Episodes: 97 (half-hour)
Seasons: Four
TV show dates: September 23, 1979 — April 4, 1983
Series status: Cancelled/ended
Performers include: Carroll O’Connor, Jean Stapleton, Danielle Brisebois, Jason Wingreen, Bill Quinn, Allan Melvin, Abraham Alvarez, Martin Balsam, Anne Meara, and Barry Gordon.
TV show description:
In this spin-off of the long-running All in the Family series, the lives of beloved characters Archie (Carroll O’Connor) and Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) continue to play out on television. Unlike the original series, much of this sitcom’s focus is in Archie’s bar, “Archie’s Place,” which operate as a short-order restaurant after Archie partners with Jewish liberal Martin Balsam (Murray Klein).
While trying to get their business off the ground, the two face a slew of problems: a prostitute operating her business out of the restaurant threatens the reputation of the establishment while the IRS threatens to close down the neighborhood bar when it’s discovered Archie hasn’t been paying sales tax. Martin isn’t without incident either — while protesting the use of napalm in Vietnam, he punched a cop and that jeopardizes the restaurant’s chances of obtaining a liquor license.
Though there are many bumps in the road, the restaurant’s patrons make the challenges all worthwhile in the end. Regulars include one of Archie’s best friends, Barney Hefner (Allan Melvin), blind Edgar Van Ranseleer (Bill Quinn), and Hank Pivnik (Danny Dayton). The staff at Archie’s Place consists of sassy cook Veronica Rooney (Anne Meara), and her assistants, Jose and Raoul Rosario (Abraham Alvarez and Joe Rosario).
Archie’s home life with Edith and her niece Stephanie (Danielle Brisebois) isn’t without its share of conflicts either. Archie is continually in dispute with Stephanie’s grandmother Estelle Harris (Celeste Holm) over how the little girl should be raised. And when Edith dies suddenly of a stroke, Archie devotes himself to taking care of Stephanie as lovingly as his wife had. With the support of the friends and patrons at his restaurant, Archie’s Place feels a lot like home.
Episode #97 — “I’m Torn Here”
Billie and Gary agree to be friends, but this is tested when Billie falls for Rick Baxter who, unbeknownst to Billie, is an old childhood rival of Gary’s. Gary tells her he would like to start dating her again, but she wants them to remain just friends. All is put out in the open when Archie tries to clear up the situation.
First aired: April 4, 1983
What do you think? Do you like the Archie Bunker’s Place TV series? Do you think it’s as good as All in the Family?
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