Because of its unprecedented discussion of controversial political issues in mainstream programming, All In The Family opened the eyes of America to the realistic need to confront these issues, whereas a modern program such as Arrested Development, although it also incorporates controversial issues, fails to address these issues in a serious manner, which downplays them in the mind of the viewer.
Both shows depict dysfunctional families striving to exist in spite of each other. For all their differences though, they all continue to interact regularly, which shows that the family unit is essential to the well-being of the individual (or perhaps just for the well-being of the sitcom). The basic format of the comedy in both is based on the differing ideology of the central characters.
All In The Family was successful as a series largely because it served as a forum for the political clash between the counterculture generation and the conservative viewpoints of their parents. Archie's stubbornness and bigotry is a recurring element in the show, and his clashes with his progressive son-in-law Michael provide an arena for the ideological battle these two represent. In Arrested Development, there are significant issues at hand as well, such as alcoholism, Oedipal complexes, the social problems developed as a result of poor parenting, but these issues are treated irreverently throughout, and are rarely taken seriously by the characters involved. Nothing is holy, and yet nothing engages an active viewer.
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