Clip: ALL IN THE FAMILY - 2/9/1971 - 'Judging Books by Covers'

TODAY IN QUEER TV HISTORY

ALL IN THE FAMILY: "Judging Books by Covers" - 2/9/1971, CBS

The first openly gay character ever on a U.S. sitcom appeared 50 years ago today on ALL IN THE FAMILY. It was a one-shot guest role: Archie's drinking buddy Steve (Phil Carey).

The point of the story was novel for that era: that you can't spot a homosexual. It turns out that Mike's effeminate-seeming friend Roger is straight and Archie's ex-pro-ballplayer friend Steve is gay.

[kevinhassell]

This has to be one of the best written episodes of All in the Family. Rest In Peace, Phillip Carey and Carroll O’Connor.

[emilytrott]

When Archie told her, Edith's reaction was "That big football player, is a flower?" LOL!!

[josephedwarddowling]

The fact that he is holding his hand and eye to eye makes it perfect!!!!

[retroguy]

Steve almost knocked Archie on his "keister dere" LOL 😂🤣

[Oldman]

Historic. First openly gay character on American TV.

[Reviewer]

Gotta love how Steve knows the truth about himself but even if Archie doesn’t believe him he’s not burning his bridge with him.

[joeconcepts]

I love Archie’s weird thought that “bachelors” don’t talk about women they date while in a bar with other guys.

[RoseRedd-kb]

I like when Steve looks in Archie's eyes and says in his deep deep voice "He's right Arch"

[Gregory_TheWatchman]

"The Rifleman" is one of my favorite westerns and in episode 33 of season 3, "Death Trap", Phillip Carey had a great performance.

[Ericwvb]

This was so well done - Cheers had a very similar episode when a group of gay men arrive at Sam's bar and some of his customers want them kicked out. Dianne finally convinces Sam it's the wrong thing to do and he declares they're welcome. Then it's revealed that there are gay men in the bar, but it's not the ones that they thought.

[lustthomas]

this was the first time ever in real life or TV that I saw a masculine gay guy, Norman Lear was a genius at teaching and shattering stereotypes.and l
I'm 55 by the way.

[jeffdalrymple]

This is the episode Nixon discussed with Haldeman and Erlichman in the tapes. Nixon nearly quoted and memorized every line of the episode.

[letseat]

That brief moment when Archie considers he could get his ass kicked by a gay man...

[Amanda-jljz]

He also played Asa Buchanan on One Life to Live (daytime soap opera)

[TheRandomRedSoxGuy]

As a bisexual myself: Can we just take a moment to appreciate at 1:11 how smoothly and expertly he slides that beer across the table? (With a spin, no less!) 😆

[jrewing]

Archie learns never to judge a book by its color.

[EarlSkakel]

My fav episode outside of Sammy Davis. Years later there was a short lived 3 season show called The White Shadow which I always thought was like an ensemble version of All In The Family given the subjects they both tackled.

[rugby-Philadelphia]

Beautiful!!!
I remember seeing this episode when it first broadcast. I was a Freshman in High School. I had no clue at that point that I was gay, ir honestly, what it even meant.
Realized I am a few years later - lived through the discrimination/hiding in the 1970s - AIDS in the 1980s -- and my hysband and I just celebrated our 43rd Anniversary!
We both played/coached Rugby for over 20 years -- and for a long time confused the hell out of people's expectations
😎😎😎

[josephedwarddowling]

There is a surprising true story about how Vince Lombardi defended a few of his players who were outed way, way back in the 1960's. The other players said they were going to refuse to play with them. Vince said '' I defended your right to play when you got arrested for worse!! Drugs, domestic violence, statutory rape etc. Any one who complains and your off!!!''.

There are so, so many undetectable gay guys in this world. Especially athletes.

[TWS-pddc]

Phil Carey was 6 foot 4 inches! Never realized how tall he was. Great actor, gave many great performances.