Caroll O'Connor

[Brichard]

I absolutely loved Carroll O'Connor. I'm sure many are not comfortable with the racial overtones of All in the Family and I know my children are not ready for the subject matter discussed in the show. But, I think that show probably taught me more about the follies of racisim then any other show I've seen.

He was a bigot, but they always portrayed him as a buffoon. His later show In the Heat of the Night also dealt with racial tensions, so I have to think that the issue was important to him. I felt bad for him when his son committed suicide after unsuccessfully battling drug problems.

An obituary listed that he was married for 50 years, and in the world of flippant Hollywood marriages, I think that is a testimony to Carroll O'Connor the man.

He will be missed and I appreciate his work.

:(

[Amy2]

Carroll O'Conner was great. He will be missed in so many ways.

Brichard, I was surprised by your comments regarding the apporpriateness of discussing the show's subject matter with your children. I think racism is a perfect subject to be discussed with children, the younger the better! I also think that those who are "uncomfortable" with the subject matter are probably the ones who most need to be exposed to it!

All in the Family was the first television show to bring racism, bigotry, sexism, all of it out in the open. It was ground breaking. I am grateful to Carroll O'Conner (and Norman Lear) for their bravery.

Amy

[Brichard]

Originally posted by Amy
Carroll O'Conner was great. He will be missed in so many ways.

Brichard, I was surprised by your comments regarding the apporpriateness of discussing the show's subject matter with your children. I think racism is a perfect subject to be discussed with children, the younger the better! I also think that those who are "uncomfortable" with the subject matter are probably the ones who most need to be exposed to it!

All in the Family was the first television show to bring racism, bigotry, sexism, all of it out in the open. It was ground breaking. I am grateful to Carroll O'Conner (and Norman Lear) for their bravery.

Amy

I probably could have worded that better. I have no problem discussing the racism thing, but kids at that age may pick up on some language... including racial insults... that I wouldn't want them to use! For example, I don't want my daughter at 3 to start calling the in-laws "Meathead" or something worse! There are some uses of language and scenes that I think are more driven to an adult audience in my opinion.

And there is subject matter that I don't think is appropriate for my kids at age 3 and 5. I was watching a couple of nights ago and they were talking about impotence... I don't think they are ready for that! :)

Anyway... Loooove the show and Looooved Carroll O'Connor.

[AnnW]

I really admired him. It made me sad last night when I heard the news. I also admire him for his commitment to his marriage and his son.

[Diane]

I was also very sad to hear that he passed away. I use to watch All in the Family all the time... he sure had a way with words and he always kept me in stitches. I also watched him when he stared in The Heat of the Night... He was a great actor and was very committed to his wife and children... He will surely be missed by all.

Diane...

[RCT]

missed that on the news last night, I can't believe he died and I didn't hear it on the morning news...thanks for the info....I too admired his committment to his children and his wife and family....he will be missed and hopefully all his work will not be forgotten...ie all in the family, and parents gettting involved in thier childrens lives....

[KarlaB]

I just heard the news this afternoon and was shocked! He will definitely be missed! :(

[Linda/NE]

I too remember watching All in The Family (every Sunday nite I think). What is really strange is that my parents allowed us to watch this, but we couldn't watch One Day At A Time because the mother was divorced.--Never quite understood that.

He will definitely be missed.

[RCT]

LOL to your parents....Mr. Oconnor will sure be missed..

[Ryleigh]

He will be missed. I was still pretty young when All In the Family was first on but occasionally was able to bribe my way out of bedtime and watch. I saw most episodes in reruns later on and still tune into a rerun once in a while.

[Leigh]

I too find this very sad. I just watched his show last night on Nick at Night with my SIL. It is strange to be watching and know that he is not here anymore. He will definitely be missed.