt for Speight, because I could see he was trying to be nice, but his “as long as they don’t ask me to join in” was rapidly cut down with a “you should be so lucky” from Jenny Eclair. The overwhelming impression was of a decent old bloke who honestly believed everybody was the same, but couldn’t get his head round the politics of a new generation.
I do think he was a great writer, one of the best, and Alf Garnett a terrific character. The show is still loved (especially the earlier episodes which featured Alf’s wife - they were fantastic) but in certain circles it’s loved in secret.
I have never seen Archie Bunker, nor Sanford and Son. I’d love to have a look.
Steptoe and Son is my second favourite show ever ever. It’s just brilliant. There were loads of radio shows made too, you can pick them up off the BBC.
If you like it you should try “Hancock’s Half Hour”, the first work of real genius from the Steptoe writers, Galton & Simpson. Paired with the unmatchable talents of Tony Hancock, they created the finest show I’ve ever seen. Doubtless there were plenty of duff episodes, but have a look at “Twelve Angry Men” or “The Blood Donor”. Instant classics.
