The rape of Edith Bunker.........

[senor boogie woogi]

Howdy!

Was the airing of the episode where Edith Bunker almost gets raped contreversial at the time that it aired? I personally thought it was way over the line personally. Norman Lear just wanted to see how far he could go.

Besides, it's Edith Bunker. Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.

Senor

[treky]

I haven't seen that one in YEARS,-I think the last time I saw it was when CBS used to rerun the series in the mornings back in 1979-and I saw it when it first aired in 1977 or 78, but from what I can recall, I don't think so.

[TJL]

Besides, it's Edith Bunker. Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.

Senor


Rape jokes? Really?

You really should work on your material Senor.

[ThomasE]

Howdy!

Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.

Senor

Whoa! :lol: You went there, huh?

[TV_Forever]

The episodes in question were used back in the day at woman's shelters. I don't know exactly why they would have been, I just recall hearing and or reading someplace about AITF that they were used. Also after the episode the gentleman who played the rapist (David Dukes) I had heard that many people told him to his face just how displeased they were about him trying to rape Edith. I have heard in some cases threats were made and punches came.

I don't have anything concrete because I can't remember whether I read it someplace and clipped the article or just saw it in discussions, sorry.

There are many people who loved Edith as a character so much, they easily forgot these were characters. That can be attributed to the fine acting of Jean.

At any rate LOL sorry if this is just wasted space...that's not my intention :)

[Rockapella722]

Hey, guys.

I'm a TV/Film major at the University of Wisconsin and we recently watched "part 1" of this episode for a screening. As a rather big AITF fan, I had tears in my eyes by the end. (I haven't seen this episode before, which is weird.) But they didn't show us "part 2" for some ridiculous reason! UGH! I am DYING to see the rest. Is it possible to watch it anywhere online? I realize this is kind of difficult since season 8 isn't out on DVD yet...

Thanks for any help, guys!

~Kt

[Schmoopie]

Now Sally Struthers I would of tied to a bed, but now she would eat the bed.
Senor

I'm sorry... I know that this is going to make me sound so horrible, but I was laughing so hard I was crying when I read that sentence. It sounded to me like it was talking about Sally Struthers' weight gain, rather than rape. Please forgive me, though. I just found that line about her eating the bed hysterical! :lol: Now I'm going to go hide my head in shame... and try not to laugh...)

Andrea

[Hughsgirl]

I'm sorry... I know that this is going to make me sound so horrible, but I was laughing so hard I was crying when I read that sentence. It sounded to me like it was talking about Sally Struthers' weight gain, rather than rape. Please forgive me, though. I just found that line about her eating the bed hysterical! :lol: Now I'm going to go hide my head in shame... and try not to laugh...)

Andrea


I couldn't help but snicker at that crack about the bed too, but that idiot has been banned and probably for good reason, rape is not a laughing matter. It seemed he would excuse that behavior if it was Gloria being attacked rather then Edith and I'm sure it had to do with the age like alot of people don't understand that ANY woman is not safe when it comes to rape!

[Schmoopie]

I couldn't help but snicker at that crack about the bed too, but that idiot has been banned and probably for good reason, rape is not a laughing matter. It seemed he would excuse that behavior if it was Gloria being attacked rather then Edith and I'm sure it had to do with the age like alot of people don't understand that ANY woman is not safe when it comes to rape!
Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Just to change the subject though. Edith wasn't really raped, was she? My husband and I were talking about this and it seems to us that she was just attacked. I remember her throwing that pot of hot water or something that was baking in the attacker's face, but it's been a really long time since I've seen this episode.

Andrea

BTW, Hughsgirl... welcome to the board! Love your avatar!

[Hughsgirl]

Thank you. I'm glad I wasn't the only one. Just to change the subject though. Edith wasn't really raped, was she? My husband and I were talking about this and it seems to us that she was just attacked. I remember her throwing that pot of hot water or something that was baking in the attacker's face, but it's been a really long time since I've seen this episode.

