This is the first pilot for what became "All in the Family". Apparently the network didn't like some of the cast so they had different actors play Gloria and Richard (later changed to Mike). In particular, this Gloria seemed VERY New York Italian and the later incarnations were more middle America and ethnically ambiguous. D'Urville Martin played Lionel in both pilots--the one and "Those Were the Days" (the second pilot). By the time the first actual episode came along ("Meet the Bunkers"), Richard/Mike, Gloria and Lionel were the actors we are now familiar with and more likable than the pilot actors...though perhaps this is more due to familiarity.

The episode itself is essentially the same as in the second pilot AND the first episode. It's Archie and Edith's anniversary and the kids make them a nice brunch. But, not surprisingly, Richard and Archie get to arguing about race and then later about the existence of God. And, like these two other episodes, Archies racial slurs are a bit more frequent and vulgar than you'd hear in later episodes.

Overall, very similar to the second pilot but perhaps a bit grouchier and more harsh. Watchable and interesting...particularly if you are a fan of the later series.

A few other things to note...the family is named 'Justice' in this one and the opening song is VERY different towards the end and Richard/Mike is Irish (as he is in the second pilot)....oh, and Carroll O'Connor is sporting a toupee!

This is obviously a curio, if you're any kind of fan of the series. It's also pretty bad. Archie wears a toupee here. Why? The family name is "Justice." Why? Meathead's character is named "Richard," and he's Irish rather than Polish. Why? We have Carroll O'Connor and Jean Stapleton, but even they can't make this pilot work. The other 3 actors are genuinely bad in their respective roles (refer to my heading). Most TV episodes or movies that were "lost" for decades might just as well have stayed lost. This pilot is no exception.