The 1970s American sitcom All in the Family remains one of the most popular and enduring shows in American history. It is nearly always in rotation on some network, and practically every American over the age of twenty is familiar with the offensive, yet lovable character Archie Bunker and his many catchphrases, including: “stifle,” “ding bat,” and, of course, “meat head.”
All in the Family was centered on the middle-aged, conservative, working-class Archie Bunker as he lived his life in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York. Alongside him were his genuine, yet dense wife, Edith, his hippie son-in-law Mike, and his daughter Gloria. There was also a range of supporting actors who were often foils to Archie and challenged his beliefs. Though the show tackled many controversial issues in America during the 1970s, it actually got its inspiration from across the pond.
From 1965 to 1975, British television audiences tuned in each week to watch main character Alfred Garnett offend his family and British society in Till Death Us Do Part. This show followed the same formula as All in the Family: Alfred tackled the issues of the day in the most offensive ways possible, but he also became a fan favorite due to his authentic nature. He was supported by his wife Elise, his daughter Rita, and her communist husband Mike.
An American television producer saw the show and knew that it could be a hit if it was slightly modified for an American audience. The Bunkers were made into a solidly middle-class family, and the relationship between Archie and Edith was less antagonistic than it was with their British counterparts. American Mike was made far less radical, and the Bunkers were given a more diverse range of neighbors. For instance, the Jeffersons were the first black family in the Bunker’s neighborhood.
The formula worked so well that Norman Lear, and then other American producers, decided to replicate it with other shows.
The 1970s hit Sanford and Son was actually based on the 1960s British sitcom Steptoe and Son. Although the location of the show, as well as the race of the main characters, was changed, the premise remained the same—a curmudgeonly and often verbally abusive father operated a junk yard with his long-suffering son.
One of the least known (and most interesting) of all American sitcoms that got its inspiration in England was Three’s Company. That’s right, the 1970s-80s silly sitcom about a playboy and his two female roommates, with whom he maintained a platonic relationship, was based on the 1970s British sitcom Man About the House. The most interesting part about the Three’s Company/Man About the House connection is that the latter show produced two spin-offs that were directly copied by its American counterpart. In Man about the House, the trio’s landlords left the show for their own show, titled George and Mildred; on Three’s Company the same situation took place, producing The Ropers. Finally, when Man About the House ended, Robin Tripp, the primary male character, left the apartment to live with his girlfriend Vicky. On Three’s Company, Jack Tripper left the apartment to move in with his girlfriend Vicky on the show Three’s a Crowd.
It sure seems like being a writer for one of these shows would’ve been an easy gig. You would’ve just had to get a hold of the British scripts, change some names and locations, and then apparently you’d have a hit show.