Andrea

BTW, Hughsgirl... welcome to the board! Love your avatar!

Thanks for the welcome! No, Edith wasn't raped, she managed to trick him into the kitchen where she was baking a cake that was actually burning and she through it in his face. The second part showed the effects it had on her, it was very realistic.

[Mikado]

I saw it once, the first time, havent watched it since, dont want to...yes it went over the line, but, maybe it was a story that needed to be told; mainly that rape is a crime of hate against women, and that you didnt have to be beautiful or wear short skirts (The old rapist was "enticed" defense, used by defense lawyers everywhere)to be a victim of this crime.

[Hughsgirl]

I saw it once, the first time, havent watched it since, dont want to...yes it went over the line, but, maybe it was a story that needed to be told; mainly that rape is a crime of hate against women, and that you didnt have to be beautiful or wear short skirts (The old rapist was "enticed" defense, used by defense lawyers everywhere)to be a victim of this crime.

Yeah, wasn't that outrageous that a lawyer could sleep with himself at night trying to make an argument like that by turning the tables and saying the victim "enticed" the man? I'm glad times have changed in that sense.

[Don Howard]

While the scene was being filmed, the actor recalled on E! True Hollywood Story how the audience was growling at him when it was clear he was not going to be "a funny rapist". The growling and hatred he felt was as he was pulling the zipper down on the back of Edith's dress.

[comedyfreak]

I think the ep killed his career, it's my favorite episode of the whole series.

[JAlanRuss72]

This episode is rather difficult to watch, even today, which shows how realistic and ahead of its time it was. The 1970s had some truly groundbreaking material woven into its sitcoms. (BTW that comment about SS EATING the bed made me laugh too- sorry)

[comedyfreak]

Thanks for the welcome! No, Edith wasn't raped, she managed to trick him into the kitchen where she was baking a cake that was actually burning and she through it in his face. The second part showed the effects it had on her, it was very realistic.

Agreed, especially in part two where she has to deal with the effects of it stopping her daily routine. I got choked up during the scene where Gloria yells at her and Edith slaps her face.

[treky]

instead of "in part 2" you mean "in the 2nd half" because that episode was first shown as an hour.

[Pus$y Galore]

I think the ep killed his career, it's my favorite episode of the whole series.


Really? Me and my family hated this episode. I know Lear was trying to make a point, but it was like raping Mother Theresa at that time. Yes, there was a huge contraversy about it.

I still don't like seeing it. If I see it's the ep on, I won't watch it. It just bothers me too much.
'

And yeah, the black comedy freak in me chuckled at the Sally Struthers
eating the bed line (I didn't look at it from the rape point - just what's happened with Sally over the years). Sorry - sometimes you can't help it. ;)

[Schmoopie]

And yeah, the black comedy freak in me chuckled at the Sally Struthers
eating the bed line (I didn't look at it from the rape point - just what's happened with Sally over the years). Sorry - sometimes you can't help it. ;)

I still feel bad for laughing when I read that, but it just struck me as hilarious!

Andrea

[comedyfreak]

instead of "in part 2" you mean "in the 2nd half" because that episode was first shown as an hour.
But not in reruns it isn't.;)

[CDThe1]

I always thought this storyline was a brilliant one. Whether or not we "agree" or "liked" the story, you have to admit it raised all our heads and we had to watch.

I remember reading that the attempted rape was originally intended for Bonnie Franklin on "One Day at a Time." But Norman thought it would have more impact if it were to happen to Edith.

The first part is riveting as we see just how hateful the rapist is. When Edith shoves the burning cake in his face and runs out the door, AITF became the first sitcom to ever get a standing ovation from the studio audience. Even though it was off-camera.

The second part showcases some of the best acting ever from Jean Stapleton. Edith, who has always had strong faith, is very shaken.

Whether or not we "agree" with the subject matter, the story told was brilliantly executed with some great acting.