Surprising Stories from the Set of All in the Family

When Robert Wood became president of CBS in 1969, he shook up the network by canceling a slate of popular “rural” shows like Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and Mayberry R.F.D. Despite strong ratings, they skewed too old for advertisers chasing younger viewers.

Wood wanted less corn pone and more socially relevant programming. That shift made room for Norman Lear’s retooled pilot, now titled All in the Family, starring Carroll O’Connor alongside Sally Struthers and Rob Reiner. Deemed timely and edgy, it premiered in 1971 as a summer replacement.