I was trying to organize links on my media-server PC this morning. I opened up the Crackle video site when organizing them. I noticed the very first episode of All in the Family. Of course I was familar with that show as its whole footprint was pretty much the decade of the 1970's. It premiered on television when I was 12 years old, so it may have not been on my radar at that point. However, it continued to run right through my junior year in college.
I was curious to see the very first episode, entitled Meet the Bunkers, on my television today. Of course it didn't take up my whole TV screen as it was one the very first major American series to be video-taped before a live audience. The quality of the copy reminded me of watching home VHS tapes. Still, it was not the quality of the picture that was of interest. It was engaging because the show was a stunning time-capsule of that era. It was also amazing to me as it confronted real issues in American society and did it in a way in which engaged the country. Alas, I fear that such a feat could never be replicated today. So, what program, forty years later, had the biggest share of viewers this year?
American Idol. Yup, American Idol. Really, it's American Idol!
Sigh. What was I saying about television not being a wasteland?
From Crackle:
Unfortunately this video is available only to those with a US Internet IP. Also, it likely will be hosted on Crackle for only a limited time. I generally avoid including items here which are fleeting because I like my eJournal and images to be a type of personal archive. Yet, I did think it worthy to include for those who may have a chance to get a taste of it.