Sally Struthers Reveals How Archie Bunker’s Language Left Her Shocked
Culture Shock on the Set
The iconic 70s show All in the Family is still remembered, but the early days weren’t easy for its star, Sally Struthers.
78-year-old Sally, who played Gloria Stivic on the show and won two Emmy Awards, recently revealed that moving to LA was a major shock for her.
She grew up in a respectable Lutheran family in Portland, Oregon, where no one cursed or harbored resentment.
Suddenly entering this Hollywood environment was a “culture shock” for her.
Archie Bunker’s Bitter Words
During the show’s rehearsals, there was chaos. Sally recounts how during script readings, network executives would argue with producer Norman Lear.
They would haggle over which words to remove and which to keep.
You’ll be surprised to know that back then, even saying “Geez” was prohibited because it was considered a slang for “Jesus.”
But the words uttered by the show’s main character, Archie Bunker, would shake Sally to her core.
Didn’t even know the meaning of the abuses
Sally was so naive that she often had to ask on set, “What does that mean?”
Whenever Archie uttered a racial slur or a foul word on the show, Sally would ask her co-star sitting next to her for its meaning.
She says she never heard such negative words as a child, so this “badsurti” of the world was completely new to her. In a way, she was learning the harsh truth of the world.
Fan Stories and New Project
Even today, when fans meet Sally, they say, “My dad is just like Archie.” To this, Sally simply laughs and says, “My condolences are with you.” Well, old things are old.
Sally is still active in acting. After playing Babette in Gilmore Girls, she will soon be seen in the Christmas movie All Is Merry & Bright.
